Enjoy easy, flexible international money transfers when you send funds overseas with Western Union.
Speed: 5.0 / 5.0
Services: 4.0 / 5.0
User experience: 2.0 / 5.0
Western Union’s brand name and services are well-known in many countries around the world. For over 160 years, Western Union has made it easy to transfer money over long distances, whether you’re sending funds inside the US or across international borders.
Today, Western Union operates one of the world’s largest money transfer networks by providing customers the ability to transfer money quickly and easily to 200 countries and territories across the globe. With a four-star rating on TrustPilot, it boasts more than 500,000 agent locations around the world, 70,000 of which are in North America.
| Product Name | Western Union Money Transfers |
|---|---|
| Min. Transfer Amount | USD 1 |
| Max. Transfer Amount | USD 5,000 |
| Transfer Methods | |
| Transfer Options | |
| Transfer Speed Minimum transfer time | 3 - 5 days |
| Customer Service | |
| Available Currencies | AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BYR, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CUC, CUP, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, FKP, GBP, GEL, GGP, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, IMP, INR, IQD, IRR, ISK, JEP, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KPW, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, LTL, LVL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SOS, SPL, SRD, STD, SVC, SYP, SZL, THB, TJS, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TVD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XDR, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW, ZWD |
| Exchange Rate Updates | Real time |
|---|
Pros
- Low minimum transfer amount of $1.00
- Option to send money in minutes
- Transfer to a wide range of countries
Cons
- Not the cheapest option depending on transfer location
Western Union provides a variety of options
Western Union helps individuals and businesses transfer money around the globe and right here in our own country. You’ll find many options for transferring and collecting funds, like cash pickup, mobile wallet deposits and more. You can even transfer money to an inmate in a correctional facility. And you can make your transfer online, through WU’s mobile app, in person or over the phone. The variety of options Western Union offers is unusual in today’s mostly online-based money transfer providers.
How much does it cost to transfer money with Western Union?
International money transfer fees vary depending on the transfer method you use. The best way to learn how much you’ll pay is to input your transfer details into the price estimator on Western Union’s website.
To give you an idea of transfer fees, here’s what you’d pay to send $1,000 to Mexico:
| Location | Fee |
|---|---|
| Cash pickup at an agent location | $4 from a bank account; $15 with a credit or debit card |
| Deposit into a bank account | $14 |
Sending the same amount to the UK would attract different fees, such as a fee of $2.99 for a transfer between bank accounts or $81 for a Money in Minutes transaction paid for with your credit or debit card.
Western Union exchange rates
You’ll need to take the exchange rate into account when sending money overseas. Western Union’s rates are updated regularly based on the market, and you can find out the rate that applies to your specific transaction by clicking Estimate Price at the top of the Western Union website. Here’s what we found when we sent live transfers to Mexico and France through Western Union. We recognize Western Union as a winner of three categories in the finder.com Money Transfer Awards 2017: Best User Experience, Most Convenient and Fastest Transfer.Our experience transferring money with Western Union
Western Union would not accept our recipient’s Mexican bank account, resulting in an incomplete transfer.
What types of transfers can I carry out with Western Union?
There are multiple ways you can send money overseas with Western Union, starting with the ease and convenience of online transfers. The next option is to initiate a transfer by phone, although you can also visit one of Western Union’s 70,000 North American locations for a face-to-face transaction using cash or a debit card.
With Western Union, your recipient can collect the cash you send by:
- Cash pickup. Cash transfers sent online, by phone or in person are available for pickup within minutes at any number of agent locations worldwide. Transfers from your bank account can take one to three days to arrive.
- Mobile wallet deposit. Funds sent online or from an agent location are deposited in minutes.
- Bank account deposit. Expect to wait one to three days for funds to arrive if you pay with a credit or debit card online, while transactions from your own bank account online or by cash at an agent location take two to five days.
- Prepaid card. In select markets you can have the money transfer loaded onto a Western Union branded prepaid card.
Pros and cons of using Western Union
Pros
- Trusted provider. Western Union has managed domestic and international money transfers since 1871.
- Huge network. More than 500,000 agent locations around the world.
- Flexible transfer options. Whether you pay with your credit or debit card or a bank account for cash pickup or a bank deposit, Western Union can take care of your transaction.
Cons
- Weak exchange rates. With weak exchange rates that can be nearly 5% more than the mid-market rate, you have cheaper online options.
- High fees. Where some companies offer free transfers or low-fee transfers, expect to pay more in fees to transfer with Western Union.
Shopping for an alternative? See a list of other sites like Western Union for sending money.
How do I use Western Union?
Western Union offers several ways for you to send your money. You’ll need:
- A Western Union account. It’s easy to set up a free account as part of your transfer.
- Valid payment method. You can pay by debit card for Western Union’s fastest and cheapest transfer or use a credit card or bank account.
- Your recipient’s name and contact information. If sending to a bank account, you’ll need the bank name and account number. If you’re sending a prepaid card for home delivery, you’ll need the address and phone number.
- Your contact and payment information. The card number or account number and security information for the account you’re transferring from.
