Most money order sellers will not take a credit card directly
You cannot buy a money order with a credit card at most locations. Western Union, MoneyGram, the U.S. Postal Service, and most banks and check-cashing stores require cash, debit card, or bank transfer. A credit card is treated as a cash advance or loan product, and money order sellers classify it differently from a debit card or direct payment method.
The reason is structural: a money order is a prepaid financial instrument, and credit card networks treat the purchase as a cash-like transaction. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express all impose higher fees and different processing rules on cash advances than on regular purchases. Money order sellers avoid this friction by simply declining credit cards at the point of sale.
There are workarounds, but each one costs you money and adds steps. Understanding which route makes sense depends on why you need the money order and what payment method you actually have available.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union, MoneyGram, USPS, banks, and check-cashing stores do not accept credit cards for money order purchases.
- You can use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy a money order, but ATM cash advances charge interest immediately and often include a fee of 3 to 5 percent.
- A debit card works at all the same locations where cash works, so if you have one, use it instead of a credit card.
- Some credit card issuers send convenience checks or balance transfer checks that function like money orders but carry the same cash advance fees and higher interest rates.
- If you need to send money and have a credit card but no debit card, a peer-to-peer payment app or wire transfer may cost less than the combined fees of a cash advance plus money order.
Using a credit card cash advance to buy a money order
If you have a credit card but no debit card or cash, you can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then use that cash to buy a money order. This works mechanically, but the cost is high. A credit card cash advance is not a purchase—it is a loan against your credit limit, and interest accrues immediately, often at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR.
Most credit card issuers charge a cash advance fee of 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $5 to $10. If you withdraw $200 to buy a $200 money order, you might pay $6 to $10 in fees alone. Then interest starts accruing the same day at a rate that is typically 2 to 5 percentage points higher than your purchase rate. There is no grace period for cash advances the way there is for purchases.
Check your card's terms before you do this. Some cards charge 5 percent cash advance fees; others charge 3 percent. The interest rate is listed separately as the cash advance APR. If your purchase APR is 18 percent, your cash advance APR might be 23 percent. Over a month, that difference adds up quickly.
Why a debit card is the better choice if you have one
If you have a debit card linked to a bank account, use it instead. Debit cards are accepted everywhere that takes cash—Western Union, MoneyGram, USPS, banks, and check-cashing stores. There are no cash advance fees, no interest charges, and no separate APR. The money comes directly from your account.
If you do not have a debit card but have a bank account, you can request one from your bank at no cost. Most banks issue them within one to two business days, or you can use a temporary digital version immediately through your bank's app. This is faster and cheaper than any credit card workaround.
If you do not have a bank account, a prepaid debit card is available at most retailers and online. These cost $5 to $15 to purchase and can be loaded with cash or a bank transfer. Once loaded, they work exactly like a debit card at money order locations.
Convenience checks and balance transfer checks from your credit card issuer
Some credit card issuers send convenience checks or balance transfer checks with your account. These are blank checks drawn against your credit line, not your bank account. You can write one to yourself, cash it, and use the cash to buy a money order. Alternatively, you can write the check directly to the recipient instead of buying a money order at all.
The catch is that these checks are treated as cash advances. They carry the same fees (3 to 5 percent) and the same higher interest rate as an ATM withdrawal. Some issuers also charge an additional processing fee on top of the cash advance fee. If your card does not send you these checks, you can call your issuer and request them, but they will still carry cash advance terms.
If you already have these checks on hand and need to send money, writing the check directly to the recipient is simpler than converting it to cash and then to a money order. But if you are considering requesting them specifically to buy a money order, the cost is the same as a cash advance, so other options are usually better.
Alternatives that may cost less than a credit card cash advance
If you need to send money and have a credit card but no debit card or cash, compare the cost of a credit card cash advance against other payment methods. A peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or Square Cash charges no fee if you link a bank account or debit card, and a small percentage fee (1 to 3 percent) if you pay from a credit card. For a $200 transfer, that is $2 to $6, which is often less than a cash advance fee plus interest.
A wire transfer through your bank or a service like Western Union also has a flat fee, typically $15 to $30, but no interest. If you are sending a large amount, a wire transfer may be cheaper than a cash advance. If you are sending a small amount, a peer-to-peer app is usually the cheapest option.
A money order is useful when the recipient requires a physical document or when you need a record of payment. But if the recipient can accept a digital transfer, an app or wire transfer avoids the cash advance fees and interest entirely.
Where to buy a money order and what payment methods they accept
| Location | Accepts Cash | Accepts Debit Card | Accepts Credit Card | Typical Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Union | Yes | Yes | No | $1 to $5 |
| MoneyGram | Yes | Yes | No | $1 to $5 |
| U.S. Postal Service | Yes | Yes | No | $1.45 to $2.20 |
| Bank (your own) | Yes | Yes | Varies | $5 to $10 |
| Check-cashing store | Yes | Yes | No | $2 to $10 |
| Walmart | Yes | Yes | No | $0.88 to $1.25 |
The USPS and Walmart offer the lowest fees. If you have a bank account, your own bank may offer money orders to account holders at a lower fee than third-party services, though some banks have discontinued them. Call ahead to confirm availability and fee.
When you visit any of these locations, bring a valid ID. Most sellers require identification to issue a money order, regardless of payment method. If you are buying online, the seller will ask for your name and address to process the order.
What happens if you try to use a credit card anyway
If you attempt to pay for a money order with a credit card at a location that does not accept them, the transaction will be declined at the point of sale. The cashier will tell you the card is not accepted and ask for a different payment method. No charge will appear on your card.
Some online money order services do accept credit cards, but they charge a processing fee on top of the money order fee—often 2 to 3 percent of the total amount. For a $200 money order, that adds $4 to $6 to the cost. These services are useful if you cannot access a physical location, but the fee is higher than buying in person with cash or a debit card.
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 a processing fee of 2 to 3 percent on top of the money order fee. For most amounts, this costs more than a cash advance fee. In-person purchases at USPS, Western Union, or Walmart with cash or a debit card are cheaper.
Does buying a money order with a credit card cash advance hurt my credit score?
A cash advance itself does not directly hurt your score, but it increases your credit utilization (the percentage of your credit limit you are using), which can lower your score temporarily. The higher interest rate also means you will carry a balance longer if you do not pay it off immediately, which compounds the damage.
What if my bank offers money orders to account holders—can I use my credit card there?
Banks that offer money orders to their own customers typically accept cash and debit cards. Some accept credit cards, but this varies by bank. Call your bank and ask before you go in. If they do accept credit cards, confirm whether it is treated as a purchase or a cash advance, because that determines the fees and interest.
Is there a limit to 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 overall credit limit—sometimes 20 to 50 percent of it. Check your card's terms or call your issuer to find out your limit. This limit is separate from the amount you can spend on regular purchases.
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order to pay off another credit card?
Technically yes, but it is expensive and usually not allowed. Most credit card issuers prohibit using a money order or other cash-like instrument to pay your bill, treating it as a cash advance if you try. Even if it were allowed, the cash advance fee plus interest would make it more costly than just making a regular payment. If you are trying to transfer a balance, ask your issuer about a balance transfer offer instead.