Yes, you can use a credit card at an ATM, but it costs money and works differently than a debit card
Most credit cards let you withdraw cash at ATMs, but the transaction is treated as a cash advance, not a regular purchase. This matters because cash advances carry their own fees and interest rates — usually higher than your standard purchase APR. You'll pay a fee upfront (typically 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $2 to $10), and interest starts accruing immediately with no grace period.
The ATM itself may also charge a fee if it's not part of your card issuer's network. So a $100 withdrawal could cost you $5 to $7 just to get the cash, before any interest charges begin. This is why using a credit card at an ATM is rarely the cheapest way to get cash.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card cash advances charge a separate fee (usually 3% to 5%) plus a higher interest rate than purchases, with no grace period.
- Interest on a cash advance begins accruing the day you withdraw it, even if you pay your bill in full at the end of the month.
- The ATM operator may charge an additional fee if your card issuer doesn't own the machine, adding to your total cost.
- Using a debit card, visiting your bank branch, or getting cash back at a store checkout are cheaper alternatives in most situations.
How the cash advance fee works
When you use your credit card at an ATM, your card issuer charges a cash advance fee calculated as a percentage of the amount withdrawn. This percentage varies by card and issuer — some charge 3%, others 5%, and a few charge a flat dollar amount instead. You'll see this fee posted to your account within one or two business days.
The fee is separate from the ATM operator's fee. If you're using an ATM that doesn't belong to your card issuer's network, the ATM operator may charge you an additional $1 to $3. So withdrawing $100 from an out-of-network ATM could cost you $5 (5% cash advance fee) plus $2 (ATM operator fee) = $7 total, before any interest.
Check your card's terms document or your issuer's website to find your specific cash advance fee percentage. This is usually listed under "Fees" or "Cash Advance" in the pricing information section.
Interest rates on cash advances are different from purchase rates
Cash advances have their own APR, and it's almost always higher than your purchase APR. While a purchase might carry a 15% APR, a cash advance on the same card could be 25% or higher. This higher rate applies only to the cash advance balance, not to your regular purchases.
The critical difference: interest on a cash advance starts accruing immediately. With a purchase, you typically get a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days) where no interest charges if you pay the full balance by the due date. Cash advances have no grace period. Interest begins the day you withdraw the money, regardless of when you pay it back.
If you withdraw $100 at a 25% APR and pay it back after 30 days, you'll owe roughly $2 in interest alone, on top of the upfront cash advance fee. The longer you carry the balance, the more interest accumulates.
When you might use a credit card at an ATM
Despite the costs, there are rare situations where it makes sense. If you're traveling internationally and your debit card is blocked or lost, a credit card cash advance might be your only option to get local currency quickly. The fees and interest are annoying, but they're better than being stranded without access to money.
Another scenario: if you're in a genuine emergency and need cash immediately, and you don't have access to your bank account or a debit card, a credit card advance is available right then. Just understand you're paying for that convenience.
In almost every other situation — routine cash needs, planned expenses, or regular ATM access — there's a cheaper way to get cash. Using a debit card, withdrawing from your bank's branch, or asking for cash back at a store checkout all cost nothing or far less.
Cheaper alternatives to credit card cash advances
If you need cash, start with your debit card at an ATM in your bank's network. This costs nothing. If your bank doesn't have a nearby ATM, many banks belong to shared networks (like Allpoint, MoneyPass, or CO-OP) that let you use thousands of ATMs nationwide for free.
Getting cash back at a store checkout is free and often the easiest option. Most grocery stores, pharmacies, and retailers will give you cash back when you pay with a debit card, with no fee. You can usually withdraw $20 to $100 depending on the store's policy.
If you're at your bank's physical branch, you can withdraw cash from a teller for free. This is also the safest way to get large amounts of cash, since the teller can verify your identity and the transaction is recorded in your account immediately.
How to avoid accidental cash advances
Some ATMs don't clearly label the transaction type, so you might accidentally request a cash advance when you meant to do something else. Before you confirm the transaction, the ATM will ask what type of withdrawal you want — usually "withdrawal" or "cash advance" or something similar. Read the screen carefully and select the option that says withdrawal or cash, not advance.
If your card doesn't have a linked checking account, the ATM may only offer a cash advance option. In that case, you'll see language like "cash advance" or "credit withdrawal" as the only choice. That's your signal to stop and use a different payment method instead.
Check your credit card statement online within a few days of any ATM visit. If you see a cash advance fee you didn't expect, contact your issuer right away. Some issuers will reverse a single accidental cash advance fee if you call within a reasonable timeframe, though this isn't may provide.
What happens if you can't pay back a cash advance
If you carry a cash advance balance, it accrues interest at your cash advance APR until you pay it off. The interest is calculated daily and added to your balance each month. Unlike a purchase, there's no grace period, so interest starts the moment you withdraw the money.
If you make only minimum payments, the cash advance balance will take months or years to pay off, and you'll pay far more in interest than the original amount you withdrew. For example, a $500 cash advance at 25% APR with only minimum payments could cost you $150 or more in interest before it's paid off.
The cash advance also counts toward your credit utilization ratio, which affects your credit score. A large cash advance can push your utilization higher and temporarily lower your score, even if you pay it back quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card at any ATM?
Most ATMs accept credit cards, but not all. ATMs at banks, convenience stores, and airports almost always do. The ATM will tell you whether it accepts your card type before you insert it. If it doesn't, you'll need to find a different ATM or use another payment method.
Is there a limit to how much I can withdraw?
Yes. Your card issuer sets a cash advance limit, which is usually lower than your credit limit. You might have a $5,000 credit limit but only a $1,000 cash advance limit. Check your card's terms or call your issuer to find out your specific limit.
Does a cash advance show up differently on my credit report?
A cash advance doesn't appear separately on your credit report — it's part of your overall credit card balance. However, it does affect your utilization ratio and can lower your score if it pushes your total balance higher.
What if the ATM charges me a fee and my card issuer also charges a fee?
You'll pay both. The ATM operator's fee (usually $1 to $3) is charged by the ATM's owner, and your card issuer's cash advance fee (usually 3% to 5%) is charged by your bank. Both appear on your statement as separate charges.
Can I dispute a cash advance fee?
You can contact your issuer and ask them to review the charge, but cash advance fees are disclosed in your card's terms, so they're not typically reversed unless the transaction was fraudulent or unauthorized. If you were charged in error, your issuer may remove the fee as a courtesy.