Most money order sellers do not take credit cards directly, but you have workarounds
You cannot walk into a Western Union, MoneyGram, or post office and hand over a credit card to buy a money order. These sellers accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes bank transfers — but not credit cards. The reason is simple: money orders are a form of cash equivalent, and the seller assumes the risk if your credit card transaction is later reversed.
If you need to pay for a money order with a credit card, you have three realistic paths: use a cash advance from an ATM, transfer money to a bank account and pay from there, or use a third-party payment app that accepts credit cards and then use that balance to buy the money order. Each path has a different cost and timeline. Understanding which one makes sense depends on how much you are sending, which card you have, and whether you have time to wait for transfers.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union, MoneyGram, and USPS do not accept credit cards for money order purchases at the counter or online.
- A credit card cash advance from an ATM lets you get cash to buy a money order, but costs a fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus interest starting immediately.
- Transferring money from your credit card to a bank account via a balance transfer or cash advance takes one to three business days and also carries a fee and interest.
- PayPal has a partnership with MoneyGram that accepts credit cards as the funding source, though you pay both PayPal's credit card loading fee and MoneyGram's money order fee.
- The cheapest option is usually to use a debit card or bank transfer if you have either available, since both avoid credit card fees.
Getting cash from an ATM using your credit card
A credit card cash advance is the fastest way to get physical cash to buy a money order. You insert your card at any ATM that accepts it, withdraw the amount you need, and walk to the money order seller with cash in hand. The timeline is immediate: you have cash the same day. This matters if you need the money order urgently.
The cost is immediate and steep. Your card issuer charges a cash advance fee, typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $5 to $10. A $500 cash advance might cost $15 to $25 just in fees. Interest accrues from the moment you withdraw — there is no grace period like there is for purchases. Interest rates on cash advances are often higher than purchase rates, sometimes 2 to 5 percentage points above your regular APR. You are paying for speed and convenience with real money.
Transferring credit card funds to your bank account
Some credit card issuers allow you to transfer money from your card to a linked bank account. This is different from a cash advance — you are moving funds electronically rather than withdrawing cash. The money lands in your checking or savings account, and you can then pay for the money order with your debit card or bank transfer.
The fee structure is similar to a cash advance: expect a transfer fee of 3 to 5 percent, plus interest starting immediately. The timeline is longer — most transfers take one to three business days to post. If you need the money order within 24 hours, this route does not work. Check your card's terms to see if balance transfers to your own bank account are even allowed. Some issuers permit it; others do not. Call the number on the back of your card and ask directly whether you can transfer funds to your bank account and what the fee is.
Using PayPal and MoneyGram together
PayPal has a partnership with MoneyGram that lets you buy a money order through PayPal's website or app and pick it up at a MoneyGram location. You fund the PayPal transaction with your credit card, and PayPal handles the money order purchase. This avoids the "credit card not accepted" problem by routing the payment through PayPal instead.
The cost adds up quickly. PayPal charges a fee to load money from a credit card (usually 2.9 percent plus $0.30 for transfers), and MoneyGram charges its standard money order fee on top of that. For a $500 money order, you could pay $15 to $20 in combined fees. Interest on the credit card balance starts accruing immediately. Venmo and Square Cash do not currently partner with money order sellers, so they are less useful for this specific task. Always check the app's current partnerships before assuming it will work.
Comparing the cost of each method
The table below shows how fees and timelines differ across your main options:
| Method | Fee (typical) | Interest starts | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATM cash advance | 3–5% + $5–$10 minimum | Immediately | Same day |
| Bank account transfer | 3–5% | Immediately | 1–3 business days |
| PayPal + MoneyGram | 2.9% + $0.30 + MoneyGram fee | Immediately | 1–2 business days |
| Debit card (if available) | $0–$2 (money order fee only) | N/A | Same day |
The numbers show why using a debit card or bank transfer is almost always cheaper than using a credit card. If you have a debit card, use it. If you do not, a cash advance is faster than a bank transfer but costs more in fees and interest.
Why money order sellers reject credit cards
Money orders are designed to be final, irreversible payments — that is their whole purpose. A credit card transaction can be disputed or reversed up to 60 days after the charge. If a customer buys a money order with a credit card and then disputes the charge, the seller has already handed over the money order and has no way to recover it.
Western Union, MoneyGram, and USPS all treat money orders as cash-equivalent products. They require payment methods that cannot be reversed: cash, debit cards, or bank transfers. This protects them from fraud and chargeback losses. Some online money order services have begun accepting credit cards, but they are rare and usually charge higher fees to offset the chargeback risk. Always read the fine print to confirm what payment methods are actually accepted before you attempt to buy.
Alternatives if you cannot get a money order with a credit card
If the cost of using a credit card is too high, consider whether you actually need a money order. A money order is useful when the recipient needs a may provide payment or when you want to avoid giving out your bank account number. But for many situations, alternatives exist.
A bank transfer or wire transfer moves money directly from your bank account to someone else's — no money order needed. A check written from your checking account works the same way and costs nothing. PayPal, Venmo, or other peer-to-peer apps transfer money instantly if both parties have accounts. A prepaid debit card can be loaded with cash and used like a debit card. Ask the person or business asking for a money order whether they would accept one of these alternatives instead. Many will, and you will save the money order fee entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order online with a credit card?
Most online money order services also do not accept credit cards directly. USPS.com, Western Union, and MoneyGram all require debit cards or bank transfers. PayPal's MoneyGram partnership is one of the few exceptions — you can fund it with a credit card through PayPal, though you pay PayPal's credit card loading fee on top of the money order fee.
What if my credit card has a 0% APR promotion?
A 0% APR promotion typically applies only to purchases, not to cash advances or balance transfers. Check your card's terms or call the issuer to confirm. Even if the promotional rate applies, you still pay the cash advance fee upfront, which makes the total cost higher than using a debit card.
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order at Walmart or grocery stores?
Walmart and grocery stores that sell money orders (usually through MoneyGram or their own service) have the same restrictions as Western Union and USPS — they do not accept credit cards. You need cash or a debit card.
Is there a limit on how much I can withdraw as a cash advance?
Yes. Your credit card issuer sets a cash advance limit, which is often lower than your credit limit. It might be 25 to 50 percent of your total credit limit. Call your card issuer to find out your specific limit before you go to an ATM.
Does using a credit card for a money order hurt my credit score?
A cash advance or balance transfer increases your credit utilization (the percentage of your available credit you are using), which can lower your score temporarily. The impact is usually small if your overall utilization stays below 30 percent, but it is worth considering if your score is already high and you are planning to apply for new credit soon.