4 Ways You Can Use MoneyGram That Go Beyond Sending Money

When I moved away from home for college, there were a few times when my parents sent me money through MoneyGram. College came with unexpected expenses, including a parking pass no one mentioned I'd need to get to class. This was before digital wallets made it easy to send money from your phone. Knowing they could get money to me quickly when I needed it gave both me and my parents some peace of mind.

Getting money from one person to another is still at the heart of MoneyGram's business, but the service has evolved considerably since my college days. Today, there are more ways to use MoneyGram, whether you're helping someone close to home or managing financial needs from a distance.

Here are four ways you can use MoneyGram today, plus what to know about costs and security before making a transaction.

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1. Send money in the way that works for you

MoneyGram gives you several ways to send money. You can start a transfer online, through the MoneyGram app, or in person at a participating location. Its network includes more than 200 countries and territories, although available services vary depending on where you're sending money.

You also have some flexibility in how the recipient gets the funds. Depending on the destination and transfer, options can include cash pickup at a MoneyGram location or delivery to a bank account, debit card or mobile wallet.

Before choosing a transfer method, think about what's most convenient for the person receiving the money. Cash pickup, for example, could be useful for someone who doesn't have easy access to a bank account. A direct deposit might be more convenient for someone who can't easily make a trip to a physical location because of health concerns, transportation issues or a busy schedule.

Cost should also factor into your decision. MoneyGram's transfer fees and exchange rates can vary based on factors such as how much you're sending, how you pay and how the recipient gets the money. Before completing a transfer, check both the fee and exchange rate and, for an international transfer, look at the final amount your recipient will receive.

MoneyGram has been in the money-transfer business for decades, but it has continued to expand its digital options. TechRadar recently named MoneyGram its "best established money transfer app," highlighting its global reach and mix of traditional and digital transfer options.

Sending money also requires sharing personal and financial information, so it's worth considering how that data is protected. MoneyGram says it uses encryption and other security measures to protect customer information, including data transmitted during online and mobile transactions. Its app also encrypts sensitive information and does not store your credit or debit card information.

MoneyGram may use and share certain personal information to process transactions, verify identities, prevent fraud and meet regulatory requirements, so it's a good idea to review its privacy policy before using the service.

2. Pay household bills

MoneyGram isn't only a way to send money to another person. You can also use the service to pay many of your own household bills. MoneyGram says it works with more than 13,000 billers, including companies that handle utilities, mortgages, auto loans and rent, as well as certain child support and government payments.

Having another way to pay bills can be particularly useful when you're away from home. Snowbirds who spend part of the year in another state or people traveling abroad for an extended period, for example, may be able to use MoneyGram's online bill-pay service to take care of bills without being near home.

MoneyGram also offers an in-person option for many billers. That can be useful if you need or prefer to pay with cash rather than relying on a traditional bank account.

Before using MoneyGram to make a time-sensitive payment, check how long it will take your biller to receive it. MoneyGram says many payments post the same day or the next day, but timing varies by biller. And if you're paying with a credit card, check your card's terms first. Your issuer could treat the transaction as a cash advance, which can mean additional fees and interest.

3. Pay bills for family or property overseas

If you regularly help family members living in another country with household expenses, sending them money isn't necessarily the only option. MoneyGram allows U.S. customers to pay certain bills directly in 10 countries, including Mexico, India and the Philippines.

Depending on the country and biller, you may be able to pay expenses such as utilities directly rather than sending money to a family member and having them make the payment. MoneyGram handles the currency conversion and provides confirmation of the payment, giving you a way to know the bill has been taken care of.

The service could also be useful if you own a second home or vacation property in another country. Keeping up with expenses from thousands of miles away can be challenging, particularly if you spend only part of the year at the property. Being able to pay eligible bills from the U.S. and receive confirmation can provide some peace of mind that important expenses are being handled while you're away.

Similarly, if you're helping an aging parent or another family member manage expenses from afar, paying an eligible bill directly can eliminate the extra step of sending money and relying on someone else to make the payment.

As with any international transaction, check the fees, exchange rate and expected processing time before submitting the payment. The bills and services you can pay will also vary depending on the country.

4. Keep someone's phone connected with a mobile top-up

MoneyGram can also help you keep a family member or friend connected without sending them money directly. Its mobile top-up service lets you add credit to an eligible prepaid mobile phone account, which can be used for services such as calls, texts and data, depending on the recipient's plan.

If you're unfamiliar with the term, a mobile top-up, sometimes called a recharge, simply means adding money or credit to a prepaid phone account. MoneyGram says its service supports more than 600 mobile networks across more than 150 countries.

This could be useful if you have a child studying abroad, family members living in another country or someone traveling for an extended period. Rather than sending a small amount of money and having the recipient use it to refill a prepaid phone account, you can potentially add the credit directly to their phone.

Before sending a top-up, confirm that MoneyGram supports the recipient's country and mobile carrier. The types of recharges available, including whether you can add mobile credit or a data plan, can vary by operator.

Send money, pay bills and more with MoneyGram

Send money online or through the MoneyGram app to friends and family in more than 200 countries and territories.

You can also use MoneyGram to pay bills or top up eligible mobile phones.

Explore MoneyGram

How does MoneyGram compare with other money-transfer services?

MoneyGram isn't your only option for sending money. Western Union and PayPal, including its Xoom service, also offer ways to send money domestically and internationally. The right choice can depend on where you're sending money, how quickly it needs to arrive and how the recipient wants to receive it.

Here's a look at how some of the services compare:

Fees and exchange rates can vary based on how much you're sending, where the money is going, how you pay and how the recipient gets the funds. That makes it difficult to say one service will always be the least expensive.

Before choosing a provider, price out the same transfer with MoneyGram and a competitor. Enter the same amount, destination, payment method and delivery method, then compare the transfer fee, exchange rate and, most importantly, the final amount your recipient will receive.

Also check how you're funding the transfer. Paying by credit card can sometimes cost more, and your card issuer may treat the transaction as a cash advance, which could result in additional fees and interest.

Is MoneyGram worth considering?

MoneyGram may be worth considering if you want flexibility in how you send and receive money, particularly if access to physical locations is important to you. Its other services, including bill pay and mobile top-ups, also give you ways to manage expenses or help family members without sending them cash.

Convenience isn't the only factor to consider, though. Fees, exchange rates, delivery times and available services can vary depending on where you're sending money and how you complete the transaction.

Before using MoneyGram or another money-transfer service, compare the full cost of the transaction and check that the payment or delivery method you want is available for your destination. For international transfers, pay particular attention to the final amount the recipient will receive after fees and currency conversion.

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