travel money card argentina

Navigating Money in Argentina: A Traveller’s Guide to Money Matters in 2024

Travelling to Argentina and wondering how to navigate the confusing topic of money in Argentina? This guide will help you understand cash, credit cards and more – along with handy tips I picked up living in Argentina for two years.

IMPORTANT! This article has been updated in December 2023 following the election of Javier Milei as Argentina’s president.

If you’re planning a trip to Argentina , you’ve probably stumbled upon a complex topic in your research: money.

Money in Argentina is a unique… confusing… complex situation. It’s unlike any other country I’ve ever been to. With raging inflation and decades of uncertain economic policy, it’s no wonder that visitors and residents alike struggle to wrap their heads around the different forms of currency exchange rates, the infamous mercado azul (blue market) and the ever-changing prices.

As someone who lived in Argentina for two years and grappled with these topics myself, I’m here to share my knowledge and tips on navigating money matters in this beautiful country.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what you need to know to plan your visit, whether you should bring cash or cards, if you should use ATMs, how to exchange money and more!

This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

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Understanding currency in Argentina

The official currency of Argentina is the Argentine peso, denoted as ARS. On signs, you’ll see the dollar sign ($) used.

The peso comes in various denominations, including coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 pesos, and bills of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 (the country introduced the 2000-peso note in 2023 to deal with spiralling inflation, and also phased out the 5-peso bill because it had such little value).

The 1000-peso note is worth less than US$1.50, so you’ll always be carrying large wads of cash with you!

But what you most need to understand is that the Argentine peso has been troubled by severe inflation for decades. This inflation makes the value of the peso quite unstable, with prices of goods and services frequently changing to keep up.

While many countries have been plagued by inflation of 7% or 8% over recent years, inflation in Argentina has reached 180% (and in decades past it’s even hit 20,000%).

It’s not uncommon to walk into a restaurant one day and pay a certain amount for a meal, only to walk in two days later and pay double – or more – for that same meal. Restaurant owners (and other shops) have to constantly adjust their prices to keep up.

This economic instability can be quite a surprise if you’re used to a more stable currency.

It’s tough for a country that was one of the richest in the world at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Blue Market: Argentina’s informal currency exchange

Because of this high inflation, Argentines prefer to hold onto and trade in US dollars, which is seen as a more stable currency.

This situation has led to the development of two distinct markets for exchanging currency. (Well, in fact, there are more than 10 different exchange rates but in this article I’m only going to talk about three!)

There’s the official market, where the government sets the exchange rate, and then there’s the mercado azul or the blue market, where the exchange rate is determined by supply and demand.

It’s not uncommon for the blue market rate to be significantly higher than the official rate – in fact, it’s can be double or more. Rates can fluctuate almost daily. When I originally wrote this article, the unofficial (blue) rate was 2.5 times higher than the official rate.

>> Check today’s rates online here <<

HOWEVER , since the election of Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, in 2023, the situation has changed somewhat.

Upon taking office, Milei devalued the peso. His ultimate plan is to dollarise the Argentinian economy, although this will be challenging and will take time.

This means that the gap between the official and blue rates has tightened, and you can’t get the same value you once could when exchanging US dollars for pesos.

Is it still worth it to bring dollars and exchange them on the blue market?

I think it is still worth bringing US dollars to Argentina and changing them here – either at the official rate or the blue rate.

The reason for this is that ATMs are awful. You can only withdraw a small amount of cash and the fees to do so are high.

I recommend having a mix of US dollars (to exchange to pesos), credit cards and ATM cards when you visit Argentina.

Exchanging money in Argentina

So you’ve brought your US dollars or Euros with you to Argentina – but how do you now get Argentine pesos?

While some restaurants and shops do accept dollars and Euros (there’ll usually be a sign with their rate, usually at the counter), they’re the exception rather than the rule.

Cash is king, so you will need to exchange that foreign currency for pesos.

Here are a few ways you can exchange money in Argentina – both officially and on the blue market.

Note that US dollars will usually get a better rate than Euros. And US dollars are easier to change outside of Buenos Aires.

Cuevas (which means caves in Spanish) are the informal currency exchange houses that use the blue market rate. Here, you’ll get the most advantageous rate.

Argentines use cuevas daily, and they’re safe places to exchange money.

I recommend asking your hotel concierge or a trusted Argentine friend for a recommendation for a cueva. While I said they’re safe, there are of course unscrupulous people everywhere who are more than happy to take advantage of a clueless tourist.

You might consider going with an Argentine the first time so you get the hang of it.

This is one of the easiest ways to exchange money in Argentina, and you’ll find cuevas in Buenos Aires and in major cities and towns. There are some recommended cuevas in this Facebook thread .

2. Calle Florida

Wander down Calle Florida (Florida Street) in Buenos Aires’ Microcentro at any time of day and you’ll hear the call of “Cambio! Cambio!”

These people are called arbolitos (or little trees, because they’re always standing there and because of the green colour of US dollars) and they’ll exchange money for you at the blue rate.

The exchange doesn’t happen there on the street – you’ll follow them into a shop or a cueva or even into a newsstand for the swap.

They usually have a machine to check for fake US dollar notes – and you’ll need to check your peso notes carefully as well when they’re handed over to you.

This was how I first exchanged money when I moved to Argentina and it did feel strange! They’re usually pretty safe – but trust your gut and keep walking if a situation doesn’t feel safe.

One of the advantages of changing money on Calle Florida is that you can go from arbolito to arbolito for the best rate, so shop around before you exchange.

3. Currency exchange houses and banks

If the blue market makes you nervous, then stick with regular currency exchange houses like banks. They will, of course, use the official rate.

You might consider this when you first land in Buenos Aires , just so you have a little bit of cash on you. This’ll be handy to pay for your trip into the city (taxis don’t take credit cards) if you haven’t organised a transfer from the airport .

There’s a Banco La Nacion in Ezeiza International Airport where you can change a few dollars into pesos.

Hotels can also exchange money for you, as well as exchange bureaus ( casas de cambio ), which can be found around the city. Ask your hotel for the nearest casa de cambio .

You’ll need ID to exchange money at banks and exchange bureaus.

Western Union in Argentina

If you don’t want to bring a lot of US dollars or Euros in cash with you to Argentina, then Western Union is a great option. You can send money to Argentina using their service.

Western Union can provide you with an exchange rate that’s around the same or even higher than the blue rate (however keep in mind the pretty high fee that Western Union charges).

How to send money to Argentina with Western Union?

It’s quite simple: you send the money from your home bank account to yourself and then pick up the cash at a local Western Union branch.

It’s an efficient way to transfer money from your home country to Argentina without carrying large amounts of cash. Do remember that some transactions can take a few days to process, so plan ahead.

There are several Western Union branches in Buenos Aires – including one at Ezeiza International Airport (although the opening hours aren’t great if you’re arriving early in the morning or late at night).

Outside of Buenos Aires, there are also Western Union branches. Some have withdrawal limits, though, so you’ll need to check before you do a transfer.

Credit cards in Argentina

When I lived in Argentina, I rarely paid for anything with a credit card, except for clothes and when we did our full grocery shop each week. At restaurants, cafés and convenience stores I always had cash on hand. At that time, credit cards charged the official rate, so I was always better off paying in cash.

However, since late 2022, foreign credit cards now receive a better rate. It’s called the MEP rate (you can find the latest MEP rate online here ) and it’s just shy of the blue dollar rate but higher than the official rate. At the time of updating this article (December 2023), those rates were:

• Official rate: $842,68
• Blue market rate: $990
• MEP rate: $971,85

If you use a foreign card in Argentina, this MEP rate will apply. Visa will charge you that rate at the time of purchase, while Mastercard charges the official rate and then refunds the difference a few days later.

This is another good way to avoid carrying huge amounts of cash.

On the topic of credit cards, American Express is rarely accepted anywhere, so leave that card behind.

But you need to keep in mind that credit cards aren’t always the most practical option in Argentina.

In larger cities, most upscale restaurants, hotels and retail outlets readily accept credit cards. But in smaller shops and restaurants – and in smaller towns in Argentina – cash is usually the only accepted form of payment.

Always ask before you sit down in a restaurant if they take credit card: “Acepta tarjeta?”

Either way, you’ll always need to have some amount of cash on you when you’re travelling around Argentina.

Speaking of restaurants, here are 50 of my favourite places to eat in Buenos Aires .

Expert traveller tip: If you’re going to rely on credit cards, always bring a backup credit card in case you have any issues with your main card. Make sure that back up card is a different type (Mastercard, Visa etc). I’ve had cards rejected multiple times when overseas so learned this trick pretty quickly!

Using ATMs in Argentina

Should you use ATMs in Argentina?

This one’s easy: avoid using ATMs as much as you can!

In Argentina, ATMs have low withdrawal amounts and high fees, so you’ll be getting screwed all round.

ATMs should only be used as a back-up or last resort method for accessing pesos.

One important thing to note is that ATMs often run out of cash ahead of weekends and public holidays, so if you do think you’ll need to withdraw cash, do it as soon as possible.

Argentina money tips

When it comes to handling money in Argentina, here are a few handy tips I’ve learned from experience:

• Avoid exchanging money into pesos before you arrive in Argentina – you’ll get screwed over.
• Bring US$100 notes – the cleaner and crisper, the better. You’ll get a better rate for these in the cuevas.
• Cuevas will rarely want to change US$10 or US$20 notes. I’ve changed US$50 notes, but it was done reluctantly.
• Keep some small peso notes on hand – trust me, many shop owners aren’t fond of giving change.
• Be aware of money restrictions on bringing USD. Like most countries around the world, there’s a $10k limit without having to declare it.
• I’d recommend booking hotels and tours in advance online using your credit card. It simplifies things and cuts down the amount of cash you need on hand.
• If you’ve got pesos left over at the end of your trip, spend them! You’ll get a lousy rate transferring them back to US dollars or Euros. Buy some souvenirs in Buenos Aires to take home with you.
• Don’t get too hung up on the blue rate! Even at the official rate you’ll (usually) find Argentina an affordable destination.

Safety and security considerations

Carrying large amounts of cash and one or two credit cards can make you nervous. Remember, carrying the equivalent of US$50 means you’ll have around 175 x 1000-peso notes on you! That’s a stack of cash.

When it comes to keeping your money safe in Argentina, a few practical accessories can make all the difference:

• Money belt : May seem tacky, but it’s a relatively discreet way to carry money, provided you don’t access it in public.
• Passport scarf : These are actually quite useful – a stylish and less conspicuous way to keep your money and passport safe.
• Anti-theft backpack : Hidden zippers and slash-resistant materials provide an extra layer of security for your belongings.
• Lock : Keep your backpack or suitcase locked up when it’s unattended in your hotel room.

Remember, no safety device is foolproof. Argentina is a fairly safe country , but always stay alert and practice common sense in public spaces.

Final thoughts: Money in Argentina

Managing money in Argentina can seem daunting, but with a little preparation, you’ll navigate it like a pro.

So after reading this Argentina money guide, what money should you bring to Argentina?

I recommend:

• Bringing US dollars or Euros to exchange into cash – work out in advance how much money you think you’ll need for each week of your Argentina itinerary
• Bringing credit cards for bigger purchases at larger restaurants, shopping centres and so on – and don’t forget a back-up credit card
• Booking hotels and tours in advance (on your credit card)
• Using Western Union to send yourself money and avoid carrying a large amount of cash – this is the best option if you’re travelling for a long time in Argentina

Money in Argentina: FAQs

Can i use travel cards in argentina.

You can use travel cards (like Wise ) in Argentina, but you’ll get an even worse rate than the official rate. Plus you’ll be dealing with the same challenges as using a credit card – not everyone accepts credit card. A Wise card might be a good back up option, but it shouldn’t be what you rely on for accessing money in Argentina.

Can I use traveller’s checks in Argentina?

I don’t know anyone who uses traveller’s checks these days! But if you insist… Yes, you can exchange traveller’s checks in Argentina, but you’re going to spend your time in banks doing the exchange. Time that is better spent out enjoying the city!

Is it better to use cash or credit cards in Argentina?

While credit cards are widely accepted in cities and larger towns, smaller establishments and vendors in rural areas may only accept cash. It’s best to carry a mix of both for convenience.

Can I withdraw money from ATMs in Argentina?

Yes, ATMs are available across Argentina. However, withdrawal fees can be high, and the exchange rate may not be as favourable as the blue market rate. Don’t forget to inform your bank about your travel plans to avoid any potential issues with using your card abroad.

What is the blue market in Argentina?

The ‘blue market’ refers to the unofficial currency exchange market in Argentina where US dollars or Euros can be exchanged for Argentine pesos at a rate higher than the official exchange rate. This isn’t always the case and it changes as governments introduce new economic policies.

Are US dollars accepted in Argentina?

While some places in Argentina may accept US dollars, it’s always more practical to use Argentine pesos. You can exchange your US dollars at a blue market exchange for a better rate.

How safe is it to carry cash in Argentina?

As with any travel destination, carrying a large amount of cash can carry some risk. However, with sensible precautions such as using a money belt or anti-theft backpack , it’s usually safe. Always be alert in public spaces and avoid showing that you’re carrying a large amount of money.

Did you find this article helpful? Consider buying me a coffee as a way to say thanks!

Got any questions about using money in Argentina for your upcoming travels? Drop them in the comments below.

Related posts

Before you go… you might like these Argentina travel blogs:

• Argentina itinerary ideas: Options for 1-4 weeks
• Plan a Trip to Argentina: 19 Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
• Travel Insurance for Argentina: What You Need to Know
• Renting a Car in Argentina: 17 Helpful Tips and Tricks

ARGENTINA TRIP ESSENTIALS

• Book your flight to Argentina online with Skyscanner . I like how this site allows you to find the cheapest days.
• Find a great hotel in Argentina. Check prices on Booking.com   and Expedia online.
• Check out the huge range of day tours throughout Argentina on GetYourGuide or Viator . There’s something for everyone.
• Keep those bottles of wine you’ll be buying safe in these wine bags .
• A copy of the  Lonely Planet guide to Argentina will be handy. Also pick up a Spanish language guidebook to help you navigate your visit.
• One thing I always purchase is  travel insurance ! Travel Insurance Master allows you to compare across multiple policy providers, while SafetyWing is great for long-term travellers and digital nomads.

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About REBECCA

I'm a travel junkie who started dreaming about seeing the world from a very young age. I've visited more than 40 countries and have a Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management. A former expat, I've lived in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Argentina and the United States. I share travel resources, tips and stories based on my personal experiences, and my goal is to make travel planning just that bit easier.

