Most credit card companies won't let you buy a money order directly, but a few workarounds exist

You cannot walk into a store and hand a cashier your credit card to buy a money order the way you would with cash or a debit card. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express all treat money order purchases as cash advances, which means the transaction gets flagged differently than a regular purchase. A cash advance typically comes with a higher interest rate (often 3 to 5 percentage points above your regular APR), a separate fee, and interest that starts accruing when ready — not after a grace period like a regular purchase.

That said, you do have options if you need a money order and only have a credit card available. The most practical route is to use your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy the money order. Other paths exist but come with their own costs and limitations.

Key Takeaways

  • Buying a money order directly with a credit card triggers a cash advance, which charges a higher interest rate and an upfront fee.
  • Using your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then buying the money order with that cash, avoids the cash advance classification entirely.
  • Some credit cards allow you to transfer a balance to your checking account, which you can then use to buy a money order without a cash advance fee.
  • Money order fees at Western Union, MoneyGram, and grocery stores typically range from $1 to $5 depending on the amount, and this fee applies whether you pay with cash or credit.
  • If you are trying to avoid credit card debt, a money order may not solve the problem — you are still borrowing money at a higher rate.

Why money order purchases count as cash advances

Credit card networks classify money orders the same way they classify ATM withdrawals: as a way to convert credit into cash. From the card issuer's perspective, you are not buying a product or service — you are accessing your credit line as if it were a bank account. This distinction matters because it changes how the transaction is priced.

A regular purchase on your credit card has a grace period, usually 21 to 25 days, during which no interest accrues if you pay the full balance. A cash advance skips that grace period entirely. Interest starts the day the transaction posts, even if you pay it off when ready. On top of that, most issuers charge a cash advance fee — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount, with a minimum of $5 to $10. If you need a $500 money order, you might pay $15 to $25 just in fees, plus interest from day one.

Using an ATM withdrawal to avoid the cash advance fee

The simplest workaround is to treat the credit card as a way to get cash, then buy the money order with that cash. You withdraw money from an ATM using your credit card, pay the ATM fee (usually $2 to $3), and then buy the money order at a store or bank. This still counts as a cash advance, so you still pay interest from day one and you still owe the ATM fee. But you avoid the separate cash advance fee that some issuers charge on top of everything else.

The math depends on your card's terms. If your card charges a 3 percent cash advance fee plus 25 percent APR, withdrawing $500 costs you $15 upfront plus interest. An ATM fee of $3 is cheaper than that $15, so the ATM route saves money. But if your card charges no cash advance fee and only charges interest, the ATM fee is pure extra cost. Check your card's terms before you decide.

One more consideration: ATM withdrawal limits. Most credit cards cap how much you can withdraw in a single day — often $500 to $1,000. If you need a larger money order, you may have to make multiple withdrawals across multiple days.

Balance transfers and checking account deposits

Some credit cards offer balance transfers to a checking account, which is different from a cash advance. A balance transfer moves money from your credit card into your bank account, and depending on your card's terms, this may not trigger a cash advance fee. The interest rate might still be higher than a regular purchase, but you avoid the upfront fee.

Not all cards offer this feature, and the ones that do often limit it to existing customers or charge a fee anyway. Call your card issuer and ask whether they allow balance transfers to a linked checking account and what the fee structure is. If they do, and if there is no fee, this is the cheapest way to get cash for a money order.

Once the money is in your checking account, you can write a check, use your debit card, or withdraw cash to buy the money order. None of these steps trigger additional fees beyond whatever interest your credit card charges.

What money order fees actually cost

Regardless of how you pay for it, the money order itself has a fee. Western Union charges $1 to $5 depending on the amount and location. MoneyGram charges roughly the same. Grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, and Walmart typically charge $0.70 to $2 for a money order under $1,000. Banks sometimes offer them free to customers or charge $5 to $10.

These fees are separate from whatever you pay to get the cash in the first place. If you withdraw $500 from an ATM using your credit card, pay a $3 ATM fee, and then buy a $500 money order for $2, your total cost is $5 plus interest on the $500 cash advance.

When a money order makes sense despite the cost

A money order is useful when you need to send money to someone who will not accept a personal check or a digital payment. Landlords, utility companies, and some government agencies still require them. If you have no other way to pay and you only have a credit card, the cash advance route is worth the cost — you are solving a real problem.

But if you are considering a money order because you are trying to avoid spending money you do not have, a credit card cash advance makes that problem worse, not better. You are borrowing at a high interest rate and paying fees on top. A better move is to ask the person or organization you owe money to whether they accept payment plans, digital transfers, or checks. Most do.

Alternatives to money orders when you have a credit card

Before you buy a money order, consider whether you actually need one. If the recipient has a bank account, you can send money via wire transfer, ACH transfer, or a service like Venmo or PayPal. These methods cost less or nothing and do not require a cash advance. If the recipient does not have a bank account, a prepaid debit card loaded with cash might work instead.

If the recipient specifically requires a money order and will not accept anything else, and if you only have a credit card, then yes, a cash advance is your only option. But that situation is rarer than it seems. Most people and organizations have moved to digital payments or will accept a check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it matter which store I buy the money order from?

No, a money order is a money order regardless of where you buy it. Walmart and grocery stores are usually cheapest at under $2. Western Union and MoneyGram charge more but have more locations. Banks sometimes offer them free to customers. The recipient does not care where it came from — they only care that it is a valid money order.

Can I use a prepaid credit card to buy a money order without a cash advance?

Prepaid cards are not credit cards, so the cash advance rules do not explore. You can usually buy a money order with a prepaid card the same way you would with a debit card. Check your prepaid card's terms to confirm, because some issuers restrict money order purchases.

What if my credit card company denies the cash advance?

Credit card issuers sometimes block cash advances if your account is new, if you have missed payments, or if you are near your credit limit. If your card declines at the ATM, call your issuer and ask why. They may temporarily increase your cash advance limit, or they may tell you the account is not may be able to access. If you are denied, you will need to use a different payment method.

Will buying a money order with a credit card hurt my credit score?

A cash advance itself does not hurt your score, but it does increase your credit utilization — the percentage of your available credit you are using. High utilization can lower your score temporarily. More importantly, if you do not pay off the cash advance quickly, the high interest rate will cost you money and make it harder to pay down your balance.

Is there a limit to how much I can spend on a money order?

Most money orders max out at $1,000 per order, though some issuers allow up to $5,000. If you need to send more than that, you can buy multiple money orders. Your credit card's cash advance limit is the real constraint — you cannot withdraw more cash than your card allows in a single day.