Let me share something that frustrates me about the money transfer industry: fee obfuscation.
Providers highlight one cost while hiding three others. Today, I'm breaking down every fee type you might encounter—and how PayinGlobal exposes them all.
The Fee Landscape
Transfer Fees (The Obvious One) This is what providers advertise: "$0 fees!" or "$4.99 per transfer!" Sounds simple, but it's just the beginning.
Exchange Rate Markup (The Big One) This is where providers really profit. They show you an exchange rate that's 1-6% worse than the mid-market rate. On a $10,000 transfer, a 3% markup costs you $300—far more than any transfer fee.
PayinGlobal always shows the mid-market rate alongside the provider's rate so you see the markup clearly.
Payment Method Fees (The Surprise) Paying by credit card? Many providers add 2-3% on top. Bank transfer is usually cheapest, debit cards mid-range, credit cards most expensive.
We break this down in our detailed view.
Receiving Fees (The Hidden One) Some providers charge the recipient's bank to receive funds. Your recipient might lose $10-30 without knowing it beforehand.
We indicate which providers guarantee no recipient fees.
Intermediary Bank Fees (The Wild Card) When money routes through multiple banks, each can deduct $15-25. On international wires, you might lose $50 before money arrives.
Modern providers bypass this; traditional banks don't. We clearly mark this risk.
Why "Amount Received" Matters
This is PayinGlobal's core innovation. Instead of showing confusing fee breakdowns, we calculate one number: exactly how much money arrives in your recipient's account.
All fees included. All markups accounted for. One clear figure.
The Comparison Advantage
When comparing, ignore marketing language about "low fees" or "best rates." Just look at the "amount received" column.
Provider A: $0 fees, bad rate = $9,200 received Provider B: $25 fee, great rate = $9,450 received
Provider B is obviously better, despite the fee.
Our Commitment
We show every fee we can identify. If providers hide costs from us, we can't display them but we flag providers with histories of hidden charges.
Transparency isn't optional. It's fundamental to making smart transfer decisions.
