How To Use Western Union in Argentina

For a long time, bringing USD or EUR was the most effective way to transfer the Blue Dollar, but lately Western Union has offered more effective transfer rates and means you don't need to be bringing a ton of cash around with you while traveling in South America. 

But, this is new to many people and has caused a lot of headache and confusion because of this, I decided to write what I've learned in a post. 

In this post we'll break down everything you need to know to use Western Union in Argentina and get the most from your money. 

If you haven't read the Guide To The Blue Dollar yet, start there to get an understanding of getting the best rate for your $$ when traveling to Argentina as it's different than any other country we've been to.. 

Don't have a Western Union account?

Sign Up Here (your first transfer is free, I get a referral fee and saves you $$, win win). 

Common Questions about using Western Union:

-In most cases WU is used to send money from your international bank account or debit card, to someone or yourself in another country in the local currency

-They are not there to exchange your USD/EUR $$ into pesos

-Many places are hybrid locations, they tend to run out of money. Ideally find locations that are mainly WU opposed to a kiosk that sells soda and takes WU

-They can not do partial transfers.  If you transfer $1,000 they have to have enough pesos to complete the entire transaction. Sometimes it is best to go there first and confirm they have enough cash to fulfill your amount

-Avoid using your credit card this will typically go through as a cash advance and have HIGH FEES

-All of these fees differ based upon your bank/debit card companies. I always recommend do 1 transaction to test things out

-You will need your physical passport to pick up the money

How to Use Western Union:

1. Create an Account -Free first transaction and I get a small credit
2. Download the Western Union App
3. Log-in
4. Start Transfer
5. Select how much $$ you want to send
   1. Western Union charges fees based upon how much money you send.
   2. It works in different ranges(these are me manually checking, do your own research. It also tells me these are highly DISCOUNTED rates, but they've been that way for months):
      1. $1-100 = $5.99 fee
      2. $101-$200 = $8.99 fee
      3. $201-$300= $11.99 fee
      4. $301-$600= $14.99 fee
      5. $601-$700 = $17.99 fee
         
         
   3. By adding the fee to your total sent and dividing by total pesos received, you can understand your true exchange rate
      1. EX: Transfer $100 
         WU Rate = 1,077 * $100= 107,700 pesos 
         $100 + $5.99= $105.99 = 1,016 this is the real exchange rate you are receiving 
      2. You can easily initiate a transfer on the app, see how much everything will be and then decide whether to complete the transaction or not.
      3. If you do have cash or crypto you can compare this to the Blue Dollar and decide what's best for you. This stuff is changing daily. See our Guide to Blue Dollar to learn 
         more.
6. Select CASH PICKUP - bank transfer has higher fees
   1. Choose How You Will Pay
   2. Debit Card - My preference. My bank doesn't charge me fees and it is ready in minutes
   3. Bank Account - could have higher transfer fees from your bank and takes 0-4 days to be ready
   4. Apple Pay - will usually be linked to your debit card, make sure it is NOT linked to your credit card
   5. Credit Card - DO NOT use this option unless you have to.  Credit cards typically charge MASSIVE fees on this type of transaction as a Cash Advance.  
7. Click Next
8. For first timers, create yourself as a the receiver. 
   1. Use the EXACT FULL NAME AS ON PASSPORT
   2. Phone number may not work perfectly, but doesn't matter 
   3. Select your payment option (for me, debit card)
   4. Send money!

To Pickup Money at Western Union

1. Know your Tracking Number (you should get an email once sent and see it on the app once you complete all steps)
   1. If your Spanish isn't good, just show your phone with the tracking number to the employee
2. Take your passport!!!
3. It's best to show up early in the day so lines aren't too long and they have money
4. Have something to carry your money securely out with you!
   1. If you're taking out more than $100, you might need a backpack.  Sometimes they only have $500 peso bills which means you may have a LOT of bills to carry
5. You're good to go.  
   
   

Send any questions that come up or anything I missed.  And if you haven't yet, please use our referral link to Create Your Western Union Account and share it with friends who are traveling. 

A note about etiquette:

Having huge stacks of money is crazy. What may be small amounts of money to you, is a lot to many of the locals here.  Be cognizant of how you engage with the Argentine people, they are wonderful kind and generous, you should be too. 

You are getting a great deal on your money, because their economy is doing horribly, again like it has many times in the past.  Life is hard for much of the population here, money that holds its' value is rare and what may be an incredibly cheap dinner to you, could easily be a monthly salary for people here. 

Be respectful. Be kind. And enjoy!