You cannot buy a money order directly with a credit card at most locations
Most money order sellers — post offices, grocery stores, Walmart, check-cashing services — do not accept credit cards as payment for the money order itself. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes traveler's checks. A few locations may accept credit cards, but this is rare and varies by individual store or branch.
If you want to use your credit card to get a money order, you have two realistic paths: withdraw cash from an ATM using your card, then buy the money order with that cash, or use a cash advance feature if your card issuer offers one. Both come with costs that make them expensive compared to paying cash directly.
Key Takeaways
- Money order sellers typically accept cash and debit cards only; credit cards are not standard payment at post offices, grocery stores, or Walmart.
- An ATM cash withdrawal using your credit card costs a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus interest that starts accruing immediately.
- Some card issuers offer balance transfer checks or convenience checks that function like money orders but carry their own fees and higher interest rates.
- A debit card linked to your checking account is the cheapest way to buy a money order if you have access to one.
- Calling ahead to your specific post office or store location is the only way to confirm whether they accept credit cards, since policies vary by location.
Why money order sellers do not accept credit cards
Money order sellers treat credit card payments as a risk. When you buy a money order with a credit card, the seller receives payment immediately but the money order itself is a may provide payment instrument — the seller is liable if the money order is lost, stolen, or fraudulently altered. If the credit card transaction is later disputed or reversed, the seller has already issued the money order and has no way to recover it.
For this reason, money order sellers require payment in forms they can verify instantly and cannot reverse: cash, debit cards (which draw directly from your bank account), and occasionally traveler's checks. A credit card transaction can be disputed up to 60 days later, which is far too long for a money order seller to hold the risk.
Using an ATM cash advance to buy a money order
If you withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, you can then use that cash to buy a money order at any location. However, this method is expensive. Your card issuer charges a cash advance fee, typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. On top of that, interest begins accruing on the withdrawn amount immediately — not at the end of a billing cycle like a regular purchase.
For example, if you withdraw $500 to buy a $500 money order, you might pay $15 to $25 in cash advance fees plus interest that accrues daily from the withdrawal date forward. The interest rate on cash advances is often higher than the rate on regular purchases, sometimes 2 to 3 percentage points higher. This makes a cash advance a costly way to fund a money order unless you have no other option.
Check your card's terms or call your issuer to confirm the cash advance fee and interest rate before you withdraw. Some cards offer an introductory period with no cash advance fees, though this is uncommon.
Balance transfer checks and convenience checks as alternatives
Some credit card issuers send balance transfer checks or convenience checks with your statements or in the mail. These are blank checks drawn against your credit card account. You can write one to yourself, deposit it in your bank account, and then use that cash to buy a money order. Alternatively, some sellers may accept a convenience check directly as payment, though this is not standard.
Convenience checks carry their own costs. Most issuers charge a fee of 3 to 5 percent, similar to a cash advance fee. The interest rate is also typically higher than your regular purchase rate and begins accruing immediately. Some issuers offer a promotional period with a lower rate or no fee on balance transfer checks, but you must read the fine print to know whether this applies to your card.
If you receive convenience checks in the mail, review the terms before using them. The fee and interest rate may differ from your cash advance terms.
Debit cards and other payment methods that work
A debit card linked to your checking account is the standard and cheapest way to buy a money order. There is no fee, no interest, and no delay. Most post offices, grocery stores, and Walmart accept debit cards for money order purchases. If you have a debit card, use it instead of a credit card.
Cash is also always accepted and carries no fees. If you have cash on hand, it is the simplest option.
Some locations accept prepaid cards (also called reloadable cards) for money order purchases. These function like debit cards and draw from a balance you have already loaded onto the card. Prepaid cards are useful if you do not have a traditional bank account, though you typically pay fees to load money onto them.
Calling ahead to confirm what your location accepts
Money order payment policies vary by individual location, not just by chain. One Walmart may accept credit cards while another does not. The same is true for post offices and grocery stores. The only way to know for certain is to call the specific location where you plan to buy the money order and ask what payment methods they accept.
When you call, ask specifically: "Do you accept credit cards for money order purchases?" Do not assume the answer based on what you have heard elsewhere. If the location does accept credit cards, confirm whether there is an additional fee for using a credit card (some locations charge a processing fee on top of the money order fee).
The cost comparison: credit card versus debit card
| Payment Method | Money Order Fee | Additional Costs | Total Cost for $500 Money Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash or debit card | $1.25 to $5 | None | $1.25 to $5 |
| Credit card cash advance | $1.25 to $5 | Cash advance fee (3–5%) + daily interest | $16.25 to $30+ (plus ongoing interest) |
| Convenience check | $1.25 to $5 | Check fee (3–5%) + daily interest | $16.25 to $30+ (plus ongoing interest) |
The table shows why using a credit card to fund a money order is significantly more expensive than using cash or a debit card. The money order fee itself is the same regardless of how you pay, but the credit card methods add substantial fees and interest charges on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the post office let me use a credit card to buy a money order?
Most post offices do not accept credit cards for money order purchases. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes traveler's checks. Call your local post office to confirm their specific policy, as some locations may have different rules.
Can I use a credit card at Walmart to buy a money order?
Walmart's policy is to accept cash and debit cards for money orders, not credit cards. However, individual stores may vary. Call the Walmart where you plan to shop and ask directly whether they accept credit cards for money order purchases.
What if I do not have a debit card or cash?
Your options are a credit card cash advance (withdraw cash from an ATM, then buy the money order with cash) or a convenience check if your card issuer sends them. Both cost 3 to 5 percent in fees plus interest. If possible, borrow cash from someone else or delay the money order purchase until you can access a debit card or cash.
Does using a credit card to buy a money order count as a purchase or a cash advance?
If a location accepts your credit card directly for the money order, it typically counts as a regular purchase with standard interest rates and no cash advance fee. However, this is rare. Most of the time, you will need to use a cash advance or convenience check, both of which carry higher costs.
Can I dispute a money order purchase if I paid with a credit card?
If you paid with a credit card and the transaction appears on your statement, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. However, the money order itself cannot be reversed once issued. Disputing the charge only recovers the money order fee and any cash advance fees, not the money order value itself.