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Just examining my Chase bank card statement, the fuckers charged me a 10 dollar foreign ATM fee for [u]every[/u] goddamn transaction. Asshole vampires. Cocksucking bankers, even anally raping me every time I make a son of a bitching fifty peso withdrawal. Basta. Avoid Chase. Pissants.
[QUOTE=Hunt99]Just examining my Chase bank card statement, the fuckers charged me a 10 dollar foreign ATM fee for [u]every[/u] goddamn transaction. Asshole vampires. Cocksucking bankers, even anally raping me every time I make a son of a bitching fifty peso withdrawal. Basta. Avoid Chase. Pissants.[/QUOTE]Check out USAA Federal Savings Bank out of San Antonio. Very expat friendly. Zero nasty charges such as above. Their services are designed for military personnel, but regular folks can take advantage of their banking services. I draw from my checking account down here using the ATM system. Never a charge. Great customer service. I intially found out about them while following a BA expat blog. Some advise for those interested, you will need a USA mailing address to start an account.
I don't know whats up with that Dogg, but I bank at Chase and have only been charged the normal 1.50
[QUOTE=Doggboy]Check out USAA Federal Savings Bank out of San Antonio. Very expat friendly. Zero nasty charges such as above. Their services are designed for military personnel, but regular folks can take advantage of their banking services. I draw from my checking account down here using the ATM system. Never a charge. Great customer service. I intially found out about them while following a BA expat blog. Some advise for those interested, you will need a USA mailing address to start an account.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Moore]DaddyRulz, Doggboy:
Is it not crystal clear that Hunt99's post is not to be taken seriously?[/QUOTE]No, my post was dead serious. Sitting right there on my online statement: "Transaction Fee $10" And those $$$ ain't pesos. Fuck Chase and the horse they rode in on.
All my Chase statements say 1.50 per ATM withdrawl. Who in the hell takes out 50 pesos anyway.
[QUOTE=Moore]Oh my goodness, I just realized that Hunt99 is Goblin. So all those arguments were simply Hunt99 talking to himself.:D.
PS All my Chase statements say 1.50 per ATM withdrawl.[/QUOTE]Hunt99 has been laid at least once during the reign of the current monarch. It's obvious that the same cannot be said for Goblin. ;)
I took out 50 pesos on my last day in Buenos Aires to cover my expenses on the way to the airport. If I took out more, what would I do with a wallet full of worthless sheets of wanna-be wallpaper also known as pesos?
E Trade
If one uses E Trade, one can withdraw 50 pesos whenever one wants, or even 10 pesos. I could withdraw 10 pesos 49 times a day if I wanted to.
[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz]I don't know whats up with that Dogg, but I bank at Chase and have only been charged the normal 1.50[/QUOTE]That was Hunt99 getting screwed, not me, you Cordoba addled, mongering cousin of a dog! I ain't be getting charged nothing at USAA Federal.
Most banks in BA (at least where I'm located on Las Heras and Pueyrredon) close at 3:00pm. I just finished lunch at 4:00pm, and was looking to exchange money. Only one bank was open. The dude told me they stopped exchanging money at 3:00pm. The rest of the banks I went to all closed at 3:00pm. BTW, exchange rate dollar to peso is 3.07.
There is a bank inside the EZE airport where you can exchange money for a good rate (3.06 last week.) I always thought you'd get ripped off with shitty exchange rates. Once you pass customs before your greeted by the cabbies looking for they're fare, go immediately to your right. The bank is located on the right next to a general kiosk. You should be able to see a couple of armed guards outside the bank. I should have exchanged more money. I thought the exchange rate might have spiked during my day long flight. Avoid the hassles, get it all done at this place.
Judd
Judd may be referring to the Banco de la Nacion Argentina. There are exchange windows (the same bank branch faces in two directions) both outside in the terminal and also inside, next to customs (where you run your bags through a scanner if selected). AVOID the kiosks inside the baggage claim, which you will pass after clearing passport control but before you go through customs.
Is this bank at the airport (mentioned by Hunt99 and Judd) open Saturday mornings?
If not, what is my best bet on a Saturday for exchanging my cash, knowing I won't have any pesos when I get off the plane?
Pop till you drop,
Hojo
IIRC it is open on Saturday mornings. 85% sure. If not best bet is ATM in the airport and withdraw 990 pesos.
I had to exchange 6,000 Euros to Dollars on Monday. I went downtown to the Sarmiento 500 area and got the good market rate (1.27), but what a pain in the ass. Here are my notes.
