Western Union review
- Minimum Transfer Amount
- $1
- Fastest Transfer Speed
- Within minutes
- Receiving Options
- Cash pickup location, Bank account, Mobile wallet
Our verdict
Western Union lets you send fast money transfers all over the world, but you’ll need to look elsewhere for large transfers.
Western Union offers money transfers to over 200 countries and territories around the world. You can send money online, via a mobile app or in-store, and there are flexible payment and delivery options to choose from. And with a global network of over 500,000 agent locations, you can get cash to loved ones overseas in a matter of minutes.
Just be aware that an exchange rate markup and transfer fee often apply. And if you want to send a large transfer amount, you’ll need to consider other transfer services.
Best for: Sending fast cash pickup transfers anywhere around the world.
Pros
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User-friendly app
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Fast cash transfers
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$0 international bank transfer fees
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Options for cash pickup in most countries
Cons
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Higher fees for cash pickups
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Expensive for domestic transfers
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Not possible to send more than $7,500 online
Details
Product details
| Product Name | Western Union |
| Pay By | Cash, Credit card, Debit card, Bank transfer |
| Receiving Options | Cash pickup location, Bank account, Mobile wallet |
| Customer Service | Phone, Live chat, Email, In person |
| Available Currencies | AED, AFN, ALL, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BZD, CHF, CLP, CNY, CRC, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, FKP, GBP, GEL, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HUF, IDR, ILS, IQD, ISK, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MUR, MVR, MWK, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SRD, THB, TJS, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VES, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, YER, ZAR, ZMW, SLE |
What is Western Union?
Western Union is a money transfer service that lets you send money from Canada to over 200 countries and territories. It’s best known for its cash transfer service, which allows you to send money to a global network of over agent locations (including thousands in Canada).
But Western Union also allows you to transfer money to an overseas bank account or mobile wallet. You can transfer money online, via a mobile app or by visiting a Western Union location.
What we like about Western Union
- Send to over 200 countries and territories. Western Union offers international transfers to destinations all over the world.
- Over cash pickup locations. If you’re sending cash, Western Union has a large global network of pickup locations.
- Fast transfers. If you send a cash pickup transfer, your recipient can collect the money in as little as a few minutes.
- Flexible sending and receiving options. You can send a Western Union money transfer online, via the Western Union app or in-store. Receiving options for your money include cash pickup, bank account and mobile wallet.
- Wide range of payment methods. You can pay for your transfer using your credit card, debit card, bank transfer and cash (for in-store transfers).
- First transfer is fee-free. You won’t pay any fees on your first Western Union online money transfer.
What to be aware of
- Exchange rate markup. Western Union applies an exchange rate markup when you send your Canadian dollars to another currency. The size of the markup depends on the currency you’re sending to, but you may find a better rate from an online transfer company.
- Transfer fees. You’ll also need to pay a fee when you send money with Western Union. The fee can vary depending on the type of transfer you send and your payment method.
- Transfer limits. The maximum amount you can send online with Western Union is $7,500 — and that’s if you start the transfer online on the Western Union website or app and then pay in-store. But the limit for online transfers drops to $5,000 if you pay by debit or credit card, or $999 if you pay by bank transfer. However, it’s typically possible to send any amount you want from a Western Union agent location.
Western Union exchange rates
You don’t get the mid-market rate when you send a money transfer with Western Union. This is because Western Union makes money from currency exchange, so it adds a margin on top of the mid-market rate when converting your CAD to another currency.
The size of the markup varies depending on the currency you’re sending to. As you can see in the table below, we found the markup to range anywhere from 0.8% to 4.20% across different currencies.
It’s also worth noting that Western Union offers promotional exchange rates on some popular currencies (such as INR and PHP) on your first transfer. These rates can be attractive if you’re sending a one-off transfer, but keep in mind that you’ll be hit with a higher markup on subsequent transfers.
Log in to your Western Union account to see how the rate offered for your transfer compares to the mid-market rate.
