Expert review
Ria is a convenient option for those looking to send money worldwide as a bank transfer or cash pickup. Agent locations in over 160 countries make it one of the largest providers in the industry. Apart from this, Ria doesn’t stand out from the crowd.
A major disadvantage is that you won’t be able to make online transfers from Ireland as only transfers via agent locations are available.
Considering Ria doesn’t use the mid-market rate for transfers, expect to see weaker exchange rates than those offered by many international competitors.
Although Ria won’t always be your cheapest option, it’s one of few options that supports economically small countries worldwide, such as Tonga and Mauritania.
No online transfers from Ireland
Ria online transfers are currently only available in the UK, Spain, Australia, Canada and the US.Ria money transfers are available in Ireland only by visiting a Ria agent location. Keep in mind that Ria agent locations are able to set their own limits, transfer destinations and fee schedule, all of which may not align with what you see online.
Why should I consider Ria?
- Fast transfers. It can take as little as 15 minutes for the money to be ready for cash pickup. This option can get money quickly to a loved one in an emergency, but check that hours of operation for the location you’re sending to work for your recipient.
- Multiple payment options. Pay with cash, debit or credit card for transfers. However, payment options may vary depending on the agent location. Because different payment methods attract different fees, weigh the benefits of each for the best deal.
- Diverse delivery options. Send money to a bank account, for pick up at an agent location or, in some markets, for home or work delivery.
- Worldwide transfer network. With a network of more than 389,000 agent locations in over 160 countries, Ria is the third-largest provider of international money transfers worldwide.
- Bank-beating rates. Using Ria to transfer money internationally is not only often faster than your bank, but lower fees means more money for your recipient.
What to be aware of with Ria
- No online transfers. At the time of writing, only agent location transfers are available from Ireland.
- Maximum limits may vary. Depending on where you want your transfer to go, the maximum could vary. This might also differ depending on which Ria agent location you choose to visit.
- High fees for card payments. Fees vary depending on your transaction, but credit cards typically attract the highest fees. Again, these may differ between agent locations.
- No hedging options. Unlike some of its competitors, Ria does not offer forward contracts, limit orders or any of the other tools you’ll find to lock in strong rates on future transfers. Hedging tools can help you save money when used appropriately to lock in an exchange rate for future transfers.
- Inconsistent markups. Exchange rates with Ria vary depending on the country you’re sending to — anywhere from 0.25% to 3.5% on top of the mid-market rate.
Ria’s exchange rates and fees explained
Ria’s fees vary between online and agent locations. But for agent location transfers, fees depend on:
- Location. Fees depend on where you’re sending from and where you’re sending to.
- Amount. Different fees are charged based on how much you’re sending.
- Payment. Paying by cash is typically the cheapest option, while paying by credit card tends to come with the highest fees.
- Delivery. To send cash, fees are generally higher, while receiving money to a bank account can be less expensive.
Unlike many competitors, Ria offers the same exchange rate no matter how much you send.
How long does a Ria money transfer take?
Turnaround depends on how quickly you need your money delivered and how much you want to pay. Each agent location may have its own delivery times, which you will need to confirm before going ahead with the transfer. Choosing the fastest option may ensure you money is transferred to your recipient in as little as 15 minutes. Opting for the cheapest transfer could mean your money doesn’t reach your recipient for days.
Where can I send a Ria money transfer?
Ria is available in more than 160 countries through over 400,000 agent locations. At the time of writing, there are 10 agent locations to choose from in Ireland.
Ria offices are available in:
- Ireland
- Belgium
- Canada
- Chile
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Australia
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Puerto Rico
- Spain
- Sweden
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
Online transfers are available to residents sending from:
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Canada
- Spain
- United States
How does Ria keep my money safe?
A subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide, Ria is the third-largest money transfer service in the world. Ria is headquartered in Buena Park, California, and sends money throughout North and Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.
Ria Money Transfer has been in operation since 1987 and is a global company that serves millions of customers. It partners with large brands, and it uses many security features to keep your data and money safe:
- Identity verification. For online transfers, suspicious activity such as logging in from various IP addresses and sending money to many diverse locations may trigger flags to help protect an account.
- 24/7 Security Experts. A security team works around the clock to monitor transactions for suspicious activity.
- Only storing the necessary data. Ria doesn’t store credit or debit card information on its servers, which means card information can’t be stolen if Ria is hacked.
What do Ria’s reviews look like?
Ria is rated an “Excellent” 4.3 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on 5,782 reviews (as of 13 April 2021).
Most online complaints we saw target the customer service and wait times on the phone, which don’t apply to Ireland as customers need to visit an agent location. That said, other complaints discussed the fees charged at Ria agent locations that differ from prices quoted online. Ria lists this possibility on its website, but you can easily miss this note while getting a price quote. You can find answers to other questions in Ria’s extensive FAQ section, or contact the company by email, phone or social media.
How do I send money through Ria?
Six steps to sending money via an agent location:
- Visit a Ria agent location
- Tell the agent how much you’d like to send and where you’d like to transfer your funds to.
- Select whether you’ll pay for your transfer by cash, debit or credit card.
- Confirm the transaction summary that details the exchange rate and fees that apply to your transfer.
- Provide your recipient’s full name, email address and phone number.
- Select how you’d like your money delivered: bank deposit, cash pickup or courier delivery, if available in your recipient’s country.
- Transfer your funds around the world.
What do I need to transfer cash through Ria?
To transfer cash through Ria, you’ll likely need:
- Valid payment. Ria accepts payment by cash, debit card and credit card but this can differ between agent locations.
- Valid ID. A government-issued ID may be required for sending a transfer at a Ria agent location.
- Recipient’s name and contact information. The name on the transfer must match their government-issued ID.
- Recipient’s bank account information. If you’re transferring money to their bank account, you’ll need their account number and other relevant bank details.
- Your contact and banking information. That includes the account or card number for the account you’re transferring from.
How do I track a Ria money transfer?
Go to the Ria tracking page to confirm the progress of your transfer. Here you’ll enter your order number, PIN or reference number. You’ll also enter the sender’s date of birth and the recipient’s country. You can track online and at Ria agent location money transfers this way.
Ria’s tracking number is 12 digits and is called the Order Pin.
Bottom line
Ria is a straightforward option to send money all over the world. Unfortunately, from Ireland, you won’t be able to make use of Ria’s online money transfers but you will be able to visit an agent location.
If, however, you want to complete a money transfer from the comfort of your own home, digital competitors like XE and OFX often offer lower fees and stronger rates, but those specialists may not offer cash pickup at more than 389,000 locations. Compare your options for your next international money transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How can I contact Ria’s customer service?
You’ll be able to call Ria’s customer service team in Ireland on 1 800 930 169.
Other ways to contact Ria include:
- Social media
- Through an online form
- At an agent location
How does Ria compare to other services?
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