Key Takeaway
Special rates for first-time users, promo codes, and referral bonuses from 14 money transfer providers — compiled and verified so you can save the most on your next transfer.
In this guide (10 sections)
- How to Save on International Money Transfers
- Best Sign-Up Offers (New Customers)
- How to Judge Whether a Promo Is Actually Worth It
- Best Refer-a-Friend Programs
- Loyalty & Rewards Programs
- How We Verify Money Transfer Promotions
- Complete Promo & Referral Comparison Table
- Tips for Maximizing Your Savings
- Sources & Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions
In this guide
- How to Save on International Money Transfers
- Best Sign-Up Offers (New Customers)
- How to Judge Whether a Promo Is Actually Worth It
- Best Refer-a-Friend Programs
- Loyalty & Rewards Programs
- How We Verify Money Transfer Promotions
- Complete Promo & Referral Comparison Table
- Tips for Maximizing Your Savings
- Sources & Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Save on International Money Transfers
Quick answer: Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit and others offer referral bonuses and promo codes, typically $10–$30 per referral or fee-free first transfers. Compare all providers to find the best deal alongside these bonuses.
Beyond comparing exchange rates and fees, you can save even more on international transfers by taking advantage of promo codes, sign-up bonuses, and refer-a-friend programs. Most major providers offer at least one of these — and some offer all three.
We researched all 14 providers on our platform to bring you every active deal in one place. Here's how each type of offer works:
- Sign-up offers — One-time bonuses for new customers, like fee-free first transfers or cash bonuses.
- Promo codes — Codes you enter at checkout for discounts. These change frequently.
- Referral programs — Share your link with friends. You both earn rewards when they sign up and send money.
- Loyalty programs — Ongoing rewards for repeat customers, like points, tier upgrades, or fee discounts.
Provider terms and offer details verified directly from official provider websites as of March 2026.
Last verified: March 14, 2026. Offers change frequently — always confirm on the provider's website before transferring.
Remember: a promo code is only valuable if the base rate is also competitive. Always use our comparison tool to check the total cost — including exchange rate markup — before choosing a provider. Read our guide to the cheapest ways to send money internationally to understand what to look for.
The practical rule is simple: treat bonuses as a tie-breaker, not the main reason to choose a provider. A $20 sign-up incentive can disappear quickly if the provider's FX rate is 1-2% worse than a competitor on the same route.
Quick Comparison: Best Sign-Up Bonuses for New Customers
| Category | Provider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Bonus | Remitly | $25 off first transfer, no code needed, plus competitive base rates |
| Most Free Transfers | WorldRemit | Code 3FREE gives you 3 completely fee-free transfers |
| Best for Large Amounts | OFX | Improved introductory exchange rate on first transfer across 7 currencies |
Based on real quotes from our comparison engine. Compare live rates →
Best Sign-Up Offers (New Customers)
These are the best deals for first-time users of each provider:
Remitly — $25 Off First Transfer
New Remitly customers get $25 off their first transfer of $100 or more, plus zero fees and a special promotional exchange rate. This is one of the most generous sign-up offers in the industry. No promo code needed — applied automatically.
WorldRemit — 3 Free Transfers (Code: 3FREE)
Use promo code 3FREE to get your first three transfers completely fee-free. WorldRemit is one of the few providers that lets you stack a promo code with their standard rates.
TapTap Send — $20 Bonus on First Transfer
New TapTap Send users can enter a promo code before confirming their first transfer to receive a $20 / GBP 20 / EUR 20 bonus. Only one code per transfer. Check the TapTap Send app for current active codes.
Wise — Fee-Free First Transfer
New Wise customers get their first transfer fee-free on amounts up to approximately $800 (GBP 500 equivalent). The discount is automatically applied when signing up via a referral link.
Western Union — Fee-Free First Transfer
First-time online customers get zero transfer fees on their first international transfer. One-time use.
Xoom — No Fees on First Transfer
New Xoom customers pay no transfer fees on their first remittance. Note that exchange rate markup still applies.
ACE Money Transfer — First Transfer Fee-Free
ACE waives the transfer fee on your first transaction. Particularly good value on the Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh corridors where ACE already offers competitive rates.
