DolarApp Blog Your Money
How Much Does Western Union Charge?
Sofia Santos
Sofia Santos 11/25/2024

Western Union is a renowned company with partnerships with banks and establishments both within and outside Mexico. While it is often a reliable option, you should be aware of how much Western Union charges to send money to the United States.

Why? Their fees are not standard, and they have variable exchange rates influenced by several factors affecting the price.

In this article, we explain how much they charge and how their fees work, as well as the process you should follow to transfer money to the U.S. through Western Union.

Keep reading to learn all the details!

Western Union: Know the Fees for Sending Money to the U.S.

How to Send Money to the United States with Western Union

Western Union Mexico is one of the most widely used options for sending and receiving money due to its global reach. It's a fast and flexible method with an online platform and mobile application that make the process easier.

Here's how to send money from Mexico to the United States via Western Union:

1. Download the Western Union Mexico app and register with your first name, last name, email, and password.

2. Log in, select "Send Money," and choose "United States" as the destination country.

3. Enter the amount and choose the corresponding currency.

4. Select how you want the recipient to receive the money—either in cash or via a bank account deposit.

5. Provide all required recipient information, including their full name and complete address.

6. Add the recipient's banking information.

7. Verify your identity with a valid document and complete your profile.

8. Choose your payment method (credit/debit card or bank account).

9. Review the details and finalize the transaction.

10. Share the tracking number with the beneficiary so they can track the funds.

Western Union Fees for Sending Money to the United States

The fees that Western Union charges for sending money to the United States vary based on certain factors, such as the transfer amount, the sending method, and the payment method.

Let's delve into more details:

Sending Fees

To determine how much Western Union charges to send money to the United States, you need to consider the payment method and the recipient's method of receiving the funds—that is, whether you send money through an agency, using the app, online, or by phone.

Here's an illustrative example of how Western Union's fees might vary when sending money from Mexico to the USA:

Method

Agency

Online

Mobile App

Phone Call

Cash Pickup

Fees may vary

Fees may vary

Fees may vary

Fees may vary (credit card only)

Delivery Time

Minutes

Minutes

Minutes or 0-4 business days

Minutes

Bank Account Deposit

Fees may vary

Fees may vary

Fees may vary

Not available

Delivery Time

Up to 2 business days

Up to 2 business days

0 to 6 business days

Note: Illustrative example with the Western Union price calculator.

Receiving Fees

How much does Western Union charge for receiving money?

Western Union does not charge the recipient any fees for receiving money. The cost of international transfers is covered by the sender at the time of sending the funds.

However, the exchange rate offered may be less favorable than the interbank market rate, meaning the recipient might receive a smaller amount when converting currencies.

Withdrawal Fees

There are generally no charges if you withdraw the money at official Western Union agencies. However, if you decide to collect cash at one of their associated establishments, these locations might charge additional fees.

For example, certain retailers may impose a small fee per withdrawal and may have limits on the amount per transaction.

What Exchange Rate Does Western Union Offer in Mexico?

The exchange rate offered by Western Union in Mexico varies daily based on market conditions and also depends on the sending method you choose.

Suppose you decide to pay online; the exchange rate available at that time might differ from the rate offered if you opt to send money in cash at a store.

Keep in mind that you should also factor in the fee charged based on the reception method—whether the beneficiary will receive the money at a branch or through their bank account.

Thus, the company may gain additional profits through currency exchange transactions, and consequently, the amount the recipient receives might be less favorable.

DolarApp: Send and Receive Money from the United States for Just 3 US Cents per Transaction

As a better alternative, consider DolarApp, a mobile application that allows you to hold and manage digital dollars conveniently from your device.

Its main goal is to facilitate financial transactions for its Latin American clientele, including those in Mexico. It enables you to receive and send money between the U.S. and Mexico in seconds, with a single fee of 3 US cents per transaction, which is fixed regardless of the amount sent.

This fee also applies if you need to transfer money from Mexico to the USA, making it a more economical option compared to Western Union. Additionally, DolarApp offers competitive exchange rates with no hidden extra costs.

With DolarApp, international transfers are simple and secure. Its advantages in terms of cost and ease of use are significant when compared to other options.

Note: Please verify current rates and fees directly with the service providers, as they may have changed since the time of writing.

DolarApp mobile app image
Logo

Discover a world
without borders.

The world has borders. Your finances don’t have to.

Most recent in Your Money