With the current exchange rate, liquidating this debt in conventional way, that is to say in pesos, it is not convenientsince banks apply the “tourist” or “card” exchange rate, which includes a 30% surcharge and is currently the highest in the market. However, there is a completely legal alternative that allows these consumption in dollars to use less pesos, taking advantage of a exchange gap greater than 10%.
Why do you pay the credit card summary with dollars
Suppose someone has a summary with consumption abroad for a total of U $ S1,000, made in hotels, restaurants and international supermarkets. If you decide to pay that debt in pesos, The Bank will liquidate the expenses to the “Tourist dollar”, which implies a cost of almost $ 1,389,000, according to the values of this January 27.
This is because the official contribution of $ 1,069 per dollar is increased by a 30%surcharge, corresponding to an anticipated tax perception of personal profits or goods. It should be clarified that the country tax, which added another 30%, was eliminated in December. Therefore, the total cost of each dollar with this rate of exchange is approximately $ 1,389.70.
However, if the consumer chooses to pay the dollar balance with previously acquired currencies, the panorama changes.
If the debt in dollars is chosen, it is possible to acquire currencies at a lower price. For example, the market offered the option to buy dollars through the dollar bag (MEP) for approximately $ 1,157 each, or in the informal market for about $ 1,210 per dollar.
Following this scenario, a consumer with a summary of US $ 1,000 could cover it using the MEP modality, which implied a disbursement of $ 1,157,000 vs. $ 1,389,000 that would cost to pay in pesos. This implies a saving of $ 232,000, or 20%.
Meanwhile, With the Blue the account would remain as follows: $ 1,210,000, a saving of 14.79%.
What is the disadvantage of paying the card with your own dollars
A possible disadvantage of not pesifying consumption is that the opportunity to recover, totally or partially, the 30% perception in the future.
When you choose to pay the “tourist dollar” in pesos, It is possible to manage a procedure before the ark (former AFIP) to discount that tax surcharge or request it as a reimbursement. However, it must be borne in mind that the money corresponding to the reimbursement or discount is not obtained immediately. Its return occurs in the following fiscal year, that is, only in 2026, and does not include any inflation update.
In summary, paying with your own dollars can represent immediate savings, But it implies giving up a future fiscal benefit that could reduce the effective cost of the dollar.
Source: Ambito