Sample Western Union exchange rates
| Sending money to | Mid-market exchange rate | Western Union exchange rate | Estimated exchange rate markup |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1 CAD = 0.7289 USD | 1 CAD = 0.7095 USD | 2.66% |
| Europe | 1 CAD = 0.6800 EUR | 1 CAD = 0.6648 EUR | 2.24% |
| India | 1 CAD = 60.8138 INR | 1 CAD = 60.3246 INR | 0.80% |
| Philippines | 1 CAD = 41.9950 PHP | 1 CAD = 41.5363 PHP | 1.09% |
| Mexico | 1 CAD = 12.3514 MXN | 1 CAD = 11.8324 MXN | 4.20% |
| Japan | 1 CAD = 113.6363 JPY | 1 CAD = 110.0091 JPY | 3.19% |
How we calculated the Western Union exchange rate markup
We calculated the rate markup by checking the exchange rate quoted by Western Union for sending $500 to each destination. Where the rate varied depending on the transfer type, we chose the transfer type that offered the higher rate. We then compared Western Union’s rate to the mid-market rate (taken from Xe).
The percentages quoted are estimates. The exchange rate you receive for your transfer will vary depending on factors such as where and when you send money. Use the Western Union app or website to calculate how much your transfer will cost.
Western Union transfer fees
The other cost you need to consider when sending money with Western Union is the transfer fee. The fee varies based on factors such as where you send money, the transfer type and your payment method. You’ll need to log in to your account and enter your specific transaction details to check what fee you’ll be charged.
To give you an example of how fees can change, we asked the question, how much does Western Union charge to send $1,000 to India?
IndiaCredit cardCash pickup$29.50
| Sending money to | Payment method | Delivery method | Transfer Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Debit card | Cash pickup | $6.99 |
| India | Credit card | Bank transfer | $1.99 |
| India | Debit card | Bank transfer | $1.99 |
Western Union payment and delivery methods
You can pay for your Western Union money transfer using the following methods:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Bank transfer
- Cash (in-store)
You can also choose from three transfer types:
- Cash pickup transfers
- Bank account deposits
- Mobile wallet transfers
How to create a Western Union account and send money
You can register for a Western Union account online or via the mobile app by completing the following steps:
Visit the Western Union website and click “Register”.
Enter your email address or phone number and create a password.
- Select where you want to send money.
- Choose your payment and delivery method.
- Review the exchange rate and fee that will apply to your transfer.
- Enter your recipient’s details.
- Provide your name, contact details and date of birth.
- Provide proof of ID, such as a driver’s licence or passport.
- Provide your payment details and send your transfer.
How long do Western Union transfers take?
Western Union transfer speed varies depending on:
- Where you’re sending money
- How much you send
- How you pay for the transfer
- The type of transfer you send
For example, if you’re paying by card and sending a cash pickup transfer, the money could be ready for your recipient to collect within a few minutes. But if you’re sending money to your recipient’s bank account and paying by bank transfer, it may take up to four business days for the funds to arrive.
How to track a Western Union money transfer
You can track your transfer online using the “Track a transfer” tool on the Western Union website. You can also check the status of your transfer in the Western Union app. You’ll need to enter the 10-digit tracking number (MTCN) displayed on your transfer history page and your transfer receipt.
Is Western Union safe?
Western Union is one of the best-known names in the world of money transfers. Established in 1851, the company introduced its money transfer service in 1871, so it’s been in the business of moving money for over 150 years.
Western Union is licensed and regulated by FINTRAC. It is a publicly listed company that trades on the New York Stock Exchange, with headquarters in Denver, Colorado.
Western Union reviews
Customer reviews for Western Union are generally positive. Happy users who left reviews on Trustpilot commented on factors such as Western’s Union’s ease of use, safe transfer service and fast processing. Those who left negative reviews complained about factors such as the postponement of Western Union’s rewards system, transaction issues and customer service problems.
| Trustpilot | 4.1/5 stars based on 73,378 Western Union reviews |
|---|---|
| Varies depending on agent location | |
| Better Business Bureau accredited | No |
| Better Business Bureau rating | B+ |
| Better Business Bureau reviews | 1.01/5 stars based on 104 Western Union reviews |
| Reviews as of | 1 May 2024 |
Western Union app reviews
| Google Play Canada | 4.3/5 stars based on over 18,000 Western Union reviews |
|---|---|
| Apple App Store Canada | 4.6/5 stars based on over 27,000 Western Union reviews |
* Reviews as of 1 May 2024.
How does Western Union compare to other money transfer services?
Use the table below to compare money transfer services. Compare fees, exchange rates and discounts from different providers, and click Go to site when you’ve chosen one that meets your needs.
Bottom line
Western Union is well worth considering if you’re searching for a safe, quick and easy way to send a money transfer. It offers a huge global transfer network along with a wide range of payment and delivery methods. But you’ll need to compare Western Union’s exchange rates with those of other providers to make sure you’re getting a good deal. And if you need to send a large amount, look elsewhere.
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