Sending money to the Philippines

[maria teresa 0]

You can also look into moneygram.com I know alot of pawn shops in the Philippines are affiliated with them, so its easy to pick up money.

[pnrmbr975 1]

Has anybody here tried sending money through Paypal? I'm not even sure it's possible, just curious.

[Tsup2 0]

My suggestion would be to send her a debit card so she can make atm withdrawals. Set up a separate account for her.

[club royale 0]

I'm having trouble finding a decent way to send money to the Philippines. I've tried a few different ways already.

1. My first attempt years ago was Western Union, way too expensive.
2. Then I been using Lucky Money until one day they decided to stop using my checking account, or it was my Citizens Bank that started to refuse, so I had to start using a credit card, which gets me the cash advance fee, again too expensive.
3. Finally I went to my 2nd bank at Wells Fargo and set up an international remittance account to send money to Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI). They were retards at the bank, and didn't realize how it's done. They thought it could be done where I log into my account from the bank website. Didn't work, so then they called up customer server and realized the first transaction needs to be done at the bank. Ok, did that, but then still problems later. Finally found out need to go into the bank every time, or make a phone call to customer service every time I want to transfer money. Big hassle. Then later, for no reason, I notice my remittance account is closed. Maybe cause I wasn't using it enough? I don't know.

Going thru a local branch here seemed to be the most secure and cheapest way, but had way too much hassle and sometimes didn't work. Going thru websites was easier, but more expensive.

Limits:

Lucky Money: $1k/month

Xoom: $3k/month

Wells Fargo: $3k/day

So now I'm trying Xoom and having problems.

1. I tried Citizens bank first, with routing number and account number off my checks, but transaction canceled with no reason. So I contact them and they need to verify my ID with copy of this and that. So ok, I did that, verified my ID, but transactions still canceled. I call up Xoom again asking what the problem is and they said I need to tell my bank to authorize the withdraw. So I call up my bank customer service, and they said go into a local branch to sign authorization. So I go to a local branch, and they are unaware of any papers to sign for authorization. I explained how the websites worked, with routing/account number, etc etc, but my bank insisted that pre-auth is not required if I have the routing and account number. So I asked if there is daily limits? They said no.
2. Went back home and tried my 2nd bank Wells Fargo using checking account routing/account numbers, same problem, withdraw/transfers being rejected.
3. Tried to use Paypal, which is linked to my Citizens Bank and been using that paypal for years now with random ebay shopping. I didn't want to go this route cause its $40-60 fee to send when funds come thru Credit Card or Paypal when transfering from Xoom. But now even Paypal is is flipping out saying that Im spending too much.

I hear the post office can offer services, but only up to $2k/day and anything over $1k for single transaction needs paperwork to fill out. I'm not interested in filling out paperwork.

I am trying to send a large ($1-3k) at a time. About to start building a house over there for about $10k which might take 3-4 months to build. I assume all this paperwork stuff is ways for the government to find more ways to tax me or something, dunno. Banks and websites getting real paranoid with large amounts of cash. Just same, its not like I'm trying to transfer $100k or anything.

Yes, I have more than enough funds in my accounts. My credit cards are used each month, and paid in full, with zero balance again. My credit scores are around 815. What is the problem with using my own cash? Its not like I'm applying for a loan, or lower interest rate. Its cash!

I remember long time ago hearing about some bank that has an ATM card that can be used around the world with little or no fee for withdraw. Is that possible? What bank would let me to create an account over here, then maybe FedEx the ATM card to my Filipina so she can withdraw the amount I put in?

Are there any other websites that are easy and inexpensive? I'm tired of jumping hoops and paying big fees just for trying to send money. Worse case senario is send more money thru Lucky Money using my credit card and paying the big cash advance fee again, just to get by until I figure this out.

Who else sends money to the Philippines? (I bet everyone that is petitioning a Filipina) Whats the best way to send/rec money?

Sorry for the long read. Hope some others can relate and advise to what I'm going thru here.

Hi! try remithome.com . I've been using that for over 4 years now. $10 per transaction with a limit of $1000 per day. If you schedule recurring remittances , like every week or every2 wks..etc.., then the fee will be $8 per transaction.

[bigbadbird 0]

My suggestion would be to send her a debit card so she can make atm withdrawals. Set up a separate account for her.

I have used Xoom to only have them hold the funds for clearance for 10 days.

