Yes, you can use most credit cards at ATMs, but it costs money and counts as a cash advance, not a purchase
Most credit card issuers let you withdraw cash from an ATM using your card, but the transaction is treated differently from a regular purchase. The moment you insert your card and take out cash, the issuer classifies it as a cash advance — a short-term loan against your credit line. That classification triggers fees, higher interest rates, and when ready interest accrual that do not explore to ordinary card purchases.
Not every ATM will accept your card, and not every credit card issuer allows cash advances. Some cards, particularly store cards and certain secured cards, do not permit ATM withdrawals at all. Before you need cash, check your card's terms or call the issuer to confirm the feature is active on your account.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card cash advances charge a separate fee (typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn) on top of ATM operator fees.
- Interest on a cash advance begins accruing when ready, with no grace period, even if you pay your full statement balance on time.
- The interest rate for cash advances is usually higher than the rate for purchases — often 2 to 5 percentage points above your standard APR.
- Some credit cards do not permit cash advances at all, so you need to verify your card's terms before attempting a withdrawal.
- ATM operators (banks, credit unions, or independent networks) may charge an additional fee of $2 to $5 per transaction.
How the cash advance fee works
When you withdraw cash using a credit card, your issuer charges a cash advance fee calculated as a percentage of the amount you take out. Most issuers charge between 3 and 5 percent, though some charge a flat fee (like $10) if that is higher. A $200 withdrawal at a 5 percent fee costs you $10 before you even leave the ATM.
This fee appears on your next statement as a separate line item. It is not negotiable and does not vary based on the ATM location or the time of day. The issuer collects it regardless of whether you pay off the advance when ready or carry it as a balance.
On top of the issuer's fee, the ATM operator may charge their own fee — typically $2 to $5 — if you are using an out-of-network machine. If you use an ATM owned by a different bank or an independent operator, you may see both fees: one from your card issuer and one from the ATM owner.
Interest rates and when they start
The interest rate on a cash advance is almost always higher than the rate on purchases. If your card charges 18 percent APR for purchases, the cash advance rate might be 23 or 24 percent. This higher rate applies only to the cash advance balance, not to your entire card balance.
The critical difference from a purchase: interest begins accruing when ready. With a regular purchase, you have a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days) before interest charges kick in, and you can avoid interest entirely by paying the full statement balance. With a cash advance, interest starts the day you withdraw the money. There is no grace period, and no way to avoid the interest charge.
If you withdraw $200 at a 24 percent APR, you are paying roughly $4 per month in interest alone, even if you pay the advance back within 30 days. The longer you carry the balance, the more interest accumulates.
Which ATMs accept credit cards and which do not
Most ATMs in the United States accept credit cards, but not all. Bank-owned ATMs almost always do. Credit union ATMs usually do, though some credit unions restrict cash advances to their own members. Independent ATM networks and convenience store machines typically accept credit cards as well.
The machine itself will tell you whether it accepts your card — if you insert it and the screen says "card not accepted" or "cash advances not available," the ATM does not support the transaction. This is different from your card being declined due to insufficient credit or a fraud block.
Some ATMs have daily withdrawal limits separate from your credit card's cash advance limit. You might have a $500 cash advance limit on your card, but the ATM might only allow $300 per transaction or $500 per day. The ATM screen will display its limit before you complete the withdrawal.
Cards that do not allow cash advances
Not all credit cards permit cash advances. Many retail store cards — like those issued by Target, Macy's, or Amazon — do not allow ATM withdrawals. Some secured credit cards designed for people rebuilding credit also restrict cash advances. Certain premium travel cards may limit cash advances to cardholders who have held the card for a minimum period.
If your card does not permit cash advances, attempting to use it at an ATM will result in a decline. The ATM will not charge you a fee for a declined transaction, but the decline itself may be reported to your card issuer's fraud monitoring system if you try multiple times in succession.
To find out whether your card allows cash advances, check the terms and conditions document that came with your card, log into your online account and look for a "cash advance limit" listed separately from your credit limit, or call the issuer's customer service line.
Comparing the total cost of a credit card cash advance
A $200 cash advance can cost you significantly more than $200 by the time you pay it back. Here is what a typical scenario looks like:
| Cost Component | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| Cash advance fee (4% of $200) | $8 |
| ATM operator fee (out-of-network) | $3 |
| Interest for 30 days (24% APR) | $4 |
| Total cost if paid back in 30 days | $15 (7.5% of the original amount) |
If you carry the balance longer, interest compounds. After 90 days, the interest alone could exceed $12, bringing your total cost to $23 or more — nearly 12 percent of the original $200.
For comparison, a personal loan from a bank or credit union, or even a payday loan in many states, would cost less for the same amount and time period. A debit card withdrawal from your own bank account costs nothing.
Alternatives to using a credit card at an ATM
If you need cash and do not have a debit card or bank account, a credit card cash advance is one option, but it is rarely the cheapest one. Debit cards let you withdraw cash from ATMs with no fees or interest. If you have a checking account, using your debit card is almost always better than using a credit card.
If you do not have a debit card, other options include asking a retailer for cash back when you make a purchase (many grocery stores and pharmacies offer this for free), visiting a bank branch in person to withdraw cash, or using a peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo or PayPal to transfer money to someone who can give you cash.
Some employers offer paycheck advances or early access to earned wages through apps like Earnin or Dave, which charge a small fee but less than a credit card cash advance. Credit unions sometimes offer small emergency loans to members at lower rates than credit card cash advances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does using a credit card at an ATM hurt my credit score?
The withdrawal itself does not directly hurt your score, but it does increase your credit utilization — the percentage of your available credit you are using. If you have a $5,000 credit limit and withdraw $500 in cash, your utilization jumps to 10 percent. High utilization can lower your score temporarily. Paying back the advance quickly brings utilization down and minimizes the impact.
Can I use a credit card at any ATM, or only my bank's ATM?
You can use most credit cards at most ATMs, regardless of which bank owns the machine. The ATM does not need to be affiliated with your card issuer. However, out-of-network ATMs charge operator fees, and some independent ATMs may decline credit cards entirely. In-network ATMs (those owned by your card issuer's bank) typically charge no operator fee.
What is the difference between a cash advance and a regular purchase?
A purchase is a transaction where you buy goods or services. A cash advance is a loan against your credit line. Purchases have a grace period and a lower interest rate; cash advances start accruing interest when ready at a higher rate. Both count toward your credit utilization, but cash advances are more expensive if you carry a balance.
If I pay off a cash advance when ready, do I still pay interest?
You still pay the cash advance fee, but you can minimize interest. Interest accrues daily, so if you withdraw $200 on Monday and pay it back on Tuesday, you owe roughly one day's worth of interest (about 7 cents at a 24 percent APR). The fee, however, is charged regardless of how quickly you repay.
Why is the cash advance interest rate higher than the purchase rate?
Card issuers view cash advances as riskier than purchases. With a purchase, the merchant guarantees the transaction and bears some fraud risk. With a cash advance, the issuer has no such may provide — you have the cash and could disappear. The higher rate compensates the issuer for that additional risk.