Credit Card Expenses in Dollars: The Best Way to Pay the Bill and Avoid Extra Charges

Dollar expenses can end up costing significantly more when paid from a peso account. As of August 2026, these transactions are still subject to a 30% surcharge, which is added to the official exchange rate used by the bank.

However, those who already have funds in U.S. dollars have an alternative to avoid this extra charge. The key lies in how the portion corresponding to the expense in that currency is paid and paying attention to the automatic debit before the due date.

The trick to pay the bill without extra charges

When a person decides to pay their dollar expenses using pesos, the bank converts the amount at the official exchange rate and adds the 30% surcharge, resulting in what is known as the "card dollar." But, if the customer uses their own funds deposited in a dollar savings account, that conversion is unnecessary and the surcharge is not applied.

This difference allows you to save a lot when significant expenses have accumulated during a trip, purchases made abroad, or international service contracts. One of the most important points is to check if the card has automatic debit, as if it remains active until the due date, the bank may take pesos from the account, convert the outstanding balance, and add the surcharge.

To avoid this, you must request a "stop debit" in advance, a procedure available through online banking, the mobile app, or the customer service channels of each entity. The same can be done with a debit card linked to both a peso account and a dollar account. If international expenses are deducted directly from the latter, the 30% surcharge does not apply.

Step by step: how to pay your credit card expenses in dollars

To correctly settle the dollar balance and avoid the bank converting it to pesos, you must follow a series of steps before the due date:

• Review the statement: identify separately how much corresponds to expenses in pesos and how much in dollars
• Request the stop debit: do this before the due date if the card is enrolled in automatic debit
• Check the available balance: ensure you have sufficient funds in the dollar savings account
• Pay the dollar portion: pay exactly the corresponding amount from that account
• Settle the peso expenses: separately pay the part of the statement denominated in national currency
• Monitor the transaction: check that no additional debit has occurred due to the conversion of the dollar balance

The funds can come from dollars that were already deposited, from a previous purchase made through the bank, or from a cash deposit. Most entities allow completing the operation directly from their digital channels. If the stop debit is not done in time, there is a risk that the bank will automatically convert the expense and apply the 30%, so it is advisable to make the payment before the deadline.

The surcharge still applies to purchases made abroad, services contracted with foreign companies, travel packages, and international tickets when these transactions are ultimately settled in pesos. Those who have already paid the surcharge can count it as a payment on account if they are subject to Income or Personal Assets tax. But individuals who are not subject to those taxes can request a refund from ARCA, following the current procedure.

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