How to Get a Money Order With a Credit Card

Published on November 2, 20267 minute read

You can't buy a money order directly with a credit card at most places, but you have workarounds

Most money order sellers — post offices, grocery stores, Walmart, Western Union — won't let you hand them a credit card and walk out with a money order. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes traveler's checks, but not credit cards. The reason is simple: money orders are supposed to be a may provide payment, and the seller needs to know the money is actually there before they issue it. A credit card is a promise to pay later, not a payment right now.

That said, you have real options if you need a money order and only have a credit card available. The most straightforward is to use your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy the money order. You can also transfer money from your credit card to a bank account (if your card issuer allows it) and then pay with your debit card. A third option is to use a cash advance, though this one costs more and should be your last resort.

Key Takeaways

Money order sellers require cash or a debit card because they need immediate payment, not a credit card promise to pay later.
The cheapest way to use a credit card for a money order is to withdraw cash from an ATM with your card, then buy the money order with that cash.
Some credit card issuers let you transfer money directly to a linked bank account, which you can then use to pay for a money order with your debit card.
A credit card cash advance will get you cash immediately but charges a fee (usually 3–5% of the amount) plus interest starting right away, with no grace period.

Using an ATM withdrawal to get cash for a money order

This is the most common path. You use your credit card at an ATM to withdraw cash, then take that cash to a money order seller. The process is straightforward: insert your card, enter your PIN, select the withdrawal amount, and collect your cash. Most credit cards work at ATMs, though some issuers charge a fee for out-of-network withdrawals (usually $2 to $5 per transaction).

The catch is that ATM withdrawals from a credit card are treated as a cash advance, not a regular purchase. This means you start paying interest immediately — there is no grace period like there is for regular credit card purchases. Interest rates on cash advances are often higher than the rate on regular purchases, sometimes 2 to 5 percentage points higher. If you withdraw $200 and pay it back within a month, the interest might be $5 to $10. If you carry the balance longer, it adds up quickly.

Check your credit card statement or call your issuer to confirm they allow ATM withdrawals and what the fee and interest rate are. Some cards limit how much you can withdraw in a single day or over a period of time.

Transferring credit card funds to your bank account

Some credit card issuers offer a feature called a balance transfer or a direct transfer to a linked bank account. This lets you move money from your credit card into a checking or savings account, and then you can use your debit card to pay for the money order. This avoids the cash advance fee and interest that come with an ATM withdrawal.

Not all issuers offer this, and the ones that do may charge a fee (typically 3% of the amount transferred) or require you to set it up in advance. Call your credit card issuer and ask whether they allow transfers to a linked bank account. If they do, ask what the fee is and whether there is a waiting period before the money shows up in your account. Some transfers happen within one business day; others take longer.

Once the money is in your bank account, you can use your debit card to buy a money order at any seller that accepts debit cards. This is usually cheaper than an ATM withdrawal if your issuer charges a lower transfer fee than the cash advance fee.

Using a credit card cash advance

A cash advance is when you borrow money directly from your credit card issuer, and they deposit it into your bank account or give it to you as cash. You can request a cash advance by calling your issuer or sometimes through their mobile app or website. The money usually arrives within one to two business days.

Cash advances are expensive. You pay an upfront fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount) plus interest that starts accruing immediately, with no grace period. If you need $300, you might pay a $9 to $15 fee right away, plus interest at a rate that could be 20% or higher per year. Over a month, that could cost you $5 to $10 in interest alone. Over several months, it becomes much more costly.

Use a cash advance only if you have no other way to get the money and you plan to pay it back quickly. It is the most expensive option on this list.

When you should reconsider using a credit card at all

Before you go through any of these steps, ask yourself whether you actually need a money order. Money orders are useful when someone requires a may provide payment and won't accept a personal check or credit card. But they are not the only way to send money. You could also use a bank transfer, a payment app like Venmo or PayPal, or a wire transfer through your bank.

If the person or business asking for a money order will accept one of these alternatives, use that instead. They are usually faster, cheaper, and don't require you to convert your credit card into cash. If a money order is truly required and you only have a credit card, an ATM withdrawal is your cheapest option — just plan to pay back the cash advance quickly to minimize interest.

Money order costs and limits to know

Money orders themselves are inexpensive — usually between $1 and $5 depending on the amount and where you buy them. But when you add the cost of converting your credit card to cash, the total cost rises. A $200 money order might cost $2 to $5 for the order itself, plus $2 to $5 for an out-of-network ATM fee, plus interest on the cash advance. Over a month, you could spend $10 to $15 total.

Most money order sellers have limits on how much you can buy in a single transaction. The U.S. Postal Service caps money orders at $1,000 each. Walmart and grocery stores often cap them at $500 to $1,000. If you need to send more than the limit, you can buy multiple money orders, but each one will cost you a separate fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will using a credit card for a money order hurt my credit score?

A cash advance itself does not directly hurt your score, but it increases your credit utilization (the amount of available credit you are using), which can lower your score slightly. If you pay back the cash advance quickly, the impact is usually small and temporary. Carrying a balance on the cash advance for months will hurt your score more because of the high interest rate.

Can I use a prepaid credit card to buy a money order?

Most prepaid cards work like debit cards at money order sellers, so you can usually buy a money order directly without converting to cash first. Check with your prepaid card issuer to confirm, but this is often easier and cheaper than using a traditional credit card.

What if my credit card doesn't work at ATMs?

Some credit cards, especially store cards or cards designed for purchases only, don't allow ATM withdrawals. Call your issuer to confirm whether your card can withdraw cash. If it can't, your best option is to ask whether they offer a balance transfer or direct bank transfer instead.

Is there a way to avoid the cash advance fee?

If your issuer offers a direct transfer to your bank account, that may have a lower fee than a cash advance. Otherwise, the only way to avoid fees is to use a debit card or cash instead of a credit card. If you don't have either, consider whether you can delay the money order purchase until you do.