Most money order sellers won't take credit cards directly, but you have workarounds
You cannot walk into a store and hand a cashier your credit card to buy a money order at most places. Walmart, the post office, Western Union, and most banks will only accept cash, debit cards, or bank transfers for money orders. The reason is straightforward: money orders are meant to be a safer alternative to cash or checks, and sellers treat them as final transactions — they don't want the chargeback risk that comes with credit card payments.
That said, you can still use your credit card to get a money order. The path just requires an extra step: you use your credit card to get cash or move money into an account, then use that to buy the money order. Which method works best depends on what you're trying to do and what fees you're willing to pay.
Key Takeaways
- Money order sellers accept cash and debit cards but not credit cards, because they want to avoid chargebacks on final transactions.
- You can use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy a money order, though ATM cash advances usually charge a fee and start accruing interest when ready.
- A balance transfer check from your credit card issuer can sometimes be mailed directly to a payee, which avoids the money order step entirely.
- If you have a debit card linked to the same account as your credit card, you can transfer money between them and use the debit card to buy the money order.
- Buying a money order with a credit card costs more than paying cash because of ATM fees, cash advance fees, or balance transfer fees — so use this method only when you need to.
Using an ATM cash advance to buy a money order
The most straightforward path is to withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then buy the money order with that cash. Most credit card issuers allow ATM withdrawals, though the terms vary by card and bank.
Here's what happens: you insert your credit card into an ATM, enter your PIN, and withdraw cash. The amount you withdraw is added to your credit card balance. Unlike a regular purchase, a cash advance starts charging interest when ready — there is no grace period. Your card issuer will also charge a cash advance fee, usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. So if you withdraw $200 to buy a money order, you might pay $6 to $10 in fees plus daily interest until you pay off the $200.
Before you use this method, call your credit card issuer or check your card's terms to confirm that ATM withdrawals are allowed and what the fee structure is. Some cards don't permit cash advances at all. The interest rate on cash advances is often higher than the rate on regular purchases, so paying off the withdrawal quickly will save you money.
Balance transfer checks as an alternative to money orders
Some credit card issuers send you checks in the mail that you can use like a balance transfer — you write the check to a payee, and the amount is added to your credit card balance. If your card issuer offers these, you might be able to mail the check directly to whoever needs payment, skipping the money order step entirely.
Balance transfer checks usually come with a fee (often 3 to 5 percent) and start accruing interest right away, just like a cash advance. The advantage is that you don't have to visit an ATM or a store — you can mail the check from home. The disadvantage is that the payee receives a check from your credit card company, not a money order, so they need to be willing to accept that.
If you have these checks, look at the terms that came with them. They'll tell you the fee, the interest rate, and any limits on how much you can use. Some cards offer a lower introductory rate on balance transfer checks for a set period, so it's worth reading the fine print before you decide whether this method makes sense for your situation.
Transferring money to a debit card you control
If you have both a credit card and a debit card from the same bank or financial institution, you may be able to transfer money from your credit card to your debit card account, then use the debit card to buy the money order.
This works through your bank's online portal or mobile app. You initiate a transfer from your credit card to your checking or savings account, and the money appears in that account within hours or a day. Once it's there, you can use your debit card to buy the money order at any retailer that sells them.
This method avoids the cash advance fee if your bank treats it as a regular transfer rather than a cash advance — but check with your bank first, because some institutions do charge a fee for moving money from credit to debit. Even if there's no fee, the money transferred is still added to your credit card balance and will accrue interest until you pay it off. The key difference from a cash advance is that some banks don't charge interest on transfers, so it's worth asking before you proceed.
Why money order sellers won't take credit cards
Money orders are designed to be safer than personal checks because they're prepaid and backed by the seller's may provide. Once a money order is sold, the seller has already received the money and is on the hook if something goes wrong. If you paid with a credit card and then disputed the charge, the seller would lose the money order amount and the payment — a loss they can't recover from.
This is why sellers treat money orders like cash transactions. They want the payment to be final and irreversible. Debit cards are acceptable because debit transactions are also generally final, though they do carry some chargeback risk. Credit cards carry too much risk for sellers to accept, so they've built their systems to reject them at the point of sale.
Comparing the cost of each method
| Method | Fees | Interest | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATM cash advance | 3–5% of amount withdrawn, minimum $5–$10 | Starts when ready, no grace period | Same day |
| Balance transfer check | 3–5% of amount used | Starts when ready, no grace period | 1–3 days to mail, plus recipient processing time |
| Credit-to-debit transfer | $0–$10, depending on bank | Starts when ready if treated as cash advance; may not accrue if treated as transfer | Hours to 1 day |
| Using a debit card directly | $0–$2 (money order fee only) | None | Same day |
If you have a debit card available, that's always the cheapest option. You'll only pay the money order fee itself, which is usually $1 to $2. Any method involving your credit card adds extra fees and interest on top of that.
The credit-to-debit transfer is the next cheapest if your bank doesn't charge a fee, because you avoid both the cash advance fee and the balance transfer fee. An ATM cash advance costs more due to the upfront fee, but it's faster than waiting for a balance transfer check to arrive and be mailed. Balance transfer checks are useful only if you have time to mail them and the payee will accept a check instead of a money order.
When you might need to use a credit card for a money order
Most people use a credit card to buy a money order because they don't have cash or a debit card on hand, or because they want to put the purchase on their credit card for rewards or to build a payment history. Keep in mind that the extra fees and interest usually outweigh any rewards you'd earn, so this is worth doing only if you have a specific reason.
If you're in a situation where you need a money order and only have a credit card, the ATM cash advance is usually the fastest option. The credit-to-debit transfer is cheaper if your bank doesn't charge a fee. Balance transfer checks are useful if you have time to mail them and the payee will accept a check. Before you choose a method, add up the total cost — the fee plus the interest you'll pay if you can't pay off the balance right away — and compare it to the cost of finding another way to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any money order sellers take credit cards?
No major money order seller — Walmart, the post office, Western Union, or banks — accepts credit cards directly. A few online services that sell money orders may accept credit cards, but they charge higher fees than in-person sellers and the money order still has to be printed and mailed to you or the payee.
Will I earn credit card rewards on a money order purchase?
Not on the money order itself. If you use an ATM cash advance or balance transfer check, you won't earn rewards because those transactions are treated differently than regular purchases. If you use a credit-to-debit transfer, it depends on your bank — some treat it as a purchase and some don't.
What's the difference between a money order and a balance transfer check?
A money order is a prepaid instrument sold by a retailer and may provide by that retailer. A balance transfer check is a check issued by your credit card company that adds the amount to your credit card balance. Both can be mailed to a payee, but a money order is more widely accepted and doesn't require the payee to trust your credit card company.
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order online?
Some online money order services accept credit cards, but they charge higher fees than in-person retailers and the money order has to be mailed. For most people, it's cheaper and faster to get cash from an ATM using your credit card and buy a money order in person.
What happens if I can't pay off the cash advance?
The amount stays on your credit card balance and accrues interest at your card's cash advance rate, which is usually higher than the purchase rate. If you can't pay it off, the interest will grow and it will affect your credit utilization and payment history. Try to pay off a cash advance as quickly as possible.