Can You Buy a Money Order With a Credit Card?

Most places won't let you buy a money order with a credit card directly

When you walk up to a counter at the post office, Walmart, or a check-cashing store to buy a money order, they will ask for cash or a debit card. Credit cards are almost never accepted as payment for the money order itself. This is a deliberate policy by money order sellers — they treat credit card purchases as cash advances, which come with fees and higher interest rates, and they want to avoid the extra cost and complexity.

The one exception is some online money order services, which may let you pay with a credit card to order a money order that gets mailed to you or the recipient. But these are rare, and you will pay a markup for the convenience. For most people in most situations, you need cash or a debit card at the counter.

Key Takeaways

• Post offices, Walmart, Western Union, and check-cashing stores do not accept credit cards to buy money orders at the counter.
• A few online money order services accept credit card payment, but they charge extra fees and take several business days to deliver.
• If you do not have cash or a debit card, using a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then buying the money order with that cash, is your most practical option.
• Money order sellers avoid credit cards because they classify the purchase as a cash advance, which triggers higher fees and interest rates.

Why credit cards are blocked for money order purchases

When you use a credit card to buy something that functions as cash — like a money order, gift card, or casino chip — the card network and your bank treat it as a cash advance. A cash advance is different from a regular purchase. It starts charging interest immediately, with no grace period, and the interest rate is usually much higher than your regular purchase rate. You also pay an upfront fee, typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount.

Money order sellers know this. They also know that if they accepted credit cards, they would have to process those transactions as cash advances, which would slow down their systems and create liability. So instead, they simply do not accept credit cards. It is simpler for them, and it protects customers from accidentally triggering expensive cash advance fees.

Where you can and cannot use a credit card for money orders

Post offices: The United States Postal Service does not accept credit cards for money order purchases. You can pay with cash, debit card, or traveler's checks only.

Walmart: Walmart MoneyCenter locations do not accept credit cards for money orders. Cash and debit cards only.

Western Union: Western Union locations (which are often inside grocery stores or pharmacies) do not accept credit cards for money order purchases.

Check-cashing stores: Most independent check-cashing and money services stores do not accept credit cards for money orders, though a few may. Call ahead if you want to confirm.

Online money order services: A small number of online providers, such as MoneyGram online or certain third-party money order apps, do accept credit card payment. However, they charge additional fees (often $5 to $10 on top of the base money order fee) and take 3 to 7 business days to deliver. This route makes sense only if you have no other way to pay and time is not urgent.

How to get cash to buy a money order if you only have a credit card

If you need a money order and only have a credit card available, your best option is to withdraw cash from an ATM using that card, then use the cash to buy the money order. Yes, ATM withdrawals are also treated as cash advances and will charge you a fee and interest — but the fee is usually smaller (often $2 to $3) than the 3 to 5 percent you would pay if the money order seller processed the card as a cash advance. You will also pay interest on the ATM withdrawal, but only from the day you withdraw until you pay the card off, whereas a money order cash advance might start accruing interest differently depending on your card's terms.

Another option is to ask a friend or family member to lend you cash, then pay them back with your credit card later (for example, by using the card to pay them through a payment app). This avoids the cash advance fee entirely, though it requires someone else to help you.

A third option is to use a debit card if you have one. Many people have both a credit card and a debit card linked to a checking account. Debit cards are accepted everywhere money orders are sold, and there is no cash advance fee or interest charge.

What happens if you try to use a credit card at the counter anyway

If you show up with only a credit card, the cashier will tell you they cannot process it and ask you to provide cash or a debit card instead. They will not run the card as a cash advance without your knowledge. At that point, you have a few choices: go to an ATM and withdraw cash, ask if the store has an ATM on-site, call someone to bring you cash, or come back another time with a debit card or cash.

Some people try to buy a money order with a credit card through a payment app like PayPal or Venmo, thinking the app will process it as a regular purchase. This does not work — the payment app will decline the transaction or flag it as suspicious, because money order purchases are restricted on most payment platforms for the same reasons money order sellers restrict credit cards.

Alternatives to money orders if you do not have cash or a debit card

If getting cash or a debit card is difficult, you have other ways to send money or make a payment. A cashier's check from your bank works similarly to a money order but is drawn on your bank account, so you can pay with your credit card if your bank allows it (though most banks also restrict this). A wire transfer through your bank or a service like Western Union lets you send money directly and can often be paid for with a credit card, though fees are higher. Payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, or Square Cash let you send money to someone's email or phone number, and many accept credit card payment, though they may charge a fee.

The right choice depends on what you are paying for, who you are paying, and how quickly the money needs to arrive. Money orders are useful when the recipient needs a physical, may provide payment instrument. If the recipient can accept a digital transfer or a check, those alternatives may be easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A few online money order services accept credit cards, but most do not. MoneyGram online and some third-party apps may allow it, though they charge extra fees and take several business days to mail the money order. For most online services, you still need to pay with a debit card, bank transfer, or cash.

Will my credit card company charge me a cash advance fee if I buy a money order?

Only if the money order seller accepts your credit card and processes it as a cash advance. Since most sellers do not accept credit cards, this usually does not happen. However, if you withdraw cash from an ATM to buy the money order, that ATM withdrawal will be treated as a cash advance and will charge a fee.

What if the money order seller says they accept credit cards?

Some smaller or independent money order locations may accept credit cards, though this is uncommon. If they do, ask them to confirm whether they are processing it as a regular purchase or a cash advance. If it is a cash advance, you will pay a fee and interest, so it may be worth going to an ATM instead.

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

Most prepaid cards are treated the same way as regular credit cards by money order sellers, so they will likely be declined. However, some prepaid cards function more like debit cards and may be accepted. Check with your prepaid card issuer or try at the counter — if it does not work, you can use it to withdraw cash from an ATM instead.

Is there a limit to how much cash I can withdraw from an ATM with a credit card?

Yes. Most credit cards have a daily cash advance limit, which is often lower than your regular credit limit. This limit varies by card and issuer. Check your card's terms or call your card issuer to find out your limit before you try to withdraw cash for a large money order.