Western Union Antigua: Brysons Money Transfer 2026 Guide
Brysons Money Transfer Services is Antigua's only Class A-licensed Western Union agent, with the principal office on Friars Hill Road in St. John's and multiple branch locations across the island. MoneyGram agents, ECAB and ACB bank wires, and digital platforms like Remitly round out your options. Antigua uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, fixed at EC$2.70 per US$1. This guide covers every money transfer service on the island, compares costs, and tells you exactly which option suits your situation.
Western Union Antigua: Brysons Money Transfer 2026 Guide
TL;DR: Brysons Money Transfer Services is Antigua's only Class A-licensed Western Union agent, with the principal office on Friars Hill Road in St. John's and multiple branch locations across the island. MoneyGram agents, ECAB and ACB bank wires, and digital platforms like Remitly round out your options. Antigua uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, fixed at EC$2.70 per US$1. This guide covers every money transfer service on the island, compares costs, and tells you exactly which option suits your situation.
Moving money in Antigua is straightforward once you know who does what. Whether you're a local family receiving Western Union from relatives in New York, a tourist who needs emergency cash, or an expat sending funds back home, the island's money transfer network is well-developed. The go-to name for Western Union in Antigua is Brysons Money Transfer Services, the island's principal Western Union agent. But Western Union isn't your only option. MoneyGram, local bank wire transfers, and digital platforms all serve the market. This guide maps every option on the island, explains Antigua's fixed exchange rate, and gives you a clear decision framework for choosing the fastest or cheapest route for your specific situation.
Who Is Brysons Money Transfer Services?
Brysons Money Transfer Services is Antigua's exclusive Class A-licensed Western Union agent, operating the largest money transfer network on the island with multiple locations centred on the principal office at the Bryson Commercial Center on Friars Hill Road in St. John's.
The parent company, Geo. W. Bennett Bryson & Co. Ltd., is one of Antigua's oldest and most trusted businesses. Founded in 1835 by two Scottish merchants, the company was formally incorporated in 1895 and has been a cornerstone of Antigua's commercial life for nearly two centuries. That heritage matters: when you walk into a Brysons branch, you are dealing with a company that has outlasted more than a few storms, literally and figuratively.
Brysons operates under the Geo. W. Bennett Bryson & Co. Ltd. umbrella, which also covers shipping and insurance. The money transfer division operates separately under the Brysons Money Transfer Services brand, running as the official Western Union agent for Antigua and Barbuda. You can find the Brysons listing on AntiguaSearch's financial services directory if you need contact details or directions.
The principal office phone number for Brysons Money Transfer is 268-726-0028. The Friars Hill Road head office is the anchor of the network and handles the widest range of services. Branch hours typically run Monday to Friday with reduced hours on Saturdays. Always call ahead or check with the specific branch during public holidays, as closures can apply.
Where Are the Western Union Locations in Antigua?
Brysons Money Transfer Services operates multiple Western Union locations across Antigua, giving the island-wide coverage that no other agent can match. The principal office sits at the Bryson Commercial Center on Friars Hill Road in St. John's, the parish that anchors most of the island's commercial activity.
The Friars Hill Road location handles all standard Western Union services: sending money internationally, receiving incoming transfers, paying bills, and money orders. As the principal office and Class A agent hub, this is your most reliable location for larger transfers or any transaction that requires additional verification.
Beyond Friars Hill Road, Brysons has branch locations spread across St. John's and other parts of the island. This multi-branch footprint is the key differentiator. No other Western Union agent in Antigua operates a network of this scale. If you are on the west side of the island near Jolly Harbour in St. Mary parish, or heading through a residential neighbourhood in St. John's, there is likely a Brysons branch nearby. Check the St. John's business directory on AntiguaSearch for current branch-level addresses and contact numbers.
For tourists arriving at V.C. Bird International Airport or staying at resorts along the north shore near Dickenson Bay, the Friars Hill Road principal office is a short drive into town. From English Harbour in St. Paul, the drive into St. John's takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes.
What Does It Cost to Send or Receive Money Through Western Union in Antigua?
Western Union fees depend on the amount, the sending country, and the payment method used. As a general guide, fees for cash transfers start low for smaller amounts and rise incrementally. Receiving money at a Brysons location in Antigua is typically free for the recipient: the sender pays the fee and any applicable exchange rate margin on their end.
Antigua uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), which has been pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of EC$2.70 per US$1.00 since 1976. This peg, managed by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), has held steady for nearly five decades, making the conversion between EC dollars and US dollars completely predictable. When someone sends you US$100 from the United States, you receive EC$270, minus any fees your Western Union agent deducts. The fixed rate eliminates exchange rate risk, which is a genuine advantage over countries with floating currencies.
