visa fee and exchange rate

[BruceL 1]

I used western union to send money for visa fee ($240 but sent 250) and WU gave rate of 40.5.

She went to pay the visa fee and the exchange rate was 43. Wow that ended up being about 600php extra!

[maim3 5]

That was also our problem. When he sent me $2000 for our plane tickets from WU online to my bank i only got $1948. $52 diffrence is alot! But the WU Agent here in PI advised me to tell my fiance not to send money in WU online or straight to my bank because WU has a very low exchange rate. So what he does until now is he goes to WU agent then send money and advise them that i should get it in $ not in Peso. Do the same.

Edited August 2, 2012 by maim3

[Fight for Love 98]

FYI you could send dollar to dollar thru western union. you just need to check the form.... :whistle:

Edited August 2, 2012 by takis

[mik2012 17]

Always do dollar to dollar to Philippines. I have been sending money for the past 6 years and the first thing the WU agent there told my Ann was have him always send dollars. She gets her dollars and gets a better rate some place else. I will be glad when the wait is over the fees I have paid over the years could have paid for two round trip tickets there and back.

[TnJ 131]

Agree with everyone else here WU's exchange rate is lower in PH than the various other money changers throughout. Add on the small fees, and you've lost more than it is worth. I send through the 'Money in Minutes' option, and my fiancee picks it up in USD and exchanges at the location of her choice. Very minimal loss from original amount sent.

Edited August 2, 2012 by ToddnJessa

[Scott and Mhay 57]

I just left my ATM card with my wife after one of my visits. Then all we pay is the ATM fee and international transaction fee of 1%. (granted bank ATMs don't always give the best rate either) After she got the the US, she opened 2 savings accounts, one that she uses, and the other she puts money in for her family. We sent the ATM card to them and it has worked out pretty good so far. I know there is probably cheaper ways, but this way works for us and is pretty dependable.

Edited August 2, 2012 by Scott and Mhay

[BruceL 1]

That was also our problem. When he sent me $2000 for our plane tickets from WU online to my bank i only got $1948. $52 diffrence is alot! But the WU Agent here in PI advised me to tell my fiance not to send money in WU online or straight to my bank because WU has a very low exchange rate. So what he does until now is he goes to WU agent then send money and advise them that i should get it in $ not in Peso. Do the same.

It seems if you send $ then they charge higher fee! Baliw!

Sending php was $12 for about$700. Sending $$ the fee was $21. But after doing the math, even with higher fee, it's still better to send $$.

Edited August 2, 2012 by BruceL

[TnJ 131]

It seems if you send $ then they charge higher fee! Baliw!

Sending php was $12 for about$700. Sending $$ the fee was $21. But after doing the math, even with higher fee, it's still better to send $$.

Never payed higher than $12 for 'Money in Minutes'. USD or PHP, it was the same for me, but I never sent that much at once either.

[RobNKharen 70]

Check out Xoom.com $7.99 fee to send almost any amount(limits apply) IN USD. Don't use the peso rate they offer unless it is a very small amount you are sending. Send in USD.

[BruceL 1]

Check out Xoom.com $7.99 fee to send almost any amount(limits apply) IN USD. Don't use the peso rate they offer unless it is a very small amount you are sending. Send in USD.

This looks cool. I'll have to give it a try. All online;)

Thanks!