22 thoughts on “Navigating Money in Argentina: A Traveller’s Guide to Money Matters in 2024”

Hi Rebecca, thanks this is super helpful. We are traveling to Argentina in a week from Ireland. The MEP rate seems to be better than the blue rate at the moment according to https://www.lanacion.com.ar/dolar-hoy/ . Is this your experience? And does this mean it is better to use credit cards in and around Buenos Aires? Is there a good app to download that allows you to quickly compare rates? Do you think I better changing Euros to USD before I come, or bringing Euro? Also do you know if Brazilian Real can be purchased in BA? thank you in advance!! Aran

Hi Aran, The rates change regularly, that’s right! They’re on par at the moment. You can use your credit card – but you do need to have cash because not every restaurant/business/cafe accepts credit card. So use a mix of both so you’re not caught out.

The newspaper websites are the most up-to-date with the rates, they’re what I’ve always referred to… I don’t think there is an app that shows the rates (but I could be wrong – I’ve just never needed one).

Euros will be fine, but you will usually get a better rate with USD (and USD is more readily accepted by money changers).

I’ve never actually purchased reales in Buenos Aires, but I’m sure you can – you’ll need to go to an official currency house to do, though.

Have a great trip – hope this helped!

I know your article is about money and it’s very useful, I’m just wondering off topic about the Mosquito situation. I was planning a stay in April but started reading about the significant infestation of mosquitoes plaguing the country. Is this a major situation that makes walking and enjoying the nights unbearable?

Hi Michael, the weather will be cooler in April so the chance of mosquitoes should be much lower!! Right now it’s not fun in certain parts, but it should improve by April.

When I make a reservation for a hotel room that is quoted $200 USD and I pay with my credit or debit card, will my rate be adjusted based on the official rate of exchange? Sheila S.

It depends – how are you paying? If on a website like Booking.com, then the quoted rate will be as it is. If you have arranged with a hotel directly, then it will determined by them which rate you use.

Hi Rebecca, I would pay for hotels with my visa card. I typically reserve on the hotel site. Some are American hotels such as Marriott and others would be Argentine. For example if the hotel price is quoted as $200 USD, would it be calculated based on the exchange rate and ultimately be less than $200 USD? I am trying to budget accordingly. Thank you.

Hi Sheila, for an American site, you can expect to pay in USD always. For an Argentine site, you’d need to check with each one directly, as each hotel charges differently and would likely use a different rate. Have a great trip!

Hi Rebecca, really appreciated your article. Being an Aussie I was wondering if you had any experience with exchanging AUD to ARS whether through Western Union or the other ways mentioned above. Did you use any Australian credit cards to make purchases? I have a Wise Travel card and card with Commonwealth Bank, so curious to see if you used any of them whilst in Argentina. Additionally when you went to El Calafate and El Chalten what were your experiences with making purchases there via card and cash? Were taxis/car rental/buses usually card or cash? Cheers

Hi Nicole! I’ve never transferred AUD via Western Union – but I always used my Aussie credit cards when I lived there (along with exchanging USD in cash into pesos). I’d check with your bank just to be 100% sure but I never had a problem with them (I used my Aussie credit cards for grocery shops, larger restaurants, clothes, bars etc).

Taxis and public transport are always cash – everywhere in the country, even in Buenos Aires (although you can use Uber in BA).

I’ve never used a Wise travel card there, I’m afraid!

We have just returned from Argentina and Chile. We found your site a good guide before we left. Western Union worked ok and we got1280 pesos to the pound. We were not aware that you have to withdraw the whole amount that you transfer. We were under the impression we could call it off in bits. Some Western Union outlets have limits on how much you can withdraw so we had to go to the main branch in Buenos Aires. Monzo card worked perfectly in Chile and Argentina. We got a rate of 1400 pesos to the pound on it.

Thanks Sue – that’s great to know about not being able to withdraw in smaller amounts.

Glad you had a great trip!

Is there any difficulty getting dollars back OUT of Argentina? I need to travel to Buenos Aires to settle some affairs, and want to take the proceeds back to the U.S. with me. But I’ve been told there are hefty fees for taking dollars out of the country. However, I can’t find any information about that online. So… is it true?

Hi Emjay, I can’t find much info on this either. I think your issue would be the country that you’re next going to, they’re likely to have a $10k import limit as well?

Speaking of cash, I was wondering about tipping in Buenos Aires. Do I need some pesos or will small US dollars be ok? Or is tipping even expected? Leaving in about 30 days and will only be in BA for 2 days. Would the same be true for other countries such as Chile and Peru? Thanks for your excellent advice.

Hi Judy, small peso notes are usually best for tipping – that makes it easier for staff/businesses to actually use it (rather than then having to exchange it if you tipped them with USD).

From my experiences visiting Chile and Peru, tipping is also voluntary – but always appreciated. Again, using the local currency when tipping is best.

Have a great trip!!

In february 2023, the Western Union office at the airport was closed permanently. So we had to withdraw pesos at the official change rate.

Thanks for sharing this, will update the article!

Are Uruguayan pesos accepted?

Hi Diane, No, Uruguayan pesos aren’t accepted in Argentina. In Buenos Aires some stores may accept Brazillian reals, but never Uruguayan pesos.

You’ve done a great job with this discussion and I wish I had read it prior to arriving in BA from the US in mid November 2023. Slightly stronger language about the official vs. the non-official exchange rates would be helpful. For example, on one site the writer said it is best to consider Argentina a “cash only country,” which drives home the point that you will be better off estimating your spending and bringing that amount of dollars. To estimate it’s important to decide if you’re going to exchange at the official rate or at the much much better unofficial or “blue” rate”. You say peso prices are still “affordable” at the official rate, which I agree with; however, remember that the blue rate has lately (November/December’23) been about 168 percent better than the official rate! That’s on everything you pay for with your ARS pesos. Usually “doubling your money” is not real, but this is real, easy, and safe and is actually *more than doubling* the value of your dollars. One last comment: Western Union is indeed a very good option here- compared to usually being a last resort in the USA- as you describe because their fee, which be US$37. is virtually negligible considering the practically surreal amount of additional pesos you’re getting using the [slightly downward adjusted] blue rate that Western U. gives you. The WU app works well and you’ll know the exact exchange rate you’re getting and any transaction fee they may charge. Your first transaction usually has “no fee”. Take USD cash, get the best rate with that, and, if you underestimate, use WU. Rebecca makes excellent additional points on my points and on WU.

Thanks David. It’s a tricky thing to navigate in Argentina! I’ve kept the article quite general as things do change regularly in Argentina – sometimes the blue rate does double your money, other times it’s only slightly higher. Hopefully it helps anyone who is planning their trip!

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Argentine Peso currency card FAQs

Is it better to use a travel money card rather than cash in argentina.

There is no 'best' way to spend in Argentine Pesos, but here are some tips to help you save money:

• Don’t exchange cash at the airport. It’s much cheaper to withdraw money from an ATM with your Argentine Peso card.
• Don't carry more cash than you need. When you return home to the UK, you’ll have to re-convert this cash back to GBP.
• Always choose ARS as the local currency when spending with your card in shops and restaurants.
• Download the Revolut app, then sign up to get instant notifications on what you spend and manage your balance.

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Where can i use my ars travel money card, how much can i pay using my argentine peso card.

There is no limit to the amount that you can spend using your Argentine Peso card. Just top up in-app with however much you want and enjoy your travels.

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There are tonnes of benefits to a Argentine Peso card. Let’s look at a few:

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‘Foreign tourist dollar’: everything you need to know about the preferential exchange rate

If you’re visiting argentina, you’ve probably heard you need to pay for everything with stacks of cash to stretch your dollars. but as of december, you can get the same rate on your mastercard or visa. here’s what you need to know about paying by credit card in argentina..

• January 20, 2023

January 6, 2023 – updated January 20, 2023

Aline Spating arrived in Argentina on a very hot January day and spent much of it in a very long line, slumped in the shade among tourists swigging beer from coolers. The 24-year-old German had just crossed the border from Brazil to the steamy Argentine jungle town of Puerto Iguazú, and was waiting to change a stack of US dollars into pesos at Western Union. 

It was worth the delay, she felt: fellow travelers had warned her never to pay by card in Argentina, because changing money at Western Union would give her almost twice as many pesos per dollar. The owner of her hostel even drew a concept map explaining Argentina’s economic ordeals, saying she should pay for everything in cash changed at Western Union or cuevas (caves, or illegal exchange houses). 

What Aline didn’t know was that these financial gymnastics aren’t necessary anymore.

Until recently, payments made in Argentina with foreign credit and debit cards were changed at the official dollar exchange rate, which is AR$185.75 to the dollar at the time of writing. But on November 4, Argentina’s central bank launched a preferential exchange rate for foreign tourists. 

Known as the “foreign tourist dollar”, it means payments made on foreign credit cards use the “ MEP ” (“Electronic Payment Market”) dollar exchange rate, which is currently AR$331.79 to the dollar. In other words, if you’re paying by card, your dollars go 78% further than before. 

Currently, the “foreign tourist dollar” only works for purchases, and not cashpoint withdrawals.

How does the “tourist dollar” work?

Mastercard joined the program on December 2 and Visa followed suit just under two weeks later, meaning payments made in Argentina through foreign credit card from those companies are now processed at the MEP dollar rate.

Mastercard confirmed to the Herald that their cards charge their users the official rate then reimburse them for the difference, while foreign Visa holders said their cards process the initial payment at the MEP dollar rate.

Lucas P.M., a 59-year-old U.S. citizen, told the Herald a purchase he made on his Mastercard was charged at the official rate (in this case, US$22), but he was automatically reimbursed for the difference (US$9.52) four days later. Three other Mastercard users told the Herald they’d had the same experience.

Lucas visits Argentina once a year, and said he would continue using his card “basically because of the convenience of it: first, because I did not bring any cash with me and, second, because I do not know any arbolitos [informal dollar sellers]”.

“Returns are identified days after the purchase, since it depends when the transaction is effectively processed,” said Federico Cofman, Mastercard’s Country Manager for Argentina and Uruguay. He added that returns were usually made within 72 hours, depending on the card issuer.

Visa cardholders told the Herald their payments had been processed at the MEP rate. Mariana (not her real name), a 26-year-old Guatemalan, used to bring US dollar bills from her home country and change them in cuevas or with friends. “I stored them under the mattress and dosed them. When I saw the blue dollar [the informal exchange rate] went up, I exchanged,” she said.

When the change came in, she made an experimental purchase to see what would happen. It went through with no problems at the preferential rate, so she will now start using her card. “The difference between the ‘tourist’ [dollar] and the blue is like 30 pesos, so it’s not that big, and it works for me because I don’t have the inconvenience of having to buy everything with cash or running out of dollars,” she said.

With Visa and Mastercard, “more than 90% of the market share” is covered, according to sources inside the central bank. “Only AMEX [American Express], which has less than 10% of the market, is still not on board”. Representatives for American Express in Argentina told the Herald that the company is going to offer the service, but cannot give a precise time frame yet. “We’re working on the implementation and the system and process adaptation, which will take a while,” they added.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

The new rate makes the country a cheaper destination for tourists. Switching from cash to card payments could also be safer, since tourists will no longer have to take their chances with informal exchange houses and hotels will not need to handle such huge wedges of cash, sources in the tourism and hospitality sector said. 

The greatest takeup so far has been from Brazilians, followed by Europeans and visitors from the US, according to the Tourism Ministry, which views the measure as a resounding success. They think the new exchange rate will help restore tourist industry income to pre-pandemic levels, or even surpass those figures.

Cofman, the Mastercard country manager, said that foreign card transactions increased by 25% in value and 28% in volume within a week of the new rate’s implementation. At first, purchases were dominated by “typical” card purchases such as air tickets, restaurants and hospitality, he said, but holders are increasingly paying for everyday things such as supermarket bills and transport by card.

However, some tourists on low budgets are not convinced.

“I will probably always use the way that gives me the most pesos,” Spating said. At the time of writing, there is a small difference of 30 pesos per dollar between the informal (blue) and MEP exchange rates. “I also prefer cash because, when I wanted to pay the hostel with my card, for example, the owner told me it’s an extra 5%,” she added. 

It is worth noting that some businesses, especially informal traders in smaller and more remote areas, don’t take card payments, so it’s always a good idea to carry cash, just in case.

A side effect

The new exchange rate is designed for foreign tourists, but Argentine residents who have foreign credit cards can also take advantage of it because the Economy Ministry currently has no way of telling whether a cardholder is a resident. Carlos, a 33-year-old Argentine software engineer, who asked the Herald to withhold his real name because he was concerned about possible legal consequences, tried both his Visa and Mastercard U.S. cards, and the “tourist dollar” exchange rate worked like a charm.

Like a minority of Argentines that work remotely for foreign countries and could open an account in an overseas bank, his dollars are now worth nearly twice as much as before.

You may also be interested in:

“Tourist dollar” preferential rate now available for digital wallets

UnionPay cardholders now get foreign tourist dollar rate

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Travel & Money in Argentina: The Blue Dollar

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Travel Money in Argentina: Currency Exchange, Best Rates, and Blue Dollar

(Updated March 2024). The Argentine Peso has been experiencing a volatile time on currency exchanges for several years.

The country’s rampant inflation and unstable currency do indeed make it a little more complicated to pay for things in Argentina, but the latest devaluation of the peso has narrowed the gap between official and unofficial rate, and the introduction of the tourist dollar helps to get foreigners a rate very close to the blue dollar.

What is has also meant, sadly, is that meals out and supermarket shops have increased in cost and in April 2024 we found that eating out was similar to what we would pay in Europe or North America.

Dólar Blue and Tourist dollar in Argentina: narrowing the gap

In Argentina, cash, and the US dollar, rule. For several years, tourists have gained hugely favourable exchange rates for their dollars compared to the official rate. However, the gap between the official and black market rates has started to narrow, closing from what was around a 250% difference to 5 -10%.

And as the peso starts to settle, card payments and associated exchange rates are becoming more reasonable to visitors.

Once you understand how to navigate Argentina’s money exchange system, you’ll work out the best way to make your money work harder for you while visiting. That will make that Malbec taste a little more delicious.

Discover everything you need to know about the Argentine Peso, its relationship with the US and blue dollar, and how and where to change money.

