It’s impossible to avoid the fees completely, but other options do exist. There are a few ways you could lower them. For example, you could:

• Compare Payment Methods: Fees vary depending on whether you pay with cash, credit/debit card, or from a bank account. Typically, paying directly from a bank account may incur lower fees.

• Check for Promo Codes: Occasionally, MoneyGram may offer promotions or discount codes that can reduce the cost of your transaction.

• Choose a Slower Transfer Option: If you’re not in a rush, choosing a slower transfer option can sometimes be cheaper than expedited services.

• Send Larger Amounts Less Frequently: MoneyGram may charge lower fees for larger amounts, so it can be more cost-effective to send a larger sum less frequently rather than many small transfers.

• Loyalty Programs: MoneyGram may offer a loyalty program that provides discounts or rewards for frequent use.

• Online vs. Physical Locations: Sometimes, fees for online transactions may be different from those at physical agent locations. It’s worth comparing these to find the cheaper option.

• Recipient’s Location: The fees can also vary depending on the recipient’s country. Check if there is a difference in fees between sending money for cash pickup versus a deposit to a bank account or mobile wallet.

• Alternatives: Look for alternative money transfer services that might offer lower fees or better exchange rates, such as Wise (formerly TransferWise), which often provides a cost calculator to compare fees.

To confirm the exact amount of a MoneyGram transfer you must enter in the details of your transfer as the cost depends on four factors:

• The amount
• The country the transfer is being sent from and the recipient’s country
• Your preferred payment method
• The pickup (delivery) option.

To get an estimate, you can use MoneyGram’s estimator.

Yes. With over 80 years in the business, MoneyGram has established a rock-solid reputation that speaks volumes about the safety of the money transfers, no matter if they’re done in the same country or across the globe. On top of that, it’s the second-largest money transfer company in the world, right after its competitor, Western Union.

Of course, the company’s expertise is one thing — its reputation also depends on its compliance with laws and regulations. As we have established, the company has gone the extra mile to ensure it is compliant in all of the countries it operates. Apart from that, it also has its own Global Partner Compliance Policy, which aims to protect clients from criminal acts like fraud, money laundering, etc.

If you are using the online platform, you can send up to $10,000 per transaction with MoneyGram. Keep in mind that the monthly limit is also $10,000, so one maximum transaction will prevent you from making more for the month. Agent locations usually support larger maximum transfer limits than the online service.

In most countries, you can send only $10,000 (or equivalent) per transaction if you’re doing an online transfer. There is also a monthly (30 days) limit of $10,000.

However, that doesn’t mean you cannot send more money. You would have to visit an agent location to make a bigger transfer, though, and bring a valid ID.

In case the recipient doesn’t have a checking account, you can opt for a money order transfer. Here’s how to fill out one correctly:

1. Pay for the transfer at a MoneyGram location – Check and confirm that the amount on the money order is how much you paid. In case it isn’t, talk to the agent to resolve the issue.

2. The beneficiary’s name goes in the “pay-per-order” line – It must be spelled correctly, so double-check the name. After all, they are the only ones who can use the money order.

3. Sign yourself at the “Purchaser, Signer for Drawer” line.

4. Add the address and again, check the spelling – If necessary, add your date of birth (security reasons) and email address (for notification purposes).

5. Remember to keep the receipt so that you can check if the recipient got the money.

All money orders should be filled out completely, and they should be easy to read with clearly written information. Because of that, we recommend opting for black ink. Once the order is done, you can send it by mail or deliver it in-person.

There are three ways to send money with MoneyGram: in-person at an agent location, via an app, or online.

If you want the money to go through fast, be ready to pay for a more expensive method and opt for a credit or debit card transfer. It should arrive in about 10 minutes or less.

This largely depends on where you are, i.e., your country. Walmart or CVS is a good option if you’re in the US, but you can also try an agent location as well. Depending on where you have your account, you may be able to transfer the money to a bank or some other type of account (like a credit union one, for example).

Once again, it all depends on your location, the information provided by the sender, and the currency, among other things. Not all of these options will be available in your country:

• Bank account – deposits to bank, credit union, or other types of accounts
• Debit card transfer
• Mobile wallet transfer. You can use M-Pesa too, and even SmartMoney is covered
• Cash pickup at an agent location with a valid ID
• Home delivery made by a local agent.

Yes, you check the status of your MoneyGram transfer and track a MoneyGram money transfer in 3 ways, by Phone, Online, and In-person. For all three methods, we will need the authorization or reference number of the transfer. You can find it on the receipt. Alternatively, you probably got an email with it as well. When contacting customer service or using the Track a Transfer tool, you will also need to say/input our last name. Providing such information at an agent location is a must as well.

• Call the company – The toll-free number for the US is 1-800-542-3590. Please provide your details when prompted by the automated system.
• Track it online – MoneyGram tracking is also available online. You can log in and track the transfer through your account by checking the transaction history. If you don’t have one or you’re the beneficiary, you can use the tracking tool available on MoneyGram’s website.
• In-person at agent location – you can go in-person to a MoneyGram agent location and they can provide the updated tracking information for you money transfer.

One of the neater features of MoneyGram is that it allows you to pay your bills as well. If the recipient (in this case, company) is a part of the MoneyGram network, you can easily pay bills on time every single month. You can search for a specific company using the online bill pay search (by category or company name).

If a loved one is currently incarcerated, you can help them out with their calling and commissary accounts by sending them money through MoneyGram. All you have to do is search for the inmate’s correctional facility on the Pay Bills page and choose a payment method (online or in-person). The inmate should have the money on their accounts in 1–2 business days.

The maximum amount of money you can send via Walmart MoneyGram is $2,500. The limit used to be $900, but it has now increased substantially. MoneyGram offers lower fees for the maximum transfer than most other similar money transfer services.

Depending on the country, you might or might not have the option to receive MoneyGram transfers directly into your bank account. If it is possible, the option “Account Deposit” will be available to the sender as a delivery method. Check MoneyGram’s website for more information on which location supports the service.

There are several reasons why your MoneyGram transaction might be declined. You might have entered the wrong bank account information or your credit card might have reached its limit. We advise you to contact your bank in case such a problem occurs.

In general, a MoneyGram can reach the recipient in just a few minutes or in a couple of days. It all depends on the payment method and the delivery option selected upon the transfer, as well as the recipient’s country and the currency.

As a reference, bank account deposits often take a few hours or a few days to go through, depending on the country, laws and regulations, and banking hours. Typically, the fastest option is a cash pickup at an agent location.

Once again, it all depends on how you made the transfer in the first place:

• Online transfers. You can find the transfer in “Transaction History” on your account. To cancel it, simply go to the “Transaction Details” page. Alternatively, use the Track a Transfer tool to find the transaction and cancel it on that same page. You can also call the MoneyGram Electronic Operations Center or send an email to make a cancellation request.
• In-person location transfers. You have to contact the company via phone, email, or website. There might be a cancellation fee. Keep in mind that the requests take up to 30 days to process.

On average, MoneyGram seems to be slightly cheaper than WU, but since there are so many factors to consider (country, payment method, currency, etc.), it all depends on the transfer itself. It’s best to compare them once you know all the details about the transfer.