Most money order sellers won't take credit cards directly
You cannot buy a money order with a credit card at most locations. Money order vendors — the U.S. Postal Service, Western Union, MoneyGram, Walmart, and grocery store chains — accept cash or debit cards only. A credit card transaction at these counters will be declined.
The reason is structural: money orders are a cash-equivalent product. The vendor collects your money upfront and issues a document that the recipient can cash immediately. Credit card companies treat this as a cash advance, which carries higher fees and interest rates than a purchase. Most vendors have simply chosen not to process them that way.
There are two workarounds if you need to buy a money order but only have a credit card available: use a cash advance to get cash first, or use a third-party service that accepts credit cards and then sends the money order on your behalf.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Postal Service, Western Union, MoneyGram, Walmart, and most grocery stores will not accept credit cards for money order purchases.
- A cash advance from your credit card at an ATM or bank will cost you an upfront fee (usually 3–5% of the amount) plus interest that starts accruing immediately.
- Some third-party payment services accept credit cards and can send a money order or equivalent payment on your behalf, though they charge their own fees.
- If you have a debit card, PIN-based debit, or a bank account linked to a payment app, those are cheaper and faster routes than a credit card cash advance.
Using a cash advance to get the money first
If you have a credit card but no cash, you can withdraw cash using a cash advance, then use that cash to buy the money order. Visit your bank's ATM or go to the bank branch and request a cash advance against your credit card. You will need your card and a PIN (or your card number and ID at a branch).
The cost is immediate and steep. Most credit card issuers charge a cash advance fee of 3 to 5 percent of the amount you withdraw, with a minimum fee of $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, interest on the cash advance usually starts accruing the same day — there is no grace period like there is for purchases. The interest rate for cash advances is typically higher than your purchase APR.
Once you have the cash, you can walk into any money order vendor and buy the money order without further fees (beyond the money order fee itself, which is usually $1 to $3). This route is cheapest if you only need the money order once and can pay off the cash advance balance quickly.
Third-party services that accept credit cards
Some payment platforms and money transfer services will accept a credit card and send a money order or equivalent payment to a recipient. Services like PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and some bill-pay platforms can move money using your credit card as the funding source. The catch is that they charge their own fees — often 2 to 3 percent of the transaction — and the recipient may not receive a physical money order but rather a digital transfer or check.
If the recipient specifically needs a physical money order (for example, to deposit at a bank that requires it), these services may not solve your problem. But if they will accept a digital payment, bank transfer, or mailed check instead, a payment app can be faster and sometimes cheaper than a cash advance.
Check the terms of the service you are considering. Some apps charge a flat fee per transaction; others charge a percentage. Some allow credit card funding; others do not. The fee structure and what the recipient receives on the other end will vary.
When a debit card or bank account is a better option
If you have access to a debit card, a PIN-based debit card, or a bank account linked to a payment app, use those instead. Debit cards are accepted at all money order vendors and carry no cash advance fee or interest. You pay only the money order fee itself.
If your debit card is not available but you have online banking access, you can often set up a bill payment through your bank's website or app. Many banks will mail a check on your behalf at no cost, which may work if the recipient will accept a check instead of a money order. This takes 5 to 10 business days but costs nothing.
Comparing the cost of each route
| Route | Upfront Cost | Interest or Additional Fees | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash advance + money order | 3–5% cash advance fee ($15–$25 on $500) | Interest accrues immediately at cash advance APR | Same day |
| Payment app (PayPal, Venmo, etc.) | 2–3% transaction fee | None if paid in full immediately | 1–3 business days |
| Debit card + money order | Money order fee only ($1–$3) | None | Same day |
| Bank bill pay (check) | None | None | 5–10 business days |
What happens if you try to use a credit card at a money order counter
If you attempt to swipe or insert a credit card at a Western Union, MoneyGram, USPS, Walmart, or grocery store money order counter, the transaction will be declined. The terminal is programmed to reject credit cards. Some locations may offer to run it as a cash advance, but this is rare and still costs you the cash advance fee.
Do not assume a different location or vendor will accept credit cards. The policy is consistent across all major money order providers. If you want to use a credit card, you must convert it to cash or use a third-party payment service first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order online with a credit card?
Some online money order services exist, but they are not the same as traditional money orders. Services like PayPal and Wise allow you to send money using a credit card, but the recipient receives a digital transfer or check, not a physical money order document. If you need a physical money order mailed to you or the recipient, you will still need to visit a vendor in person with cash or a debit card.
Will my credit card company charge me a cash advance fee if I use it at an ATM to get cash for a money order?
Yes. Any cash withdrawal using your credit card at an ATM or bank counts as a cash advance. You will be charged a cash advance fee (usually 3–5%) plus interest starting immediately. This is true regardless of what you plan to spend the cash on.
Is there a way to avoid the cash advance fee?
Yes. Use a debit card, a PIN-based debit card, or a bank account linked to a payment app instead. If you do not have a debit card, ask your bank whether you can get one, or use a payment app like PayPal or Venmo if the recipient will accept that form of payment.
What if I need the money order urgently?
A cash advance followed by an in-person money order purchase is the fastest route — you can complete both steps within an hour. Payment apps take 1 to 3 business days. Bank bill pay takes 5 to 10 business days. If you need it same-day, the cash advance is your only option, but budget for the fee and interest.
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order at Walmart?
No. Walmart's money order counter accepts cash and debit cards only. Credit cards will be declined at the register.