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MoneyGram is a popular money transfer service that allows individuals to send and receive money across the globe. It's a convenient option for people who need to send money to family and friends living abroad.
The service was founded in 1940 and has since become one of the largest money transfer companies in the world. MoneyGram has a presence in over 200 countries and territories.
To send money through MoneyGram, you'll need to visit a participating agent location, such as a retail store or bank. The recipient will then be able to pick up the funds at a designated location.
What Is MoneyGram?
MoneyGram is a US-based money transfer company that provides services to users worldwide, claiming to have around 150 million customers. It was founded over 80 years ago as Travelers Express, and officially became MoneyGram International in 1998.
You can send money with MoneyGram online, through their mobile app, or in person at one of their over 380,000 physical locations.
Payments can be sent to a recipient's bank account or collected in cash, depending on the country you're sending to.
How It Works
To use MoneyGram, you can send money to a mobile wallet or bank account in select countries. You can access the service by making a transfer online or by visiting a MoneyGram branch.
To find the nearest branch, use the locator tool on MoneyGram's website. This will help you locate a branch quickly and easily.
MoneyGram allows you to send money to a mobile wallet or bank account in select countries.
How It Works
MoneyGram allows you to send money to a mobile wallet or bank account in select countries. You can even access the service online by making a transfer on their website.
To find the nearest MoneyGram branch, use the locator tool on their website. This makes it easy to get your money sent where it needs to go.
You can also visit a MoneyGram branch in person to make a transfer. This can be a convenient option if you prefer to do things face-to-face.
Countries and Currencies Supported
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MoneyGram supports sending to over 200 countries and territories worldwide when using the service in the UK.
You can use the fee calculator tool on the MoneyGram website to check whether a particular country or currency is supported.
All major currencies are covered by MoneyGram, though the company doesn't display the exact number of currencies it supports on its website.
Fees and Rates
MoneyGram fees depend on various factors, including the destination of the money, how much you're sending, and the method of payment.
Choosing to pay with a U.S. checking account can result in lower fees, but paying with a credit or debit card will incur slightly higher fees.
Fortunately, the MoneyGram website offers a tool to estimate fees on money transfers, so you'll have an idea of what each transfer will cost you.
Fees
MoneyGram's fees depend on various factors, including the destination of the money and the method of payment.
The fees can be lower if you pay with a U.S. checking account, but expect slightly higher fees if you use a credit or debit card.
Fortunately, the MoneyGram website offers a tool to estimate fees on money transfers, giving you an idea of what each transfer will cost you.
Exchange Rates
Exchange rates can make a huge difference in the cost of sending money overseas. Some providers, like MoneyGram, add a markup or margin to the mid-market exchange rate, also known as the interbank rate.
This rate is generally considered the fairest rate you can get. MoneyGram is likely to add such a margin when converting currency for your transfer, making it more expensive.
Let's look at a hypothetical example. Imagine you want to send £500 in GBP to a friend in France (EUR). With MoneyGram, you'll pay more due to the added margin on the exchange rate.
Here's a comparison of the costs between MoneyGram and Wise, which only uses the mid-market rate with no margins added on top.
As you can see, Wise is the cheaper option even when MoneyGram doesn't charge an upfront fee. This is because Wise uses the mid-market rate without adding any margins, resulting in your money going further and your recipient getting more.
What Is a SWIFT Code?
A SWIFT code is an electronic communication method used by banks worldwide to correspond with each other in a secure and standardised way.
SWIFT transfers are secure, standardised, relatively inexpensive, and extremely quick.
You can find the SWIFT code for FNB by selecting Foreign Bank Search while capturing your Global Payment application.
FNB's SWIFT code is FIRNZAJJ.
When entering the SWIFT code, please make sure that all the letters are in uppercase.
Pros and Cons
MoneyGram has a great range of services, including payouts to mobile wallets and for cash collection at hundreds of thousands of agents globally.
You can get money to almost every country in the world, with cash payments arriving instantly or in just a few minutes.
MoneyGram offers a convenient way to send cash quickly to someone on the other side of the world.
However, for payments being sent to a bank account directly, MoneyGram may not be the cheapest or fastest option.
Pros & Cons
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MoneyGram has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. One of the main benefits is that it allows you to send payments overseas, making it a convenient option for international transactions.
MoneyGram is used for various purposes, including sending money to family and friends who live abroad, paying for goods and services, and even making business transactions.
It's worth noting that a MoneyGram international transfer can be completed in a relatively short period of time, often within minutes. However, the cost of a MoneyGram international transfer can vary depending on the amount being sent and the recipient's location.
Bottom Line
MoneyGram has a great range of services, including payouts to mobile wallets and cash collection at hundreds of thousands of agents globally.
