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Western Union Review

Reviews 107,567
Western Union
Western Union
Excellent
Reviews 107,567
Michael Graw
May. 07, 2024
2 min read
Michael Graw
Western Union Summary
Western Union is a money transfer service that operates globally, providing customer the ability so receive cash quickly and conveniently. With over 200 countries and territories receivers across the globe have many options for receiving funds, whether its cash, direct to an account, mobile wallet , debit card or even home delivery.

Pros

  • Locations in more than 200 countries & territories
  • Cash transfers can be picked up in minutes*
  • Pay bills online

Cons

  • May be expensive compared to other transfer services

Western Union at a glance

8.6
Editorial score

Fees?

% of transfer or a flat rate and exchange rates
8.0

Transfer time

Depends on pay-out method
9.0

Customer service

Help from an agent over the phone or through live chat available
8.0

Security

Regulated and encrypted reliable transfers, biometric entry and multi factor authentication for account
10.0

Online and mobile experience

User friendly site and app that supports mobile transfers from all devices
8.0

What You Need to Know

Transfer feeVaries depending on transfer details, including but not limited to, sending currency, receiving currency, send amount, payment method, receive method
Transfer timeMinutes* to 6 business days
Transfer typesCash pickup, bank transfer, mobile wallet, direct to card, home delivery
Daily transfer limitVaries depending on transfer details
Transfer purposePersonal and business
24/7 supportYes

Western Union Fees and Rates

Western Union transfer fees vary depending on transfer details, including but not limited to, sending currency, receiving currency, send amount, payment method, receive method. In many cases, transferring money from a personal U.S. bank account to an international personal bank account does not incur a transfer fee; however, an exchange rate spread may apply. At the time this review was written, fees for APN start at $0.99.

How Does It Work?

Send money using a wide variety of payment methods, including credit card, debit card, bank account or cash at an agent location. Initiate transfers from the Western Union mobile app, wu.com or in-person at an agent location. Cash, debit, and credit transfers can be ready for cash pickup in just a few minutes to more than 200 countries and territories around the world. 

  • To send money online from : 
  • Create an online profile 
  • Choose recipient’s country and the amount to send 
  • Choose to send for cash pickup, to a personal bank account, mobile wallet or direct to card (not all receive products available in every destination) 
  • Select a payment method (credit, debit, bank account, or cash in-store available at most locations) 
  • Track transfer capability available on or the Western Union app

How Long Does It Take?

When choosing cash pay-out for your recipient, transferred funds can be ready in minutes*. Payment funded by a personal bank account may take up to 4 days to process. Track transfer capability available on or the Western Union app.

Western Union Top Highlights

  • Cash pickup at hundreds of thousands of agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories
  • Send money to U.S. prison inmates
  • Pay bills online or with cash at an agent location
  • Fund transfers with cash at any Western Union location
  • Transfers paid by cash, debit, or credit are ready for pickup in minutes*
  • Track transfer on wu.com or the Western Union app
  • 24/7 customer support

Customer Support

Western Union offers 24/7 customer support by phone and live chat. Receive in-person help by visiting any Western Union location.

Privacy and Reliability

Western Union uses policies and procedures like photo identification and tracking number (MTCN) verification to help make sure money is sent to the right person.

Western Union also educates its agents and customers on how to protect themselves from fraud and scams.

Western Union secures online accounts for business users with two-factor authentication, preventing account access in the event of a stolen password. Western Union also posts information online and in agent locations warning customers about potential scams and to avoid sending money to unknown recipients.

Bottom Line

Western Union enables consumers to send money for cash pickup at hundreds of thousands of agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. In addition, consumers can transfer funds directly to a recipient’s personal bank account, mobile wallet or direct to card (options not available in all locations and/or when sending from all locations). The service can be expensive, particularly if funding a transfer with a credit card; however, Western Union can complete debit, credit, and cash-initiated transfers in minutes*. Western Union offers online tracking for your transfers and 24/7 customer support.

Disclaimer

*Funds may be delayed or services unavailable based on certain transaction conditions, including amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory issues, identification requirements, Agent location hours, differences in time zones, or selection of delayed options. 

Michael Graw
Written by
Michael Graw
Michael Graw is a Bellingham, Washington-based writer focusing on finance, tech, and science. His work has been featured in print magazines and high-impact websites. He writes for BestMoney and enjoys helping readers make sense of the options on the market.‎
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Excellent
67%
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11%
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5%
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3%
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14%
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