How to Buy 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 into a store or post office to buy a money order, the cashier will ask for cash or a debit card — not a credit card. This is a deliberate policy at nearly every money order seller. The reason is simple: money orders are treated like cash once they're issued, so sellers don't want to risk a chargeback if you dispute the transaction later.

That said, there are real ways to use your credit card to get a money order. None of them are direct, but they work, and some actually give you credit card rewards in the process.

Key Takeaways

• Money order sellers — the post office, Walmart, Western Union, and check-cashing stores — do not accept credit cards as payment for money orders themselves.
• You can use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy a money order, though ATM cash advances usually carry a fee and higher interest rate.
• Some payment apps like PayPal and Square Cash let you link a credit card and transfer money to someone's bank account, which works as an alternative to a money order for many situations.
• A few banks let you order money orders through their online banking portal and pay with your linked credit card, though this is rare and depends on your bank.
• Using a credit card to get cash for a money order costs more than paying cash directly, so weigh whether the reward points are worth the fees.

Getting cash from an ATM using your credit card

The most straightforward route is to use your credit card to withdraw cash at an ATM, then buy the money order with that cash. Most credit cards let you do this, though it comes with costs that cash or debit doesn't.

When you use a credit card at an ATM, the transaction is called a cash advance. Your card issuer charges you a fee — usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount you withdraw, with a minimum fee of $2 to $5. On top of that, cash advances start accruing interest immediately, with no grace period like you get on regular purchases. The interest rate is often higher than your regular purchase rate, sometimes 5 to 10 percentage points higher.

The math: if you withdraw $200 for a money order and your card charges a 4 percent cash advance fee, you pay $8 upfront. If the cash advance rate is 24 percent and you pay it back in a month, you'll owe roughly $4 in interest. That's $12 total to get $200 in cash. For most people, this only makes sense if your credit card offers rewards that cover the cost — for example, a card that gives 2 percent cash back would earn you $4, leaving you $8 in the hole.

Using payment apps as an alternative to money orders

If the person you're paying has a bank account, a payment app might work better than a money order. Apps like PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Google Pay let you link your credit card and send money directly to someone's bank account or to their app account.

The catch: most of these apps charge a fee when you use a credit card instead of a bank account or debit card. PayPal charges 2.2 percent plus $0.30 per transaction when you send money using a credit card. Venmo charges 3 percent. Square Cash charges 1.5 percent. If you're sending $200, that's $4.40 to $6 in fees — less than a cash advance, but still a cost.

The advantage is speed and safety. The money lands in the recipient's account in minutes or hours, not days. And unlike a money order, which can be lost or stolen, the money goes straight to their bank. If the person you're paying doesn't have a bank account or app account, though, this won't work.

Checking whether your bank offers online money order ordering

Some banks let you order money orders through their website or app and charge your linked credit card. This is uncommon, but worth checking if you bank with a larger institution.

Call your bank's customer service line or log into your online banking portal and search for "money order." If your bank offers this service, you'll usually be able to order one or more money orders, pay with your credit card, and have them mailed to you or held for pickup. The process typically takes 3 to 5 business days.

This route avoids the cash advance fees and interest, since you're paying for a service your bank is providing, not withdrawing cash. However, not all banks offer this, and those that do may charge a per-order fee of $5 to $10.

Using a debit card instead, if you have one

If you have a debit card linked to a bank account, that's the cheapest way to buy a money order. Debit cards are accepted everywhere money orders are sold — the post office, Walmart, Western Union, and check-cashing stores — and there's no fee or interest charge. You're simply spending money that's already in your account.

If you don't have a debit card but have a credit card, opening a basic checking account at a bank or credit union takes about 15 minutes online and comes with a debit card. This is worth doing if you buy money orders regularly, since the savings add up fast.

Where money orders are sold and what they cost

Money orders themselves are inexpensive — usually $1 to $3 each, depending on the amount and where you buy them. The U.S. Postal Service charges up to $1.45 for a money order up to $500. Walmart charges $0.88 to $1.48. Western Union and check-cashing stores vary by location but are typically in the same range.

The cost of the money order itself is not the issue. The issue is the cost of getting cash to pay for it with a credit card. If you're paying $8 to $12 in fees and interest just to get the cash, you're spending 10 to 15 times what the money order costs.

When a money order actually makes sense with a credit card

There are a few situations where using a credit card to get a money order is reasonable. If you're building credit and your card offers rewards, and you can pay off the cash advance immediately, the rewards might offset the fees. If you're in a situation where you must send money by money order — for example, to a government agency or a landlord who won't accept other payment methods — and you have no other way to pay, then the fees are worth it.

But for most everyday payments, a payment app, bank transfer, or debit card is cheaper and faster. Money orders are useful when the recipient needs proof of payment or won't accept digital transfers, not because they're the only option.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Walmart, the U.S. Postal Service, Western Union, and check-cashing stores all require cash or a debit card to buy a money order. They will not accept a credit card at the register.

What's the difference between a cash advance and a regular credit card purchase?

A cash advance charges you a fee upfront (usually 3 to 5 percent) and starts accruing interest immediately at a higher rate than regular purchases. A regular purchase has no upfront fee and gets a grace period before interest kicks in. Cash advances are expensive and should be avoided unless necessary.

Is it cheaper to use PayPal or Venmo instead of getting a money order?

It depends on the amount and your card's rewards. PayPal charges 2.2 percent plus $0.30; Venmo charges 3 percent. On a $200 transfer, that's $4.40 to $6. A cash advance on a $200 withdrawal costs $8 to $10 in fees alone, plus interest. But if the recipient doesn't have a bank account or app, neither option works.

Will my credit card rewards cover the cost of a cash advance fee?

Possibly, but rarely by much. A 2 percent cash back card earns $4 on a $200 withdrawal, but the cash advance fee is $8 to $10. You'd still lose money. Only high-reward cards (3 percent or more) come close to breaking even, and most don't offer that rate on cash advances.

Can I order a money order online and pay with my credit card?

Some banks offer this through their online banking portal, but it's not common. Call your bank to ask. If they do offer it, you'll pay a per-order fee of $5 to $10, which is still cheaper than a cash advance fee on a large amount.