Cash or credit?

[Spfly731]

I haven’t been to Argentina in some time, hence the question…cash or credit. Should I take crispy new hundred dollar bills or just use my credit card? Thanks

 

[MarshallE]

If you use your credit card expect to lose at least 30% compared to pesos cash. Blue dollar is 20%+ better than the CC rate, and most establishments give a 10%+ discount for paying in cash

 

[Spfly731]

If you use your credit card expect to lose at least 30% compared to pesos cash. Blue dollar is 20%+ better than the CC rate, and most establishments give a 10%+ discount for paying in cash

Thank you!

 

[carride]

I haven’t been to Argentina in some time, hence the question…cash or credit. Should I take crispy new hundred dollar bills or just use my credit card? Thanks

Most of the time the credit card rate is 5-10% less than the Blue. Today, for example, shopping with international Visa credit card gives $1213 which is 6.7% less than the $1300 published Blue (if you even really get that when you exchange). Assuming you have a card that does not charge any fee.

It is very simple, use the online Visa calculator to see the rate change just after 2359hrs Mon-Fri. It will not change more than once per day. Or Saturday or Sunday, or other non-bank work day. Then compare any of the sites publishing the Blue. Mastercard has a similar webpage calculator.

Yes many places give a discount for cash. Some might even reject an international credit or debit card. Though many, especially a large business trying to follow all the rules, will have one price regardless of how you pay.

Exchange Rate Calculator - Currency Converter

Exchange Rates & Currency Conversion Calculator - Use the converter to get an indication of the rate you may receive when using your Visa card. Learn more.

usa.visa.com

 

[carride]

My mistake Visa is 5.2% less than the Blue rate of 1280 published on dolarHoy this evening

 

[LuckyLuke]

It's always better to have cash. You not only get better rates from the cueva, you often get "effectivo" discounts at retailers as well.

That being said, have a good credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees on hand in case you run out of cash that day.

 

[cayayine]

I haven’t been to Argentina in some time, hence the question…cash or credit. Should I take crispy new hundred dollar bills or just use my credit card? Thanks

Both

 

[Jimbob]

Most of the time the credit card rate is 5-10% less than the Blue. Today, for example, shopping with international Visa credit card gives $1213 which is 6.7% less than the $1300 published Blue (if you even really get that when you exchange). Assuming you have a card that does not charge any fee.

It is very simple, use the online Visa calculator to see the rate change just after 2359hrs Mon-Fri. It will not change more than once per day. Or Saturday or Sunday, or other non-bank work day. Then compare any of the sites publishing the Blue. Mastercard has a similar webpage calculator.

Yes many places give a discount for cash. Some might even reject an international credit or debit card. Though many, especially a large business trying to follow all the rules, will have one price regardless of how you pay.

Exchange Rate Calculator - Currency Converter

Exchange Rates & Currency Conversion Calculator - Use the converter to get an indication of the rate you may receive when using your Visa card. Learn more.

usa.visa.com

This is the real difference not 20%. Although you will get discounts at various places with cash but it depends whether you can be bothered finding a cambio and changing up the money/carrying cash around etc.

 

[carride]

Most of the time the credit card rate is 5-10% less than the Blue. Today, for example, shopping with international Visa credit card gives $1213 which is 6.7% less than the $1300 published Blue (if you even really get that when you exchange). Assuming you have a card that does not charge any fee.

It is very simple, use the online Visa calculator to see the rate change just after 2359hrs Mon-Fri. It will not change more than once per day.

Plus it has been discussed often in the past two+ years since the international credit card rate changed to track the MEP dollar rate. If you want an indication if the Visa rate calculator will show a better or worse rate tomorrow, then watch if the MEP closed up or down today.

Cotización Dólar MEP | Ámbito

Cotización minuto a minuto del dólar MEP. Conoce todo sobre el precio histórico del dólar MEP.

www.ambito.com

 

[MarshallE]

This is the real difference not 20%. Although you will get discounts at various places with cash but it depends whether you can be bothered finding a cambio and changing up the money/carrying cash around etc.

I'd say the majority of the places I go to offer at least a 10% discount for cash payments, sometimes more. That you get a better exchange rate vs card is icing on the cake. Given how expensive BA is nowadays a 20%+ savings makes a big difference