Making money transfers through Walmart [Fees & Limits]

With over 10,000 stores worldwide, hundreds of millions of people buy from and interact with Walmart every year. In fact, Walmart is the largest retailer in the world by far¹.

Yet many people don’t know that alongside selling groceries and many other items, Walmart also facilitates money transfers.

Whether you're supporting family members, paying bills, or conducting business transactions, having a reliable money transfer service is essential. As the world’s largest retail chain, Walmart offers a secure and trustworthy way to send money, both domestically and internationally.

You likely already have other money transfer methods, so you may be wondering how much does it cost to send money Walmart to Walmart?

In this guide we’ll tell you everything you need to know, including how to send money through Walmart, Walmart to Walmart transfer fees, and other important tips and tricks to save money on fees and squeeze the most out of your money transfers.

Overview of Walmart money transfers

Since 2014 Walmart has offered its domestic transfer service Walmart2Walmart, allowing users to send money from Walmart store to Walmart store. Not only this, Walmart also offers its international money transfer solution named Walmart2World.

Both of these services allow you to transfer your money from store to store quickly. 

This method of money transfer is particularly popular thanks to its simplicity and affordability, especially for smaller transfer amounts.

Walmart2World, on the other hand, allows you to send money to over 200 countries worldwide. Walmart uses financial provider MoneyGram instead of Ria, due mainly to its established position in the international money transfer market.

Why use Walmart to transfer money

There are several key advantages to using Walmart for money transfers. 

Many people cite convenience as a top reason, especially in the USA. With thousands of Walmart stores across the United States, it's easy to find a location. Not only this, people are often in a Walmart regularly for other things, making a Walmart money transfer a simple add-on to a pre planned trip.

Even better, you have plenty of choice with your Walmart money transfer, being able to send money in-store, online, or through the Walmart mobile app.

How to send money through Walmart

There are several different ways to send money through Walmart, and each is slightly different based both on your method and whether you are using Walmart2Walmart or Walmart2World.

When you send money through Walmart, you have the option to send transfers in-store, online via the Walmart website, or through the Walmart mobile app. 

Step-by-step guide to Walmart to Walmart money transfers

Here is a comprehensive guide on how to do each. 

Remember With Walmart to Walmart transfers, all your payments are handled by Ria Money Transfer or Western Union, with you giving the money to Walmart at one end (whether in-store, online, or via mobile), and then Ria Money Transfer sending the money to another Walmart store.

In-store transfers

1. Inside your chosen Walmart store, find the Money Services center. If this is not in the store, find the customer service desk.
2. Ask to use the Walmart2Walmart transfer, and provide the required information for your transfer. This information should include:
   1. Your full name and address
   2. The Intended recipient's full name
   3. The intended destination (city and state)
   4. How much money you wish to send
3. To confirm your identity, you’ll also need to show a valid government-issued photo ID, such as your passport or driver's license.
4. All that’s left is to pay the transfer amount, plus any applicable fees. You can typically do this either with cash or with a debit card.
5. You should then receive a receipt with a reference number for the transaction. It is vital that you share this reference number with the recipient, as they will need it to collect the funds you sent them.

Online transfers

1. First go to Walmart.com and log-in or register an account.
2. Next, find the Money Transfers section, which is typically located in the services -> financial services -> money transfers section.
3. Select "Send Money." or “Get Started”.
4. Choose Walmart2Walmart for domestic transfers.
5. Enter the transfer details:
   1. Sender and recipient information
   2. Transfer amount
   3. Destination
6. Review and confirm the transaction details to make sure everything is correct.
7. Finally, you can pay via a debit card.
8. You'll receive a confirmation email with the reference number - remember to give the reference number to your recipient so they can access the money you sent them.

Mobile transfers

1. The first thing you’ll need to do is download and open the Walmart app.
2. Next, log-in or register an account.
3. You can then tap on "Services" and select "Money Transfers."
4. Choose Walmart2Walmart for domestic transfers.
5. Follow the prompts to enter sender and recipient information, transfer amount, and destination.
6. Review and confirm the transaction details.
7. Pay using a linked debit card.
8. Once again, make sure to get your confirmation and reference number, and give this reference number to your recipient so they can access your sent money.

How to send international money transfers through Walmart

Powered by both Ria Money Transfer and Western Union, you can also send money to almost anywhere in the world using Walmart2World, with over 200 countries available to send to.

With Walmart, the process for international transfers is similar to domestic ones. Whatever method you’re using, whether it be in-store, online, or via the app, simply make sure to:

1. ​​​​​​Choose Walmart2World when initiating the transfer.
2. Provide the recipient's country and preferred pickup method (cash pickup, bank deposit, or mobile wallet where available, similar to how you would specify state and county for a domestic transfer.
3. As usual, provide the recipient's details, including their full name and address.
4. For Walmart2World, you can choose either to specify the amount you want to send in U.S. dollars, or the local currency of the destination country.
5. Before you send, you can review the exchange rate and fees that Walmart is applying. These fees will vary depending on the country you are sending to and the method of pickup.
6. Complete the payment and receive a tracking number for the transaction, and as always make sure to supply this tracking number to the intended recipient.