Top Tips for Changing Money in Argentina

• The first rule of the Argentine Peso is never to buy any Pesos before travelling to Argentina.
• Ask in advance for preferred payment methods in shops, bars etc.
• Pay in cash, be that small denomination USD bills or Argentina Pesos you’ve changed at the dollar blue rate.
• Use a VISA OR MASTERCARD to pay for goods and services if you don’t mind a slight loss on the MEP exchange rate (see below) and your bank doesn’t slap on excessive overseas use charges.
• AVOID ATMs because of the high withdrawal charges and poor exchange rates.
• Inflation is rampant (expect it to be between 100-200% in 2024), so Peso prices do rise quickly and often.

Pesos, USD Dollars, or Dollar Blue: Which to Take to Argentina?

The Peso has started to strengthen after years of enormous drops and devaluations. The official Peso to US dollar exchange rate was fixed at an unrealistically poor level, which led to a surge in demand on the black market for more stable US dollars.

The alternative blue dollar, or dólar blu , is popular. Argentinians want US dollars and are willing to pay a high (Peso) price to get them compared to using banks. However, the recent devalualtion of the peso has led to the official and the blue dollar becoming more aligned, which is good news for travellers.

For example, these are the Peso exchange rates at the time of writing: April 2024):

• Official exchange rate:            1 USD = 905 Argentine Pesos
• Bank rate:                                  1 USD = 825 Argentine Pesos
• Blue dollar rate:                       1 USD = 955 Argentine Pesos
• MEP rate:                                  1 USD = 930 – 940 Argentine Pesos

That bank rate is important: card payments are calculated at this rate. It is also known as the Foreign Tourist Dollar, and payments with foreign cards go through Argentina’s Electronic Payment Market, called the MEP.

Important: The largest commonly found Peso note is 1,000, with some 2,000s in existence. The government is reported to be printing 10,000 and 20,000 bills for release shortly. Changing USD to Peso will mean carrying a decent-sized wedge of Pesos around.

Cash or card?

You don’t have to take US dollars to Argentina; there are other options, but none offer the cheapest rates available with the blue dollar. Additonally it is good to take some USD to exchange, as some establishments don’t accept card payments and you don’t want to get stung by ATMs.

As well as bringing some USD, we now recommend using a Visa or Mastercard as both offer visitors to Argentina, e.g., foreigners, an MEP rate (electronic payment market rate). This MEP rate may be a little below the blue dollar rate but overall the convenience is worth the very slight difference in the rate. It can fluctuate, so keep an eye.

As a reference point, Visa’s online MEP rate checker (convert from Peso to US dollar).

One thing to avoid are ATMs.

Withdrawing Peso cash from ATMs can be costly. Withdrawal fees can reach up to 10 US dollars per transaction, plus whatever your bank charges. Also, limits on withdrawal amounts mean you may stack up hefty charges while withdrawing cash several times.

Remember, anyone without the MEP card rate offer who withdraws Pesos from an ATM or pays by credit or debit card will be charged the official or bank exchange rate PLUS any associated bank fees.

To sum up, take some USD and exchange (further info below) and use a Visa or Mastercard (ideally from a bank that won’t charge additional fees).

Can I Use Western Union in Argentina?

Many major towns and cities in Argentina have Western Union (WU) branches and offer another way to avoid carrying lots of cash around the country.

You can set up and send US dollars to a Western Union account before heading to Argentina and withdraw that as Pesos at WU offices. You should get something close to the MEP rate, about 5-10% below the blue dollar rate.

Check your itinerary against WU branch locations and the amount of Pesos you can withdraw; some remote branches have limits. Remember that WU has fees for their services, and check if using your card or travelling with US dollars offers better value.

Where’s The Best Place to Exchange Money in Argentina?

With the “tourist dollar” and the MEP rate becoming a lot more aligned with the blue dollar, our recommendation for the most stress-free exchange of cash is to visit an official change bureau. You will need to bring your passport along as you need to prove your status as a foreigner to receive the tourist dollar. The comparatively small difference in exchange rate (at time of writing in April 2024) in our opinion is worth having a very easy experience, rather than looking for unofficial places to change.

However, if you do want to try and get the best Dollar Blue rate, ask around for the best places to change, and join the locals in a queue to buy Argentine Pesos at the blue dollar value. Locally these are known as ‘ cuevas’ . Don’t be surprised if it’s in a café, shopping centre, or an office.

You can also ask establishments if they will take payments in USD cash instead of Pesos and some might even have their signs up telling you how much they exchange your dollar for.

What to Remember When Changing Money in Argentina

• Take clean US dollar bills from home, preferably 50s and 100s; lower-value dollars attract lower exchange rates
• Don’t change money in the streets
• Find an official money exchange bureau and change for the tourist dollar if you want an easy life: bring your passport!
• Swap what you need — and not everything — in one transaction
• Only change money if you feel comfortable with the proceedings
• Check for Peso forgeries before completing the change (less risk in an official bureau)
• Have a safe storage place like a money belt – you will receive a lot of notes if you change a larger amount.
• Be wary of people watching; muggings are not unknown
• Use your hotel’s safe to store your US dollars
• Changing Pesos back to US dollars attracts poor rates, so don’t change more than you need

Money, Blue Dollar, and Argentina

Argentina’s multi-layered exchange rate system offers several options to travellers. Choose which best suits your travel style.

Those who want to squeeze every cent from their buck must join the locals in the cuevas and swap US dollars for Pesos. That takes time from your trip but also gives a glimpse of local life. Anyone heading to a remote part of Argentina may need to do some planning to ensure a good cash flow. Some shops and restaurants may also offer Peso or US dollar payment discounts. Otherwise, if you don’t mind a slight change in exchange rate we recommend simply exchanging in an official bureau de change – it will be a much quicker, more stressfree way to get your USD changed.

Those who are happy to loose a couple of cents in exchange for ease will do well paying by VISA or MASTERCARD. Generally cards are accepted in most locations, but be aware that some supermarkets will ask for a passport to identify yourself with the payment.

Always check what fees your own bank may charge you for a foreign transaction – it’s worth looking into an account that doesn’t charge fees before you go.

Western Union is an option for those with an account and a concrete itinerary that takes in towns with WU branches. Again, the rate will likely be below that of the blue dollar, and queuing may be involved.

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A short guide to money in Argentina

In this post I’ll be writing about money in Argentina. It is based on advice I’ve been given and my own personal experience from travelling here. Before arriving to Argentina I know I was nervous and slightly worried about what worked best money wise.

It was a bit of an unknown factor that I didn’t want to muck up and end up paying highly for it later down the line (especially as I’m travelling on a budget!). I hope this post gives an insight into the money situation in Argentina and helps others going to make money decisions that work for them as well as some peace of mind.

Part of getting ready for any trip is sorting out how to pay for your trip when abroad. It’s normally a case of heading to a bureau de change and buying however much of the currency you need. This strategy certainly works for euros and dollars!

For further afield destinations with less mainstream currencies it’s not always as easy. This was definitely the case for Argentina as Argentinean pesos are not readily available to buy in the UK. Plus, even if you manage to order some the exchange rate is normally not favourable. For my peace of mind I always like to arrive to my destination country with a small amount of currency. It just makes me feel better! This time around however I didn’t have that option.

I read quite a few blogs for advice and learnt the following which has since been reinforced and added to from my time in Argentina:

US dollars are a very useful currency to have. If like me and you like to arrive to a place with the appropriate currency, then be sure to take dollars with you. I paid in dollars for my transfer from the airport. Moreover, dollars are also easily exchanged at currency exchanges in the street. If you’re looking to avoid using ATM’s (because of their high transaction fees) and paying by card, bring dollars!

The ATM situation

ATM’s in Argentina charge a high transaction fee per withdrawal (it’s about 10%) and there is a max withdrawal limit of ARG$4000 (approx £80) per go which is hardly anything. I tried withdrawing higher quantities from several banks in Buenos Aires but to no success. I’ve heard in smaller places the withdrawal limit can be less so I shall see as I go.

Tip: If you’re with a group of people who are paying cash, you can volunteer to pay the bill by card and collect the cash. You get cash and avoid the fees! It doesn’t work all the time but it’s a good option to have.

Using a card

If you’re going to use a card to travel make sure you get one which doesn’t charge you to withdraw money or to pay by card. With the ATM transaction fees as they are you don’t want your bank at home to charge you another fee too. I signed up to Starling Bank before I came out and so far the card is great – no withdrawal or paying by card charges.

Similar to Starling is Monzo, another popular online bank. I went with Starling simply because it had a higher withdrawal limit per day.

It is also worth checking whether your bank covers ATM fees. Some do which means you can claim back the costs you’ve accrued from withdrawing money.

Paying by card

The benefits of my Starling card made paying by card my preferred payment method. In Buenos Aires I was constantly on the look out for signs in shop and restaurant windows saying cards were accepted. Where possible I choose to pay by card. Hostels are a good place to save your cash and choose the card option. It means I keep the cash for when I need it.

When paying by card, always pay in the local currency to get the best rate. If you select your home currency, say GBP, then your bank will select the exchange rate which usually isn’t great.

Onwards travel

Check the ATM situation for your next destination. There’s nothing fun about arriving somewhere new low on cash and not being able to withdraw more. For instance, I’ve been told to withdraw plenty of cash in El Calafate before going to El Chalten where ATM’s are fewer and sometimes empty! I’m hoping I don’t get caught out!

The joys of internet banking

Internet banking is a saviour! It just makes travelling so much easier. I have both the apps for my two bank accounts on my phone. It makes transferring funds from my main account to my Starling one so quick and easy. I’m then able to make the most of the perks of my Starling’s perks which come into their own when travelling.

There you have it, my take on money in Argentina. Hope it helps anyone heading over there. If anyone has more tips, I’d love to hear them!

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October 23, 2023 · Buenos Aires , Expats , Travel

How to Make Your Money Go Further While in Argentina

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When visiting Argentina, it’s important to understand the currency exchange system and how to make the most of your money. The country has a volatile economy with high inflation, which has led to multiple exchange rates and a preference for US dollars. By knowing where to exchange money and how to access the unofficial blue dollar rate, you can stretch your money further and have a more affordable experience in Argentina.

Key Takeaways:

• Argentina’s economy experiences high inflation, resulting in multiple exchange rates.
• US dollars are often preferred in Argentina as a way to protect against inflation.
• Accessing the unofficial blue dollar rate can provide better value for your money.
• Consider using Western Union or cuevas to access the blue dollar rate.
• Using credit cards and budgeting can help you make the most of your money in Argentina.
• Not all Spanish Schools in Buenos Aires accept pesos. Look for Vamos Academy

Understanding the Currency Exchange System in Argentina

Argentina’s currency exchange system is unique and complex, shaped by the country’s high inflation and economic volatility. The official currency is the Argentine peso , but many locals prefer to hold US dollars as a way to protect their savings from inflation. This preference for dollars has led to the creation of multiple exchange rates, each with its own implications for the value of your money while in Argentina.

The Argentine government imposes restrictions on the purchase of dollars, which has given rise to a thriving black market for currency exchange. This, in turn, has led to the existence of an unofficial exchange rate known as the “blue dollar.” It’s important to understand that this blue dollar rate is not recognized by the government, but it often offers a more favorable value than the official rate.

To navigate the currency exchange system in Argentina, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the different exchange rates and their implications. Understanding how to access the unofficial blue dollar rate can help you make the most of your money and stretch your budget further during your time in Argentina.

Table: Currency Exchange Rates in Argentina

The blue dollar: accessing the best exchange rate.

One of the key strategies for making your money go further in Argentina is accessing the unofficial exchange rate known as the blue dollar. This rate offers a much better value than the official rate and can significantly enhance your purchasing power. It’s important to note that the blue dollar rate is typically set by underground exchange houses operating on the black market.

To access the blue dollar rate, one option is to consider using Western Union. This reputable money transfer service often offers a similar rate to the blue dollar, making it a convenient and reliable choice. By using Western Union to forward cash to yourself and picking it up at a branch in Argentina, you can take advantage of the favorable exchange rate and stretch your money further.

It’s important to be aware that other methods of exchanging money, such as banks or airport counters, may not provide the same favorable rate as the blue dollar. Therefore, it’s recommended to explore options like Western Union or other trusted channels to ensure you receive the best exchange rate possible.

To illustrate the difference between the blue dollar rate and the official rate, the table below provides a comparison of the exchange rates and their impact on the value of US dollars:

As you can see from the table, the blue dollar rate offers a higher value for US dollars compared to the official rate. This means that by accessing the blue dollar rate, you can get more Argentine pesos for your money, allowing you to save and make your budget go further during your stay in Argentina.

Exchanging Money in Argentina: Western Union

When it comes to exchanging money in Argentina, Western Union is a reliable and convenient option. With Western Union, you have the flexibility to forward cash to yourself online using a bank account, debit or credit card. Once the transaction is complete, you can pick up the cash at a Western Union branch in Argentina, allowing you to access the highly sought-after blue dollar rate. This means that you can make your money go further and get more value for your currency.

One of the advantages of using Western Union is the ease of the process. You can initiate the transfer from the comfort of your own home and then conveniently collect the cash in Argentina. It’s important to note that transaction fees may apply, so be sure to check for promotional codes or offers that may help you save on fees. Additionally, it’s recommended to be prepared for potential wait times at the branches, as these locations can sometimes be busy.

Exchanging Money in Argentina: Western Union – A Quick Overview

Overall, Western Union provides a convenient and reliable option for exchanging money in Argentina. By utilizing this service, you can access the favorable blue dollar rate and make your money go further during your travels. Remember to keep an eye out for promotional codes to potentially save on transaction fees and be prepared for potential wait times at the branches. With Western Union, you can ensure a smooth and efficient currency exchange process in Argentina.

Cuevas: Unofficial Currency Exchange Houses

When it comes to exchanging money in Argentina, cuevas, or unofficial currency exchange houses, are a popular choice for accessing the best exchange rates. These exchange houses can be found throughout the country, and many travelers have had positive experiences using them. However, it’s essential to exercise caution and follow safety measures to ensure a secure transaction.

Cuevas are known for offering the blue dollar rate, which is typically more favorable than the official exchange rate. This rate is set by underground exchange houses operating on the black market. To find a reliable cueva, it’s recommended to ask locals or trusted sources for recommendations. They can provide insights into reputable establishments that offer competitive rates.

While using a cueva can be beneficial, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks. These exchange houses operate outside the formal financial system, making them less secure compared to banks or reputable currency exchange agencies. To protect yourself, consider filming the transaction to have evidence in case of any issues. Additionally, make sure to verify the bills and count them out loud before leaving the establishment.

“Cuevas can offer more favorable exchange rates, but it’s crucial to be cautious and prioritize safety. Always verify the bills and count them out loud before leaving the establishment.” – Local Travel Expert

It’s important to note that cuevas may be subject to legal restrictions and government crackdowns, as they operate outside the formal financial system. Therefore, it’s advisable to stay informed about the current regulations and any potential risks before engaging in any currency exchange transactions.