OFX — Better Introductory Exchange Rate
While OFX always charges $0 in transfer fees, new customers get an improved exchange rate on their first transfer across 7 major currencies (USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, GBP, EUR, SGD).
InstaReM — 125 InstaPoints on Sign-Up
New InstaReM users receive 125 InstaPoints (worth approximately $1.25) instantly upon registration. Points are redeemable at checkout on future transfers.
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How to Judge Whether a Promo Is Actually Worth It
There are four questions worth asking before you use any remittance promo:
- What is the provider's base exchange-rate spread? A weak FX rate can erase a fee discount immediately.
- Does the offer apply only to the first transfer? Many promotions are built to win the first transaction but not necessarily repeat business.
- Does the bonus require a minimum amount or a specific funding method? Card-funded transfers sometimes trigger extra fees that blunt the discount.
- Would you still choose the provider without the bonus? If the answer is no, the promotion probably is not creating real long-term value.
That framework matters most on big corridors where competition is already tight. On routes like UK to India or USA to Mexico, the "best promo" and the "best all-in transfer" are often two different providers.
Best Refer-a-Friend Programs
Referral programs reward you for inviting friends to use the service. Here's how the top programs compare:
Remitly — Best Overall ($25 Each)
Both you and your friend get $25 when they complete a first transfer of $100+. No limit on referrals, making this the most lucrative ongoing referral program. If you send money regularly, this is essentially unlimited $25 bonuses.
TorFX — Best for Large Transfers (GBP 50 Each)
You and your friend each receive GBP 50 (~$63) when they make a first transfer of GBP 2,000+. No cap on referrals. If you know people making property purchases or large transfers abroad, this adds up quickly.
WorldRemit — $20 Each
Share your link and both you and your friend get a $20 electronic voucher when they send their minimum first transfer (~$130). Straightforward and easy to redeem.
Western Union — $15/$10 Amazon Cards
You get a $15 Amazon e-gift code for each friend who signs up, and they get a $10 Amazon card. You can refer up to 20 friends, making the maximum earning potential $300 in Amazon credit.
Xoom — $20 Gift Card per Referral
Earn a $20 e-gift card for each friend who completes their first international transfer. Your friend also gets their first transfer fee-free.
Wise — Up to $115 per 3 Referrals
Wise's program pays up to $115 for every 3 friends who sign up and transfer $300+. Each referred friend gets a fee-free first transfer. Referral links expire after 6 months if unused.
XE — $25–$50 Gift Cards
Both parties receive gift cards: $25 each if the friend transfers $1,000+, or $50 each if the friend transfers $5,000+. Gift cards are emailed within 14 working days.
Revolut — Up to GBP 60 per Referral
Earn up to GBP 60 per referral. Your friend receives GBP 10–200 depending on the current campaign. They need to order a physical card and make 3 purchases of GBP 5+.
ACE Money Transfer — EUR 15 + Monthly Prizes
Both parties get EUR 15 wallet credit per referral. Top 3 referrers each month (min 12 referrals) win prizes: 1st: iPhone, 2nd: Apple Watch, 3rd: AirPods Pro.
PayPal — $10 Each (Up to 5 Friends)
You and your friend each get $10. Capped at 5 referrals ($50 max). Friend must spend or send $5+.
MoneyGram — Zero-Fee Transfer Each
Both you and your friend get a fee-free transfer when they complete their first transaction within 30 days.
TapTap Send — $5 Each (No Limit)
Simple program: you and your friend each get $5 per referral. No limit on the number of referrals, so it adds up if you have a large network.
InstaReM — 200 InstaPoints Each
Both parties earn 200 InstaPoints (~$2.50). Points are redeemable at checkout (400 points = $10 discount).
Loyalty & Rewards Programs
Only a few providers offer ongoing rewards beyond sign-up and referrals. Here are the active programs:
MoneyGram Plus Rewards
The most comprehensive loyalty program in the industry. It's free to join and offers:
- Welcome gift: 20% off fee on your second transfer
- Points: Earn points on every eligible transaction
- Premier status: After 5 transfers in 12 months, get 40% off every 5th transfer plus personalized offers
InstaReM InstaPoints
Earn points on every transfer over $500. Redeem at checkout — 400 points = $10 discount. Points accumulate over time and don't expire while your account is active.
