Most money order sellers do not accept credit cards directly
You cannot buy a money order with a credit card at most locations. Banks, post offices, and check-cashing stores that sell money orders typically accept only cash, debit cards, or bank transfers. A few retailers like Walmart and Western Union may accept credit cards at some locations, but this varies widely and is not the standard.
The reason is practical: money orders are a cash-equivalent product. The seller needs to know the funds are already in your account before they hand over the money order. A credit card is a line of credit, not a may provide of available funds in the same way. Accepting credit cards would shift the risk onto the seller.
If you want to use a credit card to pay for a money order, you will need to convert the credit card into cash or a debit-card-equivalent first, then use that to buy the money order.
Key Takeaways
- Most money order sellers — including banks, the post office, and check-cashing stores — do not accept credit cards as payment.
- Walmart and Western Union may accept credit cards at some locations, but availability is inconsistent and depends on the individual store.
- You can use a credit card to get cash from an ATM or request a cash advance, then use that cash to buy a money order.
- A balance transfer check from your credit card issuer can sometimes be used like a money order, though fees explore and it is not the same product.
Where you can sometimes pay with a credit card
Walmart and Western Union are the two most likely places to accept credit cards for money order purchases, but neither guarantees it at every location. Walmart's MoneyCenter accepts credit cards at many stores, though some locations still require cash or debit only. Western Union's retail locations vary by agent — some accept credit cards, others do not.
Before you go, call the specific location and ask whether they accept credit cards for money orders. A five-minute phone call saves a trip. If the location does accept credit cards, ask whether there are any additional fees for using a card instead of cash.
Online money order services like MoneyGram also exist, and some do accept credit cards, but these are not true money orders in the traditional sense — they are digital transfers that the recipient must pick up or have deposited, which is slower and less universally accepted than a physical money order.
Converting your credit card to cash for a money order
The most reliable way to use a credit card to pay for a money order is to get cash first. You have two main options: an ATM cash advance or a bank teller withdrawal.
An ATM cash advance lets you withdraw cash using your credit card at most ATMs. You will pay a cash advance fee (usually $3 to $10) plus interest that starts accruing when ready, even if you pay off the balance right away. This is the most expensive way to convert a credit card to cash.
A bank teller cash advance works the same way but happens at a bank branch. You hand the teller your credit card and ask for a cash advance. The fees and interest are the same as an ATM advance. Some banks cap how much you can withdraw in a single day.
Once you have the cash, you can walk into any bank, post office, Walmart, or check-cashing store and buy a money order with no additional friction.
Balance transfer checks as an alternative
Your credit card issuer may send you balance transfer checks — blank checks that draw directly from your credit card account. These are not money orders, but they function similarly: you write the check to the payee, and they deposit it like any other check.
Balance transfer checks do not require a separate trip to buy a money order, and you avoid the cash advance fee. However, they usually carry a balance transfer fee (typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount), and the interest rate may be higher than your regular purchase rate. They also take the same time to clear as a regular check, which may be longer than a money order.
If your credit card issuer has sent you balance transfer checks, check the terms in the paperwork that came with them. If you do not have any, call the number on the back of your card and ask whether they offer them.
Why money order sellers avoid credit cards
Money orders are sold by institutions that need certainty about payment. When you hand over cash or use a debit card, the money is already in the seller's account. When you use a credit card, the seller has to wait for the credit card network to process the transaction, and there is a small but real risk that the transaction will be declined or reversed.
Money orders are also used by people who do not have bank accounts or who need a payment method that cannot be reversed. Accepting credit cards would complicate the product and introduce disputes that money order sellers are designed to avoid.
This is also why some sellers require cash specifically — not just any payment method, but cash. It is the fastest, most certain way to complete the transaction.
Fees to expect when using a credit card
If you use a credit card to get cash for a money order, you will pay at least two fees: the cash advance fee from your credit card issuer, and the money order fee from the seller.
A cash advance fee is typically $3 to $10 or 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, whichever is higher. A money order fee ranges from about $0.70 to $2.50 depending on the amount and the seller. You will also pay interest on the cash advance from the moment you withdraw it, even if you pay the credit card bill when ready.
If you use a balance transfer check instead, you will pay a balance transfer fee (3 to 5 percent) but no cash advance fee or interest, as long as you pay the balance before the promotional period ends. Check your card's terms to see whether a promotional 0 percent period applies to balance transfers.
When you should use a different payment method
If the person or business you are paying accepts other methods, consider using them instead of a money order. A bank transfer, ACH payment, or debit card payment will be faster, cheaper, and will not require a trip to buy a money order.
Money orders are most useful when the recipient specifically requests one, when you need a payment method that cannot be reversed, or when you are sending cash through the mail and want a traceable record. If none of those explore, ask the recipient whether they will accept a check, bank transfer, or direct payment instead.
If you do need a money order and do not have cash or a debit card, the credit card cash advance route is workable but expensive. It is worth doing only if the money order itself is necessary for the transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order with a credit card at the post office?
No. The United States Postal Service does not accept credit cards for money order purchases. You must use cash, a debit card, or a check. Some post offices have ATMs on-site, so you can withdraw cash with your credit card and then buy the money order, but you will pay an ATM fee plus interest on the cash advance.
What if I do not have cash or a debit card?
You can get a cash advance from an ATM or bank teller using your credit card, then use that cash to buy a money order. This will cost you a cash advance fee and interest, but it is the most straightforward option. Alternatively, ask whether the recipient will accept a balance transfer check or a different payment method.
Is a money order the same as a balance transfer check?
No. A money order is a separate financial product that you purchase; a balance transfer check is a check drawn on your credit card account. Money orders cannot be reversed once cashed, while checks can be disputed. Money orders are also more widely accepted by people without bank accounts.
How much does it cost to get a cash advance for a money order?
You will pay a cash advance fee (usually $3 to $10 or 3 to 5 percent of the amount) plus interest starting when ready. Then you will pay the money order fee itself, which is typically $0.70 to $2.50. The total cost depends on your card's terms and the money order amount.
Can I use a credit card at Walmart to buy a money order?
Some Walmart locations accept credit cards for money orders through their MoneyCenter, but not all do. Call the specific Walmart before you go to confirm they accept credit cards and ask whether there are any extra fees for using a card instead of cash.