Exchanging Money in Buenos Aires

When it comes to exchanging money in Buenos Aires, you have several options available to you. Whether you prefer the convenience of a reliable service like Western Union or the thrill of negotiating with local arbolitos for the best blue dollar rate, there are ways to make your money go further in the Argentine capital.

One popular option is to visit Calle Florida, a bustling shopping street in downtown Buenos Aires. Here, you’ll find representatives known as arbolitos who offer currency exchange services at the blue dollar rate. Keep in mind that it’s important to negotiate the rate and exercise caution when dealing with them.

Another option is to visit select branches of Banco La Nacion located in Ezeiza International Airport. While the rates may be closer to the official rate, it offers a convenient option for travelers who prefer to exchange money at a reputable bank.

Remember, no matter which method you choose, it’s always a good idea to compare rates and be aware of any potential fees or limitations. By being proactive and strategic in your approach to exchanging money, you can make the most of your time in Buenos Aires and ensure that your travel funds stretch as far as possible.

Using Credit Cards in Argentina

When it comes to managing your travel money in Argentina, using credit cards can be a convenient and practical option. As of December 2022, foreign tourists can use their foreign credit cards and receive a rate close to the blue dollar rate, making it an attractive choice for many visitors. This allows you to avoid the hassle of exchanging physical cash and provides a sense of security.

While using credit cards can be advantageous, it’s important to check with your credit card company for any potential fees or limitations. Some credit cards may charge foreign transaction fees or have restrictions on usage. It’s advisable to notify your credit card company of your travel plans to ensure that your card is not blocked for security reasons while you are in Argentina.

Using credit cards in larger cities like Buenos Aires may be more practical compared to smaller towns, as they are widely accepted in restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions. However, it’s always a good idea to carry some cash for emergency situations or places that do not accept cards.

Benefits of Using Credit Cards in Argentina

• Convenience: Credit cards offer a convenient and secure way to make payments during your travels in Argentina.
• Blue Dollar Rate: With foreign credit cards, you can often receive a rate close to the blue dollar rate, allowing you to take advantage of favorable exchange rates.
• Security: Using credit cards reduces the need to carry large amounts of cash, minimizing the risk of loss or theft.
• Record-Keeping: Credit card statements provide a detailed record of your expenses, making it easier to track your spending while in Argentina.

Overall, using credit cards in Argentina can offer a convenient and secure way to manage your travel money. Just be sure to check for any fees or limitations associated with your credit card, and always have a backup plan in case you encounter places that don’t accept cards. By being prepared and mindful of your spending, you can make the most of your time in Argentina without worrying about carrying large amounts of cash.

Cost of Living in Argentina: Expenses Breakdown

When planning your trip to Argentina, understanding the cost of living is essential for budgeting and managing your travel expenses. To help you make informed decisions and ensure your money goes further, here is a breakdown of the main expense categories you should consider:

The cost of accommodation in Argentina can vary depending on the city and neighborhood. In Buenos Aires, for example, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can cost around $450 to $600 per month, while a similar apartment in a suburban area may range from $350 to $500 per month. It’s important to research different neighborhoods and consider the amenities and accessibility that best suit your needs.

Argentina is known for its delicious cuisine, and dining out can be a memorable experience. On average, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can cost around $8 to $12, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant may range from $30 to $50. If you prefer to cook at home, groceries for a week can amount to approximately $40 to $60, depending on your dietary preferences and shopping habits.

3. Transportation:

Getting around in Argentina is relatively affordable. Public transportation options, such as buses and subway systems, offer convenient and cost-effective ways to explore the cities. A single bus ticket in Buenos Aires, for example, costs around $0.40, while a monthly pass can be purchased for approximately $20. Taxi rides may vary depending on distance and time of day, but a short trip within the city center usually ranges from $4 to $7.

4. Entertainment and Sundries:

Part of experiencing Argentina’s vibrant culture involves enjoying entertainment and leisure activities. Movie tickets, for instance, cost around $7 to $10, while visiting a museum or art gallery can range from $2 to $8, depending on the venue. Additionally, everyday sundries such as toiletries, cleaning products, and other personal items can be purchased for approximately $20 to $30 per month.

Keep in mind that these figures are approximate and can vary depending on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and the city you are visiting. Prices are also subject to inflation, so it’s advisable to research updated information and consider potential fluctuations when budgeting for your trip.

Tips for Stretching Your Money in Argentina

When traveling to Argentina, it’s important to make your money go further so you can fully enjoy all the incredible experiences this country has to offer. By following these tips, you can maximize your budget and make the most of your travel money.

Pay in Cash Using the Blue Dollar Rate

One of the best ways to stretch your money in Argentina is by paying in cash and taking advantage of the blue dollar rate. This unofficial exchange rate offers a better value than the official rate and can be accessed through certain methods like Western Union or unofficial currency exchange houses called cuevas. By utilizing the blue dollar rate, you can save on transactions and make your money go further.

Budget for Expenses

Creating a budget for your expenses can help you stay on track and avoid overspending. Take into account the cost of accommodations, transportation, meals, and activities, and allocate a specific amount for each category. By monitoring your spending and sticking to your budget, you can ensure that you have enough money for the duration of your trip.

Explore Local Markets

Argentina is known for its vibrant local markets, where you can find fresh produce, local delicacies, and unique souvenirs at affordable prices. Take the time to explore these markets and shop for groceries, snacks, and souvenirs. Not only will you get a taste of the local culture, but you’ll also be able to save money by avoiding tourist traps and expensive restaurants.

By following these tips, you can stretch your money in Argentina and have an unforgettable experience without breaking the bank. Whether you’re exploring the bustling streets of Buenos Aires, hiking through the stunning landscapes of Patagonia, or sampling world-renowned Argentine wines in Mendoza, careful spending and strategic choices will help you make the most of your travel money.

Exploring Argentina on a Budget

Traveling to Argentina doesn’t have to break the bank. With careful planning and some savvy budgeting, you can explore this captivating country while keeping your travel expenses in check. Whether you’re exploring the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires, marveling at the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia, or indulging in the world-renowned wines of Mendoza, there are plenty of budget-friendly experiences to enjoy.

One of the best ways to save money while exploring Argentina is to take advantage of the many free attractions available. From sprawling parks and gardens to fascinating museums and galleries, there are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the country’s rich cultural heritage without spending a dime. Be sure to check out Buenos Aires’ Recoleta Cemetery , home to the final resting places of many notable Argentines, or take a stroll along the famous Caminito street in the colorful neighborhood of La Boca.

Another way to stretch your travel budget in Argentina is to seek out happy hours and lunch specials. Many restaurants and bars offer discounted prices during specific times of the day, allowing you to sample local delicacies and enjoy a few drinks without breaking the bank. Exploring local street food markets is also a great way to experience the flavors of Argentina without spending a fortune. From empanadas and choripán to medialunas and dulce de leche , there’s a wide variety of tasty treats to try.

When it comes to getting around, opt for local transportation options to save money on taxis or private transfers. Argentina has a well-connected network of buses and trains that can take you to various destinations at a fraction of the cost. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider taking overnight buses for long-distance travel, as they can save you the cost of a night’s accommodation. Just be sure to book your tickets in advance to secure your seat.

In summary, exploring Argentina on a budget is entirely possible. By taking advantage of free attractions, seeking out discounts and specials, and opting for local transportation options, you can maximize your travel experience without breaking the bank. So pack your bags, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, and embark on an unforgettable adventure in Argentina without worrying about your travel expenses.

Safety Considerations for Handling Money in Argentina

When it comes to handling money in Argentina, it’s important to prioritize your safety and take precautions to protect your finances. While the country is generally safe for travelers, it’s always wise to be prepared and stay vigilant. Here are some key safety considerations to keep in mind:

1. Keep your cash secure:

Keep your cash discreet and avoid flaunting large amounts of money in public. Consider using a money belt or pouch to carry larger sums of cash, and try to make withdrawals from ATMs in well-lit and busy areas. It’s also a good idea to keep your cash distributed in different pockets or locations to minimize the risk of losing everything in case of theft.

2. Be cautious when exchanging money:

When exchanging money, it’s important to be cautious and use reputable sources. Stick to official exchange houses, banks, or trusted currency exchange services like Western Union. Avoid exchanging money on the street or with strangers, as these situations can be more prone to scams or counterfeit bills.

3. Count your bills out loud:

When receiving or exchanging cash, always count your bills out loud to ensure accuracy and confirm the amount. This can help you identify any discrepancies or potential issues before you leave the exchange venue. Additionally, consider familiarizing yourself with the local currency’s security features to better detect counterfeit bills.

By following these safety considerations, you’ll be better equipped to protect your money and have a worry-free experience while traveling in Argentina. Remember to stay informed about the current safety situation, consult trusted sources for advice, and be mindful of your surroundings.

Argentina offers a wealth of experiences for travelers, and with the right knowledge and strategies, you can make your money go further and have an unforgettable adventure. By understanding the currency exchange system and accessing the blue dollar rate, you can stretch your funds and afford more during your stay. Whether you choose to use Western Union, explore cuevas, or negotiate with arbolitos in Buenos Aires, you have options to secure a better exchange rate.

However, it’s important to prioritize safety when handling money. Keep your cash secure and be cautious when exchanging with strangers. By following simple safety measures and being aware of your surroundings, you can protect yourself and enjoy a worry-free experience.

Planning your budget and making strategic choices are also key to having an affordable trip. Take advantage of free attractions, happy hours, and local transportation options. Argentina offers a range of budget-friendly activities and accommodations, allowing you to explore the country without breaking the bank.

Remember, the key to making your money go further in Argentina is knowledge, preparation, and smart decision-making. With these tools in hand, you can embark on a journey filled with incredible landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable memories. So pack your bags, immerse yourself in the beauty of Argentina, and create memories that will last a lifetime! Also consider learning Spanish in Malaga

What is the currency in Argentina?

The official currency in Argentina is the Argentine peso .

Why do many Argentines prefer to hold US dollars?

Many Argentines prefer to hold US dollars as a way to protect their savings from inflation.

How does Argentina’s high inflation affect the currency exchange system?

Argentina’s high inflation has led to multiple exchange rates and a preference for US dollars.

What is the blue dollar rate?

The blue dollar rate is the unofficial exchange rate in Argentina, offering a better value than the official rate.

How can I access the blue dollar rate?

You can access the blue dollar rate by using options like Western Union or exchanging money at cuevas (unofficial currency exchange houses).

Is Western Union a recommended option for exchanging money in Argentina?

Yes, Western Union is a recommended option for exchanging money in Argentina, as it allows you to access the blue dollar rate.

What are cuevas?

Cuevas are unofficial currency exchange houses where you can exchange money at the blue dollar rate.

Where can I find cuevas in Argentina?

Cuevas can be found throughout Argentina, and it’s recommended to ask locals or trusted sources for recommendations.

Can I use credit cards in Argentina?

Yes, as of December 2022, foreign tourists can use their foreign credit cards and receive a rate close to the blue dollar rate.

What expenses should I consider when living or traveling in Argentina?

Rent, food, transportation, entertainment, and sundries are some of the main expense categories to consider.

How can I make my money go further in Argentina?

Paying in cash using the blue dollar rate, budgeting for expenses, exploring local markets, and avoiding tourist traps can help you save money.

Are there budget-friendly experiences in Argentina?

Yes, Argentina offers many budget-friendly experiences, such as exploring free attractions and taking advantage of happy hours and lunch specials.

What safety precautions should I take when handling money in Argentina?

Keep your cash discreet and secure, avoid displaying wealth, and exercise caution when exchanging money with strangers.

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Exchanging Money in Argentina [2024 Update]: USD/EUR/ARS Exchange Cheat Sheet

Need to change US dollars to Argentine Pesos? Get the latest tips with up to date info and rates for exchanging currency in Argentina in 2024. From official rates to blue market exchange, using black market money changers to using ATMs, get the latest tips to convert USD/EUR to ARS with confidence. minutes

  Mins Reading Time

About the author

Hi, I'm Marco Sison . I worked in finance for Fortune 50 companies before retiring early at 41 years old. I have been an expat for over 10 years, living in over 50 countries to show you the best ways to save, invest, and live in amazing countries outside the USA. I am a trusted resource on personal finance and overseas retirement for US News & World Reports, HuffPost, MSN Money, USA Today, ABC Network, Yahoo Finance, Association of MBAs, the iTunes documentary Seeking FIRE, and the Amazon Best-Seller- Abroad: Expats That Thrive .

QUICK SUMMARY- CHANGING MONEY IN ARGENTINA

• Foreigners get the best rates at Western Union or local Cuevas.
• Visa and Mastercard rates are ~12% less than Western Union
• There is a “Black Market” for money in Argentina with a parallel rate nearly 50% more than the official government rate.
• Currency rates have swung wildly since the Dec 2023 currency devaluation.
• Cryptocurrency adoption increasing for transactions.
• Using ATMs are still not recommended due to low withdrawal limits and high fees.
• Smaller businesses have started charging 10% to 30% more for credit card transactions,

Understanding the Currency Situation in Argentina

When we first moved to Argentina , we had to pay our monthly rent by carrying grocery bags full of cash to an illegal money exchanger known as a “cueva” (the literal translation of cave in Spanish). As I walked back to our apartment with the most money I’ve ever carried in my life, I felt nervous. I constantly looked over my shoulder, my eyes alert, scanning back and forth whenever someone walked near me.

Little did I know that this anxious 10-minute walk was just the beginning of a chaotic year.

QUICK TIP: You can compare the rates between Western Union, Crypto, Visa, and Mastercard here.

This post may contain affiliate links. I may get a commission if you purchase something using my link. Please note, there is NO ADDITIONAL COST to you. For more information, please see my  disclosure .

6 Quick Tips To Prepare For A Move To Argentina

TIP 1. Use Western Union to get more pesos- Western Union is still the best way to change money in Argentina. As an added bonus, you get a $20 Amazon Card and Free transfer fees for using our sign up link .

TIP 2. Argentina is another country that requires an onward ticket- Be prepared to show a departure flight or a return ticket. You can get a cheap onward travel ticket $16 here.

TIP 3. Your home insurance will not cover you in Argentina- Protect your health with international health coverage that costs less than what you would pay in the United States.

TIP 4. Get FREE quotes to save on moving costs-  International moves can get expensive. You can save hundreds of dollars using this form to get professional international moving companies to compete for your business.

