Most places won't let you buy a money order with a credit card
The short answer is no — the vast majority of money order sellers (banks, post offices, check-cashing stores, and retailers) do not accept credit cards as payment. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes checks, but treating a credit card as a payment method for a money order itself is not an option at the point of sale.
The reason is structural: money orders are a cash-equivalent product. They're designed as a safer alternative to carrying large amounts of cash, and sellers treat them that way. Accepting credit for them would create a chain of debt that defeats the purpose — you'd be borrowing to buy a may provide payment instrument, which introduces risk the seller doesn't want to take on.
There are a few narrow workarounds if you need to fund a money order without cash on hand, but they involve extra steps and fees.
Key Takeaways
- Money order sellers — including the post office, banks, and Walmart — do not accept credit cards directly as payment for the money order itself.
- You can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card (at a cash advance fee), then use that cash to buy the money order.
- Some banks let you transfer money from a credit card to a linked checking account, which you can then use to pay for a money order.
- Debit cards and cash remain the cheapest and most straightforward payment methods for money orders.
- The fees for using a credit card indirectly (cash advance or transfer fees) often exceed the cost of the money order itself.
Where you can and cannot buy money orders
Post offices accept cash and debit cards only. The U.S. Postal Service does not process credit card payments for money orders at the counter.
Banks vary slightly. Most accept cash and debit cards. Some banks that issue the credit card will let you move money from that card to a checking account in the same institution, but that's a separate transaction — you're not paying for the money order with the credit card directly.
Walmart, Target, and other retailers that sell money orders accept cash and debit cards at the customer service desk. Credit cards are not an option.
Check-cashing stores and payday lenders typically accept cash and debit cards. A few may accept credit cards, but this is rare and worth calling ahead to confirm.
Using a cash advance to fund a money order
If you have a credit card but no cash or debit card, you can withdraw cash using a cash advance. Go to an ATM that displays your card's logo, insert the card, select "cash advance" or "withdraw cash," and take out the amount you need for the money order plus fees.
The cost is immediate and steep. Most credit cards charge a cash advance fee of 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee (often $5 to $10). If you withdraw $500 for a money order, you might pay $15 to $25 just to get the cash. On top of that, cash advances typically carry a higher interest rate than regular purchases — often 20% to 30% APR — and interest starts accruing the moment you withdraw, with no grace period.
For a $500 money order, a 5% cash advance fee costs $25. A $1.50 money order fee plus that $25 means you're paying $26.50 to move $500 from your credit card to someone else. That's expensive for what should be a simple transaction.
Transferring credit card funds to a checking account
Some credit card issuers allow balance transfers or account transfers to a linked checking account in the same bank. This is different from a cash advance — you're moving credit directly into a deposit account, which you can then draw from to pay for a money order.
The fee structure depends on your bank. Some charge a flat fee ($10 to $25) or a percentage (1% to 3%) for the transfer. Others charge nothing if you're transferring between accounts you own at the same institution. Call your card issuer's customer service line and ask: "Can I transfer funds from my credit card to my checking account, and what is the fee?"
Once the money is in your checking account, you can use your debit card or write a check to buy the money order. This route works if your bank offers it and the transfer fee is lower than a cash advance fee would be.
Why credit card companies and money order sellers avoid this
Money order sellers don't accept credit because they're in the business of providing certainty. A money order is a may provide payment — the seller has already collected the funds and issued a document that won't bounce. If they accepted credit, they'd be extending unsecured credit themselves, which is not their business model.
Credit card companies don't want to make it easy to buy money orders on credit because money orders are often used to move money quickly or to pay someone you don't fully trust. From the card issuer's perspective, a customer buying a money order on credit is a higher-risk transaction than a regular purchase. They'd rather you use cash or a debit card, which means the money is already yours.
Comparing your actual costs
Here's what a real scenario looks like. You need to send $300 to someone and have only a credit card.
| Method | Money Order Fee | Credit Card Fee | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash advance at ATM | $1.50 | $15 (5% of $300) | $16.50 |
| Bank transfer (if available) | $1.50 | $3 to $9 (flat or 1–3%) | $4.50 to $10.50 |
| Debit card (if you have one) | $1.50 | $0 | $1.50 |
If you have access to a debit card, that's always the cheapest route. If you don't, a bank transfer (if your institution offers it) is usually cheaper than a cash advance.
Alternatives to money orders if you're paying by credit card
If the person you're paying accepts it, electronic transfer is simpler. Venmo, PayPal, wire transfers through your bank, or ACH transfers all let you move money directly from a credit card (or from a bank account linked to a credit card) without buying a money order at all.
Money orders are useful when the recipient doesn't have a bank account, doesn't accept digital payments, or you need a physical receipt. But if those constraints don't apply, moving money electronically avoids the fees and the trip to the post office entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to pay for a money order online?
No. Online money order services (like MoneyGram or Western Union) also do not accept credit cards as direct payment for the money order. They accept debit cards, bank transfers, and cash pickup. If you want to fund an online money order with a credit card, you'd need to use a cash advance or bank transfer first, then pay with the resulting cash or bank balance.
What if I use a rewards credit card to get cash back at a store, then buy a money order?
That works. If you buy something at a store and request cash back, you can use that cash to buy a money order. You're not paying for the money order with the credit card — you're using the cash you received. The credit card transaction is the store purchase, not the money order itself.
Do prepaid credit cards work for money orders?
No. Prepaid cards are treated the same way as regular credit cards — money order sellers do not accept them. However, if your prepaid card is linked to a bank account or has a cash withdrawal feature, you could use those options instead.
Is there a fee if I transfer money from my credit card to my bank account?
It depends on your bank. Some charge 1% to 3% of the transfer amount, others charge a flat fee of $10 to $25, and some charge nothing. Contact your card issuer to find out what they charge for transfers to your own checking account.
Can I use a credit card cash advance at the post office to buy a money order?
No. The post office does not accept credit cards at all — not for money orders, not for stamps, not for anything. You'd have to use the cash advance at an ATM first, then bring the cash to the post office to buy the money order.