Yes, you can use a credit card at an ATM, but it's a cash advance, not a regular purchase

Most ATMs will let you withdraw cash using a credit card, but the transaction is treated differently than swiping at a store. The bank sees it as a cash advance — a short-term loan against your credit limit — rather than a purchase. This distinction matters because cash advances come with higher costs and start charging interest when ready, with no grace period like a regular purchase would have.

Not every credit card works at every ATM. Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere, but American Express and Discover cards have fewer ATM partnerships. Before you need cash in an emergency, check your card's website or call the number on the back to find out which ATMs accept your card in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • A credit card cash advance at an ATM is a loan, not a purchase, and interest starts accruing the same day you withdraw the money.
  • Cash advance fees are typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, charged on top of the higher interest rate you'll pay.
  • Your credit card's cash advance interest rate is usually 5 to 10 percentage points higher than your regular purchase rate.
  • Using a credit card for cash should be a last resort; a debit card, bank withdrawal, or payday loan alternative will almost always cost you less.

How much a cash advance actually costs you

When you withdraw cash with a credit card, you pay two separate charges. First, there's an upfront cash advance fee, usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount you take out. If you withdraw $200, you might pay $6 to $10 just to get the cash. This fee is added to your balance when ready.

Second, you pay a higher interest rate on that cash than you would on a regular purchase. Most credit cards charge 5 to 10 percentage points more for cash advances. If your regular purchase rate is 18 percent, your cash advance rate might be 28 percent. Interest starts accruing the day you withdraw the money — there's no grace period like there is for purchases. This means if you carry that $200 balance for a month, you're paying roughly $4.67 in interest alone, on top of the $6 to $10 fee you already paid.

The total cost depends on how long you carry the balance. If you pay back the $200 within a few days, you might only lose $8 to $12. If you carry it for three months, the interest alone could add another $15 to $20.

Why your bank might decline the transaction

Even if your card is accepted at the ATM, the withdrawal might still fail. Banks set a cash advance limit that's usually lower than your total credit limit — sometimes as low as 20 to 50 percent of what you can spend at a store. If your credit limit is $5,000 but your cash advance limit is $1,000, you can't withdraw more than $1,000 in cash, even though you could charge $5,000 at a restaurant.

The ATM will also reject the transaction if you've already hit that limit in the current billing cycle, or if the amount you're trying to withdraw exceeds what's available. Some banks also require you to set up cash advances in advance through their app or website, especially for larger amounts.

When using a credit card for cash makes sense

A credit card cash advance should be a last resort, but there are rare situations where it's the least bad option. If you're traveling internationally and your debit card doesn't work, a credit card cash advance might be your only way to get local currency — and in that case, the fee is worth the access to money.

If you're facing a genuine emergency and have no other way to pay, a credit card cash advance is faster than a payday loan and doesn't require a separate process. However, if you have any other option — borrowing from a friend, using a debit card, visiting your bank branch, or even a payday loan from a licensed lender — those will almost always cost you less.

Better alternatives to a credit card cash advance

If you need cash, start with what you already have access to. A debit card withdrawal from your own bank account costs nothing and takes seconds. If you're not near your bank, most banks let you withdraw cash at other banks' ATMs for a small fee ($1 to $3), which is still far cheaper than a credit card cash advance.

If you don't have a debit card or your account is empty, ask a friend or family member to lend you cash. If that's not possible, some employers offer paycheck advances — ask your HR department whether yours does. A credit union might also offer small emergency loans at lower rates than a credit card cash advance would cost.

If you're in a true bind with no other option, a payday loan from a licensed lender is often cheaper than a credit card cash advance, though both should be avoided if possible. The key difference is that a payday loan is designed to be repaid in full on your next payday, so the total cost is capped. A credit card cash advance can drag on indefinitely, with interest piling up month after month.

How to find ATMs that accept your card

Your credit card company maintains a network of ATMs where your card will work. Visa and Mastercard have the largest networks — you can use them at most ATMs in the United States and abroad. American Express and Discover have smaller networks, so you may need to plan ahead.

To find an ATM before you need one, visit your card issuer's website or use their mobile app. Most banks have an ATM locator tool where you can enter your location and see which machines accept your card. You can also call the number on the back of your card and ask customer service which ATMs near you accept cash advances.

What happens to your credit score

A cash advance doesn't hurt your credit score in the moment, but it does increase your credit utilization — the percentage of your available credit you're using. If you have a $5,000 limit and you take a $1,000 cash advance, your utilization jumps to 20 percent. High utilization can lower your score slightly, though the effect is temporary and goes away once you pay the balance down.

The real credit damage comes if you can't pay back the cash advance quickly and it sits on your balance for months. That high interest rate means the balance grows, your utilization stays high, and you're more likely to miss a payment — which does serious damage to your score. The best way to protect your credit is to treat a cash advance as an emergency-only option and pay it back as fast as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a credit card at an ATM if I don't have a PIN?

No. You need a PIN to complete any ATM transaction with a credit card. If you don't have one, call your card issuer and ask them to set one up. This usually takes a few minutes over the phone, though some banks require you to set it up through their app or website.

Will using a credit card at an ATM hurt my credit score?

Not when ready, but it can if you carry the balance. The cash advance increases your credit utilization, which may lower your score slightly. The real damage happens if you can't pay it back quickly — the high interest rate makes the balance grow, and missed payments seriously harm your score.

What's the difference between a cash advance and a regular purchase on my credit card?

A cash advance charges a higher interest rate, has an upfront fee, and interest starts accruing when ready with no grace period. A regular purchase has a lower interest rate and usually gives you 21 to 25 days before interest kicks in. Cash advances are treated as loans, not purchases.

Can I get a cash advance from a store instead of an ATM?

Yes. Many grocery stores, pharmacies, and retailers will give you cash back when you use your credit card at checkout. The fees and interest rates are the same as an ATM cash advance, but you don't need a PIN. This is still expensive and should only be used in emergencies.

How long does it take to pay off a credit card cash advance?

That depends on your payment. Payments go toward your lowest-interest debt first, so if you have both regular purchases and a cash advance, your payment covers the purchase before it touches the cash advance. To pay off a cash advance faster, contact your card issuer and ask if you can direct a payment specifically to the cash advance balance.