TIP 5. Keep a permanent address with a travel mailbox- Keep an address in your home country to receive important mail from getting lost. A virtual travel mailbox ensures you don’t lose an important tax return, bank statement, credit card, or government document in the mail.

TIP 6. Pick up some Spanish Skills- Only 6% of locals speak English. You’ll make life in Argentina easier by knowing more than “Hola.” Get a free 7-day Spanish language crash course your transition here easier.

2024 Currency Devaluation

On Dec 13, 2023, less than a couple weeks before Christmas, newly-elected President Milei made a bold move by significantly devaluing the Argentine Peso (ARS) by 50%, from 366 to 800 pesos per dollar. Families woke up that morning to find that the cost of their kids’ Christmas gifts had doubled overnight.

We have been living in Buenos Aires for several months now, and even in the short time we have been here, the cost of living volatility is shocking. It is one thing to read about Argentina’s inflation hitting 211% ; it’s another thing to watch your grocery bill double in just a few months.

And I begrudgingly complain about prices because I fully grasp my position of privilege as an expat. My monthly income is in a stable currency like the US dollar. If foreigners complain about prices, it is difficult to imagine how locals cope with the country’s economic crisis.

The Impact of Inflation on Currency Markets

While one of South America’s largest economies and richest countries, Argentina has been mired in a battle with inflation since the 1980s. 

When a country experiences high inflation, the value of its currency tends to drop as the currency’s purchasing power of the currency decreases. This drop makes the currency less attractive to foreign investors.

In reaction, the government adopted unorthodox currency restrictions to artificially prop up the value of the Argentine Peso. 

The relationship between inflation, monetary policy, and rate of exchange is complex, and the details are way past the point of this article.

It is sufficient to say that the government’s currency controls did not work as intended. 

As the peso’s value plunged, Argentines turned toward foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar and the Euro, as safe havens for their money.

Impact of Peso Devaluation On Expats

For expatriates living in Argentina, the peso’s devaluation has a two-sided effect. On one hand, if expats earn their income in a stronger foreign currency, like USD or EUR, they might find their financial power increases as the peso loses value. Everything from dining out and tourist attractions to gym memberships can become relatively cheaper when you use a stronger currency in the country.

On the flip side, the prices of local goods are currently rising faster than the exchange rate. So even when I walk out of a money changer with more stacks of peso notes, my purchasing power is dropping. This effect makes maximizing your rates when exchanging money in Argentina doubly important.

Forget the Macroeconomics; it’s about getting the most bang for your buck.

Official Vs. Informal Exchange Rates

The blue market explained.

In Argentina, the ‘Blue Dollar Rate’ refers to the unofficial exchange rate that operates parallel to the official market. It gets its name from the blue strip in the newer one-hundred-dollar bills.

Also referred to as ‘dolar blue,’ you can exchange USD or EUR for ARS at more favorable rates than those offered by banks and authorized exchange offices. Until the December 2023 devaluation, you could get nearly double the amount of pesos by finding someplace willing to trade at the black market rate.

While the Argentine government does not sanction the black exchange rate, it is a widely used method of currency exchange due to the significantly better rates it can offer. However, it also comes with risks since it’s unregulated and lacks official protection. The rates here can fluctuate widely, influenced by the economic policies, market demand, and availability of foreign currencies.

While the latest devaluation has shrunk the gap between the official and unofficial rates, the Blue Market can still help you save on living expenses.

As of this writing, daily rates have been going crazy. I changed a $100 bill at my local cueva on Jan 4th and received 96,000 ARS.

Today, I received an email from Western Union offering 128,900 ARS—an increase of 34% in just two weeks.

The 5 Best Ways to Exchange US Dollars Pesos in Argentina in 2024

Using western union to get argentine pesos.

I was puzzled when a fellow expat first told me that I should use Western Union. Western Union is one of the biggest rip-offs in the US.

I can transfer money to friends in the US using PayPal, Revolut, or Venmo for free or almost free. The idea of paying Western Union $15 ($5 with a discount) in transfer fees is ludicrous.

But in Argentina, Western Union is a go-to choice for many expats because they use the blue rate, and WU has loads of branches in all major cities. 

The process on their website or app is straightforward. You can send money from your USD account, debit or credit card, and receive Argentine pesos in cash.

Setting up an account is free, and you can pick up your money at any WU branch nationwide. You can use my referral link for a free $20 Amazon gift card to sign up.

INSIDER TIP: Pick A Favorite Branch – Western Union does have drawbacks. The biggest pain in the ass is that not every branch carries enough cash. Additionally, most Western Unions have ridiculously long lines. Few things are more frustrating than waiting an hour in line only to find out they ran out of cash.

My advice is to make friends with the employees at your favorite branch. At mine, we are on a first-name basis, and I can send her a WhatsApp asking if she has enough money and check on how busy she is before I waste my time. Shout out to Volieta!

Exchanging USD and EUR Bills for Pesos At Money Changers

Bank money changers are the most commonly used method of changing money into peso. But in Argentina, bank FOREX counters offer the worst rates.

The foreign exchange counter at the Banco La Nacion branch at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) is one of the first things foreign tourists see after getting off an airplane. I am willing to bet that the bank airport counter snags many unsuspecting tourists into forfeiting their US dollars or Euros at a terrible rate.

As you can deduce from the name, all official exchange offices will only convert to Argentine pesos at the official exchange rate (currently 50% less than the informal rate).

Black Market Money Changers

To get the black market rate look for informal currency exchange houses, called “casas de cambio” in Spanish or informally as “cuevas.”

You can find cambios in nearly every neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Each cambios sets their own rates, but all use a competitive rate close to the blue dolar, and consistently much higher than you will find at any bank.

Calle Florida, a pedestrian-only street in downtown Buenos Aires, is known to have loads of underground exchange houses (cuevas). Just listen for touts, known as arbolitos, calling out “cambio, cambio” to people who walk past.

Arbolitos would lead you to unofficial currency exchange houses, where you can change dollars for pesos at a more advantageous rate.

Personally, I stick with cuevas in neighborhoods frequented by expats (Palermo, Recoleta, Belgrano) or ones recommended by your Airbnb host, friend, or trusted local contacts.

Cambios accept most foreign currencies, but the highest blue market rate requires new, crisp, undamaged banknotes. Expect a lower rate if there is a tear, writing, or stains. Crisp, unmarked USD and EUR bills are preferred and fetch the best rates. Older, damaged, or marked bills may be accepted, but potentially at lower rates.

.stk-1823113{padding-left:15px !important;margin-bottom:10px !important;margin-left:15px !important} .stk-1714c11{padding-left:15px !important;margin-bottom:10px !important;margin-left:15px !important}.stk-1714c11 .stk--svg-wrapper .stk--inner-svg svg:last-child,.stk-1714c11 .stk--svg-wrapper .stk--inner-svg svg:last-child :is(g,path,rect,polygon,ellipse){fill:var(--stk-global-color-64421,#c5001a) !important} .stk-fca9845{margin-bottom:10px !important} Always count your pesos before leaving, and don’t hesitate to check the bills for authenticity.

INSIDER TIP: Secure Your Cash- When you need to exchange large amounts of cash, like changing money to pay rent, it doesn’t hurt to be more cautious. Argentina doesn’t have the safety issues of Colombia or Brazil, but carrying large bags filled with cash still warrants caution. I usually take an Uber straight home rather than walk 20 minutes with huge sums of cash in a backpack.

Using Credit Cards: Convenience Over Savings

Using credit cards in Argentina is a relatively new option for expats. Historically, all foreign credit and debit cards would convert your peso purchases to your home country’s currency using the official rate. This meant foreigners always paid cash and only used foreign credit cards if they were okay with getting a lower currency conversion.

However, on December 15, 2022, Argentina introduced  the MEP rate (Medio Electrónico de Pagos) or Tourist Exchange Rate, specifically for credit card companies. Now, foreigners using their credit, debit, or prepaid cards in Argentina receive more favorable exchange rates.

The MEP rate only applies to purchases (excludes cash advances) using foreign cards. Expats with Argentina bank cards are stuck with the official rate. 

While the MEP rate was still slightly less than the Blue Dollar rate (currently, MEP is 3% less), I use my visa card whenever possible. Credit cards offer a better balance of security and convenience. I’m not carrying a massive wad of bills to pay for dinner, and I still get my credit card points.

However, while most grocery stores, large restaurants, and international retail shops don’t care if you use a credit card, in the last couple of months, most small businesses started charging me an extra 10% to 30% more for credit card transactions.

INSIDER TIP: Using Your Credit Card In Argentina- Visa will post the amount of your purchase (plus any foreign transaction fees) to your account using the current exchange rate. However, Mastercard and American Express transactions initially post using the lower official rate, then automatically refund you the difference 4-5 business days later.

Using Cryptocurrency To Exchange Money In Argentina

With a self-proclaimed “Anarcho-Capitalist” president looking to shake up Argentina’s ever-evolving financial crisis, the cryptocurrency scene in Argentina changes quickly, even by crypto standards.

Just last week, Argentina’s first rental contract was signed using crypto coins as the official currency.

INSIDER TIP: Bitcoin- For reasons unknown to me, Bitcoin is not widely accepted here. Most transactions are denominated in USDT. You can use this link to trade USDT using Binance and get your first trade free.

Rather than speculate on what can happen in the future, I’ll focus on the cryptocurrency exchange process.

As of this writing, you won’t be able to pay for any good or service using crypto. However, you have three choices for exchanging crypto for Argentina pesos.

1) Use a cueva or cambio- Not all take crypto, but many do. I use Flash Palermo because they are conveniently located. They don’t have the best rates. They charge a 2% commission, plus make some money on the exchange rate.

2) Use P2P – There are several Whatsapp groups where expats and digital nomads trade with each other. Usually, you get mid-market rates, and it’s a win/win as you both cut out the middleman.

3) Use The Wapu App- The most common non-cash way locals pay for things at shops and markets is by using a service called Mercado Pago. Mercado Pago is Latin America’s Venmo if every small business in the US accepted Venmo instead of credit cards. However, the HUGE downer is a Mercado Pago account requires a DNI (basically an Argentina Social Security Number), which isn’t available to non-residents.

Wapu allows you to transfer USDT into your wallet, then use the app instead of Mercado Pago. So whenever a merchant asks you to scan their Mercado Pago QR code, you scan the same code using Wapu, and boom, you just used cryptocurrency to buy empanadas.

Getting US Dollars From Uruguay

A popular tip for expats needing additional US dollars while in Argentina is to venture to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, a charming and historic getaway just a ferry ride away. Beyond its scenic views and cobbled streets, Uruguayan ATMs dispense USD notes, providing an alternative method for obtaining the coveted currency.

INSIDER TIP: ATM Fees- One tricky thing is that Banco Republica didn’t charge me a separate ATM fee. Instead, they combined my withdrawal and ATM free into a single transaction. If you use Schwab, Fidelity, or a similar bank that automatically refunds your foreign ATM fees, getting your $5 back requires a phone call.

3 Worst Ways To Change USD Dollars to Argentina Pesos in 2024

Using an atm in argentina.

Using my Schwab ATM card is my go-to method of exchanging money in nearly every country. Schwab refunds me for any foreign bank fees and gives me a favorable exchange rate when pulling out money. 

However, my personal experience is that ATM bank machines are not a practical option in Argentina.

I checked 4 different cash machines at different banks, and the most I could withdraw was 25,000 pesos with a super high 9,000 pesos ATM fee.

This translates to only being allowed to withdraw $20 USD at a time and getting hit with a $8 fee each time.

If you find yourself in a pinch and need to access cash quickly, ATM machines in Argentina are available, but they should be your last resort.

PayPal and XOOM- Western Union Alternatives

Paypal is a stalwart in the money transfer industry. I imagine 99% of you guys out there already have a PayPal account. XOOM operates as a PayPal service for swift and secure digital money transfers using Cobroexpress as a partner in Argentina. Expats can send US dollars using XOOM and pick them up as Argentine pesos at a Cobraexpress.

Cobraexpress operates convenient cash pickup locations in most cities, including blanket coverage in Buenos Aires.

However, unless you are desperate or XOOM’s integration with PayPal is a compelling reason, XOOM is a worse deal than Western Union. While Cobraexpress does not charge a pickup fee, XOOM makes money on the exchange rate and the transfer fee.

Transfer USD Using Wise To Get ARS

I didn’t have much luck finding any Cambios that would accept Wise (formally known as TransferWise). I only found one place, Reby Rate in the Palermo Soho, offering to exchange my Wise USD transfer into ARS with an additional 7% commission.

Additionally, Wise transfers are converted using the official exchange rates and not the Blue Market rates, so you’ll get crappier rates and a high commission. Why do you want to use Wise? Do you hate money?

FAQs: Argentina Currency Exchange System

Can you use us dollars day-to-day.

While it’s possible to use US dollars for transactions in Argentina, particularly in tourist-heavy areas, it’s not the norm. Some larger grocery stores and touristy restaurants will allow you to pay in USD or EUR but charge a horrific exchange rate that is even lower than the actual rate.

How Do I Get the Best Exchange Rate in Argentina?

The rates have been all over the board recently, but the best exchange rates in Argentina are either via Western Union or exchanging money in cuevas using the blue dollar rate. Both options are much better compared to the official bank rate.

Is it safe to use online platforms like Western Union in Argentina?

Western Union in Argentina is considered safe. A few things to ensure:

• Double-check the spelling of your name as the “Recipient” matches the name on your passport.
• Confirm that Western Union has enough cash. You may need to break up large amounts into two transactions.
• Pay attention when the teller does their count. Western Union is legit and isn’t a scam, but tellers are humans and can make mistakes.

What should I know about Cuevas and Arbolitos?

Cuevas and arbolitos are informal and unregulated currency exchangers. While widely used, they’re unofficial and come with some risks. Get a local’s recommendations for trusted cuevas to minimize the risk.

Even with a “trusted” Cueva, I like to use the “trust but verify” approach. After the teller takes out the stacks of money from their lock drawer or safe, they run the bills through an electronic counter. It’s easy enough to ensure the electronic counter matches the amount I expect to receive.

Will my foreign credit card work everywhere in Argentina?

Foreign credit cards should work in larger cities across Argentina. However, even in Buenos Aires, I carry cash, as some shops will say their machine is “broken” or that their service is “down.” Other merchants will charge an additional 10-30% to use a credit card.

