SWANOZ Posted December 17, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 17, 2016 (edited) Just wondering if anyone has experience using ATMs in Santiago and Bueno Aires. How much could you withdraw? Did they have enough money in Them? I have read that people have had trouble in Buenos Aires that most of the ATMs were closed and had no money in them. I have a Citibank debit card. Thanks Jennifer Edited December 17, 2016 by SWANOZ Spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davwen81 Posted December 17, 2016 #2 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Most reliable information from this year says bring US cash convert it at the airport bank and don't use ATMS in Argentina due to high costs and low withdrawal amounts. Chile is a different kettle of fish! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredZiffle Posted December 17, 2016 #3 Share Posted December 17, 2016 What's worrying me is our cruise starts in Valparaiso and ends in Buenos Aires, so there's no opportunity to use the airport bank in BA for Argentine Pesos. Compound that with the fact that US banks don't sell them, so it appears that the only options are to buy from an online currency exchange before we leave or try to find an ATM in Ushuaia. Anybody know if you can buy Argentine Pesos at the airport bank in Santiago? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcdcruiser Posted December 17, 2016 #4 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Before you go.... I have used this firm several times. They ship foreign cash (no problem) and you can buy a preloaded atm card in your currency (PEN, ARS, CPL) of choice. You can even reload the atm card while traveling. https://www.travelex.com/cash-passport/multi-currency-cash-passport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davwen81 Posted December 17, 2016 #5 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Travelex in Australia also sells argentine and Chilean pesos, so you should be able to get them there as welll. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredZiffle Posted December 17, 2016 #6 Share Posted December 17, 2016 I was looking at Travelex, but they had about a 10% spread vs. the official exchange rate. I was hoping there was a better option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcdcruiser Posted December 17, 2016 #7 Share Posted December 17, 2016 (edited) Yes travelex is expensive, but even if you use you ATM card in SA you will pay the visa or MasterCard exchange rate. So the Travelex added cost is the difference between them and visa and MasterCard. The question then is travelex worth the convenience or peace of mind. Edited December 17, 2016 by tcdcruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted December 18, 2016 #8 Share Posted December 18, 2016 Before you go.... I have used this firm several times. They ship foreign cash (no problem) and you can buy a preloaded atm card in your currency (PEN, ARS, CPL) of choice. You can even reload the atm card while traveling. https://www.travelex.com/cash-passport/multi-currency-cash-passport Travelex has terrible exchange rates. If you have a Bank of America account or credit card (or Wells Fargo), they have much better rates for purchasing foreign money. In Chile, ATMS are not a problem (at least they weren't in 2014). In Argentina, since the government has removed currency controls and the currency floated, there is not black (blue) market for Pesos. Therefore, you should do fine with using credit cards for purchase. Also, you can probably pay for tours with US dollars. You would still need a little Argentine money for taxis, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitraveler Posted December 18, 2016 #9 Share Posted December 18, 2016 In Buenos Aires now. ATM's no problem. There is a fee, but since the peso is now floating there is no problem with rates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWANOZ Posted December 18, 2016 Author #10 Share Posted December 18, 2016 Thank you everyone. I have a little of both currencies to take with us and usd as well for the cruise excursions. Good to hear the ATMs in Argentina are okay now. Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valley Girl of VA Posted December 25, 2016 #11 Share Posted December 25, 2016 I always go to my local bank and they can order foreign currency for you. Give it about 7-10 days to receive it at the bank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredZiffle Posted December 26, 2016 #12 Share Posted December 26, 2016 I always go to my local bank and they can order foreign currency for you. Give it about 7-10 days to receive it at the bank The problem is that no local banks are selling Argentine Pesos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted December 27, 2016 #13 Share Posted December 27, 2016 What's worrying me is our cruise starts in Valparaiso and ends in Buenos Aires, so there's no opportunity to use the airport bank in BA for Argentine Pesos. Compound that with the fact that US banks don't sell them, so it appears that the only options are to buy from an online currency exchange before we leave or try to find an ATM in Ushuaia. Anybody know if you can buy Argentine Pesos at the airport bank in Santiago? Simple= there are banks in Ushuaia right along San Martin. I again, just used one last month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredZiffle Posted December 27, 2016 #14 Share Posted December 27, 2016 Simple= there are banks in Ushuaia right along San Martin. I again, just used one last month. That's what I wanted to hear. