Argentina Refunding VAT Tax on Lodgings to International Visitors

I just saw this article in the Washington Post today: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/to-attract-international-visitors-argentina-is-refunding-its-tax-on-all-lodgings/2017/02/15/812caaa4-f2eb-11e6-b9c9-e83fce42fb61_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-cards_hp-card-world%3Ahomepage%2Fcard&utm_term=.8e445bd19457

Some highlights of the article:

It applies to all foreign nationals using a foreign credit card or paying with foreign currency. We travel on Canadian passports and had no issue taking advantage of this.

It is no a refund per sae. You simply don't get charged the tax if you pay this way.

We are just finishing travel in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chili. All three countries extend VAT exemptionson hotel accomodation to foreigners.

Uruguay is even better. We actually had the VAT reversed on our restaurant bills and I also believe on our car rental bill.

In November I booked and paid for a room in Argentina with for my upcoming March trip. I did this to save money but is actually costing me more now that the VAT has been repealed for foreign nationals. The hotel says that I must deal with the booking service and booking dot com says that they will not refund as law was still in effect at time that I made payment. Does anyone know if they are interpreting the law correctly?

Happy to report that after much persistence both booking dot com and Orbitz have agreed to refund the VAT that they collected from me for my upcoming hotel stays in Argentina.

Happy to report that after much persistence both booking dot com and Orbitz have agreed to refund the VAT that they collected from me for my upcoming hotel stays in Argentina.

I'm so glad the information was helpful. Enjoy your trip!