Additionally tips before using your credit card in Argentina:

• Inform Your Bank: Before traveling, tell your bank to expect foreign transactions to avoid any security blocks on your card.
• Check For Fees: Some cards charge for international use. It’s always best to be aware of additional fees to avoid surprises on your statement.
• Cash Advances: Using your credit card for a cash advance not only hits you with an upfront fee and higher interest rate, but you will also get the lower official exchange rate.
• Back-Up Plan: Even with the prevalence of credit cards, always have some cash as a backup, particularly in rural areas or when shopping at smaller stores or local restaurants that will charge you an extra fee to use your card.

Hi, That's me.  I'm Marco Sison . I am a survivor of the corporate rat race. I started Nomad FIRE to show you an alternative to the stress and grind of 70-hour weeks to pay off a mortgage, student loans, and countless bills. After getting laid off in 2015, I said screw it all and retired early at 41 years old. I have traveled the last eight years to over 50 countries to show you the best ways to  save, invest , and  live in amazing countries  for 70% less cost than the US. I have been featured in:  US News & World Reports, HuffPost, MSN Money, USA Today, ABC Network, Yahoo Finance, Association of MBAs, the iTunes documentary Seeking FIRE, and the Amazon Best-Seller, Abroad: Expats That Thrive .  [ view press... ]

Hello Marco, could you suggest a WhatsApp group that I can join so that I can exchange my USD with other expats or nomads for ARS(Argentina Peso)?

Also, do you have any cambios or cuevas contacts that is trustworthy for exchanging USD to Argentina Pesos??

Hi Frank, Currently, Western Union is the best way to exchange money in Argentina . I just checked with my trusted cueva in Palermo Hollywood and they are offering lower rates for USD to ARS conversion. You can check out the video here to find my recommended Western Union branches and get a $20 gift card from Amazon.

For WhatsApp groups to exchange money , I just finished an article with links to my recommended groups.

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What's the Currency in Argentina?

Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.

The currency in Argentina is the Argentine peso . As the official legal tender in Argentina, the Argentine peso is officially recognized by the Argentine government, meaning you can use it to settle all financial obligations in the country, including paying for goods, services, taxes, and debts.

Besides the peso, no other currency is officially accepted in Argentina, although the US dollar is widely accepted as a secondary currency.

There are a couple of reasons why you might be interested to find out the currency in Argentina. Click on the reason that best applies to you below to find out more:

• I'm travelling to Argentina
• I'm sending money to Argentina
• I want to follow the Argentine peso exchange rate
• I'm just curious

Travelling to Argentina

With its different currency, banking system, and money customs, figuring out the best way to pay in Argentina if you travel there can be tricky. Fortunately, many forms of payments have become ubiquitous around the globe, including:

• Credit cards: Cards from VISA and Mastercard are accepted in Argentina, especially in touristy establishments.
• Debit cards: Debit cards linked to your bank account let you make purchases at point-of-sale terminals and withdraw cash.
• Cash: Having some Argentine peso banknotes could help for small purchases, tipping, and emergencies. You can typically exchange currency at a bank or exchange bureau before or upon arrival.
• Mobile payments: Mobile payment services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Alipay are an increasingly popular way to pay, but you'll need to check beforehand how available these methods are in Argentina.
• Prepaid travel cards: A reloadable debit card with a Argentine peso balance can give you good value, security, and convenience.

Of these methods, using a prepaid travel card is almost always the best way to pay in Argentina because they generally incur lower fees on Argentine peso currency exchange than credit cards or bank debit cards do. Moreover, many prepaid travel cards let you hold multi-currency balances, allowing you to dodge DCCs and other sneaky fees while travelling — all while providing the same level of security and convenience as you're used to from your credit or debit card!

Depending on where you're from, you may be able to find a prepaid travel card from your bank. Still, we recommend using a global provider like Revolut because it offers excellent exchange rates, multi-currency balances, and a travel debit card that allows you to spend on your holiday like a local and enjoy peace of mind after each tap, swipe, or cash withdrawal.

Revolut is only available in the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU/EEA, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and Chile. If you live in Canada or New Zealand, the Wise Account is another excellent option to consider. If you're from any other country, we recommend checking out what multi-currency cards are available in your country or whether your bank offers any similar products.

Sending Money to Argentina

Every year, many people send money to Argentina for all kinds of reasons. These include supporting friends or family, paying for someone's tuition, settling business transactions, purchasing or upgrading property, and many others. If you want to send an international money transfer to a Argentine peso bank account in Argentina, then you should be aware of the high fees and exchange rates that go along with global money transfers with your international bank (these fees often constitute more than 10% of your transfer amount — you can read all about this in our dedicated explainer here ).

Fortunately, international money transfers are a competitive market with many trustworthy alternative providers jostling to offer you the best exchange rates (rates which almost always far outdo those you'll find at the bank!). However, because the cheapest provider to send money abroad differs depending on factors such as where you're sending from, the amount you're sending, the payment method and others, we recommend skipping the hassle and finding the cheapest provider in real time with Monito's live comparison tool below 👇

Find the best deal when sending money to Argentina:

Argentine peso exchange rates.

The Argentine peso is one of around 180 currencies worldwide. This means that the Argentine peso trades against all other official currencies around the globe, giving us exchange rates: a measure of how much of one currency we can exchange for another.

Exchange rates can fluctuate over time due to various economic, political, and market factors. A higher exchange rate means that the value of one currency has increased compared to another, while a lower exchange rate means the opposite. Exchange rates are essential when travelling to, buying goods and services from, or sending money to Argentina.

With Monito's currency pages, you can follow the live exchange rate to the Argentine peso, see which providers offer the best deals, and set up smart email alerts to follow fluctuations:

You can also use the above tool to enter your currency to see its exchange rate with the Argentine peso or set up email alerts to be notified when the exchange rate passes a certain value.

Key Facts About the Argentine Peso

Currencies and foreign money can be interesting, unique, fun to learn about because they offer a glimpse into a country's culture, history, and economics. If you're just curious the Argentine peso and how it's used as the currency of Argentina, here are a few key facts:

FAQ About the Currency in Argentina

The currency in Argentina is the Argentine peso.

The best way to get Argentine peso in Argentina varies depending on your needs and preferences. In general, you can use your debit or credit card to spend money in Argentina or ask your bank whether they offer a specific multi-currency card that supports Argentine peso balances. However, this method can rack up higher-than-expected charges, and if you're looking for the best fees and exchange rates, we recommend exploring online travel card leaders like the Wise Account and Revolut , which offer incredibly low-cost spending in dozens of currencies globally to see if they're available in your country.

The best way to send Argentine peso to Argentina depends on many things such as the country you're sending from, the amount of money you're sending, your payment method, and your recipient's receiving method. You can find the best deal to send Argentine peso to Argentina by comparing providers on Monito !

The Argentine peso was first adopted as the currency in Argentina on November 20th, 1881.

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Interested in the Currencies of Other Countries?

Find a country you're interested in in the table below:

Why Trust Monito?

You’re probably all too familiar with the often outrageous cost of sending money abroad. After facing this frustration themselves back in 2013, co-founders François, Laurent, and Pascal launched a real-time comparison engine to compare the best money transfer services across the globe. Today, Monito’s award-winning comparisons, reviews, and guides are trusted by around 8 million people each year and our recommendations are backed by millions of pricing data points and dozens of expert tests — all allowing you to make the savviest decisions with confidence.

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• Travel Money

A safe-to-use, prepaid, reloadable, multi-currency card that’s not linked to your bank account

No charges when you spend abroad*

Make contactless, Apple Pay and Google Pay™ payments

Manage your account and top up or freeze your card easily with our Travel app

*No charges when you spend abroad using an available balance of a local currency supported by the card.

Win £5000 with Post Office Travel Money Card

A chance to win £5000 when you top up a new or existing Travel Money Card*. Offer ends 12 May

*Exclusive to travel money cards. Promotion runs 4 March to 12 May 2024. 1 x £5,000 prize available to be won each week. Minimum equivalent spend of £50 applies.

Why get a Travel Money Card?

Carry up to 22 currencies safely.

Take one secure, prepaid Mastercard® away with you that holds multiple currencies (see ‘common questions’ for which).

Accepted in over 36 million locations worldwide

Use it wherever you see the Mastercard Acceptance Mark – millions of shops, restaurants and bars in more than 200 countries.

Manage your card with our travel app

Top up, manage or freeze your card, transfer funds between currencies, view your PIN and more all in our free Travel app .

It’s simple to get started

No need to carry lots of cash abroad. Order a Travel Money Card today for smart, secure holiday spending.

Order your card

Order online, via the app or pick one up in branch and load it with any of the 22 currencies it holds.

Activate it

Cards ordered online and in-app should arrive within 2-3 working days. Activate it by following the instructions in your welcome letter.

It’s ready to use

Spend in 36 million locations worldwide, and top up and manage your card in the app or online.

Stay in control

Manage your holiday essentials together in one place on the move, from your Travel Money Card and travel insurance to extras like airport parking.

New-look travel app out now

Our revamped travel app’s out now. It makes buying, topping up and managing Travel Money Cards with up to 22 currencies a breeze. Buying and accessing Travel Insurance on the move effortless. And it puts holiday extras like airport hotels, lounge access and more at your fingertips. All with an improved user experience. Find out what’s changed .

Order a Travel Money Card

Order your card online – or through the Post Office travel app – and we'll deliver it within 2-3 days. Just activate it and go.

Need it quick? Visit a branch

Pick up a Travel Money Card instantly at your local Post Office. Bring a valid passport, UK driving licence or valid EEA card as ID. 

Need some help?

We’re here to help you make the most of your Travel Money Card – or put your mind at ease if it’s been lost or stolen

Lost or stolen card?

Please immediately call: 020 7937 0280

Available 24/7

To read our FAQs, manage your card or contact us about using it:

Visit our Travel Money Card support page

Common questions

How can i order my card.

There are three ways that you able to obtain a Travel Money Card, each very simple.

Please note, you must be a UK resident over the age of 18 to obtain a Travel Monday Card.

• Via our travel app: you can order and store up to three Travel Money Cards in our free travel app . Delivery will take 2-3 working days.
• Online: follow our application process  to order your card online. Your card will take 2-3 working days to be delivered. Once it arrives you can link it to our Travel app to manage on the go. 
• In branch: simply find a nearby Post Office branch and pop in to get your Travel Money Card there. Please remember to take a valid passport, UK driving licence or a valid EEA card in order to obtain your card, and you can take it away the same day.

Whichever way you choose to order your card, don't forget to activate it once it arrives. Full details of how to activate your card will be provided in your welcome letter, to which your card will be attached if it’s been sent in the post.

How do I use my card?

Travel Money Card is enabled with both chip & PIN and contactless, so you can make larger and lower-value value payments with it respectively. For convenience, you can also add it to Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

You can load it with between £50 and £5,000 (see more on load limits below). You can use it to pay wherever the Mastercard Acceptance Mark is displayed. And you can withdraw cash with it at over 2 million ATMs worldwide (charges and fees apply, see 'Are there top-up limits?' below).

Your Travel Money Card is completely separate from your bank account so it’s a safe and secure way to pay while you’re abroad.

How can I manage my card?

After you've activated your card, you can manage it using our travel app or via a web browser. You can check your recent transactions, view your PIN, transfer funds between different currency ‘wallets’, top up your card, freeze your card and more.

Our travel app brings together travel essentials including holiday money, travel insurance and more together in one place. As well as managing your Travel Money Card you can buy cover for your trip, access your policy documents on the move, book extras such as airport parking and hotels, and find your nearest ATM while overseas or Post Office branches here in the UK.

Which currencies can I use?

The Post Office Travel Money Card can be loaded with up to 22 currencies at any one time. You can top up funds on the card and transfer currencies between different ‘wallets’ for these currencies easily in our travel app or online.

Currencies available:

• EUR – euro
• USD – US dollar
• AUD – Australian dollar
• AED - UAE dirham
• CAD – Canadian dollar
• CHF – Swiss franc
• CNY – Chinese yuan
• CZK – Czech koruna
• DKK – Danish krone
• GBP – pound sterling
• HKD – Hong Kong dollar
• HUF – Hungarian forint
• JPY – Japanese yen
• NOK – Norwegian krone
• NZD – New Zealand dollar
• PLN – Polish zloty
• SAR – Saudi riyal
• SEK – Swedish Krona
• SGD – Singapore dollar
• THB – Thai baht
• TRY – Turkish lira
• ZAR – South African rand

What are the charges and fees?

Full details of our charges and fees can be found in our   Travel Money Card terms and conditions .

The Post Office Travel Money Card is intended for use in the countries where the national currency is the same as the currencies on your card. If the currency falls outside of any of the 22 we offer on your card, you’ll be charged a cross-border fee. For example, using your card in Brazil will incur a cross-border fee because we do not offer the Brazilian real as a currency. 

Cross border fees are set at 3% and are only applicable when you use your currency in a country other than the ones we offer. 

For more information on cross border fees, please visit our cross border payment page.

There are no charges when using your card in retailers in the country of the currency on the card. This means that a €20 purchase in Spain would cost you €20 and will be deducted from your euro balance. 

To avoid unnecessary charges to your card, wherever asked, you should always choose to pay for goods or withdraw cash in the currencies of your card. For example, if you are using the card in Spain you should always choose to pay in euro if offered a choice; choosing to pay in sterling (GBP) in this example would allow the merchant to exchange your transaction from euro to sterling. This would mean your transaction has gone through two exchange rate conversions, which will increase the total cost of your transaction. 

For loads in Great British pounds, a load commission fee of 1.5% will apply (min £3, max £50). A monthly maintenance fee of £2 will be deducted from your balance 12 months after your card expires. Expiration dates can be found on your TMC; all cards are valid for up to 3 years. 

A cash withdrawal fee will be charged when withdrawing cash from a UK Post Office branch or from any ATM globally that accepts Mastercard.  

