Sending Money

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Must depend on the country - We send $350 bi-monthly to Morocco via Moneygram and it costs us $9.

Yes, the fee varies by country. $350 to Palestine by MoneyGram is $10.00 (or $9.50 with the discount.)

[Kari and Hamada 0]

Me and Hamada always use banks to transfer money. I have never sent it to him but he has to me. It was cheaper for us this way verses Western Union and was in my account within 24 hours with no problems.

[Mithra 1,185]

We always use Western Union to send money to my husband's mom. The last time we sent money I think we sent about $400 and it cost us $11.99. My sister in law has never had a problem collecting the money. I've never tried Money Gram but I'll check it out now that some of you all have used it and said it's cheaper. As far as red flags, I have no idea since I never sent money to my husband while he was still in Egypt.

Edited March 26, 2011 by Mithra

[Jenny Elsayed 0]

I have only used western union to send money to my husband in Egypt from Texas and if you do it online it is $20.00but if you go to a location it is only $11.99. My husband says that there is not many moneygram places so it is hard to get money when you send it thru them so he has always told me western union.

[knt 4]

How about re-loadable cards? I see that somebody mentioned that, has anybody had experience with that? I was going to try one so to avoid fees, but was worried about it not working in ATMs or having difficulties removing money? I was researching and found a visa pre-paid card that was supposed to act like traveler's checks but you could take money out at ATMs? Anybody ever used a prepaid type card??

[Amber & Ahmed 133]

How about re-loadable cards? I see that somebody mentioned that, has anybody had experience with that? I was going to try one so to avoid fees, but was worried about it not working in ATMs or having difficulties removing money? I was researching and found a visa pre-paid card that was supposed to act like traveler's checks but you could take money out at ATMs? Anybody ever used a prepaid type card??

Yes, prepaid cards do work at ATMs, the thing is when you do buy the card make sure the card company knows you will be using it overseas in your S/O country. Really it cuts out so many fees, but I would recommend sending the card without a balance in case of lost or theft, once he recieves the card then load it with money. Best wishes!

Amber

[knt 4]

Yes, prepaid cards do work at ATMs, the thing is when you do buy the card make sure the card company knows you will be using it overseas in your S/O country. Really it cuts out so many fees, but I would recommend sending the card without a balance in case of lost or theft, once he recieves the card then load it with money. Best wishes!

Amber

Awesome! Thanks! And good advice about sending without a balance

[sandinista! 1,816]

are there fees charged every time it is used though, for currency exchange?

[Amber & Ahmed 133]

are there fees charged every time it is used though, for currency exchange?

Yes there are fees applied when the card is used, there is an ATM charge as well as an international exchange fee, I took out 2000 Egyptian pounds to do some shopping while I was there, and the International fee and the ATM surcharge was less than the ATM fee I pay here in the states. I am sure every country is different fee wise as are ATMs different, but in the end the money saved and the convinience rates this as a must try, in my opinion of course! Also in order to curb the charges withdrawing all money at once and placing it in his bank account may be a route they can utilize. Best wishes and if anyone hears different please let me know!