Most places that sell money orders won't take a credit card directly
You cannot walk into a bank, post office, or convenience store and hand them a credit card to buy a money order. Money order sellers — banks, the U.S. Postal Service, Western Union, and check-cashing stores — require payment in cash, debit card, or sometimes a personal check. A credit card transaction creates a cash advance, which costs you a fee and interest when ready, so most sellers block it to protect you.
If you need to buy a money order and only have a credit card available, you have a few real paths forward. None of them are seamless, but they work.
Key Takeaways
- Money order sellers do not accept credit cards because a credit card purchase would count as a cash advance with when ready fees and interest.
- You can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then use that cash to buy a money order, though you will pay a cash advance fee.
- A debit card, if you have one, is the simplest payment method at any money order location.
- Some banks let you transfer money to a checking account when ready, which you can then withdraw as cash or use a debit card to buy the money order.
- If you are trying to avoid a cash advance fee, a personal check sent directly to the payee may work instead of a money order.
Using an ATM to get cash, then buying the money order
This is the most direct route if you have a credit card but no cash or debit card. Go to an ATM that accepts your credit card — usually your credit card issuer's ATM or a network ATM like Allpoint or MoneyPass — and withdraw cash. The amount you withdraw will show up as a cash advance on your credit card statement.
A cash advance fee typically runs 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, charged when ready. You will also start paying interest on that amount right away, usually at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR. If you withdraw $500 to buy a $500 money order, you might pay $15 to $25 in fees and interest before you even send the money order. Once you have the cash, go to any money order seller and pay in cash.
This method works, but it is expensive. Only use it if the money order is urgent and you have no other way to get cash.
Transferring credit card funds to a bank account you can access
Some credit card issuers let you do a balance transfer or cash advance directly into a checking account you own. Call your credit card company and ask whether they offer this option. If they do, you can transfer money to your account, wait for it to post (usually one to three business days), then withdraw cash or use a debit card to buy the money order.
You will still pay the cash advance fee and interest, just like an ATM withdrawal. The advantage is that you avoid the ATM fee itself and you have a few days to decide whether you actually need the money order. The disadvantage is the wait — if you need the money order today, this does not work.
Using a debit card instead, if you have one
If you have a debit card linked to any bank account, use that instead of a credit card. Every money order seller accepts debit cards. You will not pay a cash advance fee, and you will not trigger interest charges. If you do not have a debit card but have a bank account, you can usually get one issued the same day at a branch, or within a few days by mail.
If you do not have a bank account at all, opening one takes about 15 minutes at most banks and requires an ID and a small deposit (often $25 or less). This is still faster and cheaper than paying a cash advance fee.
Sending a personal check instead of a money order
If the person or business you are paying will accept a personal check, send that instead. You do not need cash or a debit card — you just write the check from your checking account. The recipient gets the same proof of payment they would get from a money order, and you avoid the money order fee entirely.
This only works if the payee is willing to take a check. Landlords, utility companies, and most businesses will. Bail bondsmen, some online sellers, and certain government agencies will not. Ask first before you assume a check is acceptable.
Avoiding the cash advance fee altogether
If you are trying to avoid fees, the real solution is to not use a credit card for this transaction at all. A debit card, a personal check, or cash from your own account costs you nothing. A credit card cash advance costs you money the moment you withdraw it.
If you do not have access to any of those payment methods, that is a sign you may not have the money to send right now. A money order is a way to send money you already have. If you are borrowing against a credit card to pay for it, the cost of borrowing will be higher than the money order fee itself.
What happens if you try to use a credit card at a money order counter
If you hand a credit card to a teller at a post office, bank, or check-cashing store and ask to buy a money order, they will decline it. They are not being difficult — they are following their company's policy because processing it as a credit card transaction would either fail or process as a cash advance, both of which create problems for you.
Some locations may offer to run your card as a cash advance if you insist, but most will not. Your best move is to tell them you will come back with cash or a debit card, then do that instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order online with a credit card?
Some online money order services like MoneyGram and Western Union let you buy a money order on their website using a credit card, then pick it up in person or have it delivered. This still counts as a cash advance, so you will pay the fee and interest. Check your card issuer's terms first — some block these transactions entirely.
What if my credit card issuer won't let me do a cash advance?
Some issuers block cash advances for new cardholders or accounts with low credit limits. If that is the case, you cannot use your credit card to get cash for a money order. Your only option is a debit card, a personal check, or waiting until you have cash on hand.
Is a money order the only way to send money securely?
No. A personal check, a bank transfer, or a wire transfer all provide proof of payment. A money order is useful when the payee will not take a check or does not have banking information for a transfer. For most everyday payments, a check or transfer is simpler and cheaper.
How much does a cash advance fee usually cost?
Cash advance fees typically range from 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. A $500 cash advance might cost $15 to $25 in fees alone, plus interest starting when ready. Check your card's terms to see your exact fee.
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order at Walmart or Target?
Walmart and Target sell money orders at their customer service desks and accept debit cards and cash, but not credit cards. The same rule applies — they will not process a credit card transaction for a money order because it would trigger a cash advance.