Walmart2World money transfer: Fees, rates and more

If you need to make an international payment, you’ll want to research a few options to find the one which best suits your needs. This guide has all you need to know about Walmart wire transfers, including the types of transfer available, and the fees and exchange rates you should know about.

We’ll also touch on Wise as a comparison for customers looking to send low cost international payments online. Let’s dive right in.

Did you know that over 8 million users have switched to using Wise? Low transparent fees and the real mid-market rate mean that transfers often end up costing less.

See if you could save today

Walmart2World overview

Walmart2World was launched in 2018, and is a partnership between Walmart and Moneygram. With Walmart2World, you can send money to friends and family in the US or abroad, online or by visiting a Walmart or MoneyGram location.¹ You’ll be able to fund your payment with a wire transfer, a card, or pay in cash by visiting an agent location.

Depending on how you fund your payment, the money could be available to the recipient in just a few minutes. They’ll be able to collect it in cash at a Walmart or MoneyGram agent location, or have it delivered safely into their bank account for convenience.

As with any payment service, there are fees to use Walmart2World, including administration fees and a currency exchange charge if you’re making a Walmart international wire. We’ll cover these costs later so you know what to look out for when you start to arrange a payment with Walmart2World.

Countries and territories

When you make a payment online using Walmart2World, it is processed by MoneyGram.²

MoneyGram is a global payment provider operating online and through agent locations. With MoneyGram you can send money online or in person in over 200 countries and territories, with the payment heading direct to a bank account or collected in person by your recipient at an agent near them.

Limits

Online payments are usually capped at USD10,000 per single payment, and a cumulative total of USD10,000 in a 30 day period. ³

However, if you need to send more you’ll be able to do so by visiting a MoneyGram agent in a Walmart store, or in another agent location. You may be asked to provide some additional details or documents for large payments, depending on the amount and destination country.

How long do transfers take?

Payments which are funded using cash, a credit or debit card, and which are then collected in cash, can be available in minutes. Payments funded using a wire transfer might take a few days.

You’ll be able to see how long your specific transfer is likely to take, when you model the fees and exchange rate online. We’ll cover that in just a moment.

How can I track my transfer with Walmart?

If you’ve made a payment - or if you’re expecting to receive one - you can easily track its progress online.

Simply go to the Walmart2World website and select the Track option on the home page. Enter your payment reference or authorization number and your last name to get details on your transfer.

Safety

Walmart international payments are operated by MoneyGram - a long established, large and reliable payment service. Your payments are protected using industry standard security. However, it is worth knowing that international transfers such as those made using MoneyGram can not normally be reversed once made. This makes them a tool of choice for fraudsters trying to scam people out of their money.⁴

MoneyGram has a lot of information online about the common consumer scams to know about, and is a founding member of ScamAwareness.org, which campaigns to keep customers safe from fraud. Check out the details online⁵ - and remember, if you’re asked to make a MoneyGram payment to someone you don’t know, or if there is any chance someone is fraudulently pretending to be a friend or relative, just say no.

How much does it cost to send money with Walmart2World?

When you make a payment online with Walmart, you’ll start by using the Rates and Fees calculator to model the payment and check out the costs. The fee you pay will depend on where you’re sending money to, the amount being sent, how you’re paying, and how your recipient will get the money.

The costs are usually cheaper if you fund a payment using an online bank transfer compared to using a credit or debit card. However, the bank transfer will take longer to process, so you’ll usually need to wait 3 or 4 days for the money to be released compared with card payments which can take just a few minutes. It’s also worth knowing that the rates and fees offered online may not be the same as those available if you want to pay in cash at a Walmart location.

It’s worth modelling your payment with Walmart and then checking out a few alternative options to find the best one. To give an example, at the time of research sending USD500 or USD1,000 to Mexico will cost USD8, no matter how you fund the payment, or how the recipient wants to get the money. However, if you need to send a larger amount, the costs rise steeply. Sending USD5,000 to Mexico comes with a USD50 fee.

You’ll also end up paying an extra charge in the form of a marked up exchange rate - more on that, coming right up.

Exchange Rates

If you’re sending a payment to someone overseas, you need to take a look at the exchange rates used, as well as the upfront fees charged by any provider.

When you make an international transfer with Walmart, the exchange rate used is set by MoneyGram. Here’s what MoneyGram says about currency exchange:

“In addition to the transfer fee, a currency exchange rate may also apply. MoneyGram makes money from currency exchange.”

What this means is that MoneyGram will add a markup - an additional fee - to the exchange rate they offer customers. This can mean your payment is more expensive than it needs to be, or that your recipient gets less than you expect.

Let’s take a look at a comparison to illustrate the difference the exchange rate can make when sending a transfer overseas. Here’s an example of a transfer being sent directly to a recipient’s bank account in Mexico.

*Fees and exchange rates correct at the time of research - 17 July 2020

You’ll notice that the sending amount is the same in each case - USD1,000. At first glance, it looks like Walmart might work out cheaper as the upfront fee is lower, at only USD8.

However, you’ll notice that the recipient will get more into their account in the end if the transfer is sent using Wise. That difference is down to the exchange rate used for the payment. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate for international payments, whereas the exchange rate offered by Walmart includes a markup.

What types of transfers can I carry out with Walmart2World?

Walmart2World allows customers to send money online, which can be delivered directly into a bank account, or collected in cash in person. You can also visit a Walmart or MoneyGram location to make your payment in cash.

If your recipient will collect the payment in cash, they’ll be able to visit any MoneyGram location, including Walmart stores, to get their money.

How can I pay for my transfer?

You can pay for your transfer online via your regular online banking, or using a credit or debit card. If you’d rather pay in cash, you’ll be able to find a Walmart or MoneyGram agent location near you, using the locator tool on the MoneyGram website.

When you’re deciding how to set up your international payment, comparing a few options makes good sense. Check out the fees and exchange rates offered by Walmart, and compare with services like Wise to see if you can save.