Most places won't sell you a money order with a credit card directly
You cannot walk into a Western Union or MoneyGram location and hand over your credit card to buy a money order. Most money order sellers — including post offices, grocery stores, and check-cashing shops — only take cash or debit cards. The reason is simple: money orders are meant to be a safer alternative to cash, and sellers treat them that way. Accepting credit cards would shift the risk onto them.
But there are workarounds. You can use your credit card to get cash first, then use that cash to buy the money order. Or you can use certain online services that do accept credit cards. The method you choose depends on what fees you're willing to pay and how quickly you need the money order.
Key Takeaways
- Most in-person money order sellers (post offices, Western Union, grocery stores) accept only cash or debit cards, not credit cards.
- You can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then buy a money order with that cash, though ATM fees apply.
- Online money order services like Sezzle and some digital payment platforms do accept credit cards, but they charge higher fees than in-person sellers.
- Using a credit card to buy a money order counts as a cash advance on most cards, which means you'll pay a cash advance fee and higher interest rates immediately.
- For most people, using a debit card or paying with cash remains the cheapest way to get a money order.
Why credit cards and money orders don't mix
Money order sellers treat credit cards as a red flag because they're in the business of providing a may provide payment method. If you dispute a credit card charge, the seller has to fight to keep the money. With cash or a debit card, the transaction is final.
There's also a cost issue on your end. Most credit card companies classify a money order purchase as a cash advance, not a regular purchase. That means you'll pay a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount) right away, plus a higher interest rate on that balance starting immediately — not after a grace period like a regular purchase. A $500 money order could cost you $15 to $25 just in fees, before interest.
Because of these costs, using a credit card to buy a money order is almost always more expensive than using cash or a debit card. But if you don't have access to either, the options below show what's actually available.
Getting cash from an ATM to buy a money order
The most straightforward path is to withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then use that cash to buy a money order at a post office, Western Union, MoneyGram, or grocery store. This avoids the credit card company's cash advance fee if you use an ATM that doesn't charge you — though most ATMs do charge a fee when you use a credit card.
The catch: you'll pay an ATM fee (typically $2 to $5) plus your credit card company's cash advance fee. So a $500 money order might cost you $20 to $30 in fees alone. The money order itself usually costs $1 to $3 depending on where you buy it. Then interest starts accruing on the cash advance balance immediately.
This route makes sense only if you have no other way to get cash and you plan to pay off the balance quickly. If you can wait a few days, transferring money from a savings account to a checking account and using a debit card is almost always cheaper.
Online money order services that accept credit cards
A few online platforms do accept credit cards for money orders, though they charge significantly more than in-person sellers. Sezzle and some digital payment services offer money order purchases through their apps, and they'll accept your credit card as payment.
The tradeoff is cost and speed. Online money order services typically charge $5 to $10 per money order, compared to $1 to $3 at a post office. Delivery takes 3 to 5 business days instead of being instant. And you still face the cash advance fee and interest from your credit card company if they classify it that way — though some online services structure the transaction as a regular purchase to avoid that.
Before using an online service, check your credit card's terms to see whether they classify money order purchases as cash advances. Call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask directly. If they do, the extra fees might make the online route more expensive than the ATM route, not less.
Using a debit card instead
If you have a debit card linked to a checking or savings account, this is your cheapest option. Debit cards are accepted at every place that sells money orders — post offices, Western Union, MoneyGram, grocery stores, and check-cashing shops. You'll pay only the money order fee itself ($1 to $3) with no additional charges.
If you don't have a debit card but have a credit card, opening a basic checking account at a bank or credit union takes 15 to 30 minutes online or in person. Many banks offer free checking with no minimum balance. Once you have a debit card, you can buy money orders without any of the fees that come with using a credit card.
This is worth doing even if it takes an extra day or two, because the fee savings add up quickly if you buy money orders regularly.
Prepaid cards as a middle ground
A prepaid card works like a debit card but isn't tied to a bank account. You load money onto it, then use it to make purchases. Most prepaid cards are accepted at money order sellers just like debit cards are, and they cost $0 to $10 to open depending on the provider.
The advantage is that you can load money onto a prepaid card using your credit card (through the card's app or website), then use the prepaid card to buy the money order. This way, you're not using your credit card directly for the money order, so it won't trigger a cash advance fee.
The disadvantage is that prepaid cards often charge monthly fees ($5 to $10) and fees for loading money onto them. If you're only buying one money order, these fees will outweigh any savings. But if you use a prepaid card regularly for other purchases, it might already be part of your routine.
What happens if you use a credit card at a money order seller
If you try to use a credit card at a post office, Western Union, or MoneyGram, the transaction will be declined. The seller's system simply won't accept credit cards. You'll need to provide a different payment method on the spot — cash or a debit card.
The only exception is if you're buying a money order through an online platform or a seller's website. Some of these do accept credit cards, but they'll charge you higher fees to do so, and your credit card company may still treat it as a cash advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does using a credit card to buy a money order build credit?
No. Money orders purchased with a credit card are classified as cash advances, which don't count toward your payment history or credit mix the way regular purchases do. You'll pay the fees and interest without any credit-building benefit.
Can I use a credit card at Western Union or MoneyGram?
Not for buying a money order directly. Both companies accept credit cards for wire transfers and other services, but their money order transactions require cash or a debit card. Check their website or call ahead to confirm current policies, as these can change by location.
What's the difference between a money order and a wire transfer?
A money order is a paper document you buy and mail or deliver in person. A wire transfer moves money directly from one bank account to another electronically. Wire transfers are faster but more expensive. Some wire transfer services do accept credit cards, though fees are typically higher than money orders.
If I buy a money order with a credit card cash advance, can I dispute it?
Disputing a cash advance is much harder than disputing a regular purchase. Credit card companies treat cash advances as final transactions. You'd need to prove fraud or an error by the seller, not just change your mind about the purchase.
Are there credit cards that don't charge cash advance fees?
No. Every credit card charges a cash advance fee, though the percentage varies. Some cards charge 3 percent, others charge 5 percent or more. Check your card's terms document or call the number on the back to find out your specific fee.