Wiring Money Overseas: XE.com

[Justin]

I've wired money overseas in the past for spine surgery with Dr. Bertagnoli and I'm doing it once again.

A great way to avoid bank fees and to get the lowest exchange rates (that I've ever found on the Internet), visit the

XE.com Homepage

and here's the XE Universal Currency Converter.

[treefrog]

I was advised to set up the account a couple of weeks before needing to send money. It's very similar to setting up other financial accounts, and they will need you to send them information and verify it, before your account will be set up.

I did all the "sending" of information, like ID verification, and bank statements through their file transfer capabilities. This really sped things up.

For instance, I took pictures of my ID's and sent them the digital images. The hardest part of that process was trying to get a picture that was clear enough to read, and didn't have any glare. I think I used the macro setting on my camera.

But, yeah set up an account well in advance, so it's ready when you are.

[Justin]

Good point. XE offers file uploading on their site (ftp file tranfer). It is secure and, like you said Cathy, it really speeds things up.

I just added another bank account this morning to my profile and they sent me the confirmation about 30 minutes ago that it has been successfully added to my account. Not bad at all.

[laid up doc]

how is this better than Western Union or my bank? those were the 2 ways suggested to friends here who send money to other countries often.

also - I'm going to have to pay for my apartment in cash Euros when I arrive - probably going to be in the neighborhood of $1200-1500 but again, in Euros. am i going to be able to get this much out of an ATM? or wire transfer it to myself somewhere?

[Justin]

how is this better than Western Union or my bank? those were the 2 ways suggested to friends here who send money to other countries often.

also - I'm going to have to pay for my apartment in cash Euros when I arrive - probably going to be in the neighborhood of $1200-1500 but again, in Euros. am i going to be able to get this much out of an ATM? or wire transfer it to myself somewhere?

I found XE to have the best exchange rates. I'd probably try and wire yourself the money for the apt in advance. Good luck.