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 (post offices, grocery stores, check-cashing businesses, Western Union) do not take credit cards. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes traveler's checks. A few rare exceptions exist, but they are the exception, not the rule.
The reason is straightforward: money orders are meant to be a safe payment method for people who don't have bank accounts or don't want to share their banking details. Sellers treat them as cash-equivalent products. Accepting credit cards would defeat that purpose and would expose the seller to chargeback disputes — if you later dispute the charge with your credit card company, the seller has already handed over the money order and has no way to recover it.
If you need a money order and don't have cash or a debit card on hand, you have a few real options, but none of them involve using your credit card directly at the counter.
Key Takeaways
- Post offices, Walmart, grocery stores, and check-cashing businesses all require cash or a debit card to buy a money order — credit cards are not accepted.
- You can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card (usually with a fee), then use that cash to buy a money order.
- Some online money order services accept credit cards, but they charge higher fees and take longer to deliver than in-person purchases.
- If you need to send money urgently and only have a credit card, a wire transfer or peer-to-peer payment app may be faster and cheaper.
Why credit card companies don't allow this
Credit card networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) actually prohibit merchants from accepting credit cards for money orders, gift cards, and other cash-equivalent products. This is a rule written into the merchant agreements that sellers sign. The networks want to prevent people from using credit cards to convert money into untraceable forms, which can enable fraud or money laundering.
From the seller's perspective, there's also a practical problem: if you dispute the charge with your credit card company weeks later, the seller has no recourse. They've already handed over the money order. The credit card company will often side with you (the cardholder) and reverse the charge, leaving the seller out the money.
Getting cash from your credit card to buy a money order
If you have a credit card but no cash, you can use an ATM to withdraw cash, then use that cash to buy a money order. This is a cash advance, and it comes with costs: most credit card companies charge a fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10) plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases. Interest starts accruing immediately — there's no grace period like there is for regular purchases.
For example, if you need $500 for a money order and take a cash advance, you might pay $15 to $25 in fees plus interest that starts the day you withdraw the money. That's expensive, but it's an option if you have no other way to get cash.
A cheaper alternative: if you have a debit card linked to a bank account, use that instead. If you don't have a debit card but have a credit card, ask a friend or family member to lend you cash, then pay them back with your credit card later (via Venmo, a check, or cash when you get some). This avoids the cash advance fee entirely.
Online money order services that accept credit cards
A small number of online services will sell you a money order and accept credit cards. Examples include MoneyGram (online) and some third-party money order delivery services. These typically charge higher fees than in-person purchases — sometimes $5 to $10 per money order instead of $1 to $2 — and take several business days to deliver.
These services are useful if you're homebound or in an area without nearby money order sellers, but they're not a good choice if you need the money order quickly or want to keep costs low. Read the fine print carefully: some services charge the fee on top of the money order amount, while others include it in the total.
Faster alternatives if you only have a credit card
If you need to send money to someone and only have a credit card available, consider whether a money order is actually the best tool. Wire transfers through your bank are faster (often same-day) and don't require you to convert your credit card to cash first. Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App let you send money directly from your credit card to another person's account, usually within minutes, though they may charge a fee for credit card transactions (typically 2 to 3 percent).
Money orders are useful when the recipient doesn't have a bank account or when you need a paper trail for a formal payment (like rent or a security deposit). If neither of those applies, a direct transfer is usually faster and cheaper than buying a money order with a credit card.
What to do if a seller claims they accept credit cards for money orders
If a business tells you they'll sell you a money order with a credit card, be cautious. They may be misunderstanding your question, or they may be operating outside the rules set by the credit card networks. Some small or independent sellers might attempt this, but the transaction could be declined at the payment processor level, or the credit card company could reverse the charge later.
The safest approach: ask the seller upfront what payment methods they accept for money orders. If they say credit cards, ask them to show you in writing (on their website or a posted sign). If you proceed and the transaction is later reversed by your credit card company, you'll be out the money order and may face a dispute with the seller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order online?
Some online money order services accept credit cards, but they charge higher fees and take longer than buying in person. MoneyGram online is one option. Compare the total cost (including delivery time) against using a cash advance to buy a money order in person, or using a wire transfer or payment app instead.
What if I need a money order right now and only have a credit card?
Use an ATM to withdraw cash with your credit card (accept the cash advance fee), then buy the money order with cash. If speed is critical and the recipient has a bank account, a wire transfer or peer-to-peer app will be faster and may cost less overall.
Will my credit card company let me dispute a money order purchase if I use a cash advance?
No. A cash advance is treated as a loan from your credit card company, not a purchase. You can't dispute it the way you can dispute a purchase. You're responsible for repaying the full amount plus fees and interest.
Can I use a prepaid credit card to buy a money order?
No. Prepaid cards are still credit cards from the merchant's perspective, and the same rules apply — most sellers won't accept them for money orders. However, if your prepaid card is linked to a bank account (like a NetSpend card), you may be able to use it as a debit card at some locations.
Is there a cheaper way to send money if I only have a credit card?
Yes. Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo or PayPal often charge 2 to 3 percent when you use a credit card, which may be cheaper than a cash advance fee plus money order cost. If the recipient has a bank account, this is usually your fastest and cheapest option.