Buying a Money Order With Your Credit Card

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

When you walk up to a counter to buy a money order, the cashier will almost always ask for cash or a debit card. Credit card companies treat money orders as a cash advance — a way to get cash out of your credit line — and they charge a fee for it, usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount. Because of that fee, most retailers and banks simply don't accept credit cards for money orders at all. It's easier for them to say no than to process the transaction and collect the fee.

That said, there are a few workarounds if you need to buy a money order and only have a credit card available. None of them are seamless, but they do exist, and which one works depends on what you're trying to do and what payment methods you actually have access to.

Key Takeaways

• Credit card companies charge a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) when you use a credit card to get cash, so retailers rarely accept credit cards for money orders.
• You can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card and then buy a money order with that cash, though you'll pay the cash advance fee plus any ATM fee.
• A debit card, if you have one, is the standard payment method for money orders and avoids the cash advance fee entirely.
• Some money order services like MoneyGram or Western Union may accept credit cards for online orders, but you should confirm the fee structure before proceeding.
• If you're trying to pay a bill or send money, a money order may not be your only option — bank transfers, bill pay services, or payment apps might work without the extra fees.

Using an ATM to withdraw cash, then buying the money order

The most straightforward workaround is to use your credit card at an ATM to withdraw cash, then use that cash to buy a money order at a bank, post office, or retailer. Most ATMs accept credit cards, though not all do — you may need to try a few or use an ATM owned by your credit card issuer.

The catch is that you'll pay two fees: a cash advance fee from your credit card company (typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn) and an ATM fee if you're using a machine outside your bank's network (usually $2 to $3). So if you need a $500 money order, you might pay $15 to $25 in fees just to get the cash. Once you have the cash, buying the money order itself is straightforward — the post office, Walmart, Western Union, or your bank will sell you one for a small fee (usually $1 to $2).

Checking if MoneyGram or Western Union accept credit cards online

MoneyGram and Western Union both offer online money order services, and some of their platforms do accept credit cards. However, the fee structure varies depending on which service you use and how you're sending the money. Before you proceed, you need to confirm what the total cost will be, because the credit card fee plus the money transfer fee can add up quickly.

Visit MoneyGram.com or WesternUnion.com directly and look for their money order or bill pay options. During checkout, you'll see what payment methods are accepted and what the fees are. If credit cards are accepted, the site will show you the exact amount you'll be charged before you confirm. This is worth checking because the fees are sometimes lower online than they are in person, and some services waive certain fees for first-time users.

Using a debit card instead, if you have one

If you have a debit card linked to a checking account, that's the easiest and cheapest way to buy a money order. Every bank, post office, and retailer that sells money orders accepts debit cards, and there's no cash advance fee because the money comes straight from your account, not from a credit line.

The only fee you'll pay is the money order fee itself, which is typically $1 to $2 depending on where you buy it. The post office charges around $1.45 for money orders up to $500, and Walmart charges $0.88 to $1.24 depending on the amount. If you don't have a debit card but have a checking account, you can usually get one from your bank for free within a few days.

Considering whether a money order is the right tool for what you need

Before you go through the hassle of using a credit card to get cash for a money order, step back and think about whether a money order is actually what you need. Money orders are useful for specific situations — paying rent to a landlord who doesn't accept cards, sending cash through the mail safely, or paying someone who doesn't have a bank account. But if you're trying to pay a bill, send money to someone with a bank account, or make an online purchase, there are usually cheaper and faster options.

If you're paying a bill, check whether the company offers online bill pay or accepts credit cards directly — most utilities, insurance companies, and loan servicers do. If you're sending money to someone, a bank transfer, Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App might be free or cheaper than a money order. If you're trying to pay rent, ask your landlord whether they accept credit card payments through a service like Plastiq, which charges a fee but might be cheaper than the cash advance route. The point is: money orders have a specific purpose, and if you're paying a credit card fee to get cash for one, it's worth asking whether you're using the right tool.

What happens if you use a credit card for a cash advance at a bank

Some banks will let you do a cash advance directly at the teller window — you hand over your credit card, they give you cash, and you walk out. This is technically different from using an ATM, but the fee structure is the same: your credit card company charges a cash advance fee (3 to 5 percent) plus interest that starts accruing immediately, with no grace period like you'd have on a regular purchase.

The advantage is that you avoid the ATM fee, so you're only paying the credit card company's fee. The disadvantage is that interest starts right away, so the longer you hold the cash before using it, the more you pay. If you're going to do this, buy the money order the same day you get the cash advance to minimize interest charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Some online money order services like MoneyGram and Western Union accept credit cards, but you'll pay a credit card processing fee on top of the money order fee. Check the specific service's website to see what payment methods they accept and what the total cost will be before you proceed.

Why do money order places refuse credit cards?

Retailers and banks don't accept credit cards for money orders because credit card companies charge a cash advance fee, and the retailer has to absorb or pass along that cost. It's simpler for them to only accept cash and debit cards, which don't trigger that fee.

Is there a fee if I use my credit card at an ATM to get cash for a money order?

Yes, you'll pay two fees: a cash advance fee from your credit card company (usually 3 to 5 percent) and possibly an ATM fee if you use a machine outside your bank's network (typically $2 to $3). Interest also starts accruing immediately on the cash advance, unlike regular credit card purchases.

What's the cheapest way to send money if I only have a credit card?

If the person you're sending money to has a bank account, a free transfer service like Venmo or your bank's bill pay feature is cheaper than a money order. If they need cash, ask whether they can receive money through PayPal or Cash App instead, which may have lower fees than the credit card cash advance route.

Can I use a credit card to buy a money order at Walmart or the post office?

No, Walmart and the post office only accept cash and debit cards for money orders. If you only have a credit card, you'll need to withdraw cash from an ATM first, which will trigger a cash advance fee from your credit card company.