The three ways to take cash out using your credit card

You can get cash from a credit card in three ways: a cash advance at an ATM using your PIN, a balance transfer to your bank account, or a cash-like payment at a bank teller's window. Each one costs you differently and hits your credit in different ways, so the method matters.

A cash advance is the most common route. You go to any ATM that accepts your card, enter your PIN, and withdraw money just like you would from a debit card. The money appears in your hand when ready. A balance transfer moves money from your credit card to a bank account you control — usually your checking account — and takes one to three business days. A teller cash-out is less common but works: you walk into a bank branch with your credit card and ask to withdraw cash, and they hand it to you on the spot.

Key Takeaways

  • Cash advances charge a fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount) plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases, starting when ready with no grace period.
  • You need your credit card PIN to use an ATM; if you do not have one, you can request it from your card issuer before you go.
  • Balance transfers to your bank account may have lower fees than ATM cash advances but take several business days to arrive.
  • The amount you can withdraw is limited to your available credit, and some cards cap cash advances at a percentage of your total credit limit.

Getting a cash advance at an ATM

Insert your credit card into any ATM that displays your card's logo. Enter your PIN when prompted. Select "Withdrawal" or "Cash Advance," then enter the amount you want. The ATM will tell you the fee before you confirm — read it. The cash comes out when ready, and the transaction posts to your credit card account within one business day.

The fee is not negotiable and varies by card issuer, but typically runs 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $2 to $10. So withdrawing $100 might cost $3 to $5; withdrawing $500 might cost $15 to $25. That fee is added to your balance right away. Interest also starts accruing when ready — there is no grace period like there is for regular purchases — and the interest rate on cash advances is usually 2 to 3 percentage points higher than your regular purchase rate.

Requesting your PIN if you do not have one

If you have never set up a PIN for your credit card, you cannot use an ATM to withdraw cash. Call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask to set up or reset your PIN. Most issuers can do this over the phone in under five minutes. Some will mail you a PIN; others will give it to you verbally right then and let you change it at the ATM on your first use.

Write down the PIN somewhere safe, or use your card issuer's app if it stores PINs. Do not rely on memory alone — if you forget it, you will have to call customer service again before you can use an ATM.

Understanding balance transfers to your bank account

Some card issuers let you move money from your credit card directly to a linked bank account. Log into your card's online portal or app, look for "Transfer Balance" or "Move Money," and enter the amount and your bank account details. The money usually arrives in one to three business days.

Balance transfers to a bank account often charge a lower fee than ATM cash advances — sometimes 1 to 3 percent instead of 3 to 5 percent — but interest still starts when ready. The main advantage is that you avoid ATM fees and the hassle of finding an ATM. The main disadvantage is the wait: if you need cash today, this method will not work.

Withdrawing cash at a bank teller window

Walk into any bank branch — it does not have to be your own bank — with your credit card and a photo ID. Tell the teller you want to withdraw cash against your credit card. They will run the card, confirm your identity, and hand you cash. This works like a cash advance and posts to your account the same way, but you avoid the ATM and any ATM-specific fees your card might charge.

The fee structure is the same as an ATM cash advance: typically 3 to 5 percent plus when ready interest. The advantage is that you can ask questions and confirm the fee before you proceed. The disadvantage is that not all banks accept credit cards for this purpose — call ahead if you are unsure, or ask your card issuer which banks will do it.

What limits explore to how much you can withdraw

Your credit card issuer sets a cash advance limit, which is usually lower than your total credit limit. You might have a $5,000 credit limit but only a $1,500 cash advance limit. You can withdraw up to that limit as long as you have available credit — meaning if you have already charged $3,000 on a $5,000 limit, you can only charge another $2,000, and your cash advance limit applies within that $2,000.

ATMs also have daily withdrawal limits, usually $500 to $1,000 per day. If you need more than that, you will have to make multiple withdrawals over several days, or use a teller window, which may have a higher daily limit. Check your card issuer's website or call customer service to find out your specific cash advance limit and any daily caps.

Why cash advances are expensive and when to avoid them

A cash advance is the most costly way to borrow on a credit card. You pay an upfront fee, a higher interest rate than purchases, and interest starts accruing when ready — no grace period. On a $500 cash advance at 5 percent fee plus 25 percent annual interest, you owe $25 in fees plus roughly $10 in interest after one month, for a total cost of $35 before you have even paid down the principal.

Use a cash advance only when you have no other option: your debit card is lost, you need cash for an emergency, or you are in a situation where a credit card is your only available payment method. If you have a bank account, transfer money from savings or ask for a personal loan instead. If you must use a cash advance, pay it back as quickly as possible — every day you carry the balance, the interest compounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a credit card cash advance to pay off another credit card?

Technically yes, but it is a bad idea. You pay the cash advance fee and high interest rate, then use that cash to pay another card's balance. You end up paying more in fees and interest than if you had just let the other card charge interest on its own. A balance transfer between cards (if your issuer offers it) is cheaper, though it still costs money.

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

The balance stays on your credit card and accrues interest every month. It damages your credit score the same way any unpaid credit card balance does — by raising your credit utilization and creating a late payment if you miss the minimum payment. The interest compounds, so the longer you wait, the more you owe.

Is there a difference between a cash advance and a regular credit card purchase?

Yes. A purchase has a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days) before interest starts, but a cash advance charges interest from day one. A purchase uses your regular interest rate; a cash advance uses a higher rate. A purchase has no upfront fee; a cash advance charges 3 to 5 percent right away. Avoid cash advances unless you cannot use a regular purchase.

Can I get a cash advance on a prepaid card or secured card?

Most prepaid cards do not allow cash advances — they are designed to spend down a loaded balance, not to borrow. Secured credit cards (backed by a deposit) usually do allow cash advances, but the terms are the same as a regular credit card: fee, higher interest rate, and no grace period.

What if my card issuer denies my cash advance?

Your issuer may deny a cash advance if you have reached your cash advance limit, if your account is flagged for fraud, or if you are behind on payments. Call customer service to ask why. If it is a fraud flag, you can verify your identity and clear it. If it is a limit issue, you can pay down your balance and try again.