William Lipovsky
Jewel-Osco sells Western Union money orders for a fee of about $1 and a limit of $500 per money order.[1]
Where cashing services are available, there’s also a fee of about $1.[1]
Below, I detail Jewel-Osco’s money order policy for both selling and cashing, plus other places to consider if its policy doesn’t fit your needs.
Jewel-Osco Money Order Policy
Jewel-Osco sells money orders through Western Union at all of its locations.[1][2]
In some cases, the grocer may be able to cash Western Union money orders that were originally purchased at a Jewel-Osco store.[1]
However, cashing policies vary by store, so it’s best to call ahead to your local Jewel-Osco to check the availability of this service.
I contacted Jewel-Osco stores in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa for more details to keep in mind when using its money order services.
Limits
The maximum amount for a single money order at Jewel-Osco is $500.[1]
If you need more than $500, you can purchase multiple money orders. There’s no set limit for your total purchase; however, store managers have the discretion to limit purchases if they suspect fraud.[1]
Limits for cashing (where available) will vary depending on which location you visit and how much cash it has on hand.[1]
Fees
Jewel-Osco charges a fee of $1 for each $500 money order you buy. The fee to cash money orders (at locations that offer this) is also about $1 each.[1]
Note that if you buy more than $500 in money orders, you’ll pay a separate fee for each one.[1]
For example, if you purchase $800 in money orders, the store will print two money orders (one worth $500 and one worth $300). You’ll then pay a total fee of $2.
Payment Options
You’ll need to pay cash when buying money orders at Jewel-Osco. Be sure to bring enough cash to cover both the money order amount and the fee.[1]
The grocer doesn’t accept debit cards, credit cards, gift cards, or personal checks for these purchases.[1]
Requirements
Jewel-Osco doesn’t require a check cashing card or store membership to use Western Union services.[1]
However, the associate may ask you to show a photo ID or fill out a purchase form, particularly if you’re buying more than two money orders.[1]
Tip: While Jewel-Osco won’t require you to fill out the money order immediately, it’s a good idea to do so as soon as possible after purchase. This way, if you misplace the money order, someone who finds it won’t be able to fill in their own information and cash it.
Alternatives
Jewel-Osco’s limits and fees may not meet your needs. In that case, there are other places where you can get a money order. Compare your options for where to get a money order.
If your local Jewel-Osco doesn’t offer cashing services or you have a money order that wasn’t originally purchased at Jewel-Osco, you can cash money orders at Walmart,[3] your bank,[4][5] or a check cashing store like ACE Cash Express or Check Into Cash.[6][7]
FAQ
No, money order services aren’t available 24/7, even at Jewel-Osco stores that are open any time. You can purchase money orders when the customer service desk is open — usually around 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (though hours vary by location).[1]
Jewel-Osco doesn’t issue money order refunds;[1] instead, you’ll need to request a refund from Western Union. Note that there’s a $15 fee for this service and Western Union can only provide a refund after confirming that no one has cashed the money order.[8]
Fill out a Western Union research request. If someone has cashed the money order, Western Union will provide a photocopy, and if it hasn’t been cashed, you can request a refund. There’s a $15 processing fee for either service.[8]
As a Western Union agent, Jewel-Osco provides money transfer and bill payment services.[1] However, it doesn’t cash checks (as previously reported).
For more on how money orders work, see the full money order FAQ.
In Summary
Jewel-Osco sells Western Union money orders for a fee of $1 each.[1]
The maximum amount for each individual money order is $500, but there’s no set limit on how many money orders you can buy at one time.[1]
Note that if you buy multiple money orders, you’ll pay the $1 fee for each $500 you spend, and you may need to show ID or fill out a form documenting your purchase.[1]
Only select Jewel-Oscolocations also cash money orders; if this service is available, you’ll also pay a fee of around $1.[1]
Leave a comment below if you have more questions about buying money orders at Jewel-Osco, or if you’d simply like to share your experience with Jewel-Osco’s money order services.
How easy are they to cash? If I send to someone in Michigan how will they cash it?
Hello, Marilyn! Your recipient shouldn’t have any trouble cashing it. Check Into Cash and Kroger are two options that cash money orders and have locations in Michigan. (Note that there may be a maximum amount limit depending on how much cash the store has on hand.) If they have a bank account, they can also visit their bank to cash or deposit it. Best of luck with your transaction!