Western Union

[heo luoi 206]

I saw an old post not sure how relevant, seemed very cheap i have been using MoneyGram. Anyone familar with the latest via Western Union? Never used before but sounds cheaper than MoneyGram. WesternUnions site requires ZIP codes in their tools/estimator but VN doesnt use ZIPs (this was my issue w/ UPS for shipments)

Location search shows WU locations when searching cities (which doesnt demand ZIPs)

[Jho369 13]

WU is the cheap as far as money transfer in VN. I usually do a WU to myself when I travel. Just incase i dont lose or get pick pocketed. Usually it's about $5 for $1499 i think...

[frontgear 194]

We sent $500 to my wife's sister last week via WU. It cost $9 if paid as Bill Pay or $10 by debit card (credit card will be processed as cash advances and incurs fees from your card issuer).

You don't need to enter zip code for VN. All you need is the name of the receiver. Some WU payout locations require name to be as exactly as written on the ID Card (Chung Minh Nhan Dan) so make sure you have it right. Some don't care.

[heo luoi 206]

Thanks friends!

Ha!, Wow thats a great idea, Jho369, not sure I would have thought of that. $5 for $1500? Thats definitely cheaper than MG. so Jho was $5 for 1500 and frontgear $9 for $500? Hmm seems a bit of discrepancy?

Yea the ZIP code thing is just annoying cause the system mandated it online for the fee estimator and the UPS people also didnt know what to do cause they aren't familiar with it. Yea MG was hard core about explicit naming, any sort of misorder (even reverse order like american style, I actually have to fill out the names backwards in MG system for it to 'display correctly) or dupe name is a problem, its a inconvenience but I guess better safe than sorry.

WU is the cheap as far as money transfer in VN. I usually do a WU to myself when I travel. Just incase i dont lose or get pick pocketed. Usually it's about $5 for $1499 i think...

We sent $500 to my wife's sister last week via WU. It cost $9 if paid as Bill Pay or $10 by debit card (credit card will be processed as cash advances and incurs fees from your card issuer).

You don't need to enter zip code for VN. All you need is the name of the receiver. Some WU payout locations require name to be as exactly as written on the ID Card (Chung Minh Nhan Dan) so make sure you have it right. Some don't care.

[Jho369 13]

Use your bank and it's $5. Use a credit card or check card will be $10

[frontgear 194]

It seems WU fees have gone up lately.

For $500 - $9 or $10

For $1,500

[heo luoi 206]

hahahah Ok the ZIP code is for the BILLING / src destination not the receiving destination. how dumb. Not sure how you got your screen grabs to work w/o putting something in but yeah I think a little cheaper than MG not quite as much but I'm sure it adds up...trying to also see if its cheaper to save and send bigger chunks or smaller chunks when I have some I can spare as I have it. :/

Thanks guys!!

Edited September 22, 2015 by coldhands

[frontgear 194]

Screen grabs were photoshopp'ed to remove top-secret details. LOL

[frontgear 194]

OK. So I played around with WU and found out that if your transfer was to be paid in VND, the fee would only be $5 for Bill Pay or bank wire.

And if you're sending money to the receiver's bank account, there is NO fee. But WU makes money on the USD --> VND exchange rate.

Edited September 22, 2015 by frontgear

[skyking02 11]

Use your bank and it's $5. Use a credit card or check card will be $10

what bank are you using to get the rate of $5 and $10?

Edited September 22, 2015 by skyking02

[heo luoi 206]

Very interesting frontgear thanks. That seems a LOT cheaper. $5 for $1500, with a very good exchange rate? coupled w/ fees and exchange rate ( I dont know why but my fiance says they prefers USD even though I know they have to change it and pay the jewlers juice to swap that is way less than the 22k to 1 USD) this seems VERY affordable.

OK. So I played around with WU and found out that if your transfer was to be paid in VND, the fee would only be $5 for Bill Pay or bank wire.

And if you're sending money to the receiver's bank account, there is NO fee. But WU makes money on the USD --> VND exchange rate.

[Jho369 13]

You can use any bank. It willask for routing number and stuff. But yeah, if you're going to VN there is no reason to get USD...

[heo luoi 206]

Just curious Jho, you mention so you dont get pick pocketd or lose...etc. Do you just remotely initiate WU wire transfers via online or something repeatedly while there or do you just presend one big lump for pickup on arrival?

[Jho369 13]

I just go to the site and do a send money to myself. Go to the million WU location inVN and pick up the cash

[heo luoi 206]

I just go to the site and do a send money to myself. Go to the million WU location inVN and pick up the cash

Thanks, didnt realize it could be so reasonable.

Brilliant, I dont have any immediate travel plans but certainly hope I remember this tip when I do!

Cheers!