I setup a HSBC account online and transfured money from my bank to the HSBC account. I opened a debit card for my fience and a plus debit card for myself "both in my name but you can do what you want" I gave her the debit card and pin number so she can use it at most ATM's I am not being charged for any of the services and can move funds from one card to the other within 24 hours. .........NO MORE FEE'S....... I like the fact that she only needs to take out what she needs and not worry if I send her a lot of money like I did with XOOM. There are HSBC banks in the Philippines so she can go in and remove larger amounts of cash if she needs to.

[Carlos and Jocel 2]

I'm having trouble finding a decent way to send money to the Philippines. I've tried a few different ways already.

1. My first attempt years ago was Western Union, way too expensive.
2. Then I been using Lucky Money until one day they decided to stop using my checking account, or it was my Citizens Bank that started to refuse, so I had to start using a credit card, which gets me the cash advance fee, again too expensive.
3. Finally I went to my 2nd bank at Wells Fargo and set up an international remittance account to send money to Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI). They were retards at the bank, and didn't realize how it's done. They thought it could be done where I log into my account from the bank website. Didn't work, so then they called up customer server and realized the first transaction needs to be done at the bank. Ok, did that, but then still problems later. Finally found out need to go into the bank every time, or make a phone call to customer service every time I want to transfer money. Big hassle. Then later, for no reason, I notice my remittance account is closed. Maybe cause I wasn't using it enough? I don't know.

Going thru a local branch here seemed to be the most secure and cheapest way, but had way too much hassle and sometimes didn't work. Going thru websites was easier, but more expensive.

Limits:

Lucky Money: $1k/month

Xoom: $3k/month

Wells Fargo: $3k/day

So now I'm trying Xoom and having problems.

1. I tried Citizens bank first, with routing number and account number off my checks, but transaction canceled with no reason. So I contact them and they need to verify my ID with copy of this and that. So ok, I did that, verified my ID, but transactions still canceled. I call up Xoom again asking what the problem is and they said I need to tell my bank to authorize the withdraw. So I call up my bank customer service, and they said go into a local branch to sign authorization. So I go to a local branch, and they are unaware of any papers to sign for authorization. I explained how the websites worked, with routing/account number, etc etc, but my bank insisted that pre-auth is not required if I have the routing and account number. So I asked if there is daily limits? They said no.
2. Went back home and tried my 2nd bank Wells Fargo using checking account routing/account numbers, same problem, withdraw/transfers being rejected.
3. Tried to use Paypal, which is linked to my Citizens Bank and been using that paypal for years now with random ebay shopping. I didn't want to go this route cause its $40-60 fee to send when funds come thru Credit Card or Paypal when transfering from Xoom. But now even Paypal is is flipping out saying that Im spending too much.

I hear the post office can offer services, but only up to $2k/day and anything over $1k for single transaction needs paperwork to fill out. I'm not interested in filling out paperwork.

I am trying to send a large ($1-3k) at a time. About to start building a house over there for about $10k which might take 3-4 months to build. I assume all this paperwork stuff is ways for the government to find more ways to tax me or something, dunno. Banks and websites getting real paranoid with large amounts of cash. Just same, its not like I'm trying to transfer $100k or anything.

Yes, I have more than enough funds in my accounts. My credit cards are used each month, and paid in full, with zero balance again. My credit scores are around 815. What is the problem with using my own cash? Its not like I'm applying for a loan, or lower interest rate. Its cash!

I remember long time ago hearing about some bank that has an ATM card that can be used around the world with little or no fee for withdraw. Is that possible? What bank would let me to create an account over here, then maybe FedEx the ATM card to my Filipina so she can withdraw the amount I put in?

Are there any other websites that are easy and inexpensive? I'm tired of jumping hoops and paying big fees just for trying to send money. Worse case senario is send more money thru Lucky Money using my credit card and paying the big cash advance fee again, just to get by until I figure this out.

Who else sends money to the Philippines? (I bet everyone that is petitioning a Filipina) Whats the best way to send/rec money?

Sorry for the long read. Hope some others can relate and advise to what I'm going thru here.

@@@@ I JUST HAVE AUTHORIZED MY WIFE TO HAVE A DEBIT CARD IN HER NAME AND PIN AND SHE WITHDRAW WHAT SHE NEEDS OUT OF IT THE BANK ... UMMMMMMNM GOODLUCK!!!

[HappyHardcore 0]

Thanks for all the replys! I know this must be a common issue for people, supporting a loved one in the Philippines.

I'll check out www.bpiexpressonline.com and see if I can find a branch near by as an option.

