Best way to send money to Russia?

[BigRedCat 36]

Hey guys!

I am having a lot of trouble trying to send money to my girl in Moscow from the US. I was denied from Moneygram and Western Union (they do not give a reason). I am going to try TransferWise as it seems to be the best option currently but wanted to see how you guys are doing this?

I have a Citibank account also so I have read they allow transactions in Russia without much trouble? Could I give her an extra ATM card?

Thanks!

Edited September 24, 2016 by BigRedCat

[gregcrs2 1,778]

Is she someone you already met?

[millefleur 5,047]

Have you tried PayPal? I know Russians who buy stuff on ebay and using PayPal always works fine. You can send money to them simply by marking it as "gift" and there shouldn't be any fees. There may be some conversion fees but that's all.

If you send her an ATM card from you American bank account, you will be charged a conversion fee of 3% or more (depending on the bank) every time she makes a withdrawal in roubles. Are you trying to send her USD?

[RobertM54 36]

I use Ria Money transfer to Ukraine. Werstern Union should be OK if you have met the girl and you file a complaint. Irrespective of online problems, I could always physically transfer from a WU location. When filing a complaint, I would get a code for 50% off the fee.

Now I just use Ria. It can be a real pain to pick up depending on the branch.

[gregoryagu 31]

I tried Citi bank as they seemed to say you could transfer money to Russia, but after setting it all up, in the end, it was not possible to send money. However, I have send small sums via Moneygram many times with no problems at all. I go to Walmart and fill out a little form and off it goes.

[BigRedCat 36]

I opened a Citi account and plan to get an extra atm card to give to her when I'm in Moscow in a few weeks, I have heard thats the best way to transfer money. Anyone else done this? Paypal blocks transfers to Russia now.

[millefleur 5,047]

I opened a Citi account and plan to get an extra atm card to give to her when I'm in Moscow in a few weeks, I have heard thats the best way to transfer money. Anyone else done this? Paypal blocks transfers to Russia now.

You're planning to just wire transfer money between the two Ciitbank accounts (the US account and the Russian one)? There will still be fees, just so you know.

That's insanely lame that PayPal blocks transfer to Russia! Argh...

Edited October 16, 2016 by millefleur

[Sekhvaruli 74]

The easiest way is to add her to one of your credit cards - open one just for that purpose, with not very high limit - and send her that card with the pin number, she could use for withdrawing cash. I have been using this method for my family I have been helping on a regular basis.

[millefleur 5,047]

The easiest way is to add her to one of your credit cards - open one just for that purpose, with not very high limit - and send her that card with the pin number, she could use for withdrawing cash. I have been using this method for my family I have been helping on a regular basis.

Don't you mean debit card? Cash advances from credit cards are very expensive even in the US, lots of upfront fees every time you make a withdrawal.

Edited October 16, 2016 by millefleur

[gregoryagu 31]

BigRed, I think you plan will work if you give her one of your own debit cards and the pin number. Then you just deposit here in the US, and then she makes the withdrawal there. I have withdrawn money from Citibank from Russia without a problem or fees.

What works for me is going to Walmart and using Moneygram. Costs $9 to send $300. Cheaper than Moneygram online, or Western Union.

Edited October 16, 2016 by gregoryagu

[Sekhvaruli 74]

Don't you mean debit card? Cash advances from credit cards are very expensive even in the US, lots of upfront fees every time you make a withdrawal.

Not if you make the payment right away. But anyway, it's not going to be more pricey than paying for transfer services. Or you can agree with your GF she pays with the credit card for her food shopping and other expenses that can be paid with the credit card in Russia, and use her own cash for things, that can't be done that way.

Edited October 16, 2016 by Sekhvaruli

[Sekhvaruli 74]

BigRed, I think you plan will work if you give her one of your own debit cards and the pin number. Then you just deposit here in the US, and then she makes the withdrawal there. I have withdrawn money from Citibank from Russia without a problem or fees.

What works for me is going to Walmart and using Moneygram. Costs $9 to send $300. Cheaper than Moneygram online, or Western Union.

Yes, opening a bank account, where you could add your GF, sending her the second debit card and transferring part of your pay via direct deposit there will be probably the cheapest way. And it will also add another proof to your bona fide relationship - a joint bank account is a weighty evidence indeed.

[millefleur 5,047]

Yes, opening a bank account, where you could add your GF, sending her the second debit card and transferring part of your pay via direct deposit there will be probably the cheapest way. And it will also add another proof to your bona fide relationship - a joint bank account is a weighty evidence indeed.

Just to clarify, there is adding an authorized user to one person's account (usually a second debit card with the said users name) and a then there's a joint account, they are not the same thing.

Find out if Citibank or any other banks can let you add an authorized user without any ID or other paperwork, you might be able to do it online. If they won't let you add one in her name, just go open an account at Citibank in your own name and send her the card with your name on it. She can withdrawal from most ATMs in Russia as long as she has the PIN, it doesn't matter whose name is on the card. Nobody in Russia checks or cares about stuff like that. She can even withdrawal USD directly from the ATMs, or she can take out rubles.

That's really lame that PayPal, Moneygram and Western Union denied you. I hope the debit card thing will work out.

Edited October 16, 2016 by millefleur

[RobertM54 36]

What I did was create a separate account. I use that card when I travel and have one in my girl's name. Drawing money from a debit card is much more expensive than Ria money transfer. After many problems with WU, Ria has been trouble free for me.

With WU, when I got a denial on line, I would call and they would give me a code for for 50% off an in person cash transfer - those were always accepted. No need since I switched to Ria, but it can be a challenge at certain branches to get the funds.

[Cali_D 43]

Hey guys!

I am having a lot of trouble trying to send money to my girl in Moscow from the US. I was denied from Moneygram and Western Union (they do not give a reason). I am going to try TransferWise as it seems to be the best option currently but wanted to see how you guys are doing this?

I have a Citibank account also so I have read they allow transactions in Russia without much trouble? Could I give her an extra ATM card?

Thanks!

I bank with Wells Fargo. I just sent a very large amount of money to Russia with Western Union. No problems at all.