Most places won't sell you a money order with a credit card
The short answer is no — the vast majority of money order sellers will not take a credit card. Western Union, MoneyGram, the U.S. Postal Service, Walmart, and grocery store money order counters all require cash or a debit card. A few smaller vendors may accept credit cards, but you will search hard to find them, and the fees often make it pointless.
The reason is simple: money orders are meant to be a safer alternative to cash or checks. They are used by people who do not have bank accounts, who are sending money to someone they do not fully trust, or who need a may provide payment method. Sellers treat them as cash-equivalent products and do not want the chargeback risk that comes with credit cards. From their perspective, if you can use a credit card, you can use a debit card or withdraw cash — so they do not bother accepting credit.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union, MoneyGram, USPS, Walmart, and most grocery stores require cash or a debit card to buy a money order, not a credit card.
- If you need a money order but only have a credit card, you can withdraw cash from an ATM using your card, then use that cash to buy the money order.
- Some credit card issuers charge a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) when you withdraw cash, so check your card's terms first.
- A few online money order services exist, but they are rare, expensive, and often require a bank account to fund them anyway.
- If you are trying to avoid using your debit card or bank account, a credit card does not solve that problem — you will need to find cash another way.
Why credit cards and money orders do not mix
Money orders are designed to move cash-like value without the risk of a bounced check or a reversed payment. When you buy a money order, you hand over real money upfront, and the seller guarantees that the recipient can cash it. That may provide only works if the seller knows the money is already in their hands.
A credit card transaction is the opposite: the seller does not get paid until days later, and you can dispute the charge for months afterward. If a money order seller accepted credit cards, they would be giving you the money order now but not getting paid until later — and if you then disputed the charge, they would have already handed out the cash. That is a loss they cannot recover.
This is also why money order sellers do not accept personal checks, and why they rarely accept prepaid cards or gift cards. They need immediate, irreversible payment.
Getting cash from your credit card to buy a money order
If you have a credit card but no cash and no debit card, you can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card. This is called a cash advance. You put your card in the ATM, enter your PIN, and withdraw money just as you would with a debit card. Once you have the cash, you can use it to buy a money order at any standard vendor.
The catch is that cash advances are expensive. Most credit card issuers charge a cash advance fee — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount you withdraw, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. So if you withdraw $200 to buy a $200 money order, you might pay an extra $6 to $10 just for the withdrawal. On top of that, cash advances usually start accruing interest immediately, at a higher rate than regular purchases. Check your card's terms to see what your issuer charges.
If the money order itself has a fee (usually $1 to $3), your total cost could be $8 to $15 on a $200 transaction. That is steep, but if you have no other way to get cash, it may be your only option.
Online money order services and what they actually require
A handful of companies claim to offer online money orders that you can pay for with a credit card. These services are rare and often come with their own complications. Most of them still require you to link a bank account or debit card to fund the order — the credit card is just for the service fee. Others are designed for business-to-business payments and do not work for personal money orders.
If you do find a service that accepts credit cards directly, read the fine print carefully. Check whether the fee is reasonable, whether the recipient can actually cash it (some online services issue digital codes rather than physical money orders), and whether the service is legitimate. The Federal Trade Commission has warned about money order scams, so stick with well-known vendors or services recommended by your bank.
When you actually need a money order
Before you go through the trouble of getting cash to buy a money order with a credit card, ask whether you actually need one. Money orders are useful in specific situations: paying rent or a security deposit to a landlord who does not accept checks, sending money to someone you do not want to give your bank account number to, or paying a bill when you do not have a checking account.
If you are trying to send money to someone, there are other options. Bank transfers, Venmo, PayPal, and wire transfers all let you send money from a credit card (or from a bank account linked to a credit card) without buying a physical money order. If you are paying a bill, many billers now accept credit cards directly. If you are paying rent, ask your landlord whether they accept credit card payments or online transfers.
The only time you truly need a money order is when the recipient specifically asks for one and will not take anything else. In that case, the cash advance route is your best bet.
Comparing your options side by side
| Method | How to pay | Total cost | Time to complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash advance + money order | ATM withdrawal, then cash at vendor | $6–$15 (cash advance fee + money order fee + interest) | Same day |
| Debit card + money order | Debit card at vendor | $1–$3 (money order fee only) | Same day |
| Bank transfer or wire | Credit card or bank account | $0–$15 (depends on bank and recipient) | 1–3 days |
| Online payment service (Venmo, PayPal) | Credit card or bank account | $0–$3 (depends on service) | Same day or 1–3 days |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid credit card to buy a money order?
Most money order vendors treat prepaid cards the same way they treat regular credit cards — they do not accept them. However, some prepaid cards function like debit cards and may work at certain vendors. Call the money order seller first to ask whether they accept your specific card, or check your card's terms to see if it is branded as a debit card.
What if I use a credit card to pay for a money order online?
Online money order services are uncommon and usually require a bank account or debit card to actually fund the order. If a service does accept credit cards, read the terms carefully to understand what you are paying for — sometimes the credit card payment only covers the service fee, not the money order itself.
Is a cash advance worth it just to buy a money order?
Rarely. A cash advance fee of 3 to 5 percent plus interest charges usually costs more than the money order itself. If you have any other way to get cash or pay the recipient, use that instead. A cash advance makes sense only if you have no debit card, no bank account, and no other way to send the money.
Can I dispute a money order if something goes wrong?
Money orders are treated like cash once they are issued. If the recipient cashes it, you cannot get the money back through a dispute. If the money order is lost or stolen before it is cashed, you can file a claim with the issuer, but the process takes weeks and requires proof of purchase. This is why money orders are final — another reason sellers do not accept credit cards.
What if the money order vendor has a credit card reader but still will not take my card?
The vendor may accept credit cards for other products (like groceries or stamps) but have a policy against accepting them for money orders. This is a business decision, not a technical limitation. Your best option is to use a different payment method or go to a different vendor.