I've noticed that almost all B.A. hotels list their rates in U.S. dollars and not the Argentine peso. Do they typically charge credit cards in dollars? Most European hotels I've booked may give an approximate price in U.S. dollars, but the official room rate is in Euros (or Pounds) and both are normally listed on their web sites.

One place (Casa 1890) quoted rates in U.S. dollars and also stated that payment in cash is required. I didn't clarify, as their rates for next year are so much higher than at their current location we declined to book. I did wonder if they expect guests to bring $600-$1000 of cash with them from the U.S.?

The times I've stayed in BA, my credit card was charged in Argentinian pesos. Most websites I see are priced in US Dollars, but I do use US based travel sites....

Hotels and rental apartments charge in US dollars.
You can pay cash or credit card, it will be x amount of dollars in US dollars.

Most rental apts want cash. They always want the deposit in cash. If you are from somewhere other than the US, it still has to be US Dollars ~

And yes, everyone who visits Buenos Aires brings the cash with them, if that is what the deal is..some people use Pay Pal and that helps with rentals.

But everyone does it~

I recently stayed at the Four Seasons in B.A. Although rates were quoted in US dollars, the final bill was processed in Argentinian pesos.

There is a possibility that I am wrong in the part about people from other countries..I am basing my facts on friends from England and Australia having to pay in US dollars

Scarlett:
As a result of the FS charging in pesos, I was subject to a foreign transaction fee on my Visa card. Whatever, it was money well spent!

No! bummer

Then I guess the best advice is ask the hotel that you are interested in staying in , in advance so no nasty surprises.

Weekender, it is sunny , bright blue skies, warm but cool in the shade and the air is full of the scent of the flowering trees
<i>wish you were here ? lol</i>

*ps*
We paid our hotel bill in cash last year..that might be where I am getting the US dollars idea..I do know that they are thrilled with cash here

Scarlett:

While on the subject of pesos, I found it odd that most of the ATM's that I encountered (with BNP Paribas as an exception) limited cash withdrawals to 300 pesos per transaction. (My bank account is set up at a limit of $500 US per day.) As a resident, do you have the same restrictions?

Scarlett:

As a resident of Chicago, I do not discuss weather from about Thanksgiving until May.. (I will admit to some freezing rain that will probably turn into an ice storm.) A true paradise! I may require a thawing in BA this winter...

Love, Weekender

Oh yes, that ice storm..my apologies

Definitely head South whenever you can

Yes, the limit on the ATM machines applies to us also.
We were very lucky to have an online banking account that did not charge ATM fees. But we have changed banks now.. or are in the process. not sure how it will all work out..sigh~ If only one US bank would open a branch here ....

Weekender, we just go to the ATM machine and do it 2 or 3 times til we get as much as we want
Now they are putting a crimp into that habit ~

One concern I have is that I've seen some European hotels &amp; restaurants offer to 'convert' a bill into dollars, but they use a really poor conversion rate which ends up being more expensive.

As for the credit card conversion fee, that's a given but can be minimized by using a bank card with less than a 3% rate. Even if a charge is put through in dollars, some cards now charge a fee for &quot;foreign&quot; transactions so they get a mark-up even in overseas U.S. dollar transactions.

Scarlett:

That BNP Paribas office just off Las Heras near the British Embassy let me have more than 300 pesos a shot.

Alan:

I will say that the Four Seasons conversion equated to what was quoted in US dollars by the hotel. Also, I found that some stores quoted in US dollars. (Currency conversion fees are added by the credit card companies, of course.)

lol, that is our bank.
It happens occasionally <i> They liked you ...</i>

I just confirmed that my Chase United Milage Plus credit card not only charges 3% for currency conversion transactions, but they'll even charge 3% on overseas transactions in U.S. dollars. I let them know that I'll NOT be using their card on my trip!

Ugh! Glad you let them know !

Scarlett is quite right in saying people from other countries still have to pay in US dollars.
WE are from Canada, and will be paying for our apartment in US dollars.

weekender and alan64,
regarding the foreign transaction fee;

i received a notice in today's mail that i am eligible to participate in a class action suit against mastercard, visa and diners club debit and credit cards. a $336 MILLION dollar settlement was made, based on inflated base exchange rates and that they &quot;conspired to set and conceal fees on foreign transactions&quot;. the companies do not admit guilt, but settled, big time. the refund is a minimum of $25.

how about that!

p.s. weekender, i'm from chicago too - another great city of the world!