Last checked: 26 June 2026.
Quick Answer and Code/Menu Path
eWallet fees vs CashSend fees is not a one-price comparison because the cost depends on the bank, account type, channel, amount sent, and whether the receiver withdraws at an ATM, retailer, wallet, or other supported point. The safest answer is to check the final fee on your banking screen before you confirm.
For the most common South African comparison:
| Option | Main code or menu | Best for | Fee check before confirming |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNB eWallet | Dial *120*321#, enter your cellphone banking PIN, select Send Money, then eWallet | Sending money from an FNB account to a cellphone number | Check your FNB account pricing, amount, recipient number, and whether a reversal fee may apply |
| FNB eWallet withdrawal | Receiver can generate a PIN via FNB App, WhatsApp, *120*277#, or *120*321# | Receiver withdrawing at FNB ATM, AgencyPlus, or selected retailers | Check PIN validity, withdrawal point, and whether a free withdrawal applies |
| Absa CashSend | Dial *120*2272#, enter your 5-digit PIN, select CashSend, enter the beneficiary details, amount, and 6-digit access PIN/code | Sending money from Absa to someone who can withdraw without a bank card | Check whether you are using app, online banking, ATM, or USSD because fees and limits may differ |
| Absa CashSend withdrawal | Receiver uses the 10-digit reference/withdrawal number and 6-digit access code at an Absa ATM | Receiver withdrawing CashSend cash | Check expiry, withdrawal number, access code, and whether the transaction is still unredeemed |
FNB’s official eWallet instructions list *120*321# for sending money by cellphone banking, and Absa’s official CashSend instructions list *120*2272# for cellphone banking CashSend. (FNB)
Fees, Limits, Expiry, and Reversal Notes
Fees and limits can change, so use the figures below as a current reference point, not as a guarantee for every account. Always confirm the charge on the final screen before authorising the transaction.
| Fee or rule | FNB eWallet | Absa CashSend |
|---|---|---|
| Example sender fee | FNB Easy PAYU lists “send money from FNB account to eWallet” at R10. FNB Easy Bundle lists R11 for amounts up to R500, or R30 for amounts over R500. | Absa Mobile Banking Lite *120*2272# lists CashSend at R2.70 per R100. |
| Included transaction examples | FNB Easy Bundle lists one free Send Money transaction via the FNB App per month. | Absa Transact lists 1 free CashSend per month. |
| Receiver withdrawal examples | FNB Easy pricing lists selected retailer withdrawals at no charge and one FNB ATM/FNB Mini ATM withdrawal at no charge for each payment received, with conditions. | Absa CashSend can be redeemed through available channels such as Absa ATM, ChatWallet, and selected retailers, depending on the product and channel. |
| Code or PIN expiry | FNB says temporary eWallet OTPs and temporary ATM PINs are valid for 16 hours. (FNB) | Absa says CashSend transactions are available for 30 days only. (Absa) |
| Reversal or cancellation | FNB says reversals can be initiated through the FNB App, cellphone banking *120*321#, WhatsApp, or the eWallet call centre; reversal attempts may be charged and may depend on whether the recipient has used the money. (FNB) | Absa says unredeemed CashSend transactions can be managed on Absa Online Banking. (Absa) |
| Support route | FNB lists the eWallet call centre as 087 392 5538. (FNB) | Absa lists CashSend help on 0860 111 123, and its Security Centre lists fraud hotline numbers 0860 557 557 and 011 501 5089. (Absa) |
The practical takeaway: FNB eWallet may be cheaper or more expensive depending on the FNB account and amount sent, while Absa CashSend can differ by Absa account and channel. Do not choose only by the headline fee. Check the expiry time, reversal rules, withdrawal point, and whether the receiver can actually access the cash.
How to Send Money or Withdraw Cash
Sending with FNB eWallet
To send money using FNB cellphone banking:
- Dial
*120*321#. - Enter your cellphone banking PIN.
- Select Send Money.
- Select eWallet.
- Choose the account to send from.
- Enter the recipient’s cellphone number, name, and surname.
- Enter the amount.
- Confirm the amount and cellphone number.
FNB notes that cellphone banking users must be registered for cellphone banking to send this way. (FNB)
The receiver can generate a temporary PIN using the FNB App, WhatsApp, *120*277#, or *120*321# to withdraw at supported points. FNB says the temporary PIN or OTP is valid for 16 hours. (FNB)
Sending with Absa CashSend
To send CashSend using Absa cellphone banking:
- Dial
*120*2272#. - Enter your 5-digit PIN.
- Select the CashSend option.
- Choose whether you are sending to a new or existing beneficiary.
- Enter the beneficiary’s cellphone number and name.
- Select the account to debit.
- Enter the amount.
- Create the 6-digit access PIN or code the receiver will use.
- Confirm the transaction.
Absa says the beneficiary receives an SMS with a 10-digit reference or withdrawal number, while the sender must share the 6-digit access PIN/code separately with the receiver. (Absa)
Withdrawing CashSend
The receiver goes to an Absa ATM, selects CashSend Withdrawal, enters the 10-digit reference or withdrawal number, enters the 6-digit access code from the sender, and withdraws the money. Absa says CashSend transactions are available for 30 days only. (Absa)
Which Is Cheaper: eWallet Or CashSend?