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairsin Posted December 29, 2016 #15 Share Posted December 29, 2016 Except when we were there yesterday , the day after Christmas the ATM's , even those on San Martin were empty. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinfool Posted December 29, 2016 #16 Share Posted December 29, 2016 What's worrying me is our cruise starts in Valparaiso and ends in Buenos Aires, so there's no opportunity to use the airport bank in BA for Argentine Pesos. There is a bank in the terminal building where your cruise ends....in Buenos Aires. They were busy doing currency exchange when I was there 3 weeks ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinfool Posted December 29, 2016 #17 Share Posted December 29, 2016 (edited) In Buenos Aires now. ATM's no problem. There is a fee, but since the peso is now floating there is no problem with rates. 3 weeks ago the ATM's that we tried in Buenos Aires were either inoperative or out of cash. Even locals were in line at banks to get cash. Repeating an earlier post, the most reliable way to get Argentine pesos is to take cash and have the exchange made at a bank. Final note: credit cards worked very well at venues that accepted them. Edited December 29, 2016 by thinfool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TiogaCruiser Posted January 9, 2017 #18 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Travelex has terrible exchange rates. If you have a Bank of America account or credit card (or Wells Fargo), they have much better rates for purchasing foreign money. In Chile, ATMS are not a problem (at least they weren't in 2014). In Argentina, since the government has removed currency controls and the currency floated, there is not black (blue) market for Pesos. Therefore, you should do fine with using credit cards for purchase. Also, you can probably pay for tours with US dollars. You would still need a little Argentine money for taxis, etc. Bank of America is not selling Argentine Pesos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr__dawggy Posted January 9, 2017 #19 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Thank you everyone. I have a little of both currencies to take with us and usd as well for the cruise excursions. Good to hear the ATMs in Argentina are okay now.Jennifer The problem with ATM's in Argentina is that the local bank charges a hefty fee for withdrawals in addition to any foreign transaction fees imposed by whoever issued your credit card. They limit they amount you can withdraw per transaction, which forces you to make multiple withdrawals with multiple transaction fees. The fees greatly reduce the effective rate of exchange. Also, be aware that on weekends ATM's may run out of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 10, 2017 #20 Share Posted January 10, 2017 The problem with ATM's in Argentina is that the local bank charges a hefty fee for withdrawals in addition to any foreign transaction fees imposed by whoever issued your credit card. They limit they amount you can withdraw per transaction, which forces you to make multiple withdrawals with multiple transaction fees. The fees greatly reduce the effective rate of exchange. Also, be aware that on weekends ATM's may run out of money. You need to update your traveling and get ATM cards without fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitraveler Posted January 10, 2017 #21 Share Posted January 10, 2017 No problem using ATM's in Chile or Argentina. Credit cards worked fine too. Even US money was accepted almost everywhere. Bought an ice cream on the street- the cash register took US, converted to local, we got our change in local. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr__dawggy Posted January 11, 2017 #22 Share Posted January 11, 2017 You need to update your traveling and get ATM cards without fees. Fees come from the banks that own the ATM's not the bank that issues the card. Simply getting a non fee card won't work unless your card issuer reimburses for fees charged by foreign banks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 11, 2017 #23 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Fees come from the banks that own the ATM's not the bank that issues the card. Simply getting a non fee card won't work unless your card issuer reimburses for fees charged by foreign banks. Yep- MINE sure does. I don't pay ANY fees, all are refunded. As I said- maybe update your traveling style? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davwen81 Posted January 11, 2017 #24 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Wish they had cards like that in Oz never heard of any bank reimbursing fees! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr__dawggy Posted January 11, 2017 #25 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Wish they had cards like that in Oz never heard of any bank reimbursing fees! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Mine does not charge an international transaction fee but does not reimburse for fees charged by local banks that operate ATM's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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