So, I got my MIL's bank account info (this is key - the receiver has to have a bank account) and went downstairs at work (I happen to work for a bank here) to initiate a USD wire transfer directly from our to my MIL's account in Ethiopia.
Long story short: The funds arrived within 5 business days directly in my MIL's account. The fee my bank charges for this service is a flat $40.00 and the exchange rate on the other end is much better than what WU or MG applies. While the intermediary (in our case Citibank) and the receiving bank (MIL's bank) typically take a handling fee as well (~ $25.00 each), this is nothing compared to what WU or MG would have charged on this particular transfer on the front end alone. Exchange rate and x-fer fees combined, we saved roughly $250.00 on this transfer. Plus, there's no cash involved on either side when you send a wire - it's all book transfers from one account to the other.
There are viable alternatives to WU and MG for sure. I'm glad I tried it and found out just how well it works
