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About Pangea
Derived from the Greek term, “pangaia” which means “all the Earth,” the name of this money transfer company is very fitting as it continues to work towards becoming a globally accessible remittance operator.
Since its founding in 2012 in Chicago, in the United States, Pangea Money Transfer has been on a mission to reduce the steep prices commonly associated with international remittances, to make it easier for customers to move money around the world, albeit when sending funds to friends and family abroad, or arranging mass international payments for business reasons.
Pangea is an American company that currently focuses on enabling US-based customers to quickly and conveniently send and receive money in seconds, using their Pangea account. Further to this objective, the company also offers a Visa debit card which can be used worldwide at any location where Visa debit is accepted.
In this review, we will carefully evaluate all major aspects of this money transfer service so our readers can decide whether to trust this company with their next global transaction.
Pangea Exchange Rates, Fees, and Costs
We want to know what kind of profit margins, if any, may be applied to foreign currency transfers arranged with Pangea. Further to this, we will be prying into the fee structure that is applied when sending and receiving money through this provider.
Exchange Rates
Pangea supports 25 different currencies worldwide, but all money transfers must be sent using USD. To gain a full understanding of the scope of Pangea’s exchange rates, we conducted a case study that tested the foreign exchange rate of each of the supported currencies. It would appear that Pangea offers to match the mid-market rate for each available currency, which is a huge advantage, as most banks apply profit margins ranging from 4 - 6% to FX transactions.
Transfer Fees
From our research, we found Pangea transfer fees range from $3.95 to $20.95 USD, depending on where you are sending the money, the currency you are using, and the payment method. This fee increases in conjunction with the transfer amount, meaning the larger the transfer, the higher the fees.
This means small transfers of $100 or less will still incur a minimum fee of $3.95 USD which is fairly competitive given the fact Pangea relies on these fees to make a profit.
Additional Costs
The company issues a one-off charge for ordering the Pangea debit card, but other than the aforementioned costs, there are no further charges for their remittance services.
Top Destinations for Using Pangea
Pangea is based in the United States but the company operates in multiple Latin American and Asian markets. The list of supported sending destinations is far more limited than competitors like Xe and InstaRem, who help customers arrange money transfers to over 150 countries, respectively. The most popular sending countries supported by Pangea are:
Customers in Mexico can receive their money transfers through cash pick-ups, debit cards and bank deposits. The funds are usually available in minutes if processed between 8.30am and 5.30pm CST.
Customers in the Philippines can collect their cash from 6,000 locations or via bank deposit. Whilst most funds are available within minutes, cash transfers to BDO may take up to an hour to process, whilst bank transfers to Bank Philippine Island can take up to 120 minutes.
In Bangladesh, cash can be picked up within minutes from eight different Bangladeshi banks. There is usually a USD 4.95 fee when using a debit card to send cash to the South Asian country.
Pros & Cons of Using Pangea
We strive to clearly and concisely communicate the leading strengths and weaknesses of each money transfer company we review. In this section, our readers will be able to weigh up the pros and cons of Pangea’s international transfers.
- Speedy service for Pangea users: when sending an international transfer to other Pangea users, customers enjoy a very competitive, near-instant turnaround time
- Referrals and incentives: Pangea often runs multiple incentives alongside the company referral program which encourages users to invite friends and family to use the platform
- Cash transfers: Unlike banks, Pangea makes sending and receiving cash transfers quick and easy, which is convenient for those who do not have access to a bank account
- Limited global coverage: the service specialises in remittances between the US and Latin American and Asian countries, and there are currently no options to send or receive funds to customers outside of these regions
- Transfer fees: Some companies do not charge transfer fees but Pangea applies a minimum flat-fee of $3.95 to all payments
- Monthly transfer limit: Customers cannot send more than $6,000 USD overseas per month, an aspect of the service likely to deter business clients and anyone sending large sums abroad on a regular basis
What Type of Transfers Can You Make With Pangea?
The following options are available with Pangea Money Transfers:
Bank transfers
Debit card transfers
Cash transfers
Scheduled automatic transfers
How Long Will It Take to Receive Money Using Pangea?
International transfers between Pangea users will be instant; all other beneficiaries will receive funds within 2 - 5 working days.
