Yes, Western Union accepts most major credit cards, but there are real costs and limits you should know before you use one
Western Union will take Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at most locations and on their website. You can walk into a store, call their phone line, or go online to send money using a credit card as your payment method. The transaction goes through immediately in most cases, and the recipient can pick up cash at another Western Union location or have it deposited to a bank account.
The catch is that Western Union treats a credit card payment differently than a debit card or cash payment. You will pay a higher fee, and your credit card company may charge you a cash advance fee — which means you are borrowing money at a higher interest rate, not making a regular purchase. This matters because the interest starts accruing right away, not at the end of your billing cycle like a normal charge.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union charges higher fees when you pay with a credit card than when you pay with a debit card or cash, typically adding $5 to $15 or more depending on the amount sent.
- Your credit card company will likely treat this as a cash advance, which means you pay a separate fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount) plus a higher interest rate that starts immediately.
- If you need to send money urgently, a debit card, bank transfer, or cash payment will cost you less than a credit card.
- The total cost of sending $500 via credit card can easily reach $50 to $75 when you add Western Union's fee and your card's cash advance fee and interest.
How Western Union fees work when you use a credit card
Western Union's fee depends on how much money you are sending and where it is going. For a domestic transfer (within the United States), sending $100 might cost $5 to $10 in Western Union fees alone. Sending $500 could cost $15 to $25. These fees are higher than what you would pay with a debit card or cash, sometimes by 50 percent or more.
The fee is set by Western Union, not your credit card company, and it covers the cost of the transfer service itself. You pay this fee whether the money goes to a store pickup or a bank account. International transfers cost significantly more — often $20 to $50 or higher depending on the destination country.
Why your credit card company charges extra for this transaction
When you use a credit card at Western Union, your card company sees it as a cash advance, not a regular purchase. A cash advance is when you borrow money directly from your credit card's cash reserve, similar to withdrawing from an ATM. Your card company charges you for this privilege because it is riskier for them and more expensive to process.
The cash advance fee is usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount you send, with a minimum fee of $2 to $5. So if you send $500, you might pay $15 to $25 just for the cash advance fee alone. On top of that, the interest rate on a cash advance is almost always higher than your regular purchase APR — often 5 to 10 percentage points higher — and it starts accruing immediately, not after a grace period.
This means if you send $500 and do not pay it back right away, you are paying interest on that $500 from day one. A regular credit card purchase gives you a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days) before interest kicks in. A cash advance does not.
Real example: what it actually costs to send money via credit card
Let's say you need to send $500 domestically using a credit card. Here is what you might pay:
| Cost component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Western Union transfer fee | $15 to $25 |
| Credit card cash advance fee (4% example) | $20 |
| Interest for one month (20% APR example) | $8.33 |
| Total cost | $43 to $53 |
If you pay off the cash advance immediately, you avoid the interest charge, but you still owe the Western Union fee and the cash advance fee — roughly $35 to $45 total. That is 7 to 9 percent of the money you are sending, just in fees.
Cheaper ways to send money if you have them
If you have a debit card, use it instead. Western Union charges lower fees for debit card payments, and your bank will not treat it as a cash advance. You pay only the Western Union fee, which is typically $5 to $15 for a domestic transfer.
If you have a bank account, ask if your bank offers wire transfers or bill pay services. Many banks let you send money to another person's account for free or for a flat fee of $15 to $25, regardless of the amount. This takes one to three business days but costs far less than Western Union.
Other services like PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Wise (formerly TransferWise) also offer lower-cost ways to send money, especially for international transfers. Some charge no fee at all if both people have accounts with the service.
If you must use Western Union and do not have a debit card, paying with cash at a store location is your next best option. You avoid the cash advance fee and interest entirely — you only pay Western Union's base fee.
When you might have no choice but to use a credit card
Some people do not have a debit card or access to a bank account. If that is your situation, a credit card at Western Union is still an option, but go in knowing the full cost. Pay it off as soon as you can to minimize interest charges.
If you are rebuilding credit and using a credit card intentionally to build history, be aware that a cash advance does not help your credit score the way a regular purchase does. It shows up differently on your credit report and does not demonstrate that you can manage borrowed money responsibly in the same way.
How to send money through Western Union with a credit card
You have three options: in person at a Western Union location, by phone, or online at westernunion.com. In person, bring your credit card and the recipient's information (their name and address for a store pickup, or their bank details for a direct deposit). By phone, call 1-800-448-1492 and provide the same information. Online, create an account, enter the transfer details, and select your credit card as the payment method at checkout.
Western Union will ask for the recipient's full name, the amount, and the destination (store location or bank account). The money is usually available within minutes for store pickup or within one to three business days for bank deposit. You will receive a confirmation number — keep this in case you need to track the transfer or dispute it later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Western Union report cash advances to credit bureaus?
No, individual cash advances do not show up on your credit report. However, if you carry a high balance on your credit card (including the cash advance), it can lower your credit score because it increases your credit utilization ratio. Pay it off quickly to avoid this.
Can I use a prepaid credit card at Western Union?
Yes, most prepaid cards work at Western Union. However, check with your prepaid card issuer first — some treat Western Union as a cash advance and charge a fee, while others do not. The fee structure varies by card.
What if Western Union declines my credit card?
This usually happens if your card has a low limit, you have hit your cash advance limit, or the card issuer flagged the transaction as suspicious. Call your credit card company to ask why it was declined, and ask them to approve the transaction if it was blocked for fraud protection.
Is it safer to send money through Western Union than through a bank transfer?
Both are safe, but they work differently. Western Union is faster (minutes to hours) but costs more. Bank transfers are slower (one to three days) but cheaper. Neither is inherently safer — it depends on whether you trust the recipient and whether you need the money to arrive quickly.
Can I cancel a Western Union transfer after I send it?
Yes, but only if the recipient has not picked up the money yet. You can cancel online, by phone, or in person at a Western Union location. If you cancel, Western Union refunds the transfer amount but may keep the fee. You will still owe your credit card company for the cash advance fee and any interest that accrued.