Travel agencies enabled charging in dollars for the payment of tourist services abroad due to the savings that this modality implies. The main companies in the sector launched this option for their clients to avoid taxes on the tourist dollar and pay
up to 40% cheaper
flights, hotels, packages and excursions.
In December, general resolution 5463/2023 of the Federal Public Revenue Administration (AFIP) determined a tax reduction of 155% to 60% for trips abroad. Since then, a 30% tax is applied
for the PAIS tax
and
30% for the Advance of Profits.
However, currently,
it is advisable to pay a ticket directly in US currency
: in cash, transfer, deposit, debit card (with dollars in the account) or credit (after closing and before expiration) for the difference between the price of the parallel ($1,005) and the MEP ($1,020) versus the tourist ($1,419).
Taking into account that the Central Bank (BCRA) does not allow agencies to directly charge in US currency with a credit card, added to the fact that the systems are not adapted to do so, some agencies such as Despegar refer the user to the version of their platform in another country, like Peru. Others accept, for the moment,
only cash, transfer or deposit.
“It is essential to accompany travelers and provide them with the best payment methods. Currently, purchasing packages, flights and accommodations in dollars is the most convenient option for those looking to travel abroad, since
it allows you to save up to 40%
without the PAIS tax and perceptions," said Despegar.
“For this reason, we offer the possibility of paying in dollars with transfer and credit card. Soon,
the option to do so in cash will be enabled
in any of our eight branches. Our priority is for customers to find the simplest, most comfortable and economical way to travel," said the company, which already has physical points of sale in the Alcorta Shopping, Unicenter, Tortugas Open Mall (TOM), Devoto Shopping and Alto Avellaneda.
To pay with credit, Despegar recommends travelers
configure the stop debit
if the card is attached to automatic debit and, on the expiration date, make sure they have enough dollars to pay the statement. “By transfer, the process is simpler, since a payment voucher is generated and consumers can pay directly from homebanking,” said Despegar.
CVC Corp - the Brazilian group that owns Almundo, Avantrip, Biblos and Ola Mayorista - also enabled cash payment in the 126 points of sale that the Almundo brand has in the country (two of its own and 124 in franchise format). "We are finishing
the development of the transfer system
, to have it ready this month," said Diego García, general director of the local subsidiary of the holding company.
Savings on flights
For its part, TurismoCity now offers the possibility of seeing prices in dollars and choosing between agencies and airlines that charge in this currency, activating the search payment filter in dollars. “
You can change foreign fares to dollars
by viewing travel dates from the site,” said Julian Gurfinkiel, chief marketing officer (CMO) and co-founder of the platform.
The specialist recommends
trying the change to compare prices
. “If we do a quick calculation and multiply by the MEP dollar, we see that a flight to Miami, with a checked bag, that costs $620,000 allows a saving of almost $200,000,” he exemplified.
“The search engine will refer to sites where payment is made in dollars. In this way, it is paid in US currency from the savings bank, MEP or with cash at the bank's window, at a value of approximately $1,000 and the added taxes of 60%
that would make it pay with a dollar card
are avoided.
$1,400,” he explained.
For its part, Atrápalo also added the direct purchase option in dollars. “It is an alternative, since
it involves evading the Country tax and the RG 4815
, saving the difference between the card dollar and the MEP. Whether through our telephone line, WhatsApp, email or stores, you can pay in dollars for flights, hotels, packages, cruises, car rentals and more," explained Martín Romano, founder and CEO of Atrápalo.
"We hope that the credit card payment option
will soon be available .
It will imply an important benefit for passengers both in terms of savings and practicality when making the purchase," highlighted the owner of the company with more than branches in the city. Argentina.