There is no universal winner. Use these decision points:
| Situation | Better way to compare |
|---|---|
| You bank with FNB | Check your FNB account pricing first. FNB Easy PAYU and FNB Easy Bundle do not price eWallet the same way. |
| You bank with Absa | Check whether you are using Absa Online, App, ATM, ChatWallet, Transact, or Mobile Banking Lite because the fee may differ. |
| You are sending a small amount | Compare the minimum fee and whether the receiver has a free or low-cost withdrawal option. |
| You are sending a larger amount | Compare percentage/per-R100 or per-R1 000 fees, not only the flat fee. |
| The receiver needs cash urgently | Choose the option with the easiest available ATM or retailer nearby, not only the lowest fee. |
| There is a chance you entered the wrong number | Choose the channel where you understand the reversal route before you confirm. |
For example, FNB Easy pricing lists eWallet sender fees by account type, while Absa’s 2026 pricing guide separately lists Mobile Banking Lite CashSend at R2.70 per R100 and Absa Transact with 1 free CashSend per month.
Safety Checks Before You Confirm
Before sending money, do these checks:
- Confirm the receiver’s cellphone number digit by digit.
- Confirm the amount and fee shown on the final screen.
- Confirm the receiver can access the right ATM, retailer, or wallet channel.
- Do not share your banking PIN, app password, OTP, full card number, or online banking login.
- Do not send money while someone is pressuring you on a call or WhatsApp.
- Do not click a link that claims you must “unlock” or “reverse” a payment.
- Keep the transaction reference until the receiver has withdrawn successfully.
- Send the withdrawal number and access PIN/code separately where possible.
FNB warns that it will never ask customers to share an OTP to reverse pending transactions or block a banking profile, and says customers should not disclose sensitive details such as username, password, card details, or PIN. (FNB) Absa’s Security Centre highlights fraud risks such as phishing, vishing, SIM-swap scams, and SMiShing, and provides official fraud contact details. (Absa)
Check Network Or Account Status
If the USSD code fails, do not immediately keep retrying. First check whether the transaction went through.
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| USSD session timed out | Wait a few minutes, then check your balance or transaction history before retrying |
| Money left your account but receiver has no SMS | Check transaction status and support options before sending again |
| Receiver entered the wrong code | Confirm whether the PIN or access code has expired, then generate a new one only through the official menu |
| Receiver cannot withdraw | Check the correct ATM/retailer route, expiry, amount, and whether the cash has already been redeemed |
| You sent to the wrong number | Stop immediately and use the bank’s official reversal or support route |
For FNB eWallet, temporary OTPs and ATM PINs are valid for 16 hours. For Absa CashSend, transactions are available for 30 days only. (FNB)
Retry Safely
Only retry after you know the first transaction failed. If your balance changed or the receiver received a withdrawal SMS, do not send a second payment yet.
A safer retry process is:
- Check your balance.
- Check transaction history.
- Ask the receiver whether they received an SMS.
- Confirm whether the transaction is still unredeemed.
- Use the bank’s official reversal, cancellation, or support route if needed.
- Save the reference number and time of the transaction.
Escalation Route
Escalate quickly if:
- the cellphone number is wrong;
- the receiver cannot withdraw;
- the money is unredeemed and close to expiry;
- you suspect a scam;
- the fee or amount differs from what you expected;
- the receiver says someone else has already redeemed the cash.
For FNB eWallet, FNB lists reversals through the FNB App, cellphone banking *120*321#, WhatsApp, or the eWallet call centre. It also says reversals may be possible if the receiver has not used all the money, and that reversal attempts are charged. (FNB)
For Absa CashSend, Absa says unredeemed CashSend transactions can be managed on Absa Online Banking, and its CashSend page lists 0860 111 123 for help. (Absa) For suspected fraud, use Absa’s official fraud hotline rather than a number sent by SMS or WhatsApp. (Absa)
Related Bank and Wallet Guides
Use these pages when you need the exact next step instead of a fee comparison:
| Need | Guide |
|---|---|
| Compare send-money options across providers | Send money USSD code South Africa |
| Send or withdraw using FNB | FNB eWallet USSD code |
| Send or withdraw using Absa | Absa CashSend USSD code |
| Compare Capitec’s send-money option | Capitec Send Cash USSD code |
| Understand cardless withdrawal options | Cardless withdrawal USSD code |
FAQ
What should users check before comparing eWallet fees vs CashSend fees?
Check the sender fee, receiver withdrawal fee, account type, channel, expiry period, reversal cost, transaction limit, and the exact amount shown before confirmation. Fees can differ between app, online banking, ATM, USSD, wallet, and account-based transactions.
Can eWallet fees vs CashSend fees be cancelled or reversed?
Sometimes. FNB says eWallet reversals can be initiated through the app, cellphone banking, WhatsApp, or call centre, but reversal attempts may be charged and may depend on whether the receiver has used the money. (FNB) Absa says unredeemed CashSend transactions can be managed on Absa Online Banking. (Absa)
What happens if a voucher or withdrawal code expires?
If an FNB eWallet temporary PIN or OTP expires, the receiver may need to generate a new one through an official FNB channel. FNB says temporary eWallet OTPs and ATM PINs are valid for 16 hours. (FNB) For Absa CashSend, Absa says the transaction is available for 30 days only, so unredeemed transactions should be checked before that period ends. (Absa)
Are there fees or limits for eWallet fees vs CashSend fees?
Yes. FNB and Absa both publish pricing guides, but the fee depends on the product and channel. FNB Easy PAYU and Easy Bundle list different eWallet sender fees, while Absa’s 2026 pricing guide lists Mobile Banking Lite CashSend at R2.70 per R100 and Absa Transact with 1 free CashSend per month.
What should users do if eWallet or CashSend is not working?
Check your balance, transaction history, receiver SMS, expiry period, and withdrawal channel before sending again. Use the bank’s official app, USSD menu, online banking, call centre, branch, or fraud line. Do not share your PIN, OTP, banking password, full card number, or voucher code with someone claiming they can “fix” the transaction.