If you own property or live part-time in Mexico, you likely receive electricity service from the state-owned utility company CFE. Paying your CFE bill is essential to avoid service interruptions. While CFE does not directly accept payments from U.S. bank accounts or cards, there are several easy online options for paying your CFE bill from the U.S.
This article outlines the best methods for paying your Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) bill online using U.S. credit/debit cards and bank accounts.
Overview of Paying CFE Bills Online
CFE only directly accepts payments online through accounts with Mexican banks. However, there are third-party services that facilitate CFE bill payment using U.S. cards and accounts.
The most popular online CFE bill pay options for U,S residents include
- Xoom
- Western Union
- Pangea Money Transfer
- Mexican bank apps with international card capabilities
These services link to the CFE system and process payments on your behalf for a small fee.
Payments are typically delivered to CFE within 1-2 business days when paid before the due date. Be sure to pay at least a few days early to ensure on-time delivery.
Paying CFE Through Xoom
Xoom is a convenient CFE bill payment service owned by PayPal It allows you to pay your CFE bill using
- U.S. debit/credit cards
- Canadian debit/credit cards
- U.S. bank accounts
To get started, you’ll need to:
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Sign up for a free Xoom account at Xoom.com
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Verify your identity by providing your name, date of birth, and US address
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Add your CFE account number (available on your paper bill)
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Select CFE as the biller when making a payment
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Enter your CFE account balance shown on Xoom to pay in full or select a custom amount
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Provide your U.S. debit/credit card details or bank account info to withdraw funds
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Review and confirm the USD amount, exchange rate, fees, and processing time
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Xoom will deliver the payment in pesos to CFE within 1-2 business days
Xoom charges a $4.99 USD transaction fee for CFE bill payments. You’ll receive email confirmation when your payment is delivered.
Paying Through Western Union
Western Union also lets you easily pay CFE bills from the U.S. at WesternUnion.com.
To pay with Western Union:
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Sign up for a free Western Union account
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Add your CFE account details
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Select the payment amount in pesos or USD
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Provide your U.S. debit/credit card information
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Review fees – WU charges a $2.99 USD transaction fee
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Confirm details and submit payment
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Your bill payment will be delivered to CFE within 2 business days
You can set up scheduled payments through WU to automatically pay your CFE bill each month.
Other Online CFE Bill Pay Options
Pangea Money Transfer is another service that accepts U.S. cards for CFE bill payment. They offer a mobile app for easy access. The fees are similar to Xoom and Western Union.
Many Mexican bank apps now allow adding international cards to access online bill pay. Apps like Banorte Móvil and BBVA México accept U.S. card registration to then make CFE payments through their bill pay system.
Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection
Paying your CFE bill after the due date can trigger late fees, interest charges, and service disconnection. Online bill pay prevents these issues by delivering your payment well before the deadline.
Be sure to pay a few days early to account for processing time. Monitor your CFE account online to ensure your payment is applied as expected.
Paying online from the U.S. takes just minutes and saves you from stressful trips to Oxxo or CFE offices with large cash payments. Select Xoom, Western Union, or another trusted online CFE bill pay service to conveniently manage your electric bill no matter where you are.
CFE Bill Survival Guide
To survive your CFE bill and manage your electricity expenses, implementing energy-saving practices is key. Not only will this help reduce your bill, but it will also contribute to less strain on the electricity grid during peak heat periods.
Billing Cycle: Bills can arrive every TWO months, so don’t freak out by larger numbers.
The billing cycle for CFE bills in Mexico can be every two months. Unlike monthly bills in other countries, CFE bills can be issued every month or can be issued every two months.
This means that the total amount on your bill may appear larger compared to what you are accustomed to. However, it’s important not to panic when you see the larger numbers, as they reflect consumption over a longer period of time.
Understanding the billing cycle is crucial for managing your electricity expenses effectively. It allows you to plan and budget accordingly, avoiding any surprises when the bill arrives.
Keep in mind that the frequency of CFE bills gives you more time to adjust your energy usage and make any necessary changes to reduce consumption and control costs.
How to Pay CFE Online
FAQ
How to pay CFE bill from USA?
How do I call CFE in Mexico from the USA?
Can I pay my CFE bill online?
Pangea Money Transfer allows you to pay your CFE Bill online with a US Credit Card only. Will not work for Canadian Cards. Handling fee applies. Has a phone App. Almost any Mexican Bank is set-up for online bill payment to CFE. It may not be the easiest to use depending on the bank. I tried it once with my Banorte account.
Can I pay my CFE bill online with a Canadian credit card?
Western Union allows you to pay your CFE Bill online with a US Credit Card. Does not work for Canadian Credit Cards, US Only. Handling fee of $2.99 USD applied. XOOM allows you to pay your CFE Bill online with a US Credit Card or a Canadian Credit Card. Handling fee of $4.99 USD applied.
How do I pay my CFE bill in Mexico?
CFE is Mexico’s national electric company, providing electricity to over 44 million households and businesses. Paying your CFE bill in Mexico can be confusing for expats, but understanding the process is key. There are multiple payment options available, including CFE offices, online payment, OXXO stores, and mobile apps.
How do I pay my CFE bill with Xom?
Here’s how to pay your CFE bill with XOOM: Under Bill Payments, select Electricity (CFE). Enter your CFE account number and amount due. Choose your US bank account to withdraw funds from. Complete the transfer and payment. The money is usually received and applied to your CFE account within 1-3 business days.
How do I make a CFE payment?
All that is necessary is the select the CFE payment option, enter your CFE account number and the amount, then submit. It has worked well over the past year; however, I have now encountered a recent issue with CFE receiving the funds, but not acknowledging funds receipt on my monthly statements.
How do I Check my CFE credit?
Stuff the machines with all the Pesos you figure you need and get your Recibo. Monitor your bills online and you’ll see the credit amount and the deductions as each bill comes through. CFE is now showing your pre-pay balance on the CFE Contigo App. While its not entirely clear on your CFE bill, it is on the App. On the App look for “Estatus” field.