Sending myself a payment through Western Union through credit card?

WillyBaldy Serial expat

Member since 26 August 2013

WillyBaldySerial expat18 December 2018 13:50:04

732

Dear folks,

I don't think this specific question has been asked before, and it's really hard to find information online about this. I'll be in Vietnam for a few weeks in January and will bring some cash with me but I would like to be able to transfer money to myself through Western Union, there's WU outlets pretty much everywhere in Vietnam even in smaller towns. That's the cheapest way, it's like CAD$10 fixed fee up to CAD$1000 transfers. But I remember in 2011 I tried to do the same and Western Union would block my card because I was trying to purchase with a Vietnam IP address (like, duh!). I'm not sure if things have changed since then, did anyone try doing this with a foreign credit card *from* Vietnam? Thanks a bunch.

Ungarb Active member

Member since 24 May 2018

UngarbActive member18 December 2018 15:19:14

Use express vpn and select a US portal for the VPN (San Francisco, etc.) and they will not know you are out of the country

WillyBaldy Serial expat

Member since 26 August 2013

WillyBaldySerial expat18 December 2018 15:40:13

732

Yeah thanks I was thinking about that, Canadian IP address in my case because my card is Canadian. I guess I will try without it first and then use the VPN as plan B.

gobot ViP

Member since 17 January 2014

gobotViP25 December 2018 14:35:20

1430

Just use your ATM card, and withdraw from your checking account. Check the back of your ATM card for a major bank network like Star, Cirrus etc.

Bank accounts for expats

Discover the best international banks to manage your money securely.

Learn more

WillyBaldy Serial expat

Member since 26 August 2013

WillyBaldySerial expat25 December 2018 15:56:00

732

gobot wrote:
Just use your ATM card, and withdraw from your checking account. Check the back of your ATM card for a major bank network like Star, Cirrus etc.

The reason why I specifically asked about Western Union is that the fees I would pay using my ATM card would be very high (fees at home and fees in the machine), and the amount of money you can withdraw with an ATM card in smaller towns is quite limited. It's much cheaper to user Western Union, when it works.