Wise Card

[sergio]

Has anyone ever used the Wise card in Argentina? If so, how does it work and what rates are applied in Argentina, if even accepted?

 

[IamWaldo]

Has anyone ever used the Wise card in Argentina? If so, how does it work and what rates are applied in Argentina, if even accepted?

Works like a charm. Only sometimes you need to use the chip, contactless can fail from time to time.

It’s the conversion rate like any other card.

 

[Che1990]

It’s like a normal card. Most of the time works with Rappi, Mercado Libre etc, “most” being the keyword. Rate is the normal card rate OR you can convert to pesos at the official rate through the app, which probably works out the same.

 

[sergio]

Works like a charm. Only sometimes you need to use the chip, contactless can fail from time to time.

It’s the conversion rate like any other

It’s like a normal card. Most of the time works with Rappi, Mercado Libre etc, “most” being the keyword. Rate is the normal card rate OR you can convert to pesos at the official rate through the app, which probably works out the same.

It is a prepaid card? You add money? How do you add funds?

 

[IamWaldo]

it's a normal bankcard.

so you charge it by transferencia like you would with a normal bank too.
i am not sure that i understand the question

 

[Che1990]

It is a prepaid card? You add money? How do you add funds?

It’s a debit card and Wise is like a bank, so you add money by bank transfer/depsoitnwith you relevant account / wire / sort numbers etc. It lets you receive local payments with local bank account details for major currencies like USD, EUR, GBP etc.

 

[sergio]

it's a normal bankcard.

so you charge it by transferencia like you would with a normal bank too.
i am not sure that i understand the question

I never had one but I understand there are prepaid credit cards. You buy the card and then add funds to it (by bank transfer I guess) but the card has no more funds available than. you put in it. Is that what it is?

 

[IamWaldo]

I never had one but I understand there are prepaid credit cards. You buy the card and then add funds to it (by bank transfer I guess) but the card has no more funds available than. you put in it. Is that what it is?

Yep,

That's the very definition of a debitcard

 

[carride]

I never had one but I understand there are prepaid credit cards. You buy the card and then add funds to it (by bank transfer I guess) but the card has no more funds available than. you put in it. Is that what it is?

Yep,

That's the very definition of a debitcard

For spending, Prepaid and Debit cards work the same. But behind the scenes prepaid cards typically have more small print against the consumer. It seems they are exempt from regular banking rules. Easy to signup with little oversight. Example like an expire date, monthly fees, very-very low max balance, close to zero customer service, no ATM withdrawals, no way to transfer out except spending, and other limitations .
Versus these new services like Wyse and Revolut, which operate as a real bank account, following real banking regulations, though without physical locations. They have the debit cards tied to the account which can be used at ATM and to make purchases. Normal ways to transfer money in and out of the account.

 

[notsomuchofanomad]

Wise worked well in -I'd say- 90% of POS machines I tried it on. There were a couple POS models where it failed sometimes. The rate was better than last time (2022 - at the time I was forced to do the WEstern Union run), usually 40/50 ARS less than what you'd see in blue dollar.

You will still need a bit of cash (go to "Red ATM" - you can find those on carrefour). Super convenient and takes QR and foreign debit cards (like wise).