If you dont want to use a credit/debit card, just go to a western union office (usually also inside some stores) and fill out the paper work and give cash.

WU does shows up as cash advance using credit cards (did this before)
I have used my debit card before on WU and nothing happened

Bingo.

Thousands of folks in our town do this everyday at Publix, the major grocery chain in South Florida.

Note that if you do use a debit or credit card with Western Union, the recipient never sees the card info, if you're worried about that.

It worked at a Walmart in Surrey.

I have a debit card with B of A.

It seems like folks are talking about two options:

1. Go to Western Union and pay by cash
2. Do online and pay by debit card

Which of the above would be 'safer' for me? If about the same, I much rather stay at home and do it online.

Define what means "safer"?

If you are talking about protection should your tour operator default on you - neither is safe. There is NO protection no matter how you pay it - CC, debit card or cash.

If you are talking about the safety of your debit card info - only Western Union has your debit card info, just like any other online transactions.

Really dont understand what your hung up is.

Can you send money to someone using a gift card through WU?

OR can you buy a WU gift card with your miles-earning CC and then send money that way?

Edit: called and neither of above would work.

Next question: anyone found a card that works with no cash advance charge? I found a merchant that will refund credit card WU fees but not cash advance fees so if I find a card that works with WU I'm in!

If there was there would be at least a couple posts in the past 30 months;)