If your recipient is picking up cash in person, let them know to bring along a required ID.
The registration and transfer process
You’ll need to create a Western Union online profile before you can send funds online. It’s free to register with your personal contact information and details about your linked bank account or credit or debit card.
You can also initiate a transfer by phone through Western Union’s toll free number, providing the details of your transaction and your payment information.
If you prefer the security of a face-to-face transaction, visit one of Western Union’s 70,000 North American locations to transfer funds using cash or a debit card.
Steps to transfer your money online
Bottom line
Western Union offers plenty of useful transfer and cash pickup options when you need to send money overseas. Before you commit to sending your hard-earned dough, of course, you should always make sure to compare all the available options and find the best deal.
Hmm i already receive an MTCN from my sender but sinche he choose the economy service .. is it true that i can get the money after 72 hours?
Hi Ronilym,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
The time frame on when you will receive the Money Transfer will depend on how the Sender paid the transfer. If the money was sent through an Agent Location and paid by cash, you can claim the money within minutes. But if its paid through Debit/ Credit Card or Bank Account, it will take 3-5 business days before you receive it even if you have the Reference Number (MTCN).
I hope this helps.
Please do not hesitate to reach out again to us if you have additional questions that you may need our assistance.
Cheers,
Ash
Someone has sent me 1000 Dinar and sent me a receipt that he sent. How will I know if the receipt is legit or not fake?
Hello Trisha,
Thank you for your comment.
The Western Union receipt contains the MTCN number which you can use to verify if it’s a valid MTCN or not. To validate, you may track the status of the payment using the MTCN through the Western Union’s website or by contacting their support.
Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
Can I use WesternUnion online/app in the Philippines?
Hello April,
Thank you for your comment.
Yes, the Western Union app is up and running in the Philippines. You can transfer money through the app or through online.
Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
Do you have to be family to pick up a Western Union?
Hi Stacey,
Thanks for reaching out to finder.
You can send money using Western Union to anybody as the receivers are not limited to only your family members. Whoever’s name you put as the receiver will be able to claim the money you sent as long as you give that person the tracking number (MTCN) and the person is also able to present an acceptable form of government-issued photo ID.
Make sure that the name you put as your receiver exactly matches the name that appears on their government-issued photo ID to avoid any issues in claiming the money.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Charisse
How much does it cost to western union 500.00 dollars?
Hi Matt,
Thanks for inquiry.
The transfer fees vary depending on the transfer method you use. You may use the price estimator on Western Union’s website to see how much you will pay.
I hope this information helped.
Kind regards,
Bella
How do you change the recepient name?
Hi Robert,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
It is important to enter the receiver’s name exactly as it appears on their government-issued ID. You may be able to make slight changes to the receiver’s name. Full name changes are currently not permitted.
On wu.com, log on to your Western Union profile.
– Recent money transfer activity is presented. Click Show details. If you are on a mobile device, tap the money transfer you want to edit. If your money transfer is eligible for a name change, there will be an Edit Receiver Name link. Follow the instructions to make permitted changes to the name on your money transfer. Please note that you can make minor changes to the receiver’s name to match their ID. You cannot change to a different receiver. Please contact Customer Care if you see that name change option is not available.
In person initiated money transfers
– In order to edit the name on your transfer, please visit the same Agent location (or same agent network) where you’ve made your transfer, or contact Customer Care. Note, that you will be asked to provide your ID to make the changes.
Please send me a message if you need anything else. :)
Cheers,
Joel
How can I get my transaction details? I want that! Can you please help me?
Hi Zikra,
Thank you for contacting finder.
You can retrieve your transaction details within 90 days if you have a registered account with Western Union. You just need to log-in to your Western Union account then you will be able to see your transaction history.
I hope this helps.
Please do not hesitate to reach out again to us if you have additional questions.
Cheers,
Ash
I am reciever money from my love every month in western union …but this month the western union agent said my mtcn is invalid…what should i do for this..?
Hi there,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
If the money was just send, give it a couple of hours for their system to update. If after waiting you and are still getting the same error message, you can contact Western Union directly to check on why it is being declined or contact your sender to see if you have the correct MTCN number.
Please send me a message if you need anything else. :)
Cheers,
Joel
Well I went to Walmart to send to my Love in Ghana and I wasn’t grant the permission on doing the transfer. I want to know why should that be the case?
Hi Beatrice,
Thank you for leaving a question.
There are no know restriction in sending money from the US to Ghana via Walmart. You may need to speak to the representative at Walmart on why you were hindered to send the amount. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
How do I check on a tranfer coming to me
Hi Richard,
Thank you for contacting finder.
The Sender should provide you with the Reference Number (MTCN) to track the money transfer. You may visit the Western Union website (homepage) then click on “Track Transfer”, you will then be asked for the MTCN or the Sender’s/ Receiver’s details.
Also, you will need the MTCN to claim the money to any Western Union’s Agent Location.
I hope this helps.
Please do not hesitate to reach out again to us if you have additional questions.
Cheers,
Ash