Most places won't let you buy a money order with a credit card, but a few workarounds exist
The short answer is no — the vast majority of money order sellers (post offices, grocery stores, check-cashing shops, banks) will not accept a credit card to buy a money order. They want cash, a debit card, or a check. The reason is straightforward: money orders are meant to be a safer alternative to cash or checks, and sellers treat them that way. Accepting credit cards would create a chain of debt that defeats the purpose.
That said, you do have options if you need a money order and only have a credit card available. None of them are when ready, and most involve an extra step or a small fee, but they work.
Key Takeaways
- Post offices, Walmart, grocery stores, and check-cashing shops all refuse credit cards for money order purchases — they accept cash, debit cards, or checks only.
- You can use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM (with a cash advance fee), then use that cash to buy a money order.
- Some banks and credit unions let you write a check against your credit card account or transfer funds to a debit card, which you can then use at a money order counter.
- A few online money order services accept credit cards, but they charge higher fees and take longer to deliver than in-person purchases.
- If you need the money order urgently, getting cash from an ATM and buying in person is usually faster than any online route.
Why money order sellers won't take credit cards
A money order is a prepaid payment instrument — you hand over money upfront, and the seller issues a may provide payment that can't bounce. The seller's job is to hold that money safely until the recipient cashes it. When you use a credit card, you're not handing over money; you're borrowing it. That creates a liability the seller doesn't want to manage.
Money order sellers also know that people who use credit cards for cash-like transactions are often in financial strain. Accepting credit cards would encourage debt-financed money orders, which defeats the whole point of using a money order instead of a credit card payment in the first place.
Using an ATM cash advance to get cash for a money order
The most straightforward workaround is to use your credit card at an ATM to withdraw cash, then use that cash to buy a money order. This works at any ATM that displays your card's logo (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover). You'll pay a cash advance fee — typically $3 to $10 per transaction, depending on your card issuer — plus interest that starts accruing when ready, usually at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR.
The math matters here. If you need $500 for a money order and your card charges a $5 cash advance fee plus 25% APR, you're paying $5 upfront plus interest from day one. That's more expensive than just putting the payment on your credit card directly, so only use this method if the recipient genuinely won't accept a credit card payment.
Once you have the cash, walk into any post office, Walmart, grocery store, or check-cashing shop and buy the money order. You'll pay a small fee for the money order itself — usually $1 to $3 — but that's standard regardless of how you fund it.
Transferring credit card funds to a debit card or bank account
Some credit card issuers and banks offer balance transfer checks or convenience checks — physical checks you can write against your credit card account. If your card came with these, you can write one for the amount you need, deposit it into a checking account or debit card account, and then use the debit card to buy a money order. This takes a few days for the check to clear, so it's not an option if you need the money order today.
Alternatively, some credit unions and online banks let you link a credit card to a debit card or checking account and transfer funds between them when ready or within one business day. Check with your card issuer or bank to see if this option is available to you. There may be a transfer fee, and interest will accrue on the credit card balance just as it would with a cash advance.
Online money order services that accept credit cards
A handful of online services — including MoneyGram and Western Union, available through their websites or apps — will let you purchase a money order with a credit card. The process is straightforward: you enter the recipient's details, pay with your card, and the service either mails the money order or holds it for pickup at a local agent location.
The catch is cost and timing. Online money orders typically cost $5 to $15 each, compared to $1 to $3 at a post office or grocery store. Mailed money orders take 5 to 10 business days to arrive. Pickup options are faster but still require a trip to a participating location, and not all areas have convenient pickup points.
Use this route only if you can't access cash or a debit card and you have time to wait. If you need the money order in the next few hours, an ATM cash advance is your faster option.
What to do if you're short on cash and time
If you need a money order urgently and don't have cash or a debit card, your best move is to call the person or business you're paying and ask if they'll accept a credit card payment directly, a bank transfer, or a check instead. Many will, and you'll avoid the fees and hassle of a money order altogether.
If they specifically require a money order, be honest about your situation and ask if they can wait a day or two. Most people and businesses will work with you if you communicate early. If they won't budge and you have no other option, the ATM cash advance is your fastest path forward, even though it costs more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my credit card company charge me interest on a money order purchase?
Only if you use a cash advance. If you somehow find a seller that accepts your credit card directly for a money order, you'll pay interest like any other purchase. But since sellers don't accept credit cards for money orders, this scenario doesn't happen in practice. A cash advance will charge interest from day one, at a higher rate than regular purchases.
Can I use a prepaid credit card to buy a money order?
No. Prepaid cards work like credit cards from the seller's perspective — they're not cash or a debit card linked to a bank account. Money order sellers will reject them the same way they reject regular credit cards. However, some prepaid cards let you withdraw cash at ATMs, which you can then use to buy a money order.
Is it cheaper to just pay with my credit card instead of buying a money order?
Usually yes, if the recipient will accept it. A money order costs $1 to $3 plus the cost of getting the cash (ATM fee, interest, or transfer fee). A credit card payment costs nothing extra. Only use a money order if the recipient won't accept a card or if you need the payment to be may provide and non-reversible.
What if I don't have access to an ATM right now?
You can ask your bank or credit union if they offer cash advances over the counter at a branch. Some do, though they may charge a higher fee than an ATM. If that's not available, an online money order service is your next option, though it will take several days and cost more.