I pulled some of my comments because I was 1: waffling on 2: giving away personal information about my gf.
This reply for bedwin will unfortunately have more 'waffling'. Ok, I was assuming that a board like this will not want info on commercial businesses, so banjo or whoever moderates, please edit this, or ask me to delete the link if it is inappropriate.
I use OrbitRemit
orbitremit.com/ to send funds. The funds are sent to an account held by my gf. This might not suit anyone that doesn't trust their partner. There are lots of other businesses that operate in the same way, but I have learned to trust this mob and have sent in excess of $1000 on occasion, and a couple of hundred regularly.
After Yolanda I created a $250 payment on 12 Nov, and it was in the BDO account in Phils on 13 Nov. That was an exception due to the disaster. Normally it would have taken 2 days and been in the account on 15th Nov.
I had previously used CashCard but every day the exchange rate was different, and transfers using my bank were painful. Orbit is simple and at $8 per transaction, can be expensive for small amounts, though still ucually cheaper than my bank. For amounts over $250 and especially once you get to about $1000 it works out great. And if you are keeping a check on the current exchange trends, you can pick a time when the rate is best.
Today's official exchange rate is AUD$1.00 = PHP 40.59
This morning's Orbit shows AUD$1.00 = PHP 40.098
This morning Commonwealth Bank AUD$1.00 = 35.750
This morning Westpac Bank AUD$1.00 = 35.31
Orbit transfer costs me a flat 321 pesos ($8 x 40.098)
Commbank in this case would cost me 861 pesos (about $21) on the exchange rate - but wait, there's more.. (lol)
Commbank also charges:
$22 per transfer for an IMT issued via NetBank 786 pesos (at 35.75exchange rate)
$30 per transfer for an IMT issued via a branch 1059 pesos
Other fees and charges may apply
So if I send $200 Orbit deposits 8,019 pesos less 321p = 7,698 pesos
Commbank deposits 7,150 pesos less 786p = 6,364 pesos
I can buy a lot of SanMig or Red Horse for the 1,650 pesos.
Short story. If I wanted to send $200/fortnight from my pension while I'm there
I would be losing $40/fn by using the bank. And $80/month goes a long way in Phils or I imagine cambodia or Thailand, if you are feeding your family there.
Sorry for the long winded explanation - but I got sucked in to the bank transfer thing and lost so much it was crazy.