Which services let me send $500 from the US for cash pickup by family in Mexico who don't have a bank account?

Several services let you send $500 from the U.S. for cash pickup in Mexico—the recipient doesn’t need a bank account:

• Western Union — cash pickup in Mexico; send online or in person, and pay by debit card or cash. (westernunion.com)
• MoneyGram — pickup at places including Elektra, Walmart, OXXO, BanCoppel and Soriana; send online, in the app, or at an agent. (moneygram.com)
• Remitly — cash pickup at providers including Elektra, BanCoppel, Walmart and OXXO. (remitly.com)
• Ria — cash pickup at more than 48,000 locations across Mexico, including Elektra, OXXO and Walmart. (riamoneytransfer.com)
• Xoom (PayPal) — pickup at participating locations such as Elektra, BanCoppel, Walmart and Farmacias Guadalajara. Check the specific pickup partner: Xoom’s OXXO cash-pickup limit is $200 per transaction, so OXXO won’t work for a $500 send. (blog.xoom.com)

Before sending, compare the fee and the pesos your family will actually receive—the exchange rate matters too. Confirm a nearby pickup location accepts the transfer and ask your family what ID they’ll need; requirements vary by provider and location. For Xoom, for example, the recipient needs the transaction number and a valid government-issued ID. (help.xoom.com)

Several US money transfer services can deliver cash in Mexico to a recipient with no bank account. Walmart2Walmart, MoneyGram, Western Union, Remitly, and Xoom are the main options, though fees and promotions change often, so check the live price in each app before you send.

• Walmart2Walmart (powered by Ria): This is probably the cheapest route for $500. Its fees start at $2.50 to send up to $500, or $5 to send up to $1,000. Your relative can choose from more than 2,800 Walmart Mexico & Bodega Aurrera stores. You can send in person at a Walmart, which lets you pay with cash, or through the app. Your relative needs to pick up at a Walmart or Bodega Aurrera location.
• MoneyGram: Its cash pickup at one of about 43,000 locations in Mexico usually arrive in minutes. You can pay with cash if you send money from U.S. MoneyGram locations. Expect a higher cost for that: You'll pay at least $5 to send with cash, plus the exchange rate and markups. For pickup, your recipient can collect at any participating MoneyGram partner location with a valid ID and your reference number.
• Western Union: It has a large network, and it's an option if you have cash. Its pricing varies more, and it applies its own exchange rate. Compare the exchange rate it offers against the mid-market rate.
• Remitly: It offers cash pickup, but you'll usually fund online transfers with a card or bank account. One source says you can send money to a bank account or to one of Remitly's more than 21,000 cash pickup locations in Mexico. Remitly's pricing lists cash pickup at zero fees now, 3.99 USD next time, but the first-transfer promotion may not last.
• Xoom (PayPal): It offers both bank deposits and cash pickup at major Mexican banks and agents. It's useful if you already use PayPal.

Things to watch for:

• Cash funding: If you pay with cash, the federal government adds a 1% remittance tax. A 1% US excise tax applies only to cash or money-order transfers. Pay from a bank account or card and it never touches you. It's worth knowing about before you decide how to pay.
• Exchange rate: A low fee can hide a poor rate. Compare what your relative will actually receive in pesos across providers.
• Recipient ID: Your relative will need a valid photo ID, and typically the reference number or confirmation code.
• Transfer limits: Walmart's online limits can be lower than in-store limits, so check the app's cap if you prefer to send from your phone.

For a $500 send, Walmart2Walmart is usually the lowest fee, and MoneyGram or Remitly are good alternatives if your relative lives near one of their pickup locations. Check the exact fee and the amount your relative will receive in the app before you pay.

To send $500 from the US to family in Mexico for cash pickup, you have several reliable and widely used options. Because your family members do not have bank accounts, cash pickup is the most practical delivery method.

Recommended Services

The following services are well-regarded for US-to-Mexico transfers and offer extensive cash pickup networks (such as OXXO, Elektra, and BanCoppel):

• Remitly: Offers competitive rates and various delivery methods, including cash pickup. Your recipient does not need to sign up for an account to collect the funds.
• MoneyGram: Known for its large global network, it allows you to send money online or in person at various retail locations. It is highly accessible for non-banked recipients.
• Western Union: One of the most established providers with a massive footprint in Mexico, making it very easy to find a nearby agent location for cash pickup.
• Xoom (a PayPal service): Often offers transparent, fixed fees and is convenient if you already have a PayPal account.
• Ria Money Transfer: Provides a broad network of partner locations across Mexico and is specialized in international remittances.

Important Considerations for Your Transfer

1. Understand the "Total Cost": Do not look only at the upfront fee. The exchange rate is just as important. A service might advertise "no fees" but offer a poor exchange rate, meaning your family receives fewer pesos. Always compare the final amount your recipient will actually get.
2. Recipient Identification: Your family member must have a valid government-issued photo ID to collect the cash.
3. Name Accuracy: Ensure the name you enter for the recipient matches their government ID exactly. Even small errors or missing middle/second last names can cause significant delays or issues at the pickup counter.
4. Transfer Security: You will receive a reference number or PIN once the transfer is processed. Share this number securely with your family member, as they will need it (along with their ID) to collect the money.
5. Compare Before You Send: Since fees and rates change, you can use comparison tools or check the websites/apps of the providers above to get a live quote for exactly $500. Sites like Transfer Fees can help you see which service currently offers the best deal for your specific amount.

Summary of Process:

• Choose a provider (e.g., Remitly, Western Union, MoneyGram).
• Select "Cash Pickup" as the delivery method.
• Provide recipient details exactly as they appear on their ID.
• Complete the payment (using a bank account or debit card is usually cheaper than a credit card).
• Send the reference number to your family member for pickup.

Several services offer cash pickup in Mexico, so your family does not need a bank account:

• Western Union — Send online, in the app, or at a US agent; the recipient can collect at participating locations in Mexico. They typically need the transfer’s MTCN and valid ID. ¹
• MoneyGram — Send online, in the app, or at an agent location. For pickup, the recipient needs the reference number and accepted government-issued ID; no bank account is required. ²
• Remitly — Choose cash pickup and a participating payout provider/location available for your recipient’s area. The recipient generally needs valid ID matching the transfer name and pickup instructions. ³

To send $500, enter the amount and select cash pickup in the service’s app or website—or ask an agent to quote it. Before confirming, compare the fee, exchange rate, peso amount the recipient will get, pickup location, and delivery time; these can vary by payment method and location. Make sure the recipient’s name is entered exactly as it appears on their ID, and check that the chosen pickup location can pay out the transfer. ²³

Sources: ¹ Western Union: Send money to Mexico · ² MoneyGram: Send money to Mexico · ³ Remitly: Send money to Mexico