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Stop losing money on bad rates and worse cards.

The best Aussie cards per country, the ATM networks to use (and the ones to avoid), the local money hacks (Argentina's Blue Dollar, Japan's IC cards, Thailand's cash discounts) and the scams the guidebooks skip.

01 · WHERE TO
02 · QUICK CONVERSION
AUD → ARS · INDICATIVE · MAY 2026
A$=70,000 ARS
1 AUD ≈ 700 ARS · Argentine Peso
03 · CASH OR CARD
MIXED

Cards work in cities for restaurants, hotels and bigger shops. But Argentina's headline trick is the Blue Dollar — paying in USD cash often gets you ~50% better value than the official peso rate. Always carry both.

Bring crisp USD bills (no marks, no tears) — torn notes get rejected.
Cards charge the official rate; cash USD gets you the Blue Dollar rate (much better).
Pesos lose value fast — only convert what you'll spend in the next few days.
04 · BEST AUSSIE CARDS FOR ARGENTINA
1
Wise Debit
Real interbank rate on the peso conversions you do make, low FX fees.
CATCH:Doesn't help with Blue Dollar — that needs physical USD cash.
2
ING Orange Everyday
Refunds international ATM fees if eligibility met — useful given Argentina's $10 ATM fees.
CATCH:Eligibility requires $1000/mo deposit + 5 settled card purchases the prior month.
3
Up Bank
No FX fees on EFTPOS — great for restaurants and supermarkets in BA.
CATCH:Doesn't refund ATM operator fees, only its own (none).
05 · ATM PLAYBOOK
USE THESE
  • Banco Galicia
  • Banco Santander Río
  • Banco Macro
AVOID
  • Banco Nación (esp. at Ezeiza airport — 12% surcharge)
  • Standalone Link/Red Link kiosks
Daily withdrawal limits are painfully low (~A$80 equiv) and per-transaction fees are high (~A$10). If you're going Blue Dollar, you barely need ATMs at all — bring USD cash and exchange in town.
06 · LOCAL MONEY HACKS
EASYSAVE 30-50%
The Blue Dollar
Argentina has two USD/ARS rates: the official one (set by the government) and the Blue Dollar (set by the market). The Blue is usually 30-50% better. Bring USD cash from home, exchange at a 'cueva' (informal exchange — they're everywhere on Florida St in BA) or via Western Union for the same rate.
MEDIUMSAVE 30-50%
Western Union pickup = Blue Dollar rate
Send yourself money via Western Union from Australia, pick up cash in pesos in Argentina at the Blue Dollar rate. Safer than carrying USD if you're worried about theft, and totally legal.
07 · WATCH OUT FOR
Counterfeit ARS notes are common — check the watermark and the texture of the ink. Get notes from ATMs or known cuevas, never on the street.
USD bills must be perfect. Any pen mark, tear, or wear and they'll reject it. Bring new notes if possible.
Skip airport currency exchanges — rates are 20-30% worse than the city.
THE FULL PICTURE
Read the Aussies In Argentina guide
TAKE IT WITH YOU
The cheat sheet is a one-page printable PDF — best cards, ATM playbook, hacks, warnings, all on a sheet you can save offline. Useful when you land somewhere with no signal and need the right ATM brand.
FX rates indicative as of May 2026. Real-time rates vary by the minute — always check on a card app (Wise, Up) for the live price. Card features and eligibility change; verify with the issuer before relying on them.