How to Easily Pay Your CFE Bill Online From the US

Moving to Mexico from the US brings a lot of changes, including how you pay your utility bills. CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad) is Mexico’s national electric company that provides power across the country. Paying your CFE bill is different than what you may be used to, but thankfully it can be done online if you prepare properly.

As someone who moved from the US to Mexico, I struggled at first to understand the process But after trial and error over my years living here, I’ve figured out the easiest ways for foreigners and expats to pay CFE bills online from the US

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, step-by-step, to successfully pay your CFE bill online from the US.

Overview of Paying CFE Bills Online

CFE thankfully offers an online system to view and pay your bills. However, there are a few key things to understand first

• You must register an account on the CFE website to access your bill and payment options. This can only be done if the CFE account is under your name.
• The CFE website is only in Spanish, so you’ll need to translate or have basic Spanish skills.
• You’ll need a Mexican bank account or Mexican credit card for the easiest online payment. International cards often don’t work.

Once registered though, you can conveniently pay online from anywhere without visiting an office or bank in Mexico.

Here are the main ways to pay CFE bills from the US online:

• CFE Website – Pay directly on CFE’s website with a Mexican bank account or credit card.
• Mexican Bank App – If you have a Mexican bank account, use their app to pay.
• XOOM – Transfer money from your US bank to pay your CFE bill through this remittance service.

Below I’ll explain how each method works in detail along with tips and recommendations from my experience.

Step 1: Make Sure the CFE Account is in Your Name

The first crucial step is making sure your CFE account is registered under your name. This allows you to create an online account and pay the bill.

If renting, the account may be under your landlord’s name. You’ll have to coordinate with them to pay on time each month.

If you own your home, visit your local CFE office with:

• Proof of property ownership (escritura)
• Passport
• Proof of address (another utility bill under your name)

Request they change the name on the account to yours. This gives you full control to pay online going forward.

Step 2: Register for an Online CFE Account

With the CFE account in your name, you can now register for online access to your bill and payment options.

1. Go to the CFE website: www.cfe.mx

2. Click on “Mi Espacio CFE” in the top right corner.

3. Select “Registrarse” to create an account.

4. Enter your personal information like name, email, and create a password.

5. Confirm your email address.

6. Under “Mis Recibos”, click “Nuevo” to add your CFE account number.

7. Enter the account details exactly as they appear on your printed CFE bill.

Once registered, you can login anytime to view your latest bill and balance due.

Step 3: Pay Your CFE Bill Through the CFE Website

Paying directly through CFE’s website is the most convenient option. But there are a couple requirements:

• You’ll need a Mexican credit or debit card. International cards often don’t work.

• The website is Spanish only. You’ll need to translate or have basic Spanish knowledge.

Here are the steps to pay on the CFE website:

1. Login to your CFE online account.

2. Select “Pagar” to make a payment.

3. Choose your Mexican card to pay with.

4. Confirm the CFE account and amount being paid.

5. Enter your card details and complete the payment.

6. You’ll receive a confirmation email from your bank for records.

The payment may take 24-48 hours to reflect in your CFE account. I recommend paying at least a few days before your due date to be safe.

Step 4: Pay Through Your Mexican Bank’s Mobile App

If you have a Mexican bank account, you can easily pay your CFE bill through their mobile app.

Most major Mexican banks like BBVA Bancomer, Banorte, Santander, and more have bill pay options through their apps.

Simply have your CFE account number and bill amount ready. Payments are usually processed by the next business day.

This is a great option if you already do your banking in Mexico. Be sure to login and make the payment well before your CFE due date.

Step 5: Use XOOM to Pay Your CFE Bill

XOOM is an international money transfer service owned by PayPal. It allows you to safely and quickly send payments from your US bank account to Mexico to pay bills.

Here’s how to pay your CFE bill with XOOM:

1. Login or create an account at www.xoom.com.

2. Under Bill Payments, select Electricity (CFE).

3. Enter your CFE account number and amount due.

4. Choose your US bank account to withdraw funds from.

5. Complete the transfer and payment.

The money is usually received and applied to your CFE account within 1-3 business days.

XOOM handles the currency exchange and keeps fees low, often less than $5 USD per transfer. Much easier and cheaper than an international wire transfer through your bank.

Tips for Paying Your CFE Bill Online

Here are some top tips I’ve learned from experience paying CFE bills online:

• Always pay 5-7 days early to avoid late fees if there are delays.

• Set email reminders for your bill due date each month so you don’t forget.

• If the payment doesn’t apply after a few days, contact CFE to investigate.

• Keep online or printed records of your payments as proof.

• If you need help, contact CFE customer support online or by calling 071.

• CFE has limited English support, so having a translator or Spanish speaker handy is useful.

Avoid Getting Your Power Shut Off

Like any electric company, CFE will shut off your power if you don’t pay on time. As an expat or foreigner, it can be even more difficult to get reconnected since you likely depend on help from Spanish-speaking contacts.

Avoid the hassle and extra reconnection fees by signing up for automatic payments through CFE’s website. This ensures your bill gets paid on time every month without you having to remember.

If you receive a shut off warning, immediately pay online or visit CFE to settle the past due balance and have them restart your service. Leaving your home without power in Mexico’s hot climate is miserable!

Enjoy Convenient Online CFE Bill Pay

Paying bills in Mexico can definitely be frustrating at first when you don’t understand the processes. But once you get registered with CFE and set up the right online payment method for your situation, it’s very convenient to pay from anywhere in the US.

No more visiting offices, unreliable mobile apps, or expired international credit cards. With options like the CFE website, Mexican bank apps, and services like XOOM, your CFE utility bill will be on autopilot.