New Year
Sep 3rd, 2013, 07:15 AM
#2
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Gracias, av, and Shanah Tovah to you, if it applies. Will be in BA for three nights/two days in October before a week of work in Santiago. Will post a list of activities for your approval, once I figure it out.
Sep 3rd, 2013, 08:28 AM
#3
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L'shanah tovah tikatevi v'taihatemi for you, crosscheck!
It does not apply to me, but my best customer is an observant Jew.
Post any questions you have, but the most important part is the matter of the savings which can be obtained by bringing cash dollars, changing them in the "blue" market and paying all your expenses in the local currency, INCLUDING your hotel.
Many posts and trip reports on the subject.
It does not apply to me, but my best customer is an observant Jew.
Post any questions you have, but the most important part is the matter of the savings which can be obtained by bringing cash dollars, changing them in the "blue" market and paying all your expenses in the local currency, INCLUDING your hotel.
Many posts and trip reports on the subject.
Sep 4th, 2013, 09:30 AM
#4
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Out of topic, which is Rosh Hashanah, but further to my post above: see post # 6 here: http://tinyurl.com/mzcxymd
Sep 5th, 2013, 06:58 PM
#5
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Wow, thanks - could be the best tip yet on Fodors! Sorry to discuss money on the holiday, but now I'm dreaming of a discounted hotel and a bargain leather jacket. Please forgive me if this was answered elsewhere, but can I pay for goods/services in $100 US bills or do I need to exchange the dollars for pesos in blue rate places? And what if I booked my hotel on booking.com? Will they hold me to the advertised US rate? Should I rebook directly with the hotel?
Sep 6th, 2013, 03:58 AM
#6
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My last post in my "More suggested reading" thread suggests reading this trip report on TA: http://tinyurl.com/m8ysyxs
Paying in dollars worked for this couple, but I don't think they got very good rates. They mention "at least an 8 to 1 exchange rate or better", but the prevailing "blue" rate at the time was well over 9 pesos to the dollar.
So, crosscheck, to answer your question, you MAY be able to pay with dollars in SOME places, but I feel you would get better deals with PESOS in hand.
About the hotel and this is from a guy who has worked in the hospitality business:
1) Even though most top hotels quote their rates in dollars, they are legally obliged to convert them into pesos at the prevailing official rate and that is what they would get if you paid with your credit card. So, getting the same amount IN CASH is better for them.
2) If they are smart (which may or may not be the case), they should be quite happy if you cancel your reservation with booking.com and book directly with them. In fact, it should give you some leverage to ask for an early check-in, which is important, as planes from the USA land early in BA.
3) So, what I suggest doing is CALLING them (not e-mailing them) and telling them you have reserved through booking.com but have been told it is better to reserve directly with them. Also tell them you will only use your CC to guarantee your reservation, but plan to pay in cash PESOS and how does that work??? Their answer SHOULD be that your hotel bill will be in dollars converted into PESOS at the prevailing official rate (5,70 pesos per dollar, at this writing, but this MAY change significantly by the time you arrive).
As the "blue" rate is at this time hovering around 9,20 (see "dólar cueva" here: http://www.ambito.com/economia/mercados/monedas/dolar/ ) I'm sure a smart lady like you can figure out the advantage of paying in cash versus CC (well, JIC LOL, it is 38%).
If so inclined, you can write to me to albertovgalloATyahoo.com
You'll have a great time in our town, crosscheck and I trust your trip report will be at least as wonderful as others you have penned.
Paying in dollars worked for this couple, but I don't think they got very good rates. They mention "at least an 8 to 1 exchange rate or better", but the prevailing "blue" rate at the time was well over 9 pesos to the dollar.
So, crosscheck, to answer your question, you MAY be able to pay with dollars in SOME places, but I feel you would get better deals with PESOS in hand.
About the hotel and this is from a guy who has worked in the hospitality business:
1) Even though most top hotels quote their rates in dollars, they are legally obliged to convert them into pesos at the prevailing official rate and that is what they would get if you paid with your credit card. So, getting the same amount IN CASH is better for them.
2) If they are smart (which may or may not be the case), they should be quite happy if you cancel your reservation with booking.com and book directly with them. In fact, it should give you some leverage to ask for an early check-in, which is important, as planes from the USA land early in BA.
3) So, what I suggest doing is CALLING them (not e-mailing them) and telling them you have reserved through booking.com but have been told it is better to reserve directly with them. Also tell them you will only use your CC to guarantee your reservation, but plan to pay in cash PESOS and how does that work??? Their answer SHOULD be that your hotel bill will be in dollars converted into PESOS at the prevailing official rate (5,70 pesos per dollar, at this writing, but this MAY change significantly by the time you arrive).
As the "blue" rate is at this time hovering around 9,20 (see "dólar cueva" here: http://www.ambito.com/economia/mercados/monedas/dolar/ ) I'm sure a smart lady like you can figure out the advantage of paying in cash versus CC (well, JIC LOL, it is 38%).
If so inclined, you can write to me to albertovgalloATyahoo.com
You'll have a great time in our town, crosscheck and I trust your trip report will be at least as wonderful as others you have penned.
