Most money order sellers won't take credit cards directly, but you have workarounds
You cannot walk into a Western Union or MoneyGram location and hand them a credit card to buy a money order. Most money order issuers — including Western Union, MoneyGram, the U.S. Postal Service, and Walmart — require cash, debit card, or bank transfer at the counter. A few will accept credit cards online, but the fees and cash advance rules make this expensive.
If you need to buy a money order with a credit card, your realistic options are: use a cash advance to get cash first, pay a third-party service to convert your credit card to cash, or use an online money order service that accepts credit cards. Each has a cost, and that cost varies by your card's terms and the service you choose.
Key Takeaways
- In-person money order sellers (USPS, Western Union, MoneyGram, Walmart) do not accept credit cards at the counter; they require cash or debit.
- A credit card cash advance from an ATM or bank lets you get cash to buy a money order, but you pay interest when ready and a cash advance fee.
- Some online money order services accept credit cards, but they charge higher fees than in-person sellers and may not deliver faster.
- Using a payment app like PayPal or Square Cash to send money directly may be cheaper and faster than buying a money order at all.
Why money order sellers don't take credit cards
Money order issuers treat credit card payments as high-risk transactions. When you buy a money order with a credit card, the issuer assumes you might dispute the charge later, claim fraud, or use the money order to move money you don't actually have. A debit card or cash proves the money is yours right now. A credit card does not.
The issuer also knows that if you're paying with credit instead of cash or debit, you may not have the funds available — which means they're extending credit to you, and they don't want that liability. This is why even online money order services that do accept credit cards charge higher fees than in-person sellers.
Getting cash through a credit card cash advance
A cash advance lets you withdraw cash against your credit card limit at an ATM or bank teller. You then use that cash to buy a money order the normal way. This works, but it costs money when ready.
Your card issuer charges a cash advance fee — typically 3% to 5% of the amount you withdraw, with a minimum of $5 to $10. If you withdraw $500, expect to pay $15 to $25 just for the withdrawal. You also start paying interest on the cash advance the same day you withdraw it, at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR. That interest accrues daily until you pay it back.
Example: You withdraw $500 as a cash advance. Your card charges 5% ($25) as a fee. Your cash advance APR is 28%. If you pay back the $500 in 30 days, you owe roughly $36 in interest and fees combined. A money order itself costs $1 to $3, so your total cost is $37 to $39 to send $500.
Online money order services that accept credit cards
A handful of online platforms let you buy a money order with a credit card and have it mailed or printed. These include MoneyGram online, Western Union online, and some smaller services. The catch is that they charge more than in-person sellers and take longer to deliver.
MoneyGram online charges roughly $5 to $10 per money order when you pay with a credit card, compared to $1 to $3 in person. Western Union online charges similarly. Delivery takes 1 to 3 business days by mail, or you print it yourself if the recipient is nearby. You also pay a credit card processing fee on top of the money order fee.
This route makes sense only if you cannot leave your house or need a money order outside normal business hours. For most situations, a cash advance is cheaper.
Using payment apps instead of a money order
Before you pay fees to buy a money order with a credit card, ask whether the person you're paying actually needs a money order. Many situations that once required money orders — paying rent, sending money to family, paying a contractor — now work with direct payment apps.
PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Zelle all let you send money using a credit card, and most charge no fee to the sender (though some charge a small percentage). The recipient gets the money in 1 to 3 business days. If the recipient won't accept a payment app, ask why — many landlords and businesses now take them because they're faster and safer than money orders.
If the recipient genuinely requires a money order (some do, for legal or record-keeping reasons), then a cash advance or online service is your path. But if they're open to other payment methods, a payment app costs less and arrives faster.
Comparing your total costs
| Method | Upfront Cost | Interest/Fees Over 30 Days | Total Cost to Send $500 | Time to Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash advance + in-person money order | $25 (5% fee) | $11 (interest) | $39 | Same day |
| Online money order with credit card | $7 (money order) + $15 (processing) | $0 | $22 | 1–3 days |
| PayPal or Venmo with credit card | $0–$15 (optional fee) | $0 | $0–$15 | 1–3 days |
The numbers shift if you pay back a cash advance faster. If you repay within a week, interest drops to roughly $2, making your total cost around $30. But you still pay the cash advance fee upfront.
What to do if you don't have a debit card
Some people have a credit card but no debit card. If that's your situation, a cash advance is still your cheapest route to buy a money order in person. The fee and interest are real costs, but they're lower than online money order services or the markup on payment apps that charge a percentage.
Alternatively, ask the money order seller whether they accept prepaid debit cards. Many do, and you can load a prepaid card with a credit card at most retailers. This avoids the cash advance fee, though you may pay a small fee to load the prepaid card itself (usually $1 to $3).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order with a credit card at Walmart or the post office?
No. Walmart and the USPS only accept cash or debit cards at the counter. You must use a cash advance or an online service if you want to use a credit card.
Does a cash advance show up as a purchase or a separate transaction?
It shows as a separate transaction on your statement, labeled as a cash advance. Your card issuer treats it differently from a purchase — it has its own APR, its own fee, and interest starts accruing when ready. It does not have a grace period like a purchase does.
Will buying a money order with a credit card hurt my credit score?
A cash advance itself does not hurt your score, but it does increase your credit utilization (the percentage of your limit you're using), which can lower your score slightly. Paying it back quickly brings your utilization back down.
Is there a limit to how much I can withdraw as a cash advance?
Yes. Your card issuer sets a cash advance limit, which is often lower than your overall credit limit. Check your card's terms or call the issuer to find out your limit before you try to withdraw.
What if the person I'm paying won't accept a payment app?
Ask them why. If they say they need a money order for legal proof, an online money order service works. If they say they don't trust payment apps, explain that the money arrives in their bank account the same way a check does. If they still refuse, a cash advance is your cheapest option.