Can i use credit card to send money through remitly

Yes, you can send money overseas using a credit card. But it can be really expensive depending on how you do it. Learn how to make a credit card remittance, and find out about some cheaper alternative options.

Using a credit card to send money overseas

You can often do it through your bank, PayPal or Western Union. It’s best to avoid using a credit card to transfer money for several reasons:

  1. You will probably pay a higher interest rate as a “cash advance” from the day you make the transfer.
  2. You will pay more in fees.
  3. You probably won’t get a competitive exchange rate.

What we will cover

Most of us have credit cards, and they’re a convenient way to buy now and pay later. In some cases, credit cards can be used to transfer money internationally. It’s vital to understand the fees, charges and fine print so you don’t end up paying too much. In this article we’ll explore:

  • When should you use a credit card to transfer money overseas?
  • Emergency transfers – MoneyGram, Western Union and PayPal
  • Standard transfers – your bank
  • Best value transfers – dedicated currency providers
  • Understanding the fine print
  • The Currency Shop reviews different currency providers

So, when should you use a credit card to transfer money overseas?

It is possible to send money overseas with a credit card, but the fees and charges make it more expensive than most other methods.

When you might want to use a credit card

There are some situations where you might want to use a credit card to send money:

  • If you’re benefitting from a reward program like cashback or frequent flyer miles.
  • You need to send money in an emergency and don’t have another way of funding your transfer.

Drawbacks of using a credit card

The drawbacks of using a credit card to send money include:

  • Not all providers will accept a credit card as payment to fund your exchange.
  • The credit card company will often charge higher interest rates on cash advances from the day you send the money.
  • You will often pay other fees and charges if you send money using a credit card.

Can you pay off a credit card with an international bank account?

As a general rule - no. It's particularly hard to do this if the credit card you have isn't from the same bank as your international bank account.

Some good options to consider in these situations are the Wise (formerly known as TransferWise) debit card and the Revolut card.

Emergency transfers – MoneyGram, Western Union and PayPal

PayPal, Western Union and MoneyGram are best used only in an emergency. The fees and possibility of a “double conversion” (if you fund in a currency other than Australian dollars) mean that you won’t get a competitive return on your transfer.

  • MoneyGram accepts credit card or debit card payment online, and cash in person. A card issuer cash advance fee and associated interest charges may apply.
  • Western Union does accept international payments online via debit or credit card, at no additional penalty. They accept Visa and MasterCard. The maximum daily amount for an online transfer is $5,000AUD.
  • PayPal does let you fund an international transfer with a credit card, but you will pay for the privilege. They accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express, but charge a minimum of 3.9% of your transfer amount. Additionally, fees can be as high as 7.4% depending on the country you are sending to.

Standard transfers – your bank

As international payment providers, banks can be versatile but do have their weaknesses. They provide multiple ways to fund and send your payment, although you’ll pay for all of them no matter what method you choose. The fees are higher than alternative transfer providers and the rates are worse. As a result, the cost of this extra “convenience” doesn’t seem worth it.

You can use a credit card issued by your bank to make an online international money transfer, providing it is linked to your online banking. Banks also accept credit cards for payment through other forms of transfer including phone banking and in person at a branch.

Best value transfers – dedicated currency providers

You’ll get the best value on your exchange rates and the lowest fees by using a dedicated currency provider like OFX, Wise or Remitly. It is worth checking which company you use to make sure they accept credit card before you sign up.

Compare money transfer exchange rates and fees

Until the early 2000s, sending money usually meant visiting a bank or other financial institution in person. International money transfers could be especially cumbersome. Today, you can pay your co-worker back for lunch or transfer funds to someone on the other side of the globe right from your mobile phone. 

It’s often impractical to head to the ATM and hand cash to someone, but it’s simple to send money online. In fact, mobile apps and internet banking make sending money fast, safe, and straightforward. They have revolutionized personal finance.

Many banks and money transfer services are available, each with its own setup, terms, and fee structures. 

Let’s take a look at your options for sending money to someone.

Can i use credit card to send money through remitly

3 Ways to Send Money to Someone

What’s the best option for sending money? The short answer: it depends on your needs. 

Sending money domestically or internationally can be done through a traditional bank, a money transfer service, or a peer-to-peer (P2P) service. 

Sending money from your bank to another person’s bank is done via ACH or wire transfers. You can initiate these transactions in person at a physical branch, over the phone with a banker, or via your online banking service.

Money transfer services are available in person, online, and through mobile apps via various companies such as Remitly. This is usually a convenient method for making an overseas payment.

P2P, or peer-to-peer services, such as PayPal and Venmo, allow direct transfers from account to account. Both the sender and recipient must have an account, which is typically but not always linked to a debit card or checking account. 

International Transfers

If you need to know how to send money to loved ones abroad, look into money transfer services that specialize in this. They work within a global network to facilitate transfers. 

Options include sending money to a recipient’s bank account, mobile money account, brick-and-mortar cash pickup location, or even in-person cash delivery in some countries.

How Much Does it Cost to Send Money to Someone?

Plenty of peer-to-peer transfer apps offer zero fees for certain types of domestic transfers. However, most money transfers do come with some sort of fee. 