Local banks in Recoleta like Banco Rio, Banco Frances, and Citibank will only exchange pesos. So to exchange Euros to Dollars, you have to change Euros to Pesos and then Pesos to Dollars and of course you get fucked royally. The effective exchange rate is about 1.23 since you sell Euros at about 3.85 and then buy Dollars at about 3.12. Exchange houses downtown will change from Euros to Dollars directly.
However, there is a 10,000 Peso (or equivalent) limit per exchange house transaction. Since 6000 Euros is worth about 23,000 Pesos, I had to go to three exchange houses to change it all. The paperwork was extensive at most of the houses. You must have your passport or DNI. I'm 99% sure the 10,000 peso limit does not apply to exchanges made at your own bank. When I transferred these funds into Argentina, I exchanged them into Euros in one transaction at my local Banco Rio.
Sarmiento 500 is not my favorite area of Buenos Aires. As usual, there was a street demonstration with drums, guys with masks and sticks, some minor fires. When I was in one exchange house, they blocked/locked the doors as the demonstrators passed. That gave me a nice warm and fuzzy feeling. And there I am walking around with a very thick bulge of cash in my front jeans pocket. Actually it wasn't so bad since there is usually a good police presence in the area, and due to the demonstration there were hundreds of them.
So I saved about 3% or US$250 on my 6,000 Euro exchange. The biggest hassle was having to go to multiple houses.
BTW, I had about 30something Pesos left over after clearing exit customs at Ezeiza on Tuesday. The Dollar buy rate was decent at the exchange kiosk near gate 1 - about 3.12 IIRC. So I got a 10 Dollar bill and still have a 2 Peso note left over as a souvenier - its good for entertainment "value".;)
Went to Cambio and a tout took me to a small store on Florida. Offered 3 peso more per $100. When I received the $ it looked very fake. Took my Franlkins and left.
Noticed at La Madiliene across from Excreda and small sign said exchange 312 for 100. Worked like a champ.
Best rates I saw all week.
Mongers,
This is Kos checking in Argentina. Just to introduce myself if some of you are not familiar with my style. I have vast knowledge of Mexico, Costa rica, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela and many Carribean islands. I am thinking of moving to Argentina for three months to monger and to experience the city. My question is, where is the best place to exchange dollars for pesos, I understand it is 3 to 1, which is great. But is the airport, casas de cambio, bancos, where is the best exchange rate. Every country is different and I have never been so far south as buenos aires. But I will be making my way down there.
Thanx.
KOS
Hey KOS.
The best place at the airport is the National bank-the only one. You can find it just outside customs. Ignore all the booths that offer money exchange, they are a rip off.
You can either do it while still inside the customs area or if there is a long line (rarely) you can exit the doors and circle around and behind the booths on the right to another entrance into the bank to exchange money.
Once in Buenos Aires, the best place I have found is on Santa Fe up by Plaza San Martin, I think between Maipu and Esmeralda or Esmeralda and Suipacha. It is on the opposite side of the street from the American Airlines office on the corner. It is on the right side as you are walking from 9 de Julio toward Suipacha-Esmeralda-Maipu.
Sorry but I do not recall the name.
Hope that helps. Enjoy the chicas.
Suerte.
Stowe
A good place to exchange especially if it's other currency not Dollars is Forexcambio on Marcel T de Alvear. When you get to the end of Florida with the Marriot Plaza in front of you, take a right along MT Alvear and about half a block you'll find Forexcambio. They will also change your travellers. Once you have been there a few times they won't bother you with documents or papers and so on.
The official daily rate at: [url]http://www.dolarhoy.com.ar/[/url]
Is it naive to ask to see what argentine currency looks like?
Looking at a currency site now, Just asking =) A peso is only a peso if it is a peso.
Oh and What are australs ?
From experience I can say that Alhec Group consistently beats Forexcambio. This morning Forex is 3.03, Alhec is 3.04. Less than a 5 minute walk from Forex, Alhec is at 641 Paraguay just steps from Florida. Tel. 4316 5000
Mongers,
Thanx for the good info, this board seems to have good useful information, it figures, money always draws attention. Thanx again and keep the info alive on exactly where to find the best rate. Nobody likes to get less than there money is worth.
KOS
[size=-2][b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]This report was deleted because the subject was not related to the purpose of this thread, which is "Exchanging Currency".[/blue][/size]
[QUOTE=Webcams]Oh and What are australs?[/QUOTE]The australes was the old currency, replaced by the pesos when Menem president converted 1 peso for 1 dollar. That happened after the hiperinflatuation crisis in the 80's. People used to carry millions of australes for buying a lunch.
