Most money order sellers won't take credit cards directly, but you have workarounds
You cannot walk into a Western Union or MoneyGram location and hand them a credit card to buy a money order. The major money order networks—Western Union, MoneyGram, and USPS—do not accept credit cards at the counter. Some will accept them online, but most require a debit card, bank account, or cash.
The reason is straightforward: money orders are a cash-equivalent product. Sellers treat them like they treat cash itself. A credit card transaction creates a record that links you to the money order, which defeats the purpose for many users. More practically, money order sellers worry about chargebacks—if you dispute the charge later, they lose both the money and the money order.
If you need to buy a money order and only have a credit card, your real options are limited to a few specific paths, and they come with costs.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union, MoneyGram, and USPS do not accept credit cards at physical locations, though some online platforms may accept them with restrictions.
- You can use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then buy a money order with that cash, but ATM fees and cash advance fees will apply.
- Some third-party payment apps like PayPal or Square Cash let you send money directly without a money order, which may be cheaper than the cash withdrawal route.
- Buying a money order with a credit card cash advance typically costs 3 to 5 percent in fees plus interest, making it an expensive option for most situations.
Using a credit card cash advance to get cash for a money order
The most direct path is to treat your credit card like a debit card at an ATM. You can withdraw cash using a cash advance, then use that cash to buy the money order at any Western Union, MoneyGram, or post office location.
The cost structure matters here. A cash advance typically charges a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $5 to $10) plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases. If your card charges 3 percent cash advance fee on a $500 withdrawal, you pay $15 immediately. Interest on that $500 starts accruing right away at whatever rate your card specifies for cash advances—often 2 to 3 percentage points higher than your purchase APR.
For a $500 money order, you would pay at least $15 in fees plus interest. The money order itself costs $1 to $5 depending on the amount and seller. This route makes sense only if you have no other way to access cash and the money order is urgent.
Checking whether online money order services accept credit cards
Some online money order platforms do accept credit cards, though the list is small and the terms vary. Western Union's website and MoneyGram's website both allow credit card purchases in some states, but not all. USPS does not accept credit cards online for money orders.
If you go the online route, read the payment method section carefully before you enter your information. The platform will tell you which cards it accepts. Some services accept only Visa and Mastercard, not American Express or Discover. A few require you to link a bank account first, then charge your credit card as a backup.
Online money orders typically cost the same as in-person ones ($1 to $5), but delivery takes 1 to 3 business days instead of being instant. You also lose the ability to hand the money order directly to the recipient, which matters if they need it today.
Using a payment app or bank transfer instead of a money order
Before you commit to the cash advance route, ask yourself whether you actually need a money order or whether you need to send money. If the recipient just needs the funds, a direct transfer is almost always cheaper and faster.
PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and similar apps let you send money directly from a credit card with no cash advance fee. PayPal charges 2.2 percent plus $0.30 per transaction if you send money as a "goods and services" payment (which the recipient can dispute), or 1.99 percent if you send it as a "friends and family" payment (which they cannot dispute). Venmo charges nothing if you link a bank account, but charges 3 percent if you use a credit card.
A money order costs $1 to $5 and requires a trip to a physical location. A PayPal transfer costs $0.30 to $11 (depending on amount) and happens instantly. If the recipient needs a physical document for proof of payment, a money order is necessary. If they just need the money in their account, a transfer is cheaper.
What to do if you need a money order today and have no cash
If you are in a situation where you need a money order right now and have no way to get cash except through a credit card cash advance, here is the order to follow:
- Call your credit card issuer and ask whether they allow cash advances at ATMs and what the fee is. Some cards have lower cash advance fees than others.
- Go to an ATM that accepts your card and withdraw the amount you need plus a small buffer for the money order fee.
- Go directly to a Western Union, MoneyGram, or post office and buy the money order with the cash.
- Keep the receipt. If the money order is lost or stolen, you will need it to file a claim.
The entire process takes 30 minutes. The cost is the cash advance fee plus interest, which you will pay interest on until you pay off the credit card balance.
Why money order sellers avoid credit cards
Understanding the reason helps you see why workarounds exist but are not ideal. Money orders are designed to move cash without a bank account. They are used by people without access to traditional banking, by people sending money across borders, and by people who need a payment method that cannot be reversed.
A credit card transaction is reversible. You can dispute it with your card issuer up to 60 days later. If a money order seller accepts your credit card and you later dispute the charge, the seller has already handed you a money order worth real money. They lose both the payment and the product. This is why they treat credit cards the same way they treat checks—with suspicion.
Cash, debit cards, and bank transfers are not reversible in the same way. That is why those payment methods are accepted everywhere money orders are sold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order with a credit card at Walmart or Target?
Walmart and Target both sell money orders (through MoneyGram at Walmart and Western Union at some Target locations), but they follow the same rules as the main networks: cash or debit card only. You cannot use a credit card at the register. Your only option is a cash advance followed by a cash purchase.
Does PayPal count as a money order?
No, but it serves the same purpose for most situations. A PayPal transfer moves money from your account to someone else's instantly. A money order is a physical document that proves payment. If the recipient needs a paper receipt or proof of payment for a landlord or court, you need an actual money order. If they just need the funds, PayPal is faster and cheaper.
What if my credit card has a very high cash advance fee?
Compare the cost to other options. If your card charges 5 percent cash advance fee plus 25 percent APR, a $500 withdrawal costs $25 upfront plus interest. A PayPal transfer of $500 costs $11. If the recipient can accept a PayPal transfer, that is the cheaper route. If they need a physical money order, the cash advance is your only option, and you pay what the card charges.
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order online and have it mailed to me?
Some online money order services accept credit cards, but delivery takes 1 to 3 business days. If you need the money order today, this does not work. If you can wait, check Western Union's or MoneyGram's website for your state to see whether they accept credit cards for online orders. Read the payment method section before you start the transaction.