When the sender uses Western Union's online platform to initiate a transfer for cash pickup in Antigua, fees can be lower than agent-initiated transfers. For in-person sends at a Western Union agent location in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom, fees typically range from a few dollars to around US$10 to US$20 for amounts up to US$500, depending on payment method. The sender should always use Western Union's fee calculator on westernunion.com before visiting an agent to see the exact cost.
Western Union also makes money on the exchange rate. Even though EC/USD is fixed, Western Union may apply a margin when converting from other currencies (such as British pounds or Canadian dollars) before paying out in EC dollars. Comparing the total cost, including both the transfer fee and the exchange rate offered, is the right way to evaluate any service.
For context, the IMF has found that sending remittances to the Caribbean costs roughly 6 percent of the transfer amount on average, with bank wire transfers the most expensive at around 11 percent and mobile transfer platforms the most affordable at around 3 percent.
MoneyGram in Antigua: Your Second Option
MoneyGram is the main alternative to Western Union in Antigua, with agents spread across St. John's and several other parishes. MoneyGram's Antigua network includes at least six agent locations in St. John's alone, with additional coverage in All Saints, Liberta, and Potter's Village on the eastern side of the island.
One confirmed MoneyGram agent in St. John's is M&M Service Station, a petrol station and convenience location that adds money transfer to its services. This kind of dual-use agent is common across the Caribbean: you stop for fuel or groceries and can pick up a transfer at the same time.
MoneyGram works in a similar way to Western Union. The sender initiates the transfer online at moneygram.com, or visits a MoneyGram agent location abroad. The recipient picks up cash at a local MoneyGram agent using a reference number and valid photo ID. Transfers are typically available within minutes for the Express service.
The key practical difference between MoneyGram and Western Union in Antigua comes down to location convenience. Brysons' Western Union network has more branded consistency and a recognised island-wide footprint, while MoneyGram agents are more dispersed and include smaller convenience stores and service stations. For recipients in the eastern parishes such as St. Philip or St. Peter, MoneyGram's All Saints and Liberta agents may actually be more convenient than driving into St. John's for a Brysons branch.
Bank Wire Transfers: ECAB, ACB, and CIBC
If you are moving larger sums of money into or out of Antigua, a bank wire transfer is the most reliable option. Antigua has several licensed commercial banks that handle international SWIFT transfers.
The Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank, known as ECAB, is one of the island's key domestic banking institutions. ECAB handles international wire transfers through the SWIFT network and serves both personal and business clients. You can find ECAB on AntiguaSearch for branch addresses.
ACB Caribbean Bank is another domestic option for wire transfers. ACB has a strong local presence in St. John's and offers account-to-account international transfers. The ACB Caribbean Bank listing on AntiguaSearch gives you contact details.
CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank is the major international bank on the island. As part of the CIBC group, it has established correspondent banking relationships globally, making it a particularly good option for transfers from Canada or the United States directly into an Antigua account. The CIBC FirstCaribbean listing is on AntiguaSearch for reference.
Wire transfer fees in Antigua vary by bank. Outgoing international wires typically cost EC$50 to EC$100 (roughly US$18 to US$37) at most institutions. Incoming wire fees are often lower or waived. Processing times run one to three business days for most SWIFT transfers.
The downside of bank wire for most family remittance use cases is cost and complexity. You need a bank account, you need the recipient's full account and routing details, and fees are higher than digital alternatives. Wire transfers make most sense for larger amounts, business transactions, or property-related payments where paper trail and security matter more than speed.
For a deeper look at all the banking options on the island, the AntiguaSearch banking guide covers ECAB, ACB, CIBC, and others in full detail.
Digital and Mobile Money Transfer Platforms
The fastest-growing segment for Caribbean remittances is digital. Platforms like Remitly and Wise now serve Antigua, giving the diaspora in the US, UK, and Canada cheaper and faster alternatives to traditional agents.
Remitly supports cash pickup in Antigua through its network of local agents, including Laparkan Trading. The service offers two speed tiers: Express (debit or credit card payment, minutes to hours) and Economy (bank account payment, one to three business days, lower fees). Remitly's fees and exchange rates are clearly shown before you confirm any transfer, which makes comparison simple. For recipients without a bank account, the cash pickup option works just like Western Union: visit the agent with the reference number and your ID.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) supports USD wire transfers to bank accounts in Antigua but does not yet offer a direct XCD cash pickup option from the US. Wise is particularly useful for sending US dollars directly into an Antigua bank account if the recipient has an ECAB, ACB, or CIBC account. Wise's real exchange rate and low flat fees often make it the cheapest option for bank-to-bank transfers above US$500.
The global average cost of sending money digitally is around 5 percent of the transfer amount, compared to roughly 7 percent for non-digital channels. For the Antiguan diaspora, which the IDB reports is primarily based in the United States (accounting for over 50 percent of Caribbean remittance flows), digital platforms represent meaningful savings on regular monthly transfers.