About Wells Fargo. I appreciate that insight. So $5 charge to withdaw up to $200 in a single transaction, is about $25 charge for $1000 total, about half of Lucky Money per $1k, or other websites too. So is that $5 the only fee? Any other hidden fees? I've heard of ATM scams going on in the Philippines, hopefully yours was in isolated incident and its a rare thing. Would Wells Fargo need copy/verify her ID? I'll probably walk into a branch and talk to them. Seems like its very fast and convenient way to do transfers consistantly and easy. I've used Wells Fargo website already paying my credit card by a simple transfer funds of one account to the other account, same when the I had the remittance account before. I guess this would work the same, very easy from website.

Also, any advice of the American Citizen opening up joint dollar accounts, or any other type of accounts, during my next visit to the Philippines would be helpful.

I can understand that $1-3 makes red flag require the companies to get info about me to prevent money laundering, etc.

I got email from Xoom, specific agent assigned to my case for verification purpose, since I've violated their TOS, which they linked to me. So this time I read it very very carefully, and I'm not violating anything. Hmm. They said expect phone call within 24 hours, but instead got an email just recently from that agent saying everything is verified and ok to send another transaction. This time, instead of sending $1k, I decided to send $300 to see if that would go through. Just in case my bank has a daily limit, at least now it'll go through and I'll know that my routing numbers are correct. So I checked Xoom Track Transaction status and now says "Payment Verified" and "Transfer in Progress" in their time line of status reports, so looks like its being pushed through, unless they cancel at the last second or something.

Since I'm in this for the long term, having a family in the Philippines instead of over here, I'm definately looking for long term solutions. ATM card seems like a good idea to try.

[HappyHardcore 0]

I setup a HSBC account online and transfured money from my bank to the HSBC account. I opened a debit card for my fience and a plus debit card for myself "both in my name but you can do what you want" I gave her the debit card and pin number so she can use it at most ATM's I am not being charged for any of the services and can move funds from one card to the other within 24 hours. .........NO MORE FEE'S....... I like the fact that she only needs to take out what she needs and not worry if I send her a lot of money like I did with XOOM. There are HSBC banks in the Philippines so she can go in and remove larger amounts of cash if she needs to.

I'll check out HSBC website. I read you created an account online. Thats good since there is no HSBC branch near by. How did you transfer funds from your bank to the HSBC account? Would I run into the same problem when transfering large amounts of cash from my one account to the other? I'm pretty sure that HSBC is what I've heard about years ago, which is best way to go too.

[AaronM 0]

I'm having trouble finding a decent way to send money to the Philippines. I've tried a few different ways already.

1. My first attempt years ago was Western Union, way too expensive.
2. Then I been using Lucky Money until one day they decided to stop using my checking account, or it was my Citizens Bank that started to refuse, so I had to start using a credit card, which gets me the cash advance fee, again too expensive.
3. Finally I went to my 2nd bank at Wells Fargo and set up an international remittance account to send money to Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI). They were retards at the bank, and didn't realize how it's done. They thought it could be done where I log into my account from the bank website. Didn't work, so then they called up customer server and realized the first transaction needs to be done at the bank. Ok, did that, but then still problems later. Finally found out need to go into the bank every time, or make a phone call to customer service every time I want to transfer money. Big hassle. Then later, for no reason, I notice my remittance account is closed. Maybe cause I wasn't using it enough? I don't know.

Going thru a local branch here seemed to be the most secure and cheapest way, but had way too much hassle and sometimes didn't work. Going thru websites was easier, but more expensive.

Limits:

Lucky Money: $1k/month

Xoom: $3k/month

Wells Fargo: $3k/day

So now I'm trying Xoom and having problems.

1. I tried Citizens bank first, with routing number and account number off my checks, but transaction canceled with no reason. So I contact them and they need to verify my ID with copy of this and that. So ok, I did that, verified my ID, but transactions still canceled. I call up Xoom again asking what the problem is and they said I need to tell my bank to authorize the withdraw. So I call up my bank customer service, and they said go into a local branch to sign authorization. So I go to a local branch, and they are unaware of any papers to sign for authorization. I explained how the websites worked, with routing/account number, etc etc, but my bank insisted that pre-auth is not required if I have the routing and account number. So I asked if there is daily limits? They said no.
2. Went back home and tried my 2nd bank Wells Fargo using checking account routing/account numbers, same problem, withdraw/transfers being rejected.
3. Tried to use Paypal, which is linked to my Citizens Bank and been using that paypal for years now with random ebay shopping. I didn't want to go this route cause its $40-60 fee to send when funds come thru Credit Card or Paypal when transfering from Xoom. But now even Paypal is is flipping out saying that Im spending too much.

I hear the post office can offer services, but only up to $2k/day and anything over $1k for single transaction needs paperwork to fill out. I'm not interested in filling out paperwork.