Walmart to Walmart money transfer fees

Almost every choice you make with both Walmart2Walmart and Walmart2World money transfers will change what fees are applied.

The most significant factors that affect Walmart transfer fees are your total transfer amount, as the fee is usually a percentage of this, as well as whether the transfer is domestic or international.

International transfers via Walmart2World will typically have more fees, however.
This is not to mention how different fees apply for different transfer methods, such as online transfers vs in-store transfers.

Domestic transfer fees

For Walmart2Walmart domestic money transfers, Walmart typically charges a standard fee rate of $4 for up to $50, $8 for transfers between $51-1,000, and up to $16 for $1,000 to $2,500 transfers.

Of course, Walmart is not the only provider of domestic US money transfers. Many other providers such as BOSS Revolution also offer domestic money transfer. Here is a quick comparison:

International transfer fees

Walmart’s standard transfer fees are the same for domestic transfers as they are for international money transfers. This means whether you’re using Walmart2Walmart or Walmart2World, your base transfer fee rate should look like:

• $4 for transfers of $50 or less

• $8 for transfers of $51-1,000

• $16 for transfers of $1,001-2,500

With Walmart2World, you’ll also need to consider both the varying exchange rates for different currencies, as well as the exchange rate fees. 

This also will apply to any international transfers included with Walmart2Walmart transactions, such as payment transfers to Mexico.

Walmart is not necessarily the best money transfer app around; other platforms such as BOSS Revolution offer more favorable exchange rates and lower fees. Most platforms charge either a percentage, or varying fees depending on the amount sent.

Here are some popular locations, and the associated exchange rate fees from different platforms:

Remember, no matter how good the exchange rate fees are, the exchange rates for different currencies can change. This means one month your $100 may be worth 1900 Mexican Pesos, and the next month, it may only be worth 1600.

Walmart money transfer limits

While transferring money with Walmart can be convenient, it’s important to remember that there are Walmart to Walmart money transfer limits. This means that Walmart will limit the amount of money you can send, depending on the type of transfer you are attempting.

These restrictions are to help Walmart maintain good security and reduce the risks of fraud and scams on its platform.

Domestic transfer limits

For domestic transfers via Walmart2Walmart, you need to send at least $1 per transfer as a minimum. For maximums, Walmart typically won’t let you send more than:

• $2,500 a day

• $6,000 a month

It’s important to note that these limits can vary depending on your location, payment method, and transaction history.

International transfer limits

For Walmart2World international transfers, the limit is typically higher at $10,000, however this can vary even more depending on your location, payment type, and the country you are sending money to.

To send more money, you can either spread out your Walmart2Walmart payments to avoid the limit, or select another provider with lower limits such as BOSS Revolution.

How to receive money through Walmart

Receiving money via Walmart money transfer is quite easy, so long as you have the right reference number:

1. First, wait for the sender to complete the transfer and make sure they provide you with the correct reference number.

2. You can then visit any Walmart store with a Money Services center.

3. In the store, present a valid government-issued photo ID.

4. Next, provide the reference number for the transfer.

5. Sometimes this may be enough, however you may have to answer some security questions set by the sender.

6. Finally, you can choose how you want to receive the funds, such as in cash or loaded onto a Walmart MoneyCard.

7. That’s it! All you need to do is sign for the transaction and collect your money.

International transfers through Walmart2World is practically identical, however not every country served by Walmart has Walmart stores. Because of this, you’ll need to go to a MoneyGram agent location, which may include Walmart stores in some countries.

Tips for saving on Walmart money transfers

There’s a few crucial ways you can help save money on your transfers with Walmart.

Timing your transfers

Because exchange rates are always changing, you can try and time your international money transfers for when your dollars will get you the most amount of the receiving currency.

Choosing the right transfer type

For domestic transfers within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Mexico, Walmart's Walmart2Walmart service is often one of the most cost-effective options, especially for smaller amounts. 

This means when choosing between Walmart2World and Walmart2Walmart for money transfer to Mexico, Walmart2Walmart payments are often much cheaper.

Security and compliance for Walmart money transfers

As a major worldwide company, Walmart takes security very seriously. This is one of the reasons Walmart requires valid government-issued ID for all money transfers.

Alongside this, Walmart also uses secure encrypted technology for online and mobile transfers, and monitors transactions for suspicious activity. They are also crucially compliant with all relevant financial regulations, such as the Bank Secrecy Act and USA PATRIOT Act.

Conclusions

When it comes to domestic US transfers, Walmart is an excellent choice of provider, especially for those wanting to send or receive cash quickly.

For those looking for faster options with lower fees and lower limits, an alternative platform such as BOSS Revolution may well be a better solution.

Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of  September 26, 2024

1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/266595/leading-retailers-worldwide-based-on-revenue/
2. https://www.walmart.com/cp/online-money-transfers/1089406
3. https://wise.com/us/send-money/
4. https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/web/send-money/start
5. https://www.moneygram.com/mgo/us/en/send/how-to-send-money/send-online/

This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.