[QUOTE=Moore]I had to exchange 6,000 Euros to Dollars on Monday. I went downtown to the Sarmiento 500 area and got the good market rate (1.27) but what a pain in the ass. Here are my notes.
Local banks in Recoleta like Banco Rio, Banco Frances, and Citibank will only exchange pesos. So to exchange Euros to Dollars, you have to change Euros to Pesos and then Pesos to Dollars and of course you get fucked royally. The effective exchange rate is about 1.23 since you sell Euros at about 3.85 and then buy Dollars at about 3.12. Exchange houses downtown will change from Euros to Dollars directly.
However, there is a 10,000 Peso (or equivalent) limit per exchange house transaction. Since 6000 Euros is worth about 23,000 Pesos, I had to go to three exchange houses to change it all. The paperwork was extensive at most of the houses. You must have your passport or DNI. I'm 99% sure the 10,000 peso limit does not apply to exchanges made at your own bank. When I transferred these funds into Argentina, I exchanged them into Euros in one transaction at my local Banco Rio.
Sarmiento 500 is not my favorite area of Buenos Aires. As usual, there was a street demonstration with drums, guys with masks and sticks, some minor fires. When I was in one exchange house, they blocked / locked the doors as the demonstrators passed. That gave me a nice warm and fuzzy feeling. And there I am walking around with a very thick bulge of cash in my front jeans pocket. Actually it wasn't so bad since there is usually a good police presence in the area, and due to the demonstration there were hundreds of them.
So I saved about 3% or US$250 on my 6,000 Euro exchange. The biggest hassle was having to go to multiple houses.
BTW, I had about 30something Pesos left over after clearing exit customs at Ezeiza on Tuesday. The Dollar buy rate was decent at the exchange kiosk near gate 1 - about 3.12 IIRC. So I got a 10 Dollar bill and still have a 2 Peso note left over as a souvenier - its good for entertainment "value".;)[/QUOTE]There is a Citibank in BA thats great. I bank with Citibank here in illinois. I will just have my bank do a bank to bank transfer to open a account at the Citibank for me. Transfer 1000 american dollars. They can't screw me on exchange rate then because I'm a Citibank customer. Does anyone know how far the Citibank is from las Canitas in Palermo
Bad News Signprn-
As Argentina is not a signatory party to the various international banking conventions (meaning they reserve the right to nationalize and / or seize deposits from time to time) Citibank Argentina and Citibank in all other countries are not associated. The only advantage to having a Citi USA account is the free ATM transactions in the Citi banking machines. Although they have the same parent company, operationally, they are completely disassociated.
Sorry,
Dirk Diggler
Let's assume you were successful in getting Citibank in the USA to help you open an account without a DNI (this presupposes you are very rich, your investment banker has made a direct phone call to one of the big shots of Citibank in Buenos Aires, and you can show you are trying to establish residency in Argentina) you would still have to wait six months before you can directly transfer dollars from the USA to your Citibank account in Argentina. The nearest Citibank from Las Caņitas is on the 1700 block of Avenida Cabildo in Belgrano, about a 5 minute cab ride.
I didn't know it was like that. When I went to the Philippines Makati I stayed in a servied apartment, Fraser to be exact and the main Citibank was rite there. So my Citibank was able to just able to do a bank to bank transfer for me no problem. It worked out great. Because if I just needed money I would go there and get it no problem out of the temporary account set up.
SigPRN,
Welcome to Argentina. Most things that would make sense businesswise don't make sense in Argentina.
It's very difficult to get dollars here. So if you need dollars, bring them with you. Otherwise your ass better hop the ferry to Colonia. You can withdraw pesos from the ATM's at a very good rate though. But some transactions like renting apartments need Greenbacks
I brought dollars and they are treated like travelers checks. I went to Citibank to cash them and there is a minimum of $200 U$ otherwise they won't change them. You have to bring your passport (yes for cash) and then they diddle with the paperwork. Stand in line etc.
It would be a good idea to ask for small bills in case of funny money. Its not always possible.
A copy of your passport will do. I wouldn't be walking around with your original. Too much of a ***** to get it replaced if you get robbed or lose it. I once convinced the guy to use some fake numbers for the passport #.
Your best bet is to change money at the bank at Ezeiza (the real Banco Argentina, not the stand by the luggage rack. It's right by the door as you walk out after you get your bags) You can ask for small bills. I also recommend getting like 50 pesos in 1 peso coins. It will make your life so much easier. Plus you can ask for all the change you want and they always have someone who speaks decent english. Oh yeah and its open 24/7 unlike the regular banks.
