Yes, you can use most credit cards at ATMs, but it costs you money and counts as a cash advance, not a regular purchase

Most credit card issuers let you withdraw cash from an ATM using your card, but the transaction works differently than swiping at a store. The moment you pull cash out, your card issuer treats it as a cash advance — a short-term loan against your credit limit. You pay interest on that amount when ready, usually at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR, and you start paying it back right away. There is no grace period like there is for regular purchases.

Whether you should do this depends on why you need the cash. If you are in a genuine emergency and have no other way to get money, a credit card ATM withdrawal is faster than a payday loan. If you are just running low on cash before payday, it will cost you more than using a debit card or visiting your bank.

Key Takeaways

  • Credit card cash advances charge interest starting when ready, with no grace period, and the APR is usually 3 to 5 percentage points higher than your purchase rate.
  • Most issuers also charge a flat fee per withdrawal — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount you take out, with a minimum of $2 to $10.
  • You can only withdraw up to your available credit limit, and the cash counts against that limit until you pay it back.
  • The withdrawal shows up on your statement as a cash advance, not a purchase, and repayment goes toward your lowest-APR balance first, not the cash advance.

How the fees and interest work

When you use a credit card at an ATM, you face two separate charges. The first is a cash advance fee, which is a percentage of the amount you withdraw. Most issuers charge between 3 and 5 percent, with a floor of $2 to $10 per transaction. So if you withdraw $200, you might pay $6 to $10 just to get the cash. Some cards charge a flat fee instead — say, $5 per withdrawal, no matter the amount.

The second charge is interest, which starts accruing the same day you withdraw the cash. Unlike a purchase, which has a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days before interest kicks in), a cash advance begins charging interest when ready. The APR for cash advances is almost always higher than your purchase APR — often 3 to 5 percentage points higher. If your purchase rate is 18 percent, your cash advance rate might be 23 or 24 percent. Check your card's terms or call the issuer to find out your specific rates.

Because interest compounds daily, the longer you carry the cash advance, the more you pay. A $200 withdrawal at 24 percent APR costs you roughly $4 in interest per month if you do not pay it back. Over three months, that is $12 in interest alone, plus the original $6 to $10 fee.

What happens when you pay the cash advance back

When you make a payment to your credit card, the issuer applies it to your balances in a specific order set by law. Payments go first to the balance with the highest APR, then to the next-highest, and so on. Since your cash advance APR is higher than your purchase APR, your payment will go toward the cash advance first — which sounds good, but it means any new purchases you make will sit at the lower purchase rate while you are still paying interest on the cash advance.

The practical effect is that you should pay off a cash advance as quickly as possible. If you withdrew $200 and can pay it back within a week or two, the interest cost stays small. If you carry it for months, the fees and interest add up fast.

Some issuers offer a way to avoid this: they let you make a payment that goes directly to the cash advance balance instead of following the standard order. Call your issuer and ask whether they offer this option before you withdraw cash.

ATM withdrawal limits and how they work

Your credit card issuer sets a cash advance limit, which is usually lower than your full credit limit. You might have a $5,000 credit limit but only a $1,500 cash advance limit. This limit is separate from your purchase limit, so withdrawing $500 in cash does not reduce the $5,000 you can spend on purchases — but it does count against your overall credit utilization, which affects your credit score.

Individual ATMs also have their own withdrawal limits, usually $300 to $500 per transaction. If you need more cash than one ATM allows, you can make multiple withdrawals, but each one triggers a separate cash advance fee. A $1,000 withdrawal in four $250 transactions at four different ATMs would cost you four separate fees instead of one.

You can find your cash advance limit by logging into your online account, calling the customer service number on the back of your card, or checking your most recent statement. If you do not see it listed, ask the issuer directly — they are required to tell you.

Which ATMs charge you extra fees

Beyond the cash advance fee from your issuer, the ATM operator may charge you a surcharge for using their machine. If you use an ATM that is not part of your card issuer's network, you might pay $2 to $4 on top of the cash advance fee. So a $200 withdrawal could cost you $6 to $10 from your issuer plus $3 from the ATM operator — $9 to $13 total before interest.

To avoid this extra charge, use an ATM owned by your card issuer or a bank in their network. Most major issuers have agreements with ATM networks that let cardholders withdraw cash for free or at a reduced fee. Check your card's website or app to find a network ATM near you.

Some credit cards marketed to frequent travelers or premium customers offer cash advance fee waivers or reimbursement, but these are rare and usually come with an annual fee. For most people, the best strategy is to avoid credit card ATM withdrawals altogether unless it is truly an emergency.

Alternatives that cost less

If you need cash and do not have it on hand, a credit card ATM withdrawal is rarely your cheapest option. A debit card withdrawal from your own bank costs nothing and does not charge interest. If you do not have a debit card, most banks let you withdraw cash at the teller window with your account number and ID, also free.

If you do not have a bank account, a prepaid card or money order from a grocery store or post office is cheaper than a credit card cash advance. Some employers offer paycheck advances or early direct deposit, which is free. Even a payday loan, while expensive, is usually cheaper than a credit card cash advance if you pay it back within two weeks.

The only scenario where a credit card cash advance makes sense is if you are in a genuine emergency, have no other way to get cash, and can pay the money back within days. Otherwise, the fees and interest make it one of the most expensive ways to access cash.

How to find your card's cash advance terms

Before you use a credit card at an ATM, find out exactly what it will cost. Log into your online account or mobile app and look for a section called "Account Terms," "Rates and Fees," or "APR Details." You should see your purchase APR, your cash advance APR, and your cash advance fee listed separately.

If you cannot find this information online, call the customer service number on the back of your card. Have your account number ready and ask for three specific numbers: your cash advance APR, your cash advance fee (as a percentage and any minimum), and your cash advance limit. Write these down so you can do the math before you withdraw.

Some cards do not allow cash advances at all, particularly secured cards or cards designed for people rebuilding credit. If you try to withdraw cash and the ATM declines the transaction, that is why. In that case, you will need to use a different payment method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a credit card at any ATM?

Most ATMs accept credit cards, but not all. ATMs in banks, grocery stores, and convenience stores usually accept them. The machine will tell you if your card is not accepted. Keep in mind that using an out-of-network ATM may trigger an extra surcharge on top of your issuer's cash advance fee.

What is the difference between a cash advance and a regular purchase?

A regular purchase has a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days) before interest starts, and a lower APR. A cash advance charges interest when ready with no grace period and a higher APR. A cash advance also triggers a separate fee, while purchases do not.

Will a credit card cash advance hurt my credit score?

The withdrawal itself does not hurt your score, but it increases your credit utilization ratio because the cash counts against your available credit. High utilization can lower your score temporarily. Paying the cash advance back quickly will bring your utilization back down.

Can I withdraw cash from a credit card at my bank's teller window?

Some banks allow this, but it is still treated as a cash advance with the same fees and interest. Your bank cannot waive the issuer's fees. It is better to ask your bank if they offer cash advances on debit cards or if they can give you cash back on a purchase instead.

What happens if I do not pay back the cash advance?

The balance stays on your card, interest keeps accruing, and your credit score drops as the balance grows. If you miss payments, the issuer can charge late fees and may close your account or pursue collection action. The cash advance is treated like any other credit card debt.