How to send a wire for free?

Asked by: Heloise D'Amore  |  Last update: February 21, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (70 votes)

Some Banks Offer Free Wire Transfers Fidelity, for example, offers free incoming and outgoing domestic and international wire transfers in U.S. dollars; however, the recipient bank may charge a fee. Likewise, a bank like HSBC offers its Premier Account holders free wire transfers.

How do I avoid a wire transfer fee?

Sometimes, the simplest way to absolve yourself of wire transfer fees is to ask the bank to waive them. After all, the institution itself is who sets those fees! If you're a customer in good standing or do significant business with the bank, waiving fees is a simple way for them to keep you happy and banking with them.

What is the cheapest way to send a wire?

The Top 3 Cheapest Domestic Wire Transfers

Some of the most affordable domestic wires include: USAA ($20 per wire) Citibank ($25 per wire) Chase ($25 per wire)

Is using Zelle a wire transfer?

No. Although both methods involve electronic money transfers, they operate on different systems. Zelle is a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service for transferring funds between individual bank accounts, while wire transfers are generally used for larger transactions and can be sent domestically or internationally.

How do I send someone a wire transfer?

You can usually initiate a bank-to-bank wire transfer in person at your bank or financial institution's local branch or through your online bank account. You'll usually need to provide the recipient's full name, contact information, and bank account details such as routing and transfer numbers.

How to Send a Wire Transfer to Your Found Account

33 related questions found

How can I send a wire transfer without a fee?

How to avoid wire transfer fees
  1. Choose a bank which offers to waive wire transfer fees as part of the account package.
  2. Use an alternative payment method — ACH transfers in the US are often cheaper than wires, for example.

What is the limit on Zelle transfers?

The daily transfer limit allowed to be sent via the Zelle® feature is $500 per day. Transfers exceeding $500.00 can be made through our free Online Bill Pay service. There is no daily limit when using Member-To-Member transfers. Limits are set to protect you from fraudulent activity.

How much does a wire transfer cost?

Wire transfer fees generally range from $0 to about $50. The median wire transfer fee for the institutions we surveyed is $15 for incoming domestic wire transfers, $25 for outgoing domestic wire transfers, $15 for incoming international wire transfers and $45 for outgoing international wire transfers.

Is PayPal a wire transfer?

A PayPal international wire transfer can be a convenient payment option, but sometimes the fees and conversion spread can be high. The wire transfer fee can be between 0.3-2%, depending on the country. However, if you use a debit card or credit card, the fee can be much higher.

How much does Zelle charge to wire money?

Typically, there are no fees for consumers to send or receive money with Zelle®. We recommend confirming with your bank or credit union that they do not charge fees for Zelle® transactions.

Which banks offer free wire transfers?

Some banks only offer free wire transfers to customers who open specific accounts or meet minimum requirements, while others are free for all customers.
  • Citibank.
  • Chase.
  • CIT Bank.
  • Wells Fargo.
  • Bank of America.
  • Fidelity.
  • Mercury Business.
  • Schwab.

Does sender pay for wire transfer fee?

The sender's bank will charge the sender a fee for the payment orders, while the beneficiary pays the charges of any intermediary bank (and those of his / her own bank, if there are any). The intermediary bank fees are deducted from the amount transferred.

Does USPS do wire transfers?

International postal money order service is a service used to transfer funds to individuals or firms in countries that have entered into agreements with the United States Postal Service for the exchange of international postal money orders.

How to get wire transfer fee waived?

Some banks may waive incoming and even outgoing domestic wire transfer fees for customers with specific (usually premium) accounts. Before initiating a wire transfer, it's a good idea to see if your bank or credit union offers discounts or will waive wire transfer fees, assuming your account is in good standing.

Why are wire transfers bad?

Because wire transfers are typically irreversible, if you make a mistake or if you are tricked, you may not be able to get your money back.

How much does Western Union charge to send $1000?

How much does Western Union charge to send $1,000? Assuming you're sending bank-to-bank, Western Union generally charges between $6.47 and $37.60 to send $1,000. However, the costs could still be higher if you choose a different sending or receiving method. How much does Western Union charge to send $5,000?

Is Zelle a wire transfer?

Zelle isn't considered a wire transfer. Wires are used for large payments between bank accounts, such as the down payment on a new home – and you can send a wire transfer in the US or overseas. In comparison, Zelle is an ACH.

Which is better, PayPal or wire transfer?

Wire transfers are reliable and convenient for those with access to banking services. But customers do need to visit a bank or process the transfer during banking hours, which can be a limitation. In comparison, services like PayPal, Venmo, or other money transfer apps can offer ease of use and accessibility.

How to send money internationally for free?

OFX does not charge any fees, and the exchange rate is less than 1%, but all transfers must occur within bank accounts, and it typically takes two to four days for your recipient to get the money. The company can transfer money to over 170 countries or 50-plus currencies. The minimum amount of a transfer is $150.

How can I avoid a wire transfer fee?

How to avoid wire transfer fees
  1. Select a financial institution or account that waives wire transfer fees.
  2. Use a payment or money transfer app such as Zelle to send money for free. ...
  3. Send a check (if time permits).
  4. Send money using online bill pay, possibly for free.

Do wire transfers over $10,000 get reported to the IRS?

Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) of 1970, financial institutions are required to report certain transactions to the IRS. This includes wire transfers over $10,000, which are subject to reporting under the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (31 U.S.C. 5311 et seq.).

How much money can you legally wire transfer?

Is there a limit on wire transfers? Broadly speaking, you can send as much money as you want in either a domestic or international wire transfer. However, your bank may have its own wire transfer limits on how much you can transfer at once, daily or monthly.

How do I send a large sum of money to someone?

You may want to use a wire transfer if you're sending a large amount of money. Other options include paper checks and peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo. Before you move money, consider whether your bank requires a minimum account balance to avoid a fee.

What is the downside of using Zelle?

Cons. Limited functionality: Zelle only allows person-to-person transfers between U.S. bank accounts. If you want to add a credit card to make payments or send money to someone internationally, you'll need to use another payment app.

Does Zelle report to the IRS?

Zelle® does not report any transactions made on the Zelle® network to the IRS, even if the total is more than $600. The law requiring certain payment networks to provide forms 1099K for information reporting does not apply to the Zelle® network.