Buying a Money Order With a Credit Card: What Actually Works

Most credit cards won't work to buy money orders directly, but you have workarounds

You cannot walk into most places that sell money orders and hand over a credit card to buy one. Walmart, the post office, Western Union, and most banks treat money order purchases as cash advances, which they either block outright or charge you a fee that makes the purchase expensive. The reason: money orders are essentially cash, and credit card companies restrict how you can convert credit into cash.

That said, you have real options. You can use a debit card at most locations, transfer money to a bank account and write a check instead, or use a credit card to fund a digital payment app that then sends money to the recipient. Which route makes sense depends on why you need a money order in the first place and what payment methods the person receiving it will accept.

Key Takeaways

• Credit cards are blocked or charged as cash advances at most money order vendors, including the post office, Walmart, and Western Union.
• A debit card works at nearly all money order locations and carries no extra fees, making it the simplest alternative if you have one.
• If you only have a credit card, you can transfer money to your bank account through a peer-to-peer app and then write a check, or use the credit card to fund the app and send money directly.
• Some credit cards allow balance transfers to a bank account, though these typically charge a fee and count as a cash advance.
• Money orders cost between $1 and $5 depending on the amount and vendor, so a cash advance fee can easily double or triple that cost.

Why credit cards are blocked for money order purchases

When you buy a money order with a credit card, the card issuer sees it as a cash advance — you are converting credit into a form of cash. Credit card companies restrict cash advances because they are riskier than regular purchases. You are borrowing money at a higher interest rate, and there is no merchant protection if something goes wrong.

Most vendors simply will not process a credit card for a money order at all. The post office, Walmart, Western Union, and most banks have policies that block credit card transactions at the register when you try to buy one. If a vendor does allow it, your card issuer may still decline the transaction, or it will go through as a cash advance with a fee attached — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount, plus interest starting immediately (no grace period like you get with regular purchases).

A $500 money order with a 5 percent cash advance fee costs you an extra $25 before interest. That is why this route is almost never worth it.

Using a debit card instead

If you have a debit card linked to a bank account, this is your simplest path. Debit cards are treated like cash by money order vendors and are accepted everywhere — the post office, Walmart, Western Union, grocery stores, and most banks. There are no fees, no cash advance restrictions, and no interest charges.

You can walk in, hand over your debit card, and walk out with a money order in minutes. The transaction posts to your account immediately, just like any other debit card purchase. If you do not have a debit card but have a bank account, you can request one from your bank at no cost — most banks issue them within a few business days.

Converting credit to a bank transfer, then writing a check

If you only have a credit card and no debit card, you can move money into a bank account and then write a check instead of buying a money order. This works if the person or business you are paying will accept a check.

Use a peer-to-peer payment app like PayPal, Venmo, or Square Cash to transfer money from your credit card to your bank account. Most of these apps charge a fee (usually 1 to 3 percent) when you fund them with a credit card, but it is lower than a cash advance fee and you avoid the cash advance interest rate. Once the money lands in your account, you can write a check to the recipient. Checks are free and take a few business days to clear, but they work for rent, bills, and most formal payments.

This route takes longer than a money order — checks clear in 3 to 5 business days instead of immediately — so it does not work if you need the payment to post today.

Sending money directly through a payment app

If the person you are paying has a bank account or uses a payment app themselves, you can skip the money order entirely and send money directly. Apps like PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Zelle let you fund a transfer with a credit card and send it to someone else's account or phone number.

The recipient gets the money in their account within minutes to a few business days, depending on the app and their bank. You pay a fee only if you use a credit card to fund the transfer — debit cards and bank transfers are usually free. The fee is typically 2 to 3 percent for credit card funding, which is still less than a cash advance fee.

This only works if the recipient has a way to receive digital payments. If they need a physical money order for a landlord, government agency, or other formal purpose, this route will not work.

Balance transfers and cash advance checks

Some credit cards offer balance transfer checks or allow you to request a cash advance directly from your card issuer. These checks look like regular checks but are treated as cash advances. You can write one to yourself, deposit it in your bank account, and then buy a money order with the funds.

This is not a good option. Balance transfer checks charge a fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) and interest starts accruing immediately, just like a regular cash advance. You are paying extra money to move credit into cash, and it takes several business days for the check to clear. A debit card or peer-to-peer transfer is faster and cheaper.

When you actually need a money order

Money orders are required in specific situations: some landlords demand them for rent, certain government agencies only accept them for fees or fines, and some people prefer them for large personal loans because they provide proof of payment. If you are in one of these situations and do not have a debit card, your best move is to open a bank account and request a debit card, which usually takes a few business days.

If you need a money order today and have no debit card, ask the person or organization accepting it whether they will take a check, a digital transfer, or a money order purchased with a debit card at a later date. Many will work with you if you explain the situation. If they will not, your only option is to borrow a debit card from someone you trust or visit a bank to see whether they offer cash advances on credit cards (some do, though fees apply).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the post office let me buy a money order with a credit card?

No. The post office does not accept credit cards for money order purchases. You can use cash, a debit card, or a check. If you only have a credit card, you will need to use one of the workarounds described above.

What if my credit card issuer approves the money order purchase?

It will be processed as a cash advance, meaning you pay a fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) and interest starts accruing immediately with no grace period. A $1,000 money order would cost you $30 to $50 in fees alone, plus daily interest. This is why it is worth finding an alternative even if your card allows it.

Can I use a credit card at Walmart to buy a money order?

Walmart does not accept credit cards for money orders at the register. You can use cash, a debit card, or a check. Some Walmart locations have MoneyCenter services that may have different policies, so you can call ahead to ask.

Is a money order cheaper than sending money through PayPal or Venmo?

A money order costs $1 to $5 depending on the amount and vendor. Sending money through PayPal or Venmo with a credit card costs 2 to 3 percent of the amount. For small transfers under $200, the money order is cheaper. For larger amounts, the percentage fee can exceed the money order cost, so compare before you choose.

Can I buy a money order with a prepaid credit card?

Most prepaid cards are treated like credit cards by money order vendors and will be declined or charged as a cash advance. Some prepaid cards that function more like debit cards may work, but you should call the vendor first to confirm. Your prepaid card issuer can tell you whether it is classified as a credit or debit product.