Cash/effectivo, credit card, mercado pago 2026

[USAtoBA]

Hi friends,

I know this topic has been on here before, but it seems like it's an ever-changing subject so I wanted to ask now that I am here full time.

What's everyone's strategy with day-to-day spending? How do you pay your rent? How often do you use an ATM as opposed to Western Union? How often do you pay with credit card?

And is there kind of a strategy to all this? I imagine for big purchases when there is no extra fee. Credit card is best bet, always good to have cash and this society, I'm not sure about rent yet because I'm still living in the Airbnb game.

Then Mercado Pago is a whole other level, once I get my dni I want to be able to have an account here as well.

Anyway, like I said, I know this subject has been trampled on in this forum before, but I'm looking for the most up-to-date information.

Thank you to anyone who replies.

 

[MarshallE]

Times you use the ATM with a USA debit card should be 0. I am running all my spending through Mercado Pago and other billeteras nowadays. Lots of discounts and promos to be had with the digital payment options, it's starting to make sense how the locals are getting by because gringos are paying full price and then some using foreign cards.

 

[FrankPintor]

Transfer money in, both me and @carride (among others) have mentioned banks here. It's generally at the CCL rate, which used to be advantageous, now, not so much. You could do a simple SWIFT transfer to your account here, but some form-filling will be required, and there are limits. Otherwise, have someone mule the money in, there are services you can contact that will give you USD cash, if you want. It requires trust, on both sides, it's been good for me, I generally pay a 4% commission.

I'm not recommending anyone, due diligence is a must, but it's very do-able.

 

[carride]

What's everyone's strategy with day-to-day spending? How do you pay your rent? How often do you use an ATM as opposed to Western Union? How often do you pay with credit card?

1. I still use my foreign CC sometimes . It is convenient and the rate is ok. Lets me continue to accumulate airline points.
2. Never ever consider using the ATM here with your foreign atm card
3. MercadoPago might become your first experience with banking. It is really a Virtual Wallet billetera, which is very similar, but not exactly, to a regular bank account. Transfer money in from WU competitor MoneyGram. Transfer money to other small businesses to make payments. This is why your verduleria has that the Mi Alias sign at desk as a shortcut to their account number.
4. Uala (real bank) and BruBank (wallet) were the first to grant me debit cards.
5. Banco Nación was the first bank to offer me savings accounts (ARS and USD) with atm debit card. No monthly cost.
6. Brokerage account was quicker to setup for SWIFT transfer. Never visit the branch. Talk to your personal broker using WhatsApp in English. They guide you how to buy/sell bonds to convert your International Cable Dollars to Pesos or MEP USD that you transfer to MercadoPago as needed. Still getting 2-3% more dollars than were sent from USA if you trade bonds at the high volume time of day.

 

[USAtoBA]

Great feedback. Thanks all!

 

[SlowWalker]

I typically try to use my Argentinian credit card as much as possible. Otherwise I use mercado pago/transfers during the month. I rarely use bills, for the most part limited to tips.

I check my balance by the end of the month and transfer amounts needed to Argentina. At the beginning of each month I use money transferred over and convert it, pay rents, credit cards etc and put some in the accounts to be used for transfers/cash.

Yes if you transfer to a brokerage account instead of an bank you will be able to transfer at CCL instead on MEP. Both have a 1% commission but it's better than banks. CCL will be 2-4% depending on the day.

 

[brandon]

1. I still use my foreign CC sometimes . It is convenient and the rate is ok. Lets me continue to accumulate airline points.
2. Never ever consider using the ATM here with your foreign atm card
3. MercadoPago might become your first experience with banking. It is really a Virtual Wallet billetera, which is very similar, but not exactly, to a regular bank account. Transfer money in from WU competitor MoneyGram. Transfer money to other small businesses to make payments. This is why your verduleria has that the Mi Alias sign at desk as a shortcut to their account number.
4. Uala (real bank) and BruBank (wallet) were the first to grant me debit cards.
5. Banco Nación was the first bank to offer me savings accounts (ARS and USD) with atm debit card. No monthly cost.
6. Brokerage account was quicker to setup for SWIFT transfer. Never visit the branch. Talk to your personal broker using WhatsApp in English. They guide you how to buy/sell bonds to convert your International Cable Dollars to Pesos or MEP USD that you transfer to MercadoPago as needed. Still getting 2-3% more dollars than were sent from USA if you trade bonds at the high volume time of day.

What was required to apply for #4, 5 & 6?

 

[SlowWalker]

What was required to apply for #4, 5 & 6?

I think just a DNI or precaria.

If you do it with a precaria you might have to update the bank with your actual DNI number once issued. I think it can change between your first precaria and when your visa is actually approved.

 

[Alby]

I know this topic has been on here before, but it seems like it's an ever-changing subject so I wanted to ask now that I am here full time.

What's everyone's strategy with day-to-day spending? How do you pay your rent? How often do you use an ATM as opposed to Western Union? How often do you pay with credit card?

And is there kind of a strategy to all this? I imagine for big purchases when there is no extra fee. Credit card is best bet, always good to have cash and this society, I'm not sure about rent yet because I'm still living in the Airbnb game.

Then Mercado Pago is a whole other level, once I get my dni I want to be able to have an account here as well.

Anyway, like I said, I know this subject has been trampled on in this forum before, but I'm looking for the most up-to-date information.

Thank you to anyone who replies.

Whatever you do, remember that the more you transact electronically and the greater the amounts you spend electronically, the more visible you become to ACRA. While that is not a problem in the first year of your Rentista, you will quickly fall into tax residency after that, which creates potential exposure, both to the overseas assets that the Rentista is funded by and the income those assets generate. Some will tell you the risk is small. But be aware of it.

 

[Macanudo]

A local bank debit card is a really clean way to pay for fruits and veggies (no handling old crumbled pesos), just touch the device with your card. No ID required.

Efectivo will get a 10% discount at certain Fiambrerias and other stores around town.

Mercado Pago gets you a 25% discount at Coto on Fridays (meat not included). Coto can give you cash back up to 170,000 pesos from Mercao Pago and debit cards. Using Mercado Pago is less convenient than a debit card if there isn't a strong internet connection. You can pay Uber and Didi with a debit card or Mercado Pago by setting up your payment in advance.

WU has low fees if you have someone that can help send the money in office from the US. The rates usually follow the CCL, so watch that rate like a hawk. On Tuesday the WU rate jumped to 1510.75 for about 24 hours and it was fairly easy to predict that it would quickly go back down because the CCL dropped. A week ago the WU rate was around 1450. Right now the rate is 1483.
If you want to or have to pay dollars for rent, with help from a trusted friend you can usually pay less for the dollars at a cueva than the rate WU gives you.