I have used this service in 5 or 6 countries in the last couple of years and it works really well…(Disclosure – I get $50 if you and two others sign up today and then eventually use it) but the main reason I put it on here is that my bank notified me today that their rates to do wire transfers has gone up again!
Much better to use this if you have a similar issue. Don’t wait until you need it…sign up now so it’s in your toolbox in case it can help you in the future…to pay for a new boat part in a foreign country with foreign currency…or pay someone at home…
How have I used it?
- Sent Malaysian money for solar panel controller to local panel distributor in Malaysia
-While in Thailand, sent Malaysia money to distributor for new batteries in Malaysia to be delivered.
-While in Malaysia, sent British Money to Great Britain for Chagos Permit
-While in Malaysia, sent money to Thai insurance company for Third Party Insurance purchase, whose bank was located in Rotuma!
-While in SriLanka, sent Singapore money to supplier in Singapore to order and receive Charger and other parts to be picked up in Singapore.
- While in Malaysia, sold two expensive things to other yachties…they paid in their own currency, electronically, in to my Transferwise Bank account. Now I hold multiple currencies in my Transferwise bank account that can go up in value, and/or can be converted to other currencies to pay for other things in the future. An International bank account, with many currencies, with no monthly fees and the best exchange rates anywhere.
Soon they will have a credit card where I can even make withdrawals if I want…or make purchases!
This is a company worth getting onboard with for sure! They seem to be reducing any low fees that they do have instead of raising like everyone else, as well! So if you looked in the past…take another look now!
Hey, Rebecca. I would sign up for it but I can’t think of how I would use it. Can you give us some examples of how you’ve used it and why it’s not better to just use your credit card or debit card for this? Do they have an option to send money to a local bank and get money out without paying the debit card surcharges? Just curious. I’d love to help you make $50 by signing up but if I never use it, it won’t get you $50 anyway, right? Thanks for the great blog and your work on the Indian Ocean Crossing Facebook Group! You’re a big help to those of us cruising in the world!
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the question…I just edited the blog to reflect the answer to your question…hope that helps. It’s a service that is less about cash, and more about making and receiving payments in different currencies. Major help to a boat owner but you may find some great uses for it too that I am not thinking of….Payments of visas? Hotel reservations/deposits, Payment to captains for room and board, payment from captains for crewing positions, payments from companies for your computer or captaining or crowing services in their currency, electronically. It has a lot of great uses!
Thanks Rebecca – I too have used TransferWise many times for transfering funds accross the globe and highly recommend it. ?