Otherwise changing dollars is a hassle. Standing in line, finding a place wtih a decent rate, etc. ATM is the best bet. I've found I got better rates on ATM than on regular money conversions. Only pain in the ass now is finding one that lets you take out more than 550 pesos at a time. Last time could only take out 1000 max. Irritating, but if you can usually have your US bank refund their out-of-network ATM charges.
But for emergencies, Keep some greenbacks.
[QUOTE=Artisttyp]I brought dollars and they are treated like travelers checks. I went to Citibank to cash them and there is a minimum of $200 U$ otherwise they won't change them. You have to bring your passport (yes for cash) and then they diddle with the paperwork. Stand in line etc.[/QUOTE]Anyone who has bothered to read the forum much, will know that you should change money at the airport when you arrive. Open 24 hours, great exchange rate, and you're in and out in only a few minutes. Getting smaller bills is always a good idea.
There are many restaurants and other businesses that will take the dollar at a good rate. I've seen 3.10 and 3.20 in the last days. I also see these good rates, when I don't have any dollars on me.
Changing dollars is not always a hassle. I'll try to find the address of the place I used to use in Palermo Verde / Botanico or whatever. Use to walk in without passport or copy, short line and get a good rate on dollars or euros. It's a small place near the corner of Scalabrini Ortiz and Cervino, or possibly Segui. I haven't been over that way in a while.
[QUOTE=Jaimito Cartero]Anyone who has bothered to read the forum much, will know that you should change money at the airport when you arrive. Open 24 hours, great exchange rate, and you're in and out in only a few minutes. Getting smaller bills is always a good idea.
There are many restaurants and other businesses that will take the dollar at a good rate. I've seen 3.10 and 3.20 in the last days. I also see these good rates, when I don't have any dollars on me.[/QUOTE]I did that when I arrived but I'm here for 25 days. I just do what I need to do at Citibank. Its right by my hotel.
I did not receive the good exchange stated below at the cambio outside of security near the exit door. Received 2.72p rate while downtown a 3.14p rate was available. Its possible the exchange is better at the exchange booth near the baggage belt, but I cannot confirm this.
You have to go to the bank in the airport to get a good rate. When you come out of the area with the booths after customs, make a right buttonhook and you'll see it.
[QUOTE=Westsider]I did not receive the good exchange stated below at the cambio outside of security near the exit door. Received 2.72p rate while downtown a 3.14p rate was available. Its possible the exchange is better at the exchange booth near the baggage belt, but I cannot confirm this.[/QUOTE]Next time avoid the Cambio booth in the middle of the arrivals area and try the bank a few meters away. I think is a "Banco de la Nacion" branch. Much better rates there.
While in town, for good rates, try "Paris cambio" in the begining of Santa Fe avenue. Avoid it on saturdays. Not such good rates on saturdays.
No passport needed. There is always a short waiting time. Too many customers due to their good rates.
El Greco
[QUOTE=El Greco]
No passport needed. There is always a short waiting time. Too many customers due to their good rates.
El Greco[/QUOTE]I have to second El Greco. They have good rates and long lines if you go at the wrong time. Unlike him, however, I am asked for my passport about half the time. I think the more "foreign" I look, the more likely they are to ask for a passport.
As soon as you pick up your bags from the customs x-ray machine, and before you go through any sliding doors, stop and look around. You should see a Banco de la Nation counter on the other side of the room.
I cannot say authoritatively that this counter provides the best rates in town. But I can say that [u]I've[/u] always gotten the best rates there compared to the other places I've tried using. Last time I went through it was 3.07 or thereabouts; at the same time, Banco Galicia was only giving me something like 3.02 or 3.03 (and I have a preferred account there).
Recently I have been changing my money at a place which gives me 1c under the current bulk exchange rate. I have checked it a few times, and if DolarHoy told me that the US$ -> AR$ was 3.15, I got 3.14.
No need to bring ID / Passport etc.
The place is located in a mall at Florida street, 800 block.
The name of the place is "Gestoria New Exchange" (Or something like that.)
See the attached pics for more "visual" information. Walk into the mall, till you are at a small "square" (pic 2) look to the left and you will see the place in the corner. (pic 3)
Mongers-
El Alamo will exchange currency, anytime, 24/7, without any minimums / maximums or ID required, at the best possible rates, as good or better than any exchange house or bank. This deal is good on US Dollars, Euros, or UK Pounds Sterling. A great way to avoid waiting in lines, going to undesireable locations, paying ATM fees, and dealing with ATM maximums. Just walk in and ask for the owner or manager.
Suerte,
Dirk Diggler