How are foreigners handling everyday payments in Buenos Aires?

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Apple Pay with Revolut visa

 

[devilclam]

If I’m buying items online or paying for a service upfront I always use credit cards. If an issue arises you can always dispute.

Otherwise I use debit cards, Apple Pay, whatever is convenient. I have Amex, visa, and Mastercard and very rarely do I encounter places that don’t accept those. However, some places try to dodge fees/taxes and only accept Mercado pago or cash, but it’s pretty rare.

You can’t use the QR code for MercadoPago as a tourist but you can use it to process online debit/credit card transactions. That’s how I buy things like concert tickets most of the time.

For cash, I do a western Union transfer every few weeks, but honestly it’s not worth the transfer fee these days. Previously you would get more purchasing power with cash that would offset the transfer fee. As of today the value of cash is less than card and you pay the transfer fee, so it’s a lose-lose.

/tldr - use your foreign credit card, sometimes debit, cash just to pay for taxis etc

 

[devilclam]

To make it short,
I Never use foreign credit cards.

Case A : You have a local ID, namely DNI, can open Mercado Libre and other fintech accounts to pay with QR. Or debit cards.
Case B: Open a bank Savings Account with Debit Card.Some say you can open without local DNI?
Case C : No local ID , pay in pesos cash only. Bring plenty cash/dollars

Case B is unnecessary in my opinion (especially for short visit) and Case C hasn’t been relevant for like…18 months?

 

[Shpongle]

You can apply for and receive a bank account with only a passport / CUIL / Precaria (no DNI). CUIL is gotten same day in ARCA with passport and precaria in hand.

This is possible in Banco Galicia and maybe others.

 

[FrankPintor]

Interesting comments about Apple Pay, I've never used it. Would you set it up with a foreign or local card? Credit or debit? And what visibility does ARCA have of these transactions?

 

[Silvie]

Interesting comments about Apple Pay, I've never used it. Would you set it up with a foreign or local card? Credit or debit? And what visibility does ARCA have of these transactions?

As long as your bank allows it, you can add any of your cards on Apple pay and you choose which one you want to use to pay in each case. It's very convenient and I've been using it all over the world where they have the contactless option. You don't need to say you pay with "Apple Pay" but only "contactless". To my knowledge this bypasses ARCA, at least most of the times.

 

[Silvie]

To my knowledge this bypasses ARCA, at least most of the times.

I correct myself, it may bypass Arca as long as you use foreign cards.

 

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Interesting comments about Apple Pay, I've never used it. Would you set it up with a foreign or local card? Credit or debit? And what visibility does ARCA have of these transactions?

Revolut is fintech bank based in UK has no foreign card fees and you can set it up 100% online.

 

[devilclam]

Interesting comments about Apple Pay, I've never used it. Would you set it up with a foreign or local card? Credit or debit? And what visibility does ARCA have of these transactions?

I just add my regular cards to my wallet and use contactless. I should have clarified I’m not specifically using Apple Pay. It’s been great for the subte

 

[simongs]

To make it short,
I Never use foreign credit cards.

Case A : You have a local ID, namely DNI, can open Mercado Libre and other fintech accounts to pay with QR. Or debit cards.
Case B: Open a bank Savings Account with Debit Card.Some say you can open without local DNI?
Case C : No local ID , pay in pesos cash only. Bring plenty cash/dollars

Thanks for you answer! I will check C and see the apps people recommend me