Throughout January, various banks are offering 100% rebates on subway and bus fares, which in practice allows for 'free travel' when using the appropriate payment methods. The key to taking advantage of these promotions lies in understanding what technology each bank requires (NFC with a mobile phone or a contactless card) and what the reimbursement caps are, which range from ARS 5,000 to ARS 20,000 per month. The 'ARS 10,000 Club': the market standard Most financial players have established a market standard of a ARS 10,000 monthly cap per account for a full ticket rebate. This amount usually covers an average month's work commutes. Participating entities: Banco Galicia, Santander, BBVA, Macro, ICBC, Brubank, and Ualá offer this 100% cap. Validity: The promotions apply 'every day,' from Monday to Monday, without time restrictions. VISA cards: In the general case for Visa (debit, credit, or prepaid), the rebate is credited between 20 and 30 business days. Naranja X and Banco Nación: special cases Within the offer, there are notable deviations from the maximum refund amount: Naranja X (The highest): It stands out with one of the strongest promotions, offering a monthly cap of ARS 20,000 per card. The tactic involves having at least two accounts in different entities: use one (e.g., Brubank via mobile) until the ARS 10,000 quota is exhausted, and then start using another card (like a Macro contactless card) to renew the benefit and continue traveling for free. Users must verify what technology their bank requires: Mobile payment (NFC): Requires a phone with this technology and the card loaded into a digital wallet (Google Pay, Apple Pay, MODO, etc.). Applies to Visa and Mastercard (credit or debit) when paying with the mobile phone via Google Pay or Apple Pay. It is required by Santander, Galicia, Brubank, Ciudad, and Naranja X. Contactless payment (Physical card): Tap the plastic directly on the validator. The rebate is seen in 15 days (debit) or on the statement (credit). Banco Nación (Lower cap): offers a 100% rebate but with a cap of ARS 5,000 per user. This is the mode required by Macro, Credicoop, Santa Fe, Comafi, and ICBC. Strategy for free travel all month Given that the caps are 'per account' and not per person, experts recommend a rotation strategy for those who exceed average expenses. Unlike the rest, this promotion usually requires payment with a QR code from the BNA+ or MODO app. Goodbye, plastic SUBE: mobile vs. contactless To access the free travel benefit, it is an essential requirement to modernize the payment habit, as the traditional SUBE card does not activate these benefits. Buenos Aires, January 29 (NA) -- The start of 2026 has unleashed aggressive commercial competition between traditional banks and digital wallets, which directly benefits the wallets of public transport users.