Revolut Subscription Tiers
While not a traditional points program, Revolut's paid plans (Plus, Premium, Metal, Ultra) offer progressively better FX rates, higher free transfer limits, and additional perks like travel insurance and airport lounges.
Western Union My WU Rewards
Previously offered points and fee discounts. As of early 2026, earning points is currently paused while Western Union redesigns the program. Existing members will be notified when the new program launches.
How We Verify Money Transfer Promotions
We verify promotions directly against provider-owned pages, referral-programme terms, app disclosures, and checkout flows where possible. If a provider only surfaces an offer inside the app or after login, we treat it as app-dependent rather than presenting it as universally available.
We also separate fee discounts from true cash bonuses. Many roundup pages blur those together, but they behave differently: a waived transfer fee reduces explicit cost now, while a referral reward may arrive later as account credit, voucher value, or a conditional bonus after a qualifying transfer.
Availability can also vary by sending country, receiving country, funding method, and whether the user is completely new or merely reactivated. That is why we include a verification date and recommend re-checking the provider's own terms before you transfer.
Complete Promo & Referral Comparison Table
Here's a side-by-side comparison of every provider's offers:
| Provider | Sign-Up Offer | Referral (You / Friend) | Loyalty Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Fee-free first transfer (~$800) | ~$38 per 3 refs / Fee-free transfer | — |
| Remitly | $25 off (min $100) | $25 / $25 | — |
| OFX | Better intro exchange rate | Business only | — |
| XE | Periodic email promos | $25–$50 gift card / $25–$50 | — |
| Western Union | Fee-free first transfer | $15 Amazon / $10 Amazon | My WU (paused) |
| WorldRemit | 3 fee-free transfers (3FREE) | $20 / $20 | — |
| Revolut | Variable (up to GBP 100) | Up to GBP 60 / GBP 10–200 | Tiered plans |
| PayPal | $10 via referral | $10 / $10 (max 5) | — |
| MoneyGram | 20% off 2nd transfer fee | Zero-fee / Zero-fee | Plus Rewards |
| Xoom | Fee-free first transfer | $20 gift card / Fee-free first | — |
| TorFX | — | GBP 50 / GBP 50 (min GBP 2k) | — |
| InstaReM | 125 InstaPoints (~$1.25) | 200 pts / 200 pts (~$2.50) | InstaPoints |
| TapTap Send | $20 with promo code | $5 / $5 (no limit) | — |
| ACE Money Transfer | Fee-free first transfer | EUR 15 + prizes / EUR 15 | — |
Tips for Maximizing Your Savings
- Stack offers wisely — Use a sign-up bonus on your first transfer, then switch to referral bonuses for ongoing savings. Some providers (like WorldRemit) let you apply a promo code on top of the standard rate.
- Compare total cost, not just the promo — A $25 bonus from Remitly is worthless if a different provider saves you $40 on the exchange rate. Always use our comparison tool to check the total received amount.
- Set up referral links early — Create your referral links before you need them. Share them with friends and family who also send money abroad. Remitly's unlimited $25 referrals can add up to hundreds of dollars per year.
- Join loyalty programs immediately — MoneyGram Plus Rewards and InstaReM InstaPoints are free to join. Even if the per-transfer savings seem small, they compound over time, especially with MoneyGram's Premier tier (40% off every 5th transfer).
- Check for seasonal promotions — Providers often run special deals around holidays, festivals, and cultural events (Diwali, Eid, Chinese New Year, Christmas). These can include boosted exchange rates, fee-free transfers, or double referral rewards.
- Use the right provider for the right transfer — Don't stick with one provider. Use Remitly for small remittances (great sign-up bonus), TorFX for large transfers (GBP 50 referral), and Wise for everyday transfers (best exchange rate). See our best money transfer services rankings for a full breakdown.
Sources & Methodology
Data in this article is based on real quotes collected from provider APIs and websites via automated scraping every 6 hours. Exchange rates and fees change frequently — use our comparison tool for the latest rates.
Offer terms verified directly from provider websites as of March 2026. The CFPB and FCA provide additional consumer protection guidance. Provider fee schedules sourced from official sites and cross-referenced with World Bank Remittance Prices data.