Of the common options, bank transfers are often more expensive than mobile apps.

NerdWallet conducted a March 2021 review of transfer fees by major credit unions and banks such as U.S. Bank, Chase, and Fidelity. They included both outgoing and incoming wires and domestic and international transfers. 

The results? They report that the median fee for sending a domestic wire transfer, of the banks they surveyed, was a whopping $25 USD. 

For domestic money transfers, service providers generally charge an upfront fee, a percentage fee, or both. Some services charge a fee to transfer money to or from a credit or debit card, but not for moving money into a linked checking or savings account.

Fees used to be higher when sending money internationally and sometimes, still are. Forbes reports that financial institutions take an average of 7% of the hundreds of billions of dollars in international remittances processed annually. 

Remember the NerdWallet review? The median fee for sending an international wire transfer among their surveyed banks was even higher, at $49 USD.

Fortunately, apps like Remitly are changing that. Log into our app or visit our homepage and select your destination country to see our current low fees. 

For example, as of this writing, it costs zero fees when you send $1000 USD or more from the U.S. to India. For smaller amounts, as of this writing, it costs just $3.99 to send money to India from the United States.

How Can I Transfer Money to Someone Using a Credit Card?

Want to know how to send money to someone using a credit card? Firstly, understand that sending money with a credit card, rather than a bank account or debit card, may cost you extra fees in addition to regular transfer fees. 

Credit card providers treat transfers to another person as a cash advance, which is drawn from the card’s line of credit. 

Expect an upfront transaction fee, either a fixed fee or percentage of the total, and often a higher interest rate on the cash advance sum as well.

Can i use credit card to send money through remitly

How Do I Send Money to Someone’s Bank Account?

The process for sending money to another person’s bank account varies, but is typically done online or using a mobile app. 

With banks, you can go to a branch in person, or sometimes set up a transfer over the phone. Online banking portals give you the option to set up an ACH or wire transfer from your account. You will need the recipient’s personal and banking account details.

With money transfer services, processes vary from company to company. First, you enroll in the service or set up an account. In some cases, your recipient may also need to set up an account with the service. 

Most likely, you will need to link a checking or savings account, debit card, or credit card. 

After any initial setup requirements, sending money usually involves inputting the recipient’s details. This could be a phone number, email address, or other identifying details.

Some transfer services might also have the option for the recipient to collect cash from a local branch, supermarket, or other physical location. Within the United States, these include services like Western Union. Internationally, they are also an option for sending cash, though money transfer apps like Remitly can be more affordable.

How Can I Send Money without a Bank Account?

Fees are just one consideration for those researching how to send money to someone domestically or internationally. 

There are many other factors to consider, such as:

Is the service user-friendly? 

Are you able to easily find and understand the fee schedule and other details of the service? Is the app easy to navigate? Can you use the service at a convenient time?

What is the time frame for transfers? 

You might not need to send money urgently and will gladly pay a lower fee for a transfer that takes several business days to go through. Or, you might require your transfers to be processed as quickly as possible. 

Look into the details regarding transfer times.

How much money do you need to send? 

Many service providers have minimum and maximum send amounts allowed per transfer or per month. 

Fees might vary with different transfer amounts, too. With international transfers, these limits can also vary by country.

Where is the service available? 

You’ll want to make sure you can send to the country or region of your choice, and furthermore, that the recipient options are convenient on that end.

What are the needs of the recipient? 

Perhaps you need to send money to someone who doesn’t have a checking account. Or someone who lives in a remote area without access to a physical branch of a financial institution. Maybe you’re sending money to an elderly relative who prefers to do their banking the old-fashioned way. 

These personal factors will make some transfer service providers more suitable than others.

Can i use credit card to send money through remitly

Which Transfer Service Is Right for You?

Having researched your options for money transfer services, you should have a good idea about which ones are right for you. 

A popular peer-to-peer app could be the best for sending money to your college kid. On the other hand, your bank might come out on top when you want to send your niece a substantial sum as a wedding gift. 

And if you’re sending money overseas? Remitly is here for you. We make international money transfers faster, easier, more transparent, and more affordable. Our reliable and easy-to-use mobile app is trusted by over 5 million people around the world. 

Visit the homepage or download our app to learn more.

This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover all aspects of the topics discussed herein. This publication is not a substitute for seeking advice from an applicable specialist or professional. The content in this publication does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Remitly or any of its affiliates and should not be relied upon as such. While we strive to keep our posts up to date and accurate, we cannot represent, warrant or otherwise guarantee that the content is accurate, complete or up to date.

Can I transfer money using credit card?

You can use an online banking app or a smartphone to directly transfer the funds from your credit card to your bank account. However, you should remember that the daily transfer limit of funds can often vary from one bank to another.

Can I use Mastercard for Remitly?

We offer the following payment methods and delivery speeds in Canada. Note: Some Interac cards can be used with Remitly. If your Interac card is co-branded with the Mastercard or Visa logo and has an expiration date and a CVV or CVC number on the back, you can use it to pay for your transfer.

Can you use a credit card with WorldRemit?

WorldRemit can accept most types of debit, credit and pre-paid cards that are issued by Visa or Mastercard.