Best way to send $2000

[iwuvcheshert 6]

have your wife/girlfriend open up a savings account from Banco de Oro. They offer BDO Kabayan Savings account, especially for international remittances. I opened mine when i attended the pre departure seminar from CFO. it wont cost her anything to open an account, she just need 2 valid ids and 2 pcs 1x1 picture. My husband and i have been using it and it has worked for us tremendously. Charges are less than when you send it thru western union. she just needs to give u her account number as soon as she has opened her account. best of luck to u

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

XOOM, hands down. Cheapest, and VERY fast. Local pickup, and they send a XOOM I.D. # in an email, then your fiancee goes to a local BPI, BDO, C. Lhuiller or M. Lhuiller with an ID, fills out a form with the XOOM I.D. you email her, and she has the PHP. Have used it, it works great.

Of course, if you are not in a hurry, giving your Fiancee an ATM card drawing on your bank is better, but this will work quickly for you.

[tallcoolone 102]

Do Not open an bank account in Philippines

Banks go out of business all the time, and good luck trying to get your money back

They Fed Government in Philippines only insures deposit up to 500,000 peso, or a mere $10K

[∞♥ 17]

have your wife/girlfriend open up a savings account from Banco de Oro. They offer BDO Kabayan Savings account, especially for international remittances. I opened mine when i attended the pre departure seminar from CFO. it wont cost her anything to open an account, she just need 2 valid ids and 2 pcs 1x1 picture. My husband and i have been using it and it has worked for us tremendously. Charges are less than when you send it thru western union. she just needs to give u her account number as soon as she has opened her account. best of luck to u

That's the thing, she only has 1 ID (her passport.) What forms of ID do they accept and how much of a problem is it to obtain?

Thanks!

[∞♥ 17]

XOOM, hands down. Cheapest, and VERY fast. Local pickup, and they send a XOOM I.D. # in an email, then your fiancee goes to a local BPI, BDO, C. Lhuiller or M. Lhuiller with an ID, fills out a form with the XOOM I.D. you email her, and she has the PHP. Have used it, it works great.

Of course, if you are not in a hurry, giving your Fiancee an ATM card drawing on your bank is better, but this will work quickly for you.

I opened a xoom account awhile back, but my finacee only has 1 form of ID. When I opened it, I could have sworn it said 2 forms of ID...I just checked their site and it says that only one form of picture ID is required. I noticed it has Police Clearance listed, is that the same as the NBI clearance?

She has her passport so I'm guessing that and the xoom # is all she needs. Correct?

Thanks!

[∞♥ 17]

Do Not open an bank account in Philippines

Banks go out of business all the time, and good luck trying to get your money back

They Fed Government in Philippines only insures deposit up to 500,000 peso, or a mere $10K

Yeah, I'm not too crazy about that idea. If you have a mere $10k you don't need, you could slide a bit of it my way!

Regards

[tallcoolone 102]

Here's another trick for you or others when you travel to Philippines and don't want to carry a lot of cash

Before I take a trip to Philippines I go to Western Union and wire myself like $700 and $800 and have it waiting for me. When I get low on cash in PHilippines, I just take my passport and code and get money as I need it from Western Union.

I always have them send the money in US Dollars cuz you get a better exchange rate...........

[∞♥ 17]

Here's another trick for you or others when you travel to Philippines and don't want to carry a lot of cash

Before I take a trip to Philippines I go to Western Union and wire myself like $700 and $800 and have it waiting for me. When I get low on cash in PHilippines, I just take my passport and code and get money as I need it from Western Union.

I always have them send the money in US Dollars cuz you get a better exchange rate...........

Good idea! I've taken my debit card in the past and had no problems with that...just always fear of losing it. The WU deal would probably be better.

[kev_n_jena 89]

Good idea! I've taken my debit card in the past and had no problems with that...just always fear of losing it. The WU deal would probably be better.

Check the rates between WU & XOOM. We always use XOOM. We just sent 2,300 US and it cost 5.99. When we were in Samar a few weeks ago we sent ourselves $300 the same way.

The first time we sent through XOOM it took awhile, (5 days) to clear our account. Now it takes just seconds.

Kevin

[tallcoolone 102]

Good idea! I've taken my debit card in the past and had no problems with that...just always fear of losing it. The WU deal would probably be better.

Most of the places I go don't have places to use debit card, it's usually cash only.

I try to put major purchases on Credit/Debit Cards in Philippines if they will take them.

[∞♥ 17]

Check the rates between WU & XOOM. We always use XOOM. We just sent 2,300 US and it cost 5.99. When we were in Samar a few weeks ago we sent ourselves $300 the same way.

The first time we sent through XOOM it took awhile, (5 days) to clear our account. Now it takes just seconds.

Kevin

Thanks! It's looking like Xoom might be the way to go, definitely cheaper than WU.

[Glynn & Jean 5]

I sent my wife $1,600 through Zoom with no problems when she was going through the visa process. Rates and service way better than Western Union.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I opened a xoom account awhile back, but my finacee only has 1 form of ID. When I opened it, I could have sworn it said 2 forms of ID...I just checked their site and it says that only one form of picture ID is required. I noticed it has Police Clearance listed, is that the same as the NBI clearance?

She has her passport so I'm guessing that and the xoom # is all she needs. Correct?

Thanks!

Yes, their site says one ID, but when I sent money last year, my sister in law said they asked for two, so it might be a PI thing on the IDs. But from what I hear, everyone in the PI has at least two IDs, like a student ID, postal ID (dunno what it is, but they have it), license... pretty much anything, even a banking card. I'd be willing to bet she would be able to get it with just her passport and XOOM ID #, since the passport is a photo ID. Worst case, she could not get it, and you'd be out $6 for trying.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Here's another trick for you or others when you travel to Philippines and don't want to carry a lot of cash

Before I take a trip to Philippines I go to Western Union and wire myself like $700 and $800 and have it waiting for me. When I get low on cash in PHilippines, I just take my passport and code and get money as I need it from Western Union.

I always have them send the money in US Dollars cuz you get a better exchange rate...........

TCO, not sure why you'd waste the money sending WU... why not just use an ATM card drawn on a USA bank? Too easy...

[rhenzhen 5]

I sent my wife $1,600 through Zoom with no problems when she was going through the visa process. Rates and service way better than Western Union.

True. Sending money through xoom.com is cheaper... However, if you are new, it will take time before it gets clear...that was my time when I was new to xoom. I hope they really improve it now for new members.