You can get money to almost every country in the world with cash payments arriving instantly or in just a few minutes, making it a great option for quick transfers.
However, for direct bank account transfers, MoneyGram may not be the cheapest or fastest option.
MoneyGram Use and Support
MoneyGram is a popular money transfer service used by millions worldwide. With over 200,000 agent locations in 200 countries, it's no wonder MoneyGram is a go-to choice for sending and receiving money.
MoneyGram offers a range of services, including online transfers, mobile payments, and in-person transactions. This flexibility makes it easy to use MoneyGram for everyday transactions.
How to Use It
To use MoneyGram, you have several options. You can send money online, through the MoneyGram app, in person at an agent location, or start the transfer in the app and pay at an agent location.
Sending money online or through the app is the easiest way to go. You'll need to register a new account or log in if you've used the service before.
To send money online, you'll need to enter your recipient's details, including how much you want to send or how much you want them to get in the end. You'll also need to confirm the payment method and how you want the recipient to get the money.
The good news is that there are over 400,000 MoneyGram agents around the world, making it easy to find a location near your recipient.
If you're sending money to a bank or mobile wallet account, the recipient won't need to do anything. The money will simply get deposited once the payment is processed.
What is MoneyGram Used For?
MoneyGram is a reliable service for making money transfers, both online and in-person. With a vast global network of over 350,000 agency locations in more than 200 countries, you can transfer money to almost anywhere in the world.
MoneyGram is particularly beneficial for people who need to make an immediate transfer, as many transactions are complete within minutes. This can be a huge advantage when you're in a time-sensitive situation.
One of the key features of MoneyGram is its ability to provide faster transactions. This is especially useful for people who need to send money quickly.
You can also receive notifications when the money has been picked up, which can be a convenient feature for the recipient. This can help them track the status of their transfer.
MoneyGram also offers personalized exclusive offers, which can be a nice perk for frequent users.
Alternatives and Comparison
If you're looking for alternatives to MoneyGram, Western Union is a popular option for sending and receiving money internationally. It offers similar services to MoneyGram, including money transfers, bill payments, and money orders.
Western Union's fees can be higher than MoneyGram's, especially for larger transfers, but it has a wider network of locations and online services. Money orders, on the other hand, can be a more affordable option for smaller transactions.
Competitors
Money transfer services are aplenty, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Western Union offers online, phone, and in-store transfer methods, with transfer maximums ranging from $500 to $10,000 or more, depending on the service.
Western Union's transfer speed varies, taking anywhere from minutes to up to five business days, depending on the service. In contrast, MoneyGram offers online and in-store transfer methods, with a maximum transfer amount of $15,000.
Wise offers online transfer methods, but its transfer maximums vary by origin and destination, with a maximum of $1 million if sending from the US. Transfer fees also vary by country, making it essential to check the specifics before sending.
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For those who prefer online or phone transfers, XE is a viable option, with a transfer maximum of $500,000. XE's transfer speed is also relatively fast, with most transactions completed same-day.
Here's a comparison of some popular money transfer services:
Xoom offers online transfer methods, with transfer maximums up to $100,000, depending on the sender's level, and transfer fees starting at $2.99.
Other Providers
If you're considering alternatives to MoneyGram, you have a few options to choose from. These providers offer varying fees, transfer speeds, and maximum transfer amounts.
Fees for services like Wise and Western Union vary based on the destination, payout method, and payment value, with exchange rates including a markup. This can be a drawback for those who value transparency in their transactions.
In contrast, Wise offers a mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees, making it a more cost-effective option for some users. Western Union, on the other hand, has fees that can be difficult to predict.
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Transfer speeds also vary across providers, with some offering instant cash collection transfers, while others may take several days to deliver payments to bank accounts. Wise is a notable exception, with most payments delivered within 24 hours.
Maximum transfer amounts also differ across providers, with some having daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly limits that vary based on the market and legal requirements. Western Union, for instance, has payment limits that vary by location, transaction history, and the service you select.
Here's a brief comparison of some of the major international transfer services:
Find Translation in Other Languages
If you're looking for a translation of the MoneyGram definition in other languages, you've got plenty of options.
You can find translations in many languages, including Chinese - Simplified, Chinese - Traditional, Spanish, and many more.
The MoneyGram definition can be translated into languages such as Japanese, Portuguese, and German.
Here's a list of some of the languages you can find translations in:
- Arabic
- Czech
- Dutch
- English
- French
- German
- Hebrew
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Latin
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Tamil
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Urdu
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I receive money from MoneyGram?
To receive money from MoneyGram, find a location near you and complete a simple receive form with the reference number given by the sender. Once done, you can collect your funds at the designated location.
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