ATM Problems in Argentina
May 24, 2008 | 2:04 pm
#78
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So, I'll be in BsAs in June for a week. Would it just be best to bring US cash money (a weeks worth) and exchange it at the airport? I always have a moment of panic when I try my debit card in a foreign ATM. I've had a few instances where I couldn't get cash on the first try and had to find another - all the while with no more than a pocketful of change and days remaining before departure.
May 24, 2008 | 3:23 pm
#79
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 27
From what Alex (Gaucho100K) has posted, quite possibly- check the fees your bank will charge you to use an ATM, keeping in mind you will only be able to get the equivalent of US$100 or US$200 out per withdrawal.
If you use an ATM, you can be charged the following:
1) Fee from your bank for using a foreign ATM
2) Currency exchange %
3) Fee from the Argentinian ATM owner
Here is a list of some banks and their fees:
http://flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php...reign_Exchange
Do a little quicky math... for me, it's substantially cheaper to exchange cash than use an ATM. If you have your checking/savings account at a bank with low/zero foreign ATM fees, the ATM might be a better bet.
If you use an ATM, you can be charged the following:
1) Fee from your bank for using a foreign ATM
2) Currency exchange %
3) Fee from the Argentinian ATM owner
Here is a list of some banks and their fees:
http://flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php...reign_Exchange
Do a little quicky math... for me, it's substantially cheaper to exchange cash than use an ATM. If you have your checking/savings account at a bank with low/zero foreign ATM fees, the ATM might be a better bet.
May 24, 2008 | 3:46 pm
#80
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Today, I took out AR$400 at one time w/o problem. (I didn't want to try for more, because my bank doesn't charge me and I don't want extra pesos.) Card has a MC and Star logo.
May 24, 2008 | 7:26 pm
#81
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I would bring approx. USD 1000 in cash and exchange 400 or so at Eze - avoid the crooks and go to the BNA.
Originally Posted by BamaVol
So, I'll be in BsAs in June for a week. Would it just be best to bring US cash money (a weeks worth) and exchange it at the airport? I always have a moment of panic when I try my debit card in a foreign ATM. I've had a few instances where I couldn't get cash on the first try and had to find another - all the while with no more than a pocketful of change and days remaining before departure.
May 25, 2008 | 4:25 am
#83
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ZRH, COR
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in my opinion that wouldn't help. It's a local issue in Argentina and filing a suit in Argentina against Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, FirstData or alike could/would, according to my experience, be a lifeteme never ending pain..
I believe that only the users can start to claim at their banks so much that at the end they find a solution to it somehow by getting the fees waived or alike.
On the other side it hase been close to 2 months now and I still do not get a solution propposal from my bank here in Germany.
On the other side it's no big issue for one-time tourists in Argentina, but it's a real pain if you use this on a regular basis...
May 25, 2008 | 10:41 am
#85
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Santiasco
Posts: 44
May 25, 2008 | 10:48 am
#86
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I've used 2 banks already the past couple days and no fees mentioned.
May 25, 2008 | 12:23 pm
#87
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AR$600 @ Banco Itaú. No problem. (I needed more money unexpectedly because I went to a store yesterday called "Cheap Wine To Get Drunk By" and it was complete false advertising, the negociant locked me up and made me spend all my AR$ before unlocking the exit. 
May 26, 2008 | 7:27 am
#88
Join Date: May 2005
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I really think that a lot of the atm issues have calmed down. I haven't had any big problems... .In the past...( months and years ago) there were times when atms often didnt have money or had tough limits.. Right now the only problem is that some banks are limiting 600 pesos (aprox 200usd) per however you can easiliy just do it twice for 1200... I use a wamu account which still reimburses me for any fees..
Last week I got 1500peso on first try at a LINK bank not BANELCO on Guido/montevideo...
Last week I got 1500peso on first try at a LINK bank not BANELCO on Guido/montevideo...
May 26, 2008 | 7:33 am
#89
Join Date: May 2008
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May 26, 2008 | 8:44 am
#90
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 27
I'm sorry if I incorrectly listed this. I have certainly been charged fees at foreign ATMs, but I'm not specifically sure that it occurred in Argentina. I think I've been charged fees at out-of-the-way ATMs in Argentina, but my memory isn't as sharp as it used to be. If so, they were dwarfed by the US$5 fee my own bank charged me each time I used one.