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How to send money overseas with your credit cardThere are several ways in which you can use your credit card to send money overseas: the two most prevalent are through banks and using online money transfer services. Before you send money by credit card, it’s always important to compare your options to guarantee you’re getting the very best deal. BanksOne way you can send money abroad using your credit card is with your bank. Usually, this can be done using your online banking app, by phoning your bank or visiting your local branch. When you do this, it is likely that your credit card provider will treat this money transfer as cash in advance (we will explain this in the next section) and not as a credit charge, which often results in higher interest rates than usual, as well as the typical international bank transfer fees charged by your bank. Money transfer providersOne of the most popular options for send money internationally are specialist money transfer providers, who can offer more convenient and cost-effective ways of sending money anywhere in the world. Many of these companies let you find your transfer through a credit card, as well as other typical payment options such as debit card and bank transfer. You can easily link your credit card to your money transfer account and send payments when you need to, often within minutes from your mobile app as opposed to a number of business days. In many cases this can be sent to cash pickup locations and into a recipients bank account. Banks vs Money Transfer Providers for Credit Card Payments If you are making a transfer using your bank, you will first need to transfer the funds into your account. For this, you will have to request a cash advance, wherein the funds will be moved into your checking account or you will have to withdraw cash and deposit the money into your account. When you are using money transfer services, this process happens automatically as you follow steps to complete the transaction. Money transfer providers that let you deposit with credit cardWhen should you use credit cards for sending money abroad?Send money by credit card is secure and convenient. Also, as we’ll explore below, sending money from credit cards is often an expensive way of transferring money abroad, so it is generally wise to use this payment method sparingly. However, it makes sense to use your credit card when funding international transfers for the following reasons:
Sending money from credit card to credit cardSending money from card to card is a less popular way of transferring money, and not always the best option. It’s more popular to pay by credit card and send money to a bank account, from which the funds will then be transferred to your card balance or used directly with the bank account’s associated card. We’ve covered this in more detail in our guide on making card-to-card transfers. Pros and cons of sending money with a credit cardAs with any payment method, there are advantages and drawbacks to sending money with a credit card. Here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons: Pros Reward programs: You may benefit from a reward program like frequent flyer miles, cashback or reward points. Useful in emergencies: Credit cards are helpful in an emergency when you have no other way of funding the transfer, or when other methods are taking too long. Convenience: Using credit cards for money transfers is convenient because you don’t have to move your money around to make the transfer as the process is done using credit. Security: Credit cards are a secure way to send funds overseas. Most credit cards come with fraud protection and other security features that make them very safe for international money transfers. Cons High exchange rate margins: You’ll often pay high interest rates on cash advances which is levied from the day you send the money. Not accepted everywhere: Not all money transfer providers accept credit cards as a mode of payment. Hidden fees: There are other fees and charges involved when you choose to send money using credit card. How much does it cost to send money overseas using your credit card?Sending money overseas using your credit card may not be the cheapest option. There are lots of fees involved and you may not get the best exchange rates. Remember, if you use a credit card to fund an overseas money transfer, you are borrowing money to make the transfer. So, you will have to pay a high interest rate and the fees will be added to your balance, which will increase the total interest amount. Some of the costs involved in sending money from credit cards include: Cash advance feesCash advance fees are services offered by credit card providers that allows users to borrow or withdraw cash up to a certain limit. When you choose to use your credit card for sending money overseas, you must understand you are not using your credit, but borrowing funds from your credit card provider. It is similar to getting a short term loan which needs to be repaid within the billing cycle. One of the most common fees associated with credit card funded money transfers is the cash advance fee. It is a fixed amount or a percentage of the amount you are transferring from your credit card account. The percentage fee is often charged with minimums of $10 or more. Therefore, if your bank/provider charges a 3% cash advance fee and you intend to transfer $100 from your credit card, you will pay $10 (the minimum amount you have to pay) and not $3. Interest chargesMost credit card companies charge a higher annual percentage rate (APR) for cash advances compared to the interest rate charged on balances that come from purchases. Moreover, interest begins accruing as soon as you initiate the transaction. You may have to pay at least 25% APR. Currency conversion feeCredit card companies are not known to offer the best exchange rates. In addition to this, currency conversion fees are often quite high so you could end paying a lot just for currency conversion, which can substantially increase the total transfer costs. The currency conversion fee typically ranges from 1% – 3% of the transaction amount. Save money on international money transfers Most forms of international money transfer will have fees and charges, but you can reduce the overall cost of your transfer depending on the payment method you select. It’s worth considering a bank transfer or debit card payment, if this proves more cost-effective. Possible impact on your credit score when using a credit card for international transfersIt is important to note that using a credit card for larger transactions can also affect your credit score. When you take a large cash advance, you may end up exhausting your credit limit. A poor credit score can make it harder for you to get other loans such as a vehicle loan or a home loan. If you are using a credit card to make an overseas money transfer, try to pay it off as soon as you can in order to avoid charges increasing or any damage to your credit score. What are the alternatives to using credit cards for sending money overseas?Credit cards can be a convenient way to send money abroad, but there are other ways to save money, including:
SummarySending money overseas from your credit card is a great option if you are looking for convenience and security. You can transfer money instantly even if you don’t have enough cash in your account. You can also enjoy other benefits such as cashback and frequent flyer points. However, using credit cards for international money transfers can prove quite expensive because it involves high fees and interest rates. If you’re looking to save money, it is a good idea to look into using alternative methods such as bank transfer or debit cards. This can help you find the best possible deal while ensuring the maximum amount of money reaches your intended recipient. When deciding to transfer money using your credit card, it is best to route your transfer through a money transfer service rather than a bank. While you will still pay the fees to the credit card provider, you can save on the transfer costs and get better exchange rates. Before making any international transfer, make sure to use our quick and easy comparison tool to find the most convenient and cost-effective payment method for you. It’s always important to compare your options to guarantee you’re getting the very best deal. Related contentCan I Send Money Without a CVV Code? In this article, we’ll look at whether you can send money without a CVV code, and potential alternatives if you don’t have access to your card. What is a CVV code? The CVV (Card Verification Value) is the three digit number on the back of your Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card. On American […] Send Money Using a Debit Card Debit cards are one of the most popular ways to transfer money, we explain why and how to use a debit card for money transfers. Article Factchecked by Elliot Laybourne on 20th July 2022 Elliott is a former investment banker with a 20 year career in the city of London. During this time he held senior roles at ABN Amro, Societe Generale, Marex Financial and Natixis bank, specialising in commodity derivatives and options market-making. During this time, Elliott’s client list included Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Schroders Asset Management, and the Pennsylvania State Public School Employees Retirement System, amongst others. Max is a content specialist with over 5 years of experience in Financial Sectors. His areas of expertise include Finance, Forex, Asia and Economic Ideas. He has traveled well in his day and is committed to making our users understand international financial rules. |