I am trying to send a large ($1-3k) at a time. About to start building a house over there for about $10k which might take 3-4 months to build. I assume all this paperwork stuff is ways for the government to find more ways to tax me or something, dunno. Banks and websites getting real paranoid with large amounts of cash. Just same, its not like I'm trying to transfer $100k or anything.

Yes, I have more than enough funds in my accounts. My credit cards are used each month, and paid in full, with zero balance again. My credit scores are around 815. What is the problem with using my own cash? Its not like I'm applying for a loan, or lower interest rate. Its cash!

I remember long time ago hearing about some bank that has an ATM card that can be used around the world with little or no fee for withdraw. Is that possible? What bank would let me to create an account over here, then maybe FedEx the ATM card to my Filipina so she can withdraw the amount I put in?

Are there any other websites that are easy and inexpensive? I'm tired of jumping hoops and paying big fees just for trying to send money. Worse case senario is send more money thru Lucky Money using my credit card and paying the big cash advance fee again, just to get by until I figure this out.

Who else sends money to the Philippines? (I bet everyone that is petitioning a Filipina) Whats the best way to send/rec money?

Sorry for the long read. Hope some others can relate and advise to what I'm going thru here.

I have used MoneyGram , and the Service Fee is only $9.99 . Each time you send money , and most places in Philippines don't charge a fee to recieve the money . But some do ,( Banks don't charge , but places like Rd Pawnshop do and its only the Service Fee of $9.99 at the current exchange rate ). So if you send extra $9.99 in the money transfer , then it will cover the service fee . If they will charge , you can check your location in the USA and Philippines at http://www.moneygram.com/eFindUs/findUs.do...languageCode=en

[Don José 2]

Hey, bud, I thought your fiancee was abducted at the airport in Detroit.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Thanks for all the replys! I know this must be a common issue for people, supporting a loved one in the Philippines.

I'll check out www.bpiexpressonline.com and see if I can find a branch near by as an option.

About Wells Fargo. I appreciate that insight. So $5 charge to withdaw up to $200 in a single transaction, is about $25 charge for $1000 total, about half of Lucky Money per $1k, or other websites too. So is that $5 the only fee? Any other hidden fees? I've heard of ATM scams going on in the Philippines, hopefully yours was in isolated incident and its a rare thing. Would Wells Fargo need copy/verify her ID? I'll probably walk into a branch and talk to them. Seems like its very fast and convenient way to do transfers consistantly and easy. I've used Wells Fargo website already paying my credit card by a simple transfer funds of one account to the other account, same when the I had the remittance account before. I guess this would work the same, very easy from website.

Also, any advice of the American Citizen opening up joint dollar accounts, or any other type of accounts, during my next visit to the Philippines would be helpful.

I can understand that $1-3 makes red flag require the companies to get info about me to prevent money laundering, etc.

I got email from Xoom, specific agent assigned to my case for verification purpose, since I've violated their TOS, which they linked to me. So this time I read it very very carefully, and I'm not violating anything. Hmm. They said expect phone call within 24 hours, but instead got an email just recently from that agent saying everything is verified and ok to send another transaction. This time, instead of sending $1k, I decided to send $300 to see if that would go through. Just in case my bank has a daily limit, at least now it'll go through and I'll know that my routing numbers are correct. So I checked Xoom Track Transaction status and now says "Payment Verified" and "Transfer in Progress" in their time line of status reports, so looks like its being pushed through, unless they cancel at the last second or something.

Since I'm in this for the long term, having a family in the Philippines instead of over here, I'm definately looking for long term solutions. ATM card seems like a good idea to try.

About the Wells Fargo ATM card...the $5. per transaction fee is the only fee. There are no hidden fees. With the current exchange rate, my fiancée can withdraw about $1025. at a cost of $25.

I will find out from Wells Fargo within a few days the results of their investigation into the single-day, triple withdrawal. At this point, it is not known if it was a scam or merely the bank's mistake. It would not surprise me if the problem was on the Philippine bank's end of things. Keep in mind that our daily ATM limit is $310. That most likely means that Wells Fargo will be on the hook for the other $300. (at a minimum) that was withdrawn that day.

Back in the day when we used wire transfers, we once experienced a two-month wait for a wire transfer to be deposited into her account. It was BPIs fault that time.

Since you already use Wells Fargo online, you will find that transferring funds from one account to another incredibly convenient and easy.

I was able to open that joint account for my fiancée and me by walking into my local Wells Fargo and talking to one of the personal bankers. I was required to show the banker two pieces of her ID. I used a color copy of the information page from her passport. I can't remember the other form of ID I supplied...maybe it was a copy of her Registered Nurse's license.

