Moving Money From Your Credit Card to Your Debit Card

You cannot transfer money directly from a credit card to a debit card

A credit card and a debit card work in opposite directions. Your debit card pulls money out of an account you already own. Your credit card borrows money from the card issuer, which you pay back later. Because of this fundamental difference, you cannot move funds straight from one to the other the way you might move money between two bank accounts.

What you can do is use your credit card to get cash or make a purchase, then deposit or spend that money through your debit card. The catch is that most of these routes cost you money — either through fees or interest charges — so it matters which method you choose and why you need to do this in the first place.

Key Takeaways

• Credit cards and debit cards cannot transfer funds directly to each other because they are fundamentally different types of accounts.
• A cash advance from your credit card gets you physical money but charges a fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus interest that starts immediately.
• Using your credit card to buy a money order or gift card, then converting it back to cash, adds multiple fees and is more expensive than a cash advance.
• If you need to move money between accounts you own, transfer between your bank accounts instead — this is free and takes one to two business days.
• Balance transfer checks from your credit card issuer can move money to your bank account, but they charge a fee and count as a cash advance for interest purposes.

Getting cash from a credit card through an ATM or bank

A cash advance is the most direct way to get money out of your credit card. You go to an ATM or walk into a bank branch and withdraw cash using your credit card, just as you would with a debit card. The money appears in your hand immediately.

The cost is significant. Most credit card issuers charge a cash advance fee of 3 to 5 percent of the amount you withdraw — so pulling out $500 costs you $15 to $25 right away. On top of that, interest on a cash advance usually starts accruing the day you withdraw it, not at the end of your billing cycle like regular purchases. The interest rate for cash advances is often higher than your regular purchase rate. If you carry the balance for a month, you could pay another $10 to $20 in interest on that $500.

Once you have the cash, you can deposit it into your debit card's bank account at an ATM or branch, or spend it directly. There is no fee to deposit cash into your own account.

Using a balance transfer check

Some credit card issuers send balance transfer checks to cardholders. These are blank checks drawn against your credit card account. You write one to yourself, deposit it into your bank account, and the money appears there — usually within one to two business days.

Balance transfer checks carry the same fees and interest structure as cash advances: a fee of 3 to 5 percent, plus interest that starts immediately. A $500 check costs you $15 to $25 upfront, plus interest from day one. The advantage over an ATM cash advance is convenience — you do not have to visit a branch or ATM, and you can deposit the check remotely through your bank's mobile app.

If your credit card issuer has sent you these checks, look at the terms in the envelope or call the number on the back of your card to confirm the fee and interest rate before you use one.

Why buying a money order or gift card does not save money

Some people try to avoid cash advance fees by using their credit card to buy a money order or gift card, then converting that back to cash or depositing it. This does not work financially.

A money order costs 50 cents to $5 depending on the amount and where you buy it. A gift card to a retailer or restaurant has no direct fee, but you then have to sell it or convert it back to cash through a third-party site, which takes a cut of 5 to 15 percent. Combined, these fees often exceed the 3 to 5 percent cash advance fee, and you still owe interest on the credit card purchase. You end up paying more, not less.

Transferring between your own bank accounts instead

If the money you need is already in another account you own — a savings account, a second checking account, or even another bank entirely — transfer it directly between those accounts instead. This is free and takes one to two business days through your bank's website or app.

You can also use a service like Zelle (which most banks offer for free) or ACH transfer to move money between accounts at different banks. These are also free and take one to three business days. Once the money lands in your checking account, you can spend it with your debit card immediately.

This route only works if you actually have money in another account. If you are trying to borrow money using your credit card because you do not have funds elsewhere, a transfer between your own accounts will not solve the problem.

When you might actually need to do this

Moving money from a credit card to a debit card makes sense in only a few situations. One is if you have a credit card with a 0 percent introductory rate on balance transfers and you want to move that low-interest money into your bank account to pay off a higher-interest debt elsewhere. Even then, the balance transfer fee eats into the savings, so do the math first.

Another scenario is if you are in a genuine emergency and your debit card account is empty but you have available credit. A cash advance is expensive, but it is faster than waiting for a paycheck or a loan. Just understand that you are paying 3 to 5 percent plus interest for the speed.

A third reason might be that you are traveling internationally and your debit card does not work, but your credit card does. A cash advance in a foreign currency lets you get local money, though the fee and exchange rate markup make it costly. In this case, it is still worth doing because the alternative is having no access to money at all.

Fees and interest rates vary by card and issuer

Every credit card issuer sets its own cash advance fee and interest rate. Some charge 3 percent, others charge 5 percent. Some charge a flat minimum fee (like $5 minimum) on top of the percentage. Interest rates for cash advances range from 18 to 36 percent depending on your creditworthiness and the card.

Before you take a cash advance, call the number on the back of your credit card or log into your online account and look up the exact fee and rate. The cost can vary significantly between cards, so if you have multiple credit cards, compare them first. A card with a 3 percent fee is meaningfully cheaper than one with a 5 percent fee when you are withdrawing several hundred dollars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my credit card to load money onto a prepaid debit card?

Yes, many prepaid card issuers allow you to load funds using a credit card. However, this does not move money from your credit card to your debit card — it charges your credit card for the load amount, just like any other purchase. You are borrowing from your credit card issuer and will owe that money back. There is usually no fee to load a prepaid card with a credit card, but you will pay interest on the credit card balance if you do not pay it off in full.

What if I use my credit card to buy a cashier's check?

A cashier's check works the same way as a money order: you use your credit card to pay for it, then deposit it into your bank account. The check itself costs $5 to $15 depending on your bank, and you still owe the credit card issuer for the purchase plus interest. This is more expensive than a direct cash advance and offers no real advantage.

Is there a way to transfer credit card debt to my debit card account?

No. Your debit card is linked to money you own; your credit card is money you borrow. You cannot move a debt from one to the other. What you can do is pay off your credit card balance using money from your debit card account — transfer funds from your bank account to your credit card issuer to reduce what you owe.

Do peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo let me move credit card money to my debit card?

Technically, yes, but it is inefficient and costly. You can use your credit card to send money to a friend through Venmo or PayPal, then have them send it back to your bank account. However, this adds transaction fees, takes multiple days, and involves a third party. A direct cash advance is simpler and often cheaper.

What happens if I cannot pay back a cash advance?

A cash advance is a debt on your credit card, just like any other charge. If you do not pay it back, interest accrues, your credit card balance grows, and it can damage your credit score if you miss payments. The credit card issuer can also charge late fees. Unlike a bank loan, there is no collateral — the issuer simply reports the missed payment to credit bureaus and may eventually send your account to a collection agency.