It is the dollar exchange rate that can be accessed through the buying and selling of certain Argentine bonds that are quoted both in pesos and dollars. You can buy that security in pesos and sell it at its equivalent in dollars, or vice versa. It is a legal transaction, similar to "Contado con Liquidación" or CCL (Blue Chip Swap). This exchange rate is published throughout the country's main media on a daily basis, and is subject to daily variations.

This preferential rate applies to all transactions made with credit, debit or prepaid Visa cards issued abroad, as of December 15, 2022 and during the term that this system is in full force and effect.

Every time a foreign tourist pays for something in Argentina with a credit, debit or prepaid Visa card issued abroad, a preferential rate will be applied, which is slightly lower than the rate resulting from the “Dollar MEP” (aka “Mercado Electrónico de Pagos" or "Dólar Bolsa"), but currently higher than the official exchange rate (about 70% more). This will allow the tourist to make purchases with their Visa card at any place that honors Visa in Argentina, while  benefiting from a very convenient rate.  In addition, with Visa the perception of the benefit is automatic, and at the very moment the payment is made.

By way of example, taking into account the exchange rates on December 15, 2022, if a foreign tourist pays for something in Argentina with a credit, debit or prepaid Visa card issued abroad, instead of having their consumption in pesos calculated at the official exchange rate (for example, ARS $166 per dollar on December 15, 2022), the consumption in pesos is calculated based on the dollar exchange rate for foreigners (which on that day was ARS $289 per dollar, i.e. +74% of pesos for that dollar), thus benefiting from a rate that allows them to use fewer dollars for their consumption in pesos in Argentina.

Yes, it applies to all consumption transactions made in Argentina, from December 15, 2022 and during the term that this system is in full force and effect, with credit, debit or prepaid Visa cards that have been issued abroad.