Reply To: New Argentina rate using UK based credit cards

[JDB]

@Reeferman – the situation remains much the same. I use Ámbito to check the rates:-

https://www.ambito.com/contenidos/dolar.html

and the only three rates (all vs US$ rather than £) that matter to you are:-

Blue – the rate you will get exchanging clean US$ bills for pesos

Oficial – the rate the US$ hotel price will be converted into pesos initially

MEP – the rate at which the above peso sum will ultimately be converted to GBP with a refund to your card, BUT you won’t get the advertised rate – I conservatively estimate 10% less and it’s most unlikely to be worse. As the MEP transaction usually takes place a few days later it’s difficult to gauge.

You still want to have some peso cash for taxis (although Uber works well there), smaller purchases and tips etc. Some restaurants have special cheap menus for cash only or offer 10-15% discount for cash.

I also send myself money by Western Union – the rate they are using today is 1570 to the £ before their fees for which there are usually promo codes.

Finally, if you are thinking of eating anywhere nice, you really need to book and most places have online booking (via Mitre) or on WhatsApp. Although the country is bust, good restaurants are heaving and it is difficult to get tables at dinner. The quality of many good restaurants surpasses London but costs a fraction if the price and top wines are a real bargain with small markups.