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Western Union Review

Reviews 73,029
Western Union
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Western Union
Western Union
Great
Reviews 73,029
Michael Graw
Apr. 16, 2024
2 min read
Michael Graw
Western Union Summary
Western Union is a money transfer service that operates globally, providing consumers with the ability to pick up cash or send money to over 200 countries and territories. Western Union also offers online bill pay and the ability to send money to prison inmates in the U.S.

Pros

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

Cons

  • May be premium compared to other transfer services in some cases

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 secure 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

Western Union Western Union Visit Site

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
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.

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 wu.com
  • 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 wu.com 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 wu.com 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.

Phone: (800) 325-6000

Privacy and Reliability

One example of how Western Union protects transfers is by offering the option to include a security question when sending money for cash pickup. The recipient must present ID and know the answer to the security question to receive the funds. 

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.

Western Union Western Union Visit Site

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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Trustpilot reviews
See what some customers are saying about Western Union
Great • Reviews 73,029
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Excellent
64%
Great
11%
Average
5%
Poor
4%
Bad
16%
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AA
AARON
9 minutes ago
Western Union makes it very easy
Western Union makes it very easy to wire money
DC
DC
13 minutes ago
Man kann sich darauf verlassen dass das…
Man kann sich darauf verlassen dass das Geld ankommt
SP
Sandy Pacurib
13 minutes ago
Best sending money apps
Best sending money apps, the customer service very fast respons and can solve error/problem very fast. Very recommended. Thank you, Sandy
JO
JOSHUA
23 minutes ago
Been using Western Union for years…
Been using Western Union for many years of course it’s trusted and I never have a issue still one of the quickest, cheapest ways to send money especially if overseas because not everyone has cash app but just about everyone has access to banks and WU can send directly to their account.
AR
Alphonse & Rebecca
26 minutes ago
Best and excellent money transfer in…
Best and excellent money transfer in the World,
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