HIGHLIGHTS
Western Union is a pioneer company that revolutionized the telegraph and communications industry. The company’s history and economic growth is intricately woven with the growth of the US and evolution of technology. It was founded in 1851 under the name New-York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company and later changed its name to Western Union in 1856. Starting its journey as a telegram service company, Western Union now has about half a million agent location across the world, and the consumers can send and receive money via more than 110,000 ATM’s.
Western Union introduced money transfer service in 1871 and is now mainly known for its remittance services. It offers various options to send and receive money. Money can be sent online, in person, or by phone. The methods used can be credit card, debit card, and bank account. The available speed of money transfer varies from minutes to days according to the options chosen by the sender. The receiving options are direct pick-up from any of the 50,000 agent locations in India, home delivery, and direct deposit to the bank account if the bank is in the National Electronic Funds Transfer Network (NEFT).
FEATURES (Currently showing rates for USA to INR change )
- Credit Card/Debit Card
- Cash
- ACH Transfer
- Wire Transfer
- Western Union transfers money to India within minutes
- Western Union has the largest number of Agent locations in the world that provides the most convenient way to pick up cash
EDITORIAL REVIEW
Western Union introduced the money transfer business in 1871. It has experience in the field of remittance for more than a century – the longest for a money transfer company. In 2012 it opened 500,000th agent location and it has more than 115,000 ATMs where consumers can send and receive money. Western Union has its presence in about 200 countries in the world. Considering its history and expansion, Western Union definitely belongs to the big league of money transfer companies.
The foreign exchange rate offered by Western Union Money Transfer is indicative exchange rate. There is no dearth of choice as far as speed of transfer and modes of sending and receiving money through Western Union Money Transfer are concerned. Western Union is one of the few companies that allow you to send money not only from your bank account but also via credit or debit cards. The money can be sent online, in person, or via phone. The speed of transfer varies from minutes to days. Unique feature of Western Union Money Transfer is its convenience of delivery of funds. The recipient can receive the money through various modes: directly to the bank account (any bank in NEFT network), cash-pick up from an agent location, or home delivery. There are more than 50,000 agent locations in India where receivers can pick up the money in form of cash.
Comparing the features of money transfer plans side by side, the "money in minutes" plan is the most appealing one. The cash pick-up available in minutes for the receiver is convenient. It may cost more and can amount to around $45 depending on whether the money is transferred online, in person, or by phone, with transfer by phone being the most expensive. This option may prove to be expensive but if there is a real emergency back home this service is a good choice to have.
There are some additional perks like no transfer fee if the money is transferred directly to the recipient’s bank account either from the sender’s bank account or via debit or credit cards. Western Union also offers a unique customer service where the customer service representatives speak different languages like Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Malayalam, Urdu, Marathi, Tamil, Konkani, and English.
Summing it all up Western Union Money Transfer Services stand out among the remittance service providers because of the sheer number of options of sending and receiving money. Its massive network is impressive and its name has been synonymous with money transfer for quite some time in people’s minds. But what takes Western Union one step further is its phenomenal adjustment to the change in trends and accommodation of its services for the sake of convenience of its customers. Admittedly it might get a bit pricey depending on the type of service you choose, but Western Union is accessible, convenient, and dependable.
USER REVIEWS
I agree with many of the negative reviews. I put my request through first time and was told on chat it was wrong number that was in account holders information. No problem fixed and remitted. Got a call almost 1 hour later asking me the questions on the form I filled out, my email, my reason for sending, names and city... no problem. He Than asked me my date of birth which many of us are told not to give out on phone due to identity theft ( this was no where on form) so told him no. He said they were a financial institute and they had right to ask this... come on dude... where do you live??? So will not be using Western Union and make sure friends and family know of the rudeness and unawareness of employees to ask this information... as date of birth is asked for not on the site.
0 I agree with many of the negative reviews. I put my request through first time and was told on chat it was wrong number that was in account holders information. No problem fixed and remitted. Got a call almost 1 hour later asking me the questions on the form I filled out, my email, my reason for sending, names and city... no problem. He Than asked me my date of birth which many of us are told not to give out on phone due to identity theft ( this was no where on form) so told him no. He said they were a financial institute and they had right to ask this... come on dude... where do you live??? So will not be using Western Union and make sure friends and family know of the rudeness and unawareness of employees to ask this information... as date of birth is asked for not on the site.
0 they will post a hold on your bank account but not complete the transaction. Tey tell you they are sorry but just cant solve the problem. They will ruining your day screw up your finances and they just dont care. The lies and misleading information is amazing. try money gram it seems to work better
5 they will post a hold on your bank account but not complete the transaction. Tey tell you they are sorry but just cant solve the problem. They will ruining your day screw up your finances and they just dont care. The lies and misleading information is amazing. try money gram it seems to work better
5 I have used WU 4 times.I have found no issues.Till so far it is very good.My money got credited to receiver's account just on button click.
1 I have used WU 4 times.I have found no issues.Till so far it is very good.My money got credited to receiver's account just on button click.
1 This is the best service ever. Great rates always. <=900 no charges, Since the exchange rate is high, the $3 charge for higher amounts upto $2999 impacts very less, and hence rates are high than all the other services listed here. Transfer happens in <10 mins. Great service WU, keep it up.
2 Even last month transfer was slow and took until 5-7 business days. This month, it is very fast and received money within a day. Currently, western union is providing best exchange rates. Compare all the exchange rates before sending money.
5 Even last month transfer was slow and took until 5-7 business days. This month, it is very fast and received money within a day. Currently, western union is providing best exchange rates. Compare all the exchange rates before sending money.
5 Have used western union many a times now. The transfer is absolutely free upto $2999 (to bank accounts). Always get my transfers done within 24 hours. Really fast service and you get whatever money they show you during processing. No hidden fees. Really impressed.
5 Have used western union many a times now. The transfer is absolutely free upto $2999 (to bank accounts). Always get my transfers done within 24 hours. Really fast service and you get whatever money they show you during processing. No hidden fees. Really impressed.
5 I have have used WU for at least 4-5 times. Overall the process has not been too painful. Sometimes you may get calls to confirm the transfer. Once that's done, I have seen my money in my ICICI bank within a day. Overall a good rate with a large enough company.
2 I have have used WU for at least 4-5 times. Overall the process has not been too painful. Sometimes you may get calls to confirm the transfer. Once that's done, I have seen my money in my ICICI bank within a day. Overall a good rate with a large enough company.
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