Walmart money order fees, limits and cost? Read this.

A money order can sometimes appear an appealing choice. It is safer to send money orders through the mail, opposed to checks or cash because they don’t include your bank account number and they require signatures from both the sender and the recipient to be valid. Plus sending a money order doesn’t require having a bank account, unlike many other methods of transferring money.

However, if you’re making an international money transfer, money orders can come with steep fees. It’s important to compare your options, because an alternative money transfer service like Wise may offer you a cheaper way to send money abroad.

Here’s what you need to know about sending money orders using Walmart, and how much it can cost:

What is a Walmart money order (MoneyGram)?

Walmart offers its customers money orders via MoneyGram, a money transfer service that allows for sending money online or in person to more than 200 countries and territories.¹ Walmart money orders can be convenient because they can be done online or at a Walmart store, which is easy to find in just about any city or town in the US.

How much does Walmart MoneyGram cost?

Domestic MoneyGrams sent from Walmart vary depending on where you’re sending the money, the amount and the payment method.²

You can also pay online by your card.³ To estimate the fees, there’s a handy Walmart’s online tool.

The cost of an international money order (MoneyGram) at Walmart varies depending on the destination country, how you send it and how you choose to pay for it, as is to be expected. With the Walmart tool we’ve linked to just above, you can easily check fees for paying online.

If you’ll be visiting a Walmart to pay for your money order, make sure to bring enough cash, as in most locations it’s the only way to pay.² To check for the current rates and fees, you can try calling the location in advance.

---

Let’s look at an example, and say you need to send $1,000 from the US to the UK using a Walmart money order via MoneyGram using online payment and receiving methods.
We’ve also added a comparison to the online money transfer service provider Wise, who utilises a local transfer network to offer low-cost international transfers.

Provider ² ⁴	Method	Exchange rate	Amount received	Fee	Total cost
Wise	Money received to bank account, paid by bank transfer	USD1 = GBP0.79770	£791.67	$7.56	$1000
Wise	Money received to bank account, paid by card	USD1 = GBP0.79770	£787.36 paid by debit card,£767.21 paid by credit card	$12.97 paid by debit card, $38.30 paid by credit card	$1000
Walmart MoneyGram	Money received to bank account, paid by bank transfer	USD1 = GBP0.7740	£774.02	$8	$1008
Walmart MoneyGram	Money received to bank account, paid by card	USD1 = GBP0.7740	£774.02	$8*	$1008

*There may be additional fees from credit card companies, as MoneyGram states, that the credit card company may charge a cash advance fee and interest charges.²

Rates and fees information accessed at 13:16 - 13:17 on 12 July 2019. When estimating your own cost, check the current fees and rates for an accurate transfer cost estimate.

---

In the table above, you’ll want to pay attention to how big of a difference the exchange rate can make in the amount that the recipient gets. The difference in the exchange rates is why the best way to understand the total cost of a money order or transfer, is to look at how much foreign currency will be received for the amount that you pay. Comparing the final amount is an easy way to find the best deal. Wise, for example, offers its customers the mid-market rate, which is why you may get a good deal from them.

Another reason why you might want to take a look at their services, is that this bold new mission-driven company also offers a multi-currency account and debit card. You can also generate local account details for the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand — essentially meaning, that you can pay and get paid just like a local person would in those countries and easily convert to and from you home currency. The best part is that Wise does not have any sign-up or maintenance fees, so it’s easy to give it a try. If any of that sounds good, you can take a look here.

---

Tracking and cancelling a Walmart MoneyGram money order

Walmart allows you to track a money order online at no cost with their online tool, if you don’t have an account. You’ll find the option to cancel on the Transaction Details page.
If you do have an account and you also sent the money order online, can cancel it by logging into your account and navigating to the Transaction Details page of your specific money order.²

Should it not be possible to cancel the money order online, you can reach MoneyGram at (800) 922-7146.⁵

MoneyGram will refund your money order, if it has not yet been paid out or cashed by the recipient. Upon cancelling, transfer fees are usually not refunded. Domestic refunds are usually processed within 30 days from when a written request was made.
International money orders may be cancelled within 30 minutes from making the order for a full refund, provided that the funds have not been sent to the recipient yet, you may also get a full refund if an error has occurred.⁵ You can find more information about refunds on MoneyGram’s Terms and Conditions page, that we’ve included in the sources list.

---

How to send money using Walmart MoneyGram? ⁶ ⁷

There are a few options for sending money through Walmart’s services.

• Buy the money order at a Walmart store
• Fill out the money order
• Send the money order by mail or deliver it in person

Online

• Enter the recipient’s first and last name and the destination country
• Choose the amount you want to send
• Choose the payment method
• Enter your personal and payment details

How to fill out a Walmart money order? ⁶ ⁷

To fill out a paper money order, you’ll need to:

• Write the payee’s name
• Provide the payee’s address if asked
• Fill in the memo line with any necessary information, like your account number if you’re paying a bill
• Your signature

How do you track a Walmart money order?

Walmart provides free tracking for money orders on its website. In order to track a money order, you’ll need the authorization or reference number (found on the stub of a paper money order or by logging into your account if you sent the money order online).⁸

Can I send money overseas with a Walmart money order?

Since Walmart partners with MoneyGram, a global money transfer service, it’s possible to send a money order to over 200 countries and provinces through Walmart. Online money orders allow you to send money directly to the recipient’s bank account, or, if they need to pick up the money in cash or cash a money order, they can do so at any MoneyGram location in their area. However, keep in mind that money orders sent by mail can take a long time to reach their destination.

The bottom line

A money order can sometimes be a good option for sending money overseas, but there might be a different way to do it, that suits your particular needs better. Hopefully this guide has provided you with at least one different option to look at — Wise. With this guide, you should be able to choose the method that’s best for you and your wallet.

---

Sources:

1. Walmart MoneyGram main page
2. Walmart MoneyGram online cost estimator
3. Walmart MoneyGram FAQ
4. Wise main page
5. MoneyGram Terms and Conditions
6. Walmart MoneyGram - How to use money orders
7. Walmart MoneyGram - How to send money
8. Walmart MoneyGram - Tracking money orders

All sources checked on 12th of July 2019