If you are a financial services provider in Antigua not yet listed on AntiguaSearch, add your listing here so local residents can find you alongside the established names.
Which Service Is Fastest and Cheapest for Your Situation?
The right money transfer service depends on three factors: what you need the money for, how quickly it is needed, and whether the recipient has a bank account.
If your family member needs cash today and is in St. John's: Western Union through Brysons Money Transfer Services on Friars Hill Road is your most reliable same-day option. The sender initiates online or in person at a WU agent abroad, and the recipient picks up at Brysons within minutes. MoneyGram works equally fast if the recipient is closer to an All Saints or Liberta agent.
If you want the lowest fees on a regular monthly transfer under US$500: Remitly's Economy service (bank account funded) is typically cheaper than agent-based Western Union, especially from the US and UK. The trade-off is a one to two business day wait instead of minutes.
If you are moving a large sum above US$1,000 into Antigua (buying property, paying for a renovation, or settling a business invoice): a bank wire to ECAB, ACB, or CIBC is the most appropriate channel. The paper trail matters, the amounts are handled securely, and the percentage fee is lower for large transfers than what you would pay at a cash agent.
If you are a tourist in Antigua who needs emergency funds wired from home: Western Union via Brysons is the fastest. Have someone send you money online via westernunion.com or at any WU agent. Pick it up at the Friars Hill Road principal office with your passport. The transfer is typically available within minutes.
If your recipient has a bank account and you are sending from the US: Wise USD wire is often the cheapest for larger amounts. Remitly Economy is often the cheapest for smaller amounts. Both are significantly cheaper than traditional bank wire fees.
The EC dollar's fixed peg to the USD (EC$2.70 per US$1) means you never have to worry about the exchange rate moving against you when sending between dollars. That simplicity is one of Antigua's genuine advantages for remittance recipients compared to countries with volatile local currencies.
Explore all financial services in Antigua on AntiguaSearch to browse banks, money transfer agents, and other financial providers across the island.
Conclusion
Antigua's money transfer landscape covers every need. Brysons Money Transfer Services, the island's Class A Western Union agent anchored at Friars Hill Road in St. John's, gives you the broadest in-person network with branches across the island. MoneyGram adds coverage through convenience stores and service stations in All Saints, Liberta, and central St. John's. ECAB, ACB, and CIBC handle larger bank wires. And for the diaspora sending money home from the United States, UK, or Canada, Remitly and Wise bring digital speed and lower costs to the corridor.
Three things to remember. First, Antigua's EC dollar is fixed at 2.70 to the US dollar, so what you see is what you get. Second, cash pickup through Brysons or a MoneyGram agent is still the fastest route for urgent, same-day transfers. Third, if you send money regularly, switching to a digital platform like Remitly for the Economy transfer can save meaningful amounts over the course of a year.
Browse the full St. John's directory on AntiguaSearch to find financial services, banks, and money transfer agents near you across the capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the main Western Union location in Antigua?
The principal Western Union agent in Antigua is Brysons Money Transfer Services, located at the Bryson Commercial Center on Friars Hill Road in St. John's. You can contact them on 268-726-0028. Brysons operates as Antigua's Class A-licensed Western Union agent, meaning they hold the highest tier of authorisation and run multiple branch locations across the island.
How long does it take to receive a Western Union transfer in Antigua?
Most Western Union transfers sent online or through an agent abroad are available for cash pickup within minutes once approved. The sender will receive a Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN), which the recipient uses at the Brysons location along with a valid government-issued photo ID. Delays are rare but can occur if the transfer triggers a compliance review on the sending end.
Can I send money from Antigua using Western Union?
Yes. Brysons Money Transfer Services handles both outgoing and incoming Western Union transfers. If you are in Antigua and need to send money abroad, visit the Friars Hill Road principal office, bring valid ID, and the cash amount you want to send plus the applicable fee. Western Union operates in over 200 countries and territories, so you can send to virtually any destination your family is based in.
Is MoneyGram available in Antigua?
Yes. MoneyGram has agents across St. John's and in several parishes including All Saints and Liberta. St. John's alone has multiple MoneyGram agent locations. The service works the same way as Western Union: the sender initiates the transfer and provides a reference number, and the recipient picks up cash at a local agent with valid ID. MoneyGram's website has a location finder at moneygram.com where you can search for the nearest Antigua agent.
What currency will I receive when picking up money in Antigua?
You will typically receive Eastern Caribbean Dollars (EC$). The EC dollar has been pegged to the US Dollar at a fixed rate of EC$2.70 per US$1.00 since 1976, managed by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. US Dollars are also widely accepted across Antigua, particularly in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. If the sender sends US dollars, your payout in EC dollars will simply be the USD amount multiplied by 2.70, minus any agent fees. Some agents may offer USD payouts on request, but EC$ is the standard local payout currency.