We have listed all available currencies and their associated withdrawal limits and charges below: 

EUR – euro Max daily cash withdrawal: 450 EUR Withdrawal charge: 2 EUR

USD – US dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 500 USD Withdrawal charge: 2.5 USD

AED – UAE dirham Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,700 AED Withdrawal charge: 8.5 AED

AUD – Australian dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 700 AUD Withdrawal charge: 3 AUD

CAD – Canadian dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 600 CAD Withdrawal charge: 3 CAD

CHF – Swiss franc Max daily cash withdrawal: 500 CHF Withdrawal charge: 2.5 CHF

CNY – Chinese yuan Max daily cash withdrawal: 2,500 CNY Withdrawal charge: 15 CNY

CZK – Czech koruna Max daily cash withdrawal: 9,000 CZK Withdrawal charge: 50 CZK

DKK – Danish krone Max daily cash withdrawal: 2,500 DKK Withdrawal charge: 12.50 DKK

GBP – Great British pound Max daily cash withdrawal: 300 GBP Withdrawal charge: 1.5 GBP

HKD – Hong Kong dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 3,000 HKD Withdrawal charge: 15 HKD

HUF – Hungarian forint Max daily cash withdrawal: 110,000 HUF Withdrawal charge: 600 HUF

JPY – Japanese yen Max daily cash withdrawal: 40,000 JPY Withdrawal charge: 200 JPY

NOK – Norwegian krone Max daily cash withdrawal: 3,250 NOK Withdrawal charge: 20 NOK

NZD – New Zealand dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 750 NZD Withdrawal charge: 3.5 NZD

PLN – Polish zloty Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,700 PLN Withdrawal charge: 8.5 PLN

SAR – Saudi riyal Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,500 SAR Withdrawal charge: 7.50 SAR

SEK – Swedish Krona Max daily cash withdrawal: 3,500 SEK Withdrawal charge: 20 SEK

SGD – Singapore dollar Max daily cash withdrawal: 500 SGD Withdrawal charge: 3 SGD

THB – Thai baht Max daily cash withdrawal: 17,000 THB Withdrawal charge: 80 THB

TRY – Turkish lira Max daily cash withdrawal: 1,500 TRY Withdrawal charge: 7 TRY

ZAR – South African rand Max daily cash withdrawal: 6,500 ZAR Withdrawal charge: 30 ZAR

Are there top-up limits?

Yes, all currencies have top-up limits and balances. See full information below, which is applicable to all currencies available on the Travel Money Card.

• Top-up limit: minimum £50 – maximum £5,000
• Maximum balance: £10,000 at any time, with a maximum annual balance of £30,000
• Read more Travel Money Card FAQs

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Find out more information by reading the  Post Office Travel Money Card's terms and conditions .

Post Office Travel Money Card is an electronic money product issued by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd pursuant to license by Mastercard International. First Rate Exchange Services Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with number 4287490 whose registered office is Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9DF, (Financial Services Register No. 900412). Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Post Office and the Post Office logo are registered trademarks of Post Office Limited.

Post Office Limited is registered in England and Wales. Registered number 2154540. Registered office: 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER. 

These details can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting the  Financial Conduct Authority website  and searching by Firm Reference Number (FRN).

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•   France
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•   Polska
•   Portugal
•   România
•   Singapore
•   United Kingdom
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•   繁體中文 (香港)

The 6 Best Prepaid Travel Cards for Australians 2024

Here is a list of the 6 best prepaid cards you can take with you on your travels and the positives and negatives for each one:

• Wise - our pick for prepaid cards

Revolut - low fees

• Citibank - good for use at home
• Travelex - no fees for ATM withdrawals
• Australia Post - lock in exchange rates

HSBC - no international transaction fees

With a prepaid travel card you’ll load money - either in AUD or the foreign currency you need - in advance, which you can then use as you travel , for spending and withdrawals. Lots of cards let you top up and manage your account through an app, which means you can always keep up with your money, even when you’re away from home.

Picking the right prepaid card can mean you get more convenient ways to spend and withdraw when you’re abroad - and lower overall costs, too. Let’s look at some of the best prepaid travel cards on offer for Australians , so you can pick your perfect match:

Wise - our pick for prepaid travel card

• Top up for free in AUD using PayID or bank transfer
• No annual fee, hidden transaction fees or exchange rate markups
• No minimum balance requirements
• Allows you to make payments and withdrawals wherever you are in the world in over 40 currencies
• Local bank account details in Australia (AUD), the UK (GBP), the USA (USD), Europe (EUR), Canada (CAD) and New Zealand (NZD)
• Available in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand

Find out more about the Wise card .

With this card:

• It's very easy to set up and order
• Available as a  virtual card
• You can receive foreign currency into a multi-currency account linked to the card
• Pay with your Wise card in most places overseas where debit cards are accepted
• You can transfer money to a bank account overseas

It's not all good news though

• There is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
• It takes 7-14 days for delivery

Go to Wise or read our review .

• No hidden fees or exchange rate mark-ups (except on weekends)
• Very easy to use app
• Free to set up account and top up
• You can use it to transfer money to a bank account overseas

Read the full review

• No purchase fee, load fee, reload fee, exchange rate margin or minimum balance requirements
• Unlike other Travel Cards, its free and easy to use the balance of your currency or convert it back to AUD
• The exchange rates are unbeatable. They use the same rate you see on XE or Google with no hidden mark-up
• For the free Standard account, there is a 2% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
• The premium account costs $10.99 a month, which can really add up if you are not using it often
• Additional fees for using the card on a weekend
• 2% ATM fee once you withdraw more than $350 in any 30 day period
• 3-4 business days before you receive your card

Click here to see the full list of cards and how Revolut compares

Australia Post Prepaid Travel card - lock in exchange rates

• Load up to 11 different major world currencies
• Spend and withdraw easily around the world
• Get access to extras like free wifi when you travel
• Manage your card in online and via an app
• Transfer instantly to another Travel Platinum Mastercard

• Load up to 11 different currencies for easy spending and withdrawals
• Lock in exchange rates so you know what your travel money budget is in advance
• Get extra perks like free wifi when you load 100 AUD or more
• Get fraud protections from Mastercard
• 3.5 AUD international ATM fee, or 2.95% domestic ATM fee
• Exchange rates to add money in a foreign currency or spend a currency you don’t hold are likely to include a markup
• Some fees apply depending on how you top up your account

Travelex - no fees for international ATM withdrawals

• Load up to 10 major currencies at a time
• Spend and withdraw anywhere Mastercard is accepted
• Contactless payments so you can just tap and go
• No Travelex fees for international ATM withdrawals
• Free to spend currencies you hold in your account
• Order online and have it delivered to your home - or collect in store

• Top up and hold up to 10 currencies at a time
• View and manage your account online
• Spend online and in person, and make withdrawals as you travel
• No membership or account fees to pay
• Get exclusive Mastercard discounts and perks
• Inactivity fees apply if you don’t use the card for a year
• Not all major currencies are supported for holding - double check they have the currency or currencies you need

Go to Travelex or read our review .

Citibank Saver Plus - best for use at home

• No international ATM or transaction fees
• Fee-free international money transfers to any account worldwide
• SMS notifications through Citi Alert

With this card you can:

• withdraw money for free at over 3000 ATMs Australia-wide and overseas
• take advantage of no foreign transaction fees, monthly fees, or minimum opening balance
• transfer money to friends and family anywhere in the world for free
• Cash deposits available within 24-48 hours
• Can’t have two cards active at the same time
• $5 account closure
• Hold and exchange 10 currencies: AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, HKD, CAD, JPY, NZD, SGD, and CNY 
• No account opening or annual fees to pay
• No foreign transaction fee and no HSBC ATM fee at home or abroad
• Some cashback earning opportunity on local spending 
• Easy online overseas transfers - 8 AUD fee and exchange rate markups apply

• Hold and exchange 10 currencies
• No account opening fee, no ongoing fees 
• Get up to 2% cashback on eligible card spend
• No HSBC ATM fee
• No international transaction fee
• 8 AUD fee for sending money overseas
• Cashback on low value transactions made in Australia only
• Limits apply on how you can use CNY within your account

Read our HSBC Everyday Global Account review .

What are Prepaid Travel Cards?

Prepaid travel cards are a good international card alternatives to carrying cash. They look like credit or debit cards, but they function differently.

You're able to load the card with a set amount of money in the currency you need and can use it to make purchases online, in stores and to withdraw money at ATMs.

Most travel cards allow for multiple currencies to be loaded onto the card. So it's important to know what currency you'll be using on your travels. Airlines also offer prepaid cards so the money you spend can earn you reward points.

Find out how our 5 best prepaid travel cards for Australians compare in our best and worst travel cards article .

Looking for something different?

Read our guides on:

• The best travel debit cards
• The best travel cards for Europe
• The Wise debit card review
• Best virtual debit cards for Aussies

How does a prepaid travel card work?

Order a prepaid travel card online, through a provider app , or - in some cases - pick one up at a physical location or store. Generally to get your card you’ll need to show or upload some ID documents for verification - this is to keep your account safe and is a legal requirement.

Once you have your card account open , you can load funds . Different cards have their own supported methods for topping up, which usually include bank transfer, PayID, credit and debit card, and which may also allow you to deposit cash in some cases. Once you have funds on your card, you can switch to the currency you need for overseas spending. In some cases you can also leave your funds in AUD and just allow the card to convert for you - but do check that no additional fees will apply in this case.

Prepaid travel cards can then be used to tap and pay , make withdrawals and shop online . You can often also add them to mobile wallets like Apple Pay for convenient spending. Because your card isn’t attached to your everyday account it’s secure, and you can only spend the funds you’ve loaded, which means there’s no chance of accidentally blowing your budget.

Advantages and disadvantages of prepaid cards

Prepaid cards can be a handy addition when you’re abroad, as they are secure and convenient to use for payments and withdrawals. However, they’re not the only option. If you’re not sure about whether a prepaid card is right for you, check out these advantages and disadvantages to help you decide:

Advantages:

• More convenient than carrying cash, with easy access to ATMs to withdraw when you need to
• Not linked to your primary day to day account, which can be more secure and make budgeting easier
• Some accounts let you buy currency in advance to lock in exchange rates when they’re good
• You may be able to access better exchange rates and lower fees compared to using a regular bank card

Disadvantages:

• Some prepaid cards have fairly high fees - including charges when you add money to the account. Read more on how to find the best travel cards with no foreign transaction fees
• Not all prepaid cards support a broad range of currencies - check the currencies you need are covered
• Prepaid cards aren’t always accepted for things like paying security deposits - so it’s safest to have a credit card as well

Who is a prepaid debit card for?

A prepaid debit card is handy for many different customer needs. For example, you may choose a prepaid debit card in the following situations:

• You’re planning travel and want to set your budget in advance with no chance of accidentally overspending
• You want to be able to hold and exchange a selection of foreign currencies all in the same account
• You want to increase security by using a payment card that’s not linked to your main everyday account when you travel
• Some cards also offer other perks like ways to receive foreign currency payments conveniently, or cashback 

How can I get a prepaid travel card?

Different prepaid cards have their own order and activation processes. However, to comply with local and international law, providers will usually need to see some ID before you’re able to get a card - this verification step may be available online by uploading images of your paperwork, or in person by visiting a branch. 

Here’s an outline of the basic steps you’ll take to get a prepaid travel card:

• Pick the right card for your needs
• Visit the provider’s website or app - or call into a branch if you’d prefer a face to face service
• Complete a travel card order from, which will include your personal information
• Get verified - usually this involves showing or uploading ID like a passport or driving licence
• Add money to your card, which could be in cash, with a bank card, or by bank transfer
• You can now get your card, and manage your account online or in the app

If you’re ordering a card in person you’ll be able to start using it right away. If you’ve ordered online for delivery, you’ll need to wait a few days, to a couple of weeks, depending on the provider you’ve picked, for your card to be available. You might be able to access virtual card details in the meantime, to start spending right away.

How to choose a prepaid debit card

There are many different prepaid debit cards on the Australian market - so picking the best one for you will require a bit of research. Starting with this guide, compare a few different prepaid debit cards based on features and fees. Here are a few pointers to think about:

• Make sure you know about any opening or card delivery fee which will apply once you order your card
• Check how long it’ll take to get your card if you’re ordering online for home delivery
• Make sure the card you pick can hold a broad selection of currencies, so you can use it for more than one trip away
• Check the fees for adding funds, making ATM withdrawals and converting currencies
• Look to see if there are any account close, cash out or dormancy fees that apply once you stop using the card
• Make sure the card is well rated by other users, and from a trustworthy provider

Where can I get a prepaid debit card?

Generally you can order your prepaid debit card online or by downloading your preferred provider’s app. Some cards, like the Auspost card, can also be collected in physical branch locations.

FAQ - 6 Best Prepaid Travel Cards

Are prepaid cards free.

Prepaid cards may be free to order, or you may pay a small one time fee, depending on the provider and card you pick. Once you have your card you may also pay transaction fees such as exchange rate markups when you switch currencies, and ATM withdrawal charges. Read the card’s terms and conditions carefully so you’re aware of the costs involved.

What are the best prepaid debit cards for international travel?

There’s no single best prepaid debit card - it’ll come down to your personal preferences, where you’re travelling, and the type of transaction you need to make. Pick a prepaid card which is easy to use, which supports the currency you need, and which offers a good balance of low fees and good exchange rates.

What is the best reloadable prepaid card?

There’s no single best reloadable prepaid debit card. Use this guide to compare a few options to pick the one that’s right for you, thinking about features, fees and the range of supported currencies you’ll need.

Should I use a Mastercard or Visa for overseas?

Both Visa and Mastercard are very broadly accepted globally. It’s often a good idea to have a prepaid, debit or credit card on each of these networks, so you’ll always have a backup if for some reason one network isn’t available wherever in the world you are.

Are prepaid currency cards worth it?

Picking the right prepaid currency card can help you save money on currency exchange and access low fee international transaction services. You might also get extra perks like easy ways to lock in exchange rates in advance, so you can get a good deal and fix your travel budget before you go away.

Your currency knowledge centre

5 Best Debit Cards for Australians Travelling Overseas

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• Read more ⟶

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The Wise Debit card give customers an easy way to spend their balances in multiple countries. With interbank rates and low fees, this product is available in Australia for both personal and business customers.

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What you need to know about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Visa Card

• How other travel cards compare to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card
• 4 important details about the Autograph Journey 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Could Lose Its Crown to This Wells Fargo Travel Card

The newest Wells Fargo card comes up short in a few areas, but that could change soon.

Holly Johnson

Contributor

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert and writer who covers rewards and loyalty programs, budgeting, and all things personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Forbes Advisor and Investopedia, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love."

Tiffany Connors

Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a senior editor for CNET Money with a focus on credit cards. Previously, she covered personal finance topics as a writer and editor at The Penny Hoarder. She is passionate about helping people make the best money decisions for themselves and their families. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and has been a writer and editor for publications including the New York Post, Women's Running magazine and Soap Opera Digest. When she isn't working, you can find her enjoying life in St. Petersburg, Florida, with her husband, daughter and a very needy dog.

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card* -- Wells Fargo’s latest and best travel card -- recently launched with an impressive set of features. Its competitive rewards, welcome bonus and redemption options take aim at incumbent travel credit cards from Chase, American Express and Capital One.

What gives Wells Fargo’s first foray into the point-transfer space an edge is that you don’t have to book travel in a portal to earn the highest rewards rates. 

