Yes, you can withdraw cash with a credit card, but it comes with fees and interest that make it expensive

You can take cash out of an ATM using a credit card, but the transaction is treated differently than a regular purchase. The moment you withdraw cash, your card issuer charges you a cash advance fee — typically 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $5 to $10. That fee appears on your statement immediately. On top of that, interest starts accruing right away at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR, and there is no grace period. A $200 cash advance might cost you $6 to $10 in fees alone, plus interest that begins the next day.

The reason credit card companies charge more for cash advances is that they treat them as loans, not purchases. When you buy something with a credit card, the transaction is recorded and you have a grace period before interest kicks in. A cash advance skips that protection entirely — you are borrowing money in its most liquid form, and the issuer wants to be compensated for that risk.

Key Takeaways

  • Cash advances charge a separate fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount) plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases, with no grace period.
  • You can withdraw cash at any ATM that accepts your card's network, but the ATM operator may charge an additional fee on top of your card issuer's fee.
  • Interest on a cash advance begins accruing immediately, so even a short-term withdrawal costs more than you might expect.
  • Some cards offer better cash advance terms than others, but the practice is expensive enough that alternatives like debit cards or bank transfers are usually better choices.

How the cash advance fee and interest rate work

When you withdraw cash, two separate charges hit your account. The first is the cash advance fee, which your card issuer charges upfront. This is a percentage of the amount you withdraw — commonly 3%, 4%, or 5% — with a floor (a minimum charge) of around $5 to $10. So if you withdraw $100, you might pay $3 to $5 in fees. If you withdraw $500, you might pay $15 to $25.

The second charge is the cash advance APR, which is higher than your purchase APR. While a typical purchase APR might be 18% to 22%, a cash advance APR is often 25% to 30% or higher. This rate applies to the full amount you withdrew, and it starts accruing the day after the transaction posts — there is no grace period like there is for purchases. If you withdraw $500 at a 28% APR and pay it back after 30 days, you will owe roughly $11.67 in interest alone, on top of the upfront fee.

Your card's terms document lists both the cash advance fee and the cash advance APR. You can find this in your cardholder agreement, usually available on your card issuer's website under "Account" or "Disclosures."

Where you can withdraw cash and what ATM operators charge

You can withdraw cash at any ATM that displays your card's network logo — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. This includes ATMs at banks, credit unions, convenience stores, and independent ATM operators. However, using an ATM outside your card issuer's network often triggers an additional fee from the ATM operator, sometimes called a foreign ATM fee or out-of-network fee.

This operator fee is separate from your card issuer's cash advance fee. The ATM operator might charge $2 to $3 per transaction, and your card issuer might charge another $2 to $3 on top of that, plus the percentage-based cash advance fee. A $100 withdrawal could easily cost $8 to $12 in fees before interest is factored in.

To minimize ATM fees, use an ATM operated by your card issuer's bank or a bank in their network. Many large banks participate in ATM networks that let you use thousands of ATMs without out-of-network fees. Check your card issuer's website for a list of partner banks and ATM locations.

How cash advances affect your credit utilization and payment priority

A cash advance counts toward your credit utilization ratio — the amount of available credit you are using. If your card has a $5,000 limit and you withdraw $500 in cash, your utilization jumps to 10%. This can lower your credit score slightly, especially if you are already using a high percentage of your available credit. The effect is temporary and reverses once you pay down the balance, but it is worth knowing if you are about to apply for a loan or mortgage.

When you make a payment to your card, the issuer applies it to different balance types in a specific order set by law. Purchases are usually paid first, then cash advances and balance transfers. This means if you have both a purchase balance and a cash advance balance, your payment goes toward the purchase first, leaving the cash advance to accrue interest longer. This is another reason cash advances are expensive — your payments chip away at them slowly.

Situations where a cash advance might make sense

Cash advances are almost never the cheapest way to get cash, but there are rare situations where they are the only option. If you are traveling internationally and your debit card does not work, or if you need cash in an emergency and have no other access to funds, a cash advance might be necessary despite the cost. In these cases, withdraw only what you need and pay it back as quickly as possible to minimize interest.

Some people use cash advances to cover a short-term shortfall, betting that they can pay it back before much interest accrues. This is risky — if you cannot pay it back within a few days, the interest and fees quickly outweigh any benefit. A better approach is to use a personal loan from a bank or credit union, which typically charges lower interest and does not have the same upfront fees.

Better alternatives to cash advances

If you need cash, explore these options before using a credit card cash advance. A debit card withdrawal from your own bank account costs nothing and is instant. A bank transfer or peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo or PayPal lets you move money to someone else's account without cash. A personal loan from a bank or credit union typically charges 8% to 15% APR with no upfront fee, making it cheaper than a cash advance even if you need the money for a few weeks.

If you are traveling and need cash abroad, ask your bank whether they offer a no-fee or low-fee international ATM network. Many banks reimburse out-of-network ATM fees if you use their travel program. Some credit cards marketed to travelers offer lower cash advance fees or waived fees for the first withdrawal, though these are rare and usually come with higher annual fees.

How to check your card's cash advance terms before you need them

Your card's cash advance fee and APR are listed in the Schumer Box — a standardized disclosure table on your card issuer's website. Log into your account, go to "Account Details" or "Disclosures," and look for the section labeled "Cash Advance APR" and "Cash Advance Fee." Some issuers also list this information on the back of your physical card or in your welcome materials.

If you cannot find it online, call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask directly. Write down both numbers so you know what a cash advance will cost before you use one. This takes five minutes and can save you from an expensive surprise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a cash advance show up differently on my credit report?

No, a cash advance appears on your credit report as part of your credit card balance, not as a separate account. However, it does count toward your utilization ratio and can lower your score if it pushes your total usage above 30%. The effect is temporary and disappears once you pay it off.

Can I use a credit card to withdraw cash from a bank teller instead of an ATM?

Yes, many banks allow you to withdraw cash from a teller using a credit card, and the fees are the same as an ATM withdrawal. The teller will process it as a cash advance and charge the same fee and interest rate. This does not save you money, but it may be useful if you need a large amount and want to avoid ATM withdrawal limits.

What is the maximum amount I can withdraw as a cash advance?

Your card issuer sets a cash advance limit, which is often lower than your credit limit. This limit is listed in your cardholder agreement or available by calling customer service. Many cards set the cash advance limit at 20% to 50% of your credit limit, so a $5,000 credit limit might allow only a $1,000 cash advance.

If I pay back a cash advance immediately, do I still owe interest?

You owe the upfront cash advance fee no matter what. Interest begins accruing the day after the transaction posts, so even if you pay it back the next day, you will owe at least one day of interest. The longer you carry the balance, the more interest accumulates, so paying it back as fast as possible is important if you must use a cash advance.

Are there credit cards with no cash advance fees?

Most mainstream credit cards charge a cash advance fee, but a few cards marketed to specific groups — such as military members or students — may waive the fee or offer a lower rate. However, even cards without a cash advance fee still charge a higher APR on cash advances than on purchases. Check your card's terms or contact your issuer to see if you may have access to for any fee waivers.