Then, the personal banker may have used a shortcut when he allowed me to sign her name in order to open up the account. It pays to be somewhat acquainted your banker...and to have some cash in their bank. It also may have helped when I mentioned that my fiancée soon would arrive in town and be looking to start her own bank account. In any case, it worked.

There was one more expense. It cost me about $45 to Fed Ex Express (three day delivery) her ATM card to her in Bacolod.

Our system is quick and easy...and it beats walking out of her local pawn shop with that much cash in her pocket. She is here in the U.S. now, and still using the same account and ATM card. Our joint account will now be used for both of us to contribute to for our monthly expenses.

[Isaac and Pia 0]

I used PLS Check Cashing places that had Western Union

Charge was $12 per transaction...

www.remithome.com $10 Flat Fee and High Exchange Rate...

[CuriousGuy 0]

Xoom has been nothing but great for me. I've set it up to withdraw straight from my checking. Only the FIRST time I used it required 5-days to clear. Each successive time she was able to get the dough in about 1/2 hour. This last time, I changed from cash pick-up, to a wire directly into her account. That took about a couple hours. They now have my limit set at about 3K per transaction. I'll NEVER use that, LOL.

[sj5 4]

HSBC

[neenuh 0]

I'm having trouble finding a decent way to send money to the Philippines. I've tried a few different ways already.

Finally I went to my 2nd bank at Wells Fargo and set up an international remittance account to send money to Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI). They were retards at the bank, and didn't realize how it's done. They thought it could be done where I log into my account from the bank website. Didn't work, so then they called up customer server and realized the first transaction needs to be done at the bank. Ok, did that, but then still problems later. Finally found out need to go into the bank every time, or make a phone call to customer service every time I want to transfer money. Big hassle. Then later, for no reason, I notice my remittance account is closed. Maybe cause I wasn't using it enough? I don't know.

Going thru a local branch here seemed to be the most secure and cheapest way, but had way too much hassle and sometimes didn't work. Going thru websites was easier, but more expensive.

I am trying to send a large ($1-3k) at a time. About to start building a house over there for about $10k which might take 3-4 months to build. I assume all this paperwork stuff is ways for the government to find more ways to tax me or something, dunno. Banks and websites getting real paranoid with large amounts of cash. Just same, its not like I'm trying to transfer $100k or anything.

Are there any other websites that are easy and inexpensive? I'm tired of jumping hoops and paying big fees just for trying to send money. Worse case senario is send more money thru Lucky Money using my credit card and paying the big cash advance fee again, just to get by until I figure this out.

Who else sends money to the Philippines? (I bet everyone that is petitioning a Filipina) Whats the best way to send/rec money?

Sorry for the long read. Hope some others can relate and advise to what I'm going thru here.

Hi HappyHardcore!

My husband and I have been using a Wells Fargo remittance account that was set up over two years ago. It is by far, out of all the other means we have tried, the cheapest and fastest way to "send" money.

Basically, this is what happens when you have the WF remittance account --- you "move" money from one of your accounts, like checking or savings, to your remittance account. The ATMs here in the Philippines (BPI, HSBC, Metrobank or whichever machine has the Plus logo) access that particular account with the WF remittance card.

However, my husband does not need to visit a branch to do this because he is able to do this online. You need to sign up for the WF online banking.

Signing up is free, by the way. Click here to sign up, in case you want to. I suggest you look into it, especially if you plan to send money to the Philippines regularly.

Once enrolled, you can do online transfers to the remittance account. Each transfer, whether it is $1 or $1000, is a $9 fee. Regardless of amount transfered. When the remittance card is used in the Philippines, the money comes from that account and that account only. So if that remittance account doesn't have any money in it, then nothing can be withdrawn from it. Thus, there's no way to access the money in the checking/savings account through the remittance card.

The best part is there are no fees for withdrawals, thus multiple withdrawls can be done, or up to the daily withdrawal limit, which is set by WF (for security reasons). Unlike the debit account explained by Tahoma, which has a $5 fee for every withdrawal, the remittance account has none. You are only charged with the $9 fee for every money transfer, as I mentioned earlier. I also want to point out that the current conversion rate affects the amount in the remittance card at the time of withdrawal.

You mentioned about an existing remittance account. I'm not sure what you can do with that. You might as well just request to create another one and send the remittance card to the Philippines once you have it.

Once everything is set up, there's no need to go to the bank or make a phone call to customer service every time you want to transfer money to the remittance account. It really is hassle-free for us. I am surprised this was not explained to you by the WF representative.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Edited March 21, 2009 by neenuh