Most places will not sell you a money order with a credit card
The short answer is no for most money order sellers. Post offices, Walmart, Western Union, and MoneyGram — the four largest sources — do not accept credit cards for money order purchases. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes traveler's checks. A few smaller retailers may accept credit cards, but this is rare and depends entirely on their individual policy.
The reason is straightforward: money orders are a cash-like product. They are designed for people who need to send money without a bank account or who want a traceable payment method. Sellers treat them the same way they treat cash withdrawals — they do not let you buy them on credit because the risk is too high. If you charge a money order to a credit card and then dispute the charge, the seller has already handed over the funds.
If you need a money order and only have a credit card, you have real alternatives. The most direct is to use your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy the money order. You will pay an ATM fee (usually $2 to $5), but this works everywhere.
Key Takeaways
- Post offices, Walmart, Western Union, and MoneyGram do not accept credit cards for money order purchases.
- You can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then use that cash to buy a money order at any standard location.
- A debit card works at all major money order sellers and avoids the ATM fee.
- Some banks let you write a check instead, which serves the same purpose as a money order and costs nothing.
- Wire transfers and peer-to-peer payment apps are faster alternatives if the recipient has a bank account.
Why credit cards are rejected for money orders
Money order sellers have a fraud and chargeback problem. When you buy a money order with cash or a debit card, the transaction is final. The money leaves your account, the seller hands over the money order, and that is the end of it. If you later claim the transaction was fraudulent, your bank can investigate, but the money order is already in circulation.
With a credit card, the seller faces a different risk. You can dispute the charge weeks or months later, claiming you never received the money order or that it was unauthorized. The credit card company will often side with you and reverse the charge. The seller has already paid out the money order, so they absorb the loss. This happens often enough that major chains have straightforward stopped accepting credit cards for this product.
Smaller retailers or independent check-cashing stores may have different policies, but you cannot count on it. Always call ahead or ask at the counter before you assume a particular location will take your credit card.
Using an ATM to get cash for a money order
If you only have a credit card, the fastest route is to withdraw cash at an ATM. Most credit cards work at ATMs, though your card issuer will charge a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount, with a minimum of $2 to $5). This fee is separate from any ATM operator fee the machine itself may charge.
Once you have cash in hand, you can walk into any post office, Walmart, Western Union location, or MoneyGram agent and buy a money order. The money order itself costs between 70 cents and $2, depending on the amount and the seller. You will have spent money on the ATM fee and the money order fee, but the transaction is complete and the money order is in your hands.
This method works everywhere and is straightforward, but it is not free. If the amount you are sending is small, the fees may eat into what you intended to send. For a $50 money order, a $5 ATM fee is significant. For a $500 money order, it is negligible.
Using a debit card instead
If you have a debit card linked to a bank account, use that instead. Every major money order seller accepts debit cards, and there is no fee beyond the money order cost itself. You avoid the ATM fee and the credit card cash advance fee entirely.
A debit card works exactly like cash from the seller's perspective — the money comes directly out of your account, the transaction is final, and there is no chargeback risk. This is why sellers accept debit cards but not credit cards. If you have access to a debit card, it is always the better choice for buying a money order.
Alternatives to money orders
Before you buy a money order at all, consider whether you actually need one. Money orders are useful when the recipient does not have a bank account or when you need a traceable payment method. But if the person you are paying has a bank account, faster and cheaper options exist.
A wire transfer through your bank takes one to two business days and costs $15 to $30, depending on your bank. It is traceable, final, and the recipient gets the money in their account. If you are sending a large amount, the wire fee is often cheaper than the ATM fee plus money order fee.
A peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App is free or nearly free if the recipient has the same app. The money arrives in minutes. These apps work best for smaller amounts and people you know, but they are when ready and cost nothing.
A check is free if you have a checking account and a checkbook. It takes three to five business days to clear, but it is traceable and costs you nothing. Many people still accept checks, and they serve the same purpose as a money order.
Where to buy a money order with cash or debit
The four largest sources are the U.S. Postal Service, Walmart, Western Union, and MoneyGram. Post offices sell money orders up to $1,000 per order. Walmart and Western Union sell them up to $1,000 as well. MoneyGram sells them up to $2,500 in some locations, but this varies.
You can also buy money orders at many banks and credit unions, though not all offer them. Some check-cashing stores and grocery stores sell them too. Call ahead to confirm the location has them in stock and accepts the payment method you plan to use.
Bring a valid photo ID. All sellers require it. You will also need to know the recipient's name and address, though you do not need to fill out the money order at the counter — you can do that at home.
Fees and limits to know
Money order fees vary by seller and amount. The U.S. Postal Service charges 70 cents for orders up to $500