What Payment Methods Can I Use When Sending Money With Pangea?
Pangea exclusively accepts payment using your linked bank account or via debit card: (July 2022)
What Are the Best Reasons to Use Pangea?
First and foremost, this service is designed to cater to customers based in the US, Latin America and Asia, and we would recommend Pangea Money Transfer for anyone living in these regions.
Another good reason to use Pangea is the company’s ongoing incentives program. There are often multiple seasonal incentives running simultaneously; from free money transfers to refer-a-friend discount schemes, customers are frequently rewarded for their loyalty.
Furthermore, Pangea appears to offer true-to-market value exchange rates for the 25 supported currencies available. This is an excellent example of how money transfer companies go above and beyond to beat high cost bank charges.
Can I Trust Pangea?
Being a US company, Pangea operations are overseen by regulators in each of the 34 states the company services across the country. Further to this, the company is fully licensed and regulated by FINCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network).
The head offices can be found at 640 North Lasalle Street, Suite 638, Chicago, IL, 60654; and Ciudad de México, MX, Suite 800, 835 Int, Av. Paseo de la Reforma 250, Juarez; with nearly 90,000 agent locations dotted around the US, Latin America and Asia.
Since launching in 2012, the company has received over $20 million in funding from various investors in the United States, as well as winning multiple awards for “Best User Experience” and “Fastest Transfer” by peers in the financial services sector.
What Do Users Have to Say About Pangea?
A reliable way of understanding more about any company is to look at user reviews and feedback posted online. In this case, Pangea has been rated as “Excellent” on Trustpilot, with an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5. Much of the positive feedback cites the speedy service and turnaround times, as well as an honest and personalised approach to customer support. Negative comments reference problems redeeming promotional discount codes and unexpected delays when transferring to the Philippines. Overall the user feedback appears to be largely positive.
How to Get Started to Send and Receive Money With Pangea?
To help our users understand how this operator conducts money transfers we will now run through how to send and receive funds using a Pangea account.
How to Send Money Online With Pangea
Sending money online with Pangea is straightforward and shouldn’t take more than ten minutes. While all transfers must be made in USD, customers can send up to 25 different currencies globally. To simplify the process, we’ve broken it down into four steps.
Register an Account
Enter Amount and Currency
Enter Recipient's Details
Receive Funds
How to Send Money Through the Pangea Mobile App
The Pangea mobile app allows users to send money while on the go from anywhere in the world, making it an ideal option for those travelling. Working in a similar way to the mobile app, transfers shouldn’t take more than ten minutes to make. We’ve simplified the process by breaking it down into four simple steps:
Open an Account Through the Pangea App
Enter Amount and Currency
Enter Recipient's Details
Recieve Funds
How to Receive Money From Pangea via Debit Card or Bank Transfer
Receiving Money
Pangea money transfers can be received in one of three ways:
Deposited directly into a bank account
Deposited onto any major debit card
Delivered as cash for collection at a local Pangea location
While most destinations served by Pangea allow for debit card deposits, currently 14 of their destinations also allow for bank deposit transfers. Both are deposited immediately but it may still take between 2-5 working days to receive your deposit depending on the country that you’re sending to. Pangea’s information by country pages on their website have more in-depth information depending on the country you’re based in. There are just two steps that you need to follow to receive your funds:
Verify Your Personal Details
Receive Funds
How to Receive Money From Pangea From a Cash Pick Up Location
In several destinations served by Pangea, you also have the option of picking up cash from a cash pick-up location. You will need to visit the Country Information pages to see what pick-up locations are served in your country, but in most cases, these are major banks. Transfer times vary by country, but usually cash can be picked up within minutes, unless extra processing time is needed. To get started follow these steps:
Inform Payee of the Pick Up Location
Waif for the Transfer Code
Receive Funds
Does Pangea Have a Mobile App?
Yes, the Pangea Money Transfer mobile app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and available to download for free from the Google Play Store and App Store. The transfer app can be used to create a Pangea account, as well as execute international transfers, settle international bills and schedule recurring overseas payments.
On the App Store, Pangea’s mobile services have been given an impressive 4.8 out of 5, and on the Google Play Store, it has been rated an equally impressive 4.7. As a digital money transfer service, it is no surprise that this application comes highly recommended.
