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

You cannot walk into a store and swipe your credit card to buy a money order the way you would buy groceries. Money order sellers—post offices, grocery stores, check-cashing shops, and Western Union locations—treat money orders as cash equivalents. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes prepaid cards, but not credit cards. The reason is simple: a money order is a may provide payment, and credit card companies classify buying one as a cash advance, which they restrict or block entirely.

That said, you can get a money order using your credit card if you're willing to take an extra step. The most straightforward path is to use your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy the money order. Other options exist—transferring money to a bank account, using a payment app, or asking someone else to buy it for you—but each has its own cost or limitation.

Key Takeaways

  • Credit card companies block money order purchases because they count as cash advances, which carry higher interest rates and fees.
  • You can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then use that cash to buy a money order at a post office, grocery store, or check-cashing location.
  • ATM withdrawals on a credit card typically cost a fee (usually $3 to $5) plus daily interest starting immediately, with no grace period.
  • Payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, or Square Cash may let you send money directly to the person instead of buying a physical money order.
  • If you need a money order regularly, switching to a debit card or keeping a small cash buffer is cheaper than repeated credit card cash advances.

Why credit card companies block money order purchases

When you buy a money order with a credit card, the card issuer sees it as a cash advance—the same category as withdrawing cash from an ATM. Cash advances are treated differently from regular purchases. Instead of getting a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days before interest kicks in), interest starts accruing the moment you complete the transaction. There is no interest-free window.

The interest rate on a cash advance is also higher than your regular purchase APR. While a typical purchase might carry an APR of 18% to 25%, a cash advance APR can be 25% to 30% or higher. On top of that, most card issuers charge an upfront fee—usually 3% to 5% of the amount advanced, with a minimum of $5 to $10. A $200 money order could cost you $6 to $10 just in fees, plus daily interest.

Because of these costs, most card issuers simply block money order purchases at the point of sale. Your card will be declined, and the transaction won't go through. Some issuers allow it but charge the cash advance fee and interest immediately. Either way, the card company is protecting itself from a transaction type that generates fees and interest but carries higher fraud risk.

Using an ATM withdrawal to buy a money order

The most direct workaround is to withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then use that cash to buy the money order. This works because the money order seller accepts cash—they don't know or care where it came from. You'll still pay the cash advance fee and interest, but you'll pay it only once, not twice.

Here's the process: Find an ATM that accepts your credit card (most do, though some charge higher fees for credit card withdrawals than for debit card withdrawals). Withdraw the amount you need for the money order plus a small buffer for the ATM fee. The ATM will typically charge $2 to $5 for a credit card withdrawal, depending on the ATM operator and your card issuer. Then take the cash to a post office, grocery store, Walmart, or check-cashing location and buy the money order as you normally would.

The total cost: ATM fee ($2 to $5) plus a cash advance fee from your card issuer (3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn) plus daily interest starting immediately. On a $200 withdrawal, you might pay $10 to $15 in fees alone, before any interest. If you carry the balance for a month, interest could add another $5 to $10. This is expensive, which is why it's worth considering alternatives if you have them.

Using a payment app or bank transfer instead

If the person you're paying has a bank account or uses a payment app, you may not need a money order at all. Apps like PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Zelle let you send money directly from your credit card (or linked bank account) to another person. The recipient can then withdraw it to their own bank account or use it immediately. This is faster than a money order, costs nothing or very little, and avoids the cash advance fees entirely.

The catch: not everyone uses these apps, and some situations require a physical money order. Landlords, government agencies, and utility companies often won't accept digital payments. If you're paying a person you know, ask them first whether they can receive money through an app. If they can, this is your cheapest option.

Another option is to transfer money from your credit card to your own bank account, then write a check or use your debit card to buy the money order. Some card issuers allow balance transfers to a bank account (though they charge a fee, usually 3% to 5%), while others don't. Call your card issuer and ask whether they offer this service. If they do, compare the fee to the cost of an ATM cash advance—they're often similar, but worth checking.

Asking someone else to buy the money order for you

If you have a friend or family member with a debit card or cash, you can ask them to buy the money order on your behalf, then reimburse them using your credit card (through an app, bank transfer, or cash). This avoids the cash advance fee entirely, since your credit card never touches the money order purchase. You'll still pay whatever you owe the other person, but you won't pay the card issuer's fees.

This only works if you trust the person and can reimburse them quickly. It also only makes sense if the reimbursement method is free or cheap—paying them back through Venmo or a bank transfer costs nothing, but paying them back with a credit card cash advance defeats the purpose.

When you should reconsider using a credit card for money orders

If you're buying money orders regularly—to pay rent, send money to family, or handle other recurring payments—using a credit card each time is expensive. A $500 monthly money order could cost you $15 to $25 in fees and interest every month, or $180 to $300 per year. That's money you could save by switching to a different payment method.

Consider opening a checking account with a debit card if you don't have one. Debit cards are accepted everywhere money orders are sold, and there are no fees or interest charges. If you're trying to build credit and want to keep using your credit card, look for a card with a lower cash advance APR or no cash advance fee (these are rare, but they exist). Some credit unions and smaller banks offer cards with better cash advance terms than major issuers.

If you absolutely must use your credit card and can't avoid the cash advance, do it only when necessary. The ATM withdrawal method is straightforward and predictable—you know exactly what you'll pay upfront. Avoid letting the balance sit on your card; pay it off as soon as your next statement arrives to minimize interest charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my credit card be declined if I try to buy a money order in person?

Probably yes. Most retailers' payment systems are programmed to decline credit cards for money order purchases. Even if the decline doesn't happen at the register, your card issuer may block it on the back end. If you want to use your credit card, withdraw cash from an ATM first.

Is there a difference between buying a money order and a prepaid card with a credit card?

Yes. Prepaid cards are sometimes treated as regular purchases rather than cash advances, depending on the card issuer and the retailer. Call your card issuer before buying a prepaid card to confirm whether it will be classified as a cash advance. Money orders are almost always classified as cash advances.

Can I use a credit card to buy a money order online?

Some online money order services accept credit cards directly, but they charge high fees for the convenience—often 5% to 10% of the amount. You're better off withdrawing cash and buying in person, which typically costs 3% to 5% in fees. Check the total cost before committing to an online service.

What if I don't have access to an ATM?

Ask the money order seller whether they accept credit cards directly. A few independent check-cashing shops do, though they'll charge you the cash advance fee themselves. You can also ask a friend or family member to buy the money order for you and reimburse them later. If neither option works, a payment app or bank transfer may be your only alternative.

Does using my credit card to buy a money order hurt my credit score?

A single cash advance won't damage your credit score, but it will increase your credit utilization ratio (the amount of available credit you're using). If you're already carrying a high balance, a cash advance could lower your score temporarily. Paying it off quickly will minimize the impact.