Here’s why we think the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey could go toe-to-toe with some of the best travel credit cards, plus four insider tips to help you decide if you should add it to your credit card lineup.

Before we dive into the hidden features and benefits, here’s an overview of what you can expect with the Autograph Journey:

• Earn 60,000 welcome bonus rewards points after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of account opening.
• Earn unlimited 5x points on hotels, 4x points on airlines, 3x points on other travel and dining and 1x on other purchases.
• Receive an annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Other benefits include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, roadside dispatch and cell phone insurance.
• $95 annual fee.

How other travel cards compare to the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

4 important details about the autograph journey .

Here’s a rundown of four facts we discovered about the Autograph Journey that you should know when deciding whether to apply.

1. You can transfer points with Wells Fargo point-based cards

The launch of the Autograph Journey also marks the first transferable points program from Wells Fargo, which joins other card issuers like Chase and Capital One, which have their own pooling programs .

Autograph Journey will be able to do a points transfer with the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card . This is especially notable since the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers bonus rewards in different categories than the Autograph Journey. 

For example, the Autograph card earns unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans, plus 1x points on other purchases. So you can maximize your point earning across different categories, then transfer your points to your Autograph Journey account to access premium travel redemptions.

2. It offers more options for earning bonus miles on travel than some competitors

The Autograph Journey will offer more flexibility than many travel rewards cards when it comes to earning more points on travel purchases. For example, cardholders earn unlimited 5x points on hotels booked directly with hotel brands and 4x points on airfare booked with airlines. 

This helps the card stand out from other popular travel credit cards that offer the most bonus points only if you book travel through their portals. For example, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * only offer the highest bonus rewards on travel booked through Capital One Travel. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also offers its highest rate of 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, whereas other travel purchases earn 2x points.

Autograph Journey cardholders also earn a minimum of 3x points on other travel purchases, which could include rental cars, cruises and travel booked through online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline.

3. The card may grow in value as more transfer partners join

The Autograph Journey Card will earn flexible travel rewards points that transfer to a selection of airline and hotel partners, similar to Amex Membership Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards . While the list of transfer partners is limited, Wells Fargo stated in its initial press release that “more partners will continue to be added throughout the year.”

Points transfers could dramatically change the value proposition of the Autograph Journey, especially if new partners include domestic airlines and popular hotel loyalty programs. 

Wells Fargo point transfers will be available to new cardholders starting on April 4. For now, Wells Fargo transfer partners include the following:

4. You may need to wait to apply

If you’ve applied for another Wells Fargo card in the last six months, you’ll likely have to wait a little longer before applying for the Autograph Journey.

Wells Fargo states in its terms and conditions, “If you opened a Wells Fargo Credit Card account within the last six months, then you may not qualify to open an additional Wells Fargo Credit Card account. We may also limit how many open Wells Fargo Credit Card accounts you have.”

So if you want the new Autograph Journey, you should steer clear of applying for other cards from Wells Fargo for now. If you’re approved and use the card responsibly for six months or longer, you can consider adding additional Wells Fargo credit cards to your portfolio.

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Recommended Articles

After writing about hundreds of credit cards, these two are still my favorite, 6 reasons the chase sapphire preferred should be your next credit card, 3 steps to take when your flight is canceled or delayed, 8 best credit card strategies to maximize earnings in 2024, as a foodie who enjoys a night out on the town, this credit card gives me plenty to savor.

* All information about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card have been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

CNET editors independently choose every product and service we cover. Though we can’t review every available financial company or offer, we strive to make comprehensive, rigorous comparisons in order to highlight the best of them. For many of these products and services, we earn a commission. The compensation we receive may impact how products and links appear on our site.

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Credit Cards > Reviews

Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card review 2024: Money-saving perks for fans of the startup carrier

Stella Shon

Allie Johnson

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

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Published 6:07 a.m. UTC April 10, 2024

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Breeze Airways remains relatively unknown, but this startup airline is a breath of fresh air for travelers in underserved areas. The airline offers nonstop routes from smaller airports to popular U.S. destinations, allowing flyers to skip connecting through busy airports.

Now, the low-cost airline is launching its first credit card, the Breeze Easy™ Visa® Credit Card * The information for the Breeze Easy™ Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . Cardholders can earn BreezePoints on Breeze flights and everyday expenses and redeem them for flights, bags, seat assignments, and more.

Here’s our full Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card review and our take on whether frequent Breeze flyers should take a closer look. 

Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card basics

• Annual fee: $89.
• Welcome bonus: 50,000 BreezePoints after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Rewards: Earn up to 10 points per $1 on Nicer Bundles, Nicest Bundles and trip add-ons (5 points per $1 when the flight is purchased, plus 5 points per $1 once the flight is completed), up to 4 points per $1 on Nice Bundles (2 points per $1 when the flight is purchased, plus 2 points per $1 when flight is completed), 2 points per $1 on eligible grocery store and restaurant purchases (including inflight food and beverages and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• APR: 21.24% to 29.99% variable.
• Recommended credit score: Good to excellent.
• Does the card offer preapproval? No.
• Other benefits: Points never expire with the card, Group 1 Priority boarding, complimentary inflight Wi-Fi on Breeze Airbus fleet, 7,500-anniversary points after spending $10,000 in a year and no foreign transaction fees.

Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card review

A loyalty program is key to repeat business, and Breeze is offering its frequent flyers even more with the debut of a new travel rewards credit card. While the Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card isn’t for everyone, it provides plenty of value for the right cardholder.

You can earn up to 10 points per $1 on Nicer Bundles, Nicest Bundles and trip add-ons (5 points per $1 when the flight is purchased, plus 5 points per $1 once the flight is completed), up to 4 points per $1 on Nice Bundles (2 points per $1 when the flight is purchased, plus 2 points per $1 when flight is completed), 2 points per $1 on eligible grocery store and restaurant purchases (including inflight food and beverages and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

In other words, you can get up to a 10% return on eligible Breeze purchases.

Your BreezePoints never expire as long as you have the card, and you can redeem them at a flat 1-cent-per-point rate for flights and other traveler extras such as checked bags and seat assignments.

But with an $89 annual fee, you’ll need to crunch the numbers to see if the card will provide enough value to justify the cost.

The card offers benefits you’d expect from any airline credit card , such as access to priority boarding for the cardholder and companions on the same reservation. And cardholders get free inflight Wi-Fi, saving $8 each way. (By the end of the year, Breeze plans to become a fleet of all Airbus A220s, one of the most comfortable regional jets to fly.)

In sum, Breeze offers an economical way to fly to dozens of U.S. destinations, and its new credit card is a natural fit for frequent Breeze travelers.

• Elevated points spent on Breeze flights and trip add-ons: That’s one of the best rewards rates on any airline credit card, giving flyers a generous haul of points for booking Breeze flights. 
• Complimentary Wi-Fi for all travelers on the same reservation: You won’t have to pay for internet connectivity, saving you $8 on every one-way flight.
• BreezePoints won’t expire : BreezePoints normally expire after 24 months, but the card will extend their shelf life for as long as your account remains open.
• Anniversary bonus: You’ll get a 7,500-point bonus every account anniversary, worth $75 for Breeze flights and more, if you spend at least $10,000 on the card each year. 
• No free bags: Airline credit cards typically come with a free checked bag, but this card does not waive the cost of checked bags. 
• BreezePoints are worth 1 cent apiece: While Breezy Rewards is a straightforward program, there’s no opportunity for outsized value, as with other frequent flyer program currencies.
• Full rewards only after your flight : With the card’s earning rate, you’ll earn half of the BreezePoints when purchasing the flight and the other half after the flight is complete. 

Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card rewards

Perhaps the most eye-catching feature of Breeze’s first-ever credit card is the ability to earn huge rewards on eligible Breeze Airways purchases. Let’s take a closer look at how the rewards break down:

Cardholders can earn up to 10 points per $1 on Nicer Bundles, Nicest Bundles and trip add-ons (5 points per $1 when the flight is purchased, plus 5 points per $1 once the flight is completed), up to 4 points per $1 on Nice Bundles (2 points per $1 when the flight is purchased, plus 2 points per $1 when flight is completed), 2 points per $1 on eligible grocery store and restaurant purchases (including inflight food and beverages and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.

New applicants can also earn 50,000 BreezePoints after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. 

Using government data and other publicly available information, we estimate that a household in the U.S. that would be in the market for this card has around $25,087 in annual expenses that can be charged to a credit card. 

We assumed the example cardholder purchased flights at the base-level ticket (Nice fare class). Here’s how our sample household’s rewards could break down:

Cardholders will earn BreezePoints through the Breezy Rewards program. In this example, the cardholder earned 37,119 points from card purchases, worth $371.19 for Breeze flights, baggage fees, seat assignments, and more. 

Breeze Airways is not part of an airline alliance, nor does it have any partnerships, except with new partner Priceline. You can only redeem your points for Breeze-related purchases, meaning there’s no opportunity to maximize rewards on other airlines. This is a key consideration if you want to apply for the Breeze card. 

Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card perks

An airline credit card is best suited to those who fly almost exclusively with the carrier, and the Breeze Easy Visa is no exception. Cardholders get the major advantage of free inflight Wi-Fi, saving them and companions on the same reservation $8 each way.

Furthermore, cardholders and their travel companions on the same reservation get Group 1 priority boarding. That means you’ll have first dibs on precious overhead bin space. The more you fly, the more value you’ll get from these benefits. 

In addition, cardholders get the chance to earn 7,500 bonus points each anniversary year after spending $10,000 in purchases. Those BreezePoints are worth $75 — nearly the cost of the annual fee — adding even more ongoing value. 

Although the airline has no international flights, the Breeze Easy card is a keeper for traveling abroad because there are no foreign transaction fees. It’s a Visa Signature card, which comes with complimentary travel insurance perks such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay coverage and more.

Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card drawbacks

One crucial feature the card is missing: a free bag benefit. Most airline credit cards will waive the cost of the first checked bag as a cardholder-exclusive perk. This could be a dealbreaker for some travelers.

At the lowest fare classes, Breeze only allows for one free personal item that must fit under the seat. The airline also operates on a dynamic bag pricing model, so the cost of a carry-on and checked bag will vary slightly depending on your flight route. 

While this may disappoint, remember that BreezePoints can be redeemed for extra charges, including bag fees. For instance, you can use 3,500 BreezePoints to wipe out a $35 carry-on bag charge. And, if you’ve booked a higher fare class (Nicer or Nicest), the cost of bags is included in the ticket bundle.

How the Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card compares to other travel cards 

Breeze easy visa credit card vs. chase sapphire preferred® card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , which has a $95 annual fee, is ideal for travelers looking to earn bonus points on travel and everyday purchases. You’ll earn 5 points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per $1 on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® has an enticing list of transfer partners, including United and Southwest. Cardholders can redeem miles at an elevated 1.25-cent rate for travel purchases via the Chase travel portal. Unfortunately, you can’t book Breeze Airways flights on Chase Travel, so this isn’t a fit if you want to redeem points for Breeze flights. 

our partner

Blueprint receives compensation from our partners for featured offers, which impacts how and where the placement is displayed.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Welcome bonus.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

Credit score.

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Editor’s Take

• Flexible points that can be transferred to 14 travel partners or redeemed through Chase Travel℠ at 1.25 cents each.
• $50 annual statement credit toward Chase Travel hotel bookings.
• Valuable travel protections.
• $95 annual fee.
• Category bonuses are limited and not competitive against other travel cards.
• Transfer partner list is limited compared to programs like Amex Membership ® Rewards and Citi ThankYou ® .

Card Details

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also has a $95 annual fee and offers the benefit of simplicity with 5 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 2 miles per $1 on other purchases. You can redeem Capital One miles as a statement credit for any travel purchases made within the past 90 days at a rate of 1 cent apiece. This rewards flexibility is a big plus.

It’s also possible to outsize those rewards with Capital One’s airline and hotel transfer partner roster, especially for international flights. You’ll also benefit from a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit (up to $100), a nice added travel perk. 

Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card vs. JetBlue Plus Card * The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

We’d be remiss not to offer a comparison to the JetBlue Plus card to see how the Breeze Easy card stacks up. The JetBlue Plus Card has a slightly higher $99 annual fee. It’s also issued by Barclays and offers similar earnings: 6 points per $1 on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2 points per $1 at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. 

You’ll earn TrueBlue points, which can be redeemed for flights on the airline or partner carriers such as Qatar Airways or Hawaiian Airlines. The JetBlue Plus card offers a free first checked bag. This benefit provides at least $35 in savings each way, which helps offset the annual fee. 

Is the Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card worth it?

Between the card’s welcome bonus and ongoing rewards rates, there’s a lot of potential to stockpile BreezePoints. But unless you exclusively fly with the airline, it’s worth shopping around to see if another travel credit card will serve you better in the long term, especially if your goal is to save money on flights with a range of carriers, rather than just Breeze Airways.

Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card is right for you if:

• You frequently fly out of the airline’s main hubs .
• You want to earn rewards to save money on Breeze flights and travel purchases.
• You want to save money onboard Breeze flights with the card’s complimentary Wi-Fi.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Airline credit cards, such as the new Breeze Easy card, offer ways for the most loyal flyers to save money on travel. This card is no exception, with plenty of ways to earn BreezePoints, free Wi-Fi and more for ultra-loyal Breeze passengers.

The Breeze Easy card costs $89 per year. This fee is in line with competing travel cards, which you might also want to consider for more flexible rewards earning, redemption and perks.

While the issuing bank, Barclays, does not disclose a specific credit score requirement, you’ll want to have good to excellent credit to increase your chances of qualifying for most travel credit cards. 

Breeze Airways does not offer a true business-class product, but the airline has a spacious recliner seat called “Ascent class” on its Airbus A220 fleet, and extra legroom seats. 

*The information for the Breeze Easy™ Visa® Credit Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Stella Shon is a freelance writer that connects the dots between personal finance and travel. Her work has appeared in The Points Guy, ValuePenguin and MoneyUnder30, and she's been interviewed by The New York Times, CNBC and more.

Allie is a journalist with a passion for money tips and advice. She's been writing about personal finance since the Great Recession for online publications such as Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MyWalletJoy and ValuePenguin. She's also written personal finance content for Discover, First Horizon Bank, The Hartford, Travelers and Synovus.

Grace Pilling is a deputy editor for credit cards at USA TODAY Blueprint. She believes credit cards are the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure tools of the financial world and gets excited about helping people discover the best credit card strategy for their unique goals. Prior to joining Blueprint, Grace worked on and led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com, MoneyUnder30 and MoneyGeek. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and writing and a diploma in editing and publishing.

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