ATM withdrawl limit explained - Argentina
 

Hi

All the backpackers and a few motocyclists I`ve met moan about being able to withdraw a maximum US $100 from ATMs in Argentina. Just to give you some heads up on the situation, as I understand it.

I have two cards, a VISA and mastercard. The mastercard has no problem, I have withdrawn $1400 pesos once, no probs. Also the debit card system for this is `Cirrus`, two circles on the back of your bank debit card.

Visa however have a policy restricting the withdrawl amount - not the Argentinian banks. Why, I don`t know. I just know with a VISA or a debit card with the `plus` system you will likely face this limit.

I have never before seen any advantage to having two credit cards. This is it... or rather an advantage to having a mastercard.

Just a heads up,
Josh

Reason :
Some people have been kidnaped and held until they give their passowrds .. their cards have ben used to empty their accounts of mponey .. tehn teh people have been kill...

By limiting the amount the possiblity is that the accounts won't be rapidly emptied so the track to the people can be followed before they die.. What limit would you like (in days to empty your account)?

ah...except I can keep saying "yes" to Another Transaction? and I can do another 300 peso ($100) withdrawal...so far, as many as 5 times in a row with my Plus ATM card (I do have my limits - not sure what the ATM is though).

A few banks do log me off though when I hit yes - just log back on and do another $300 peso withdrawal...then repeat again until full!

So, I don't think its a security thing - maybe more sinister, like the MC/Cirrus system members want you to use their card, not that other brand!

If you think the ATMs in Argentina are restrictive, they,re horrible in Brasil. They stop giving out money at 10pm, and are very limited on amounts. I'm sure there are exceptions, and ways around it, but in the week I was there it was quite difficult.

Just to clear the Brazil ATM issues, if you find one that will work on internatonal bank cards, the limit of withdrawl is R 1000.00 ($500 +/-) in a 24 hour period is in place to curb the thieves for capturing people and forcing them to withdraw money from there account. As for Visa's limit the only time I had any issue here in Brazil was at a bank exchange office when I whanted to withdraw an amount over $5000.00 USD and they would only allow something like $2500.00.


TL

This was an Argentine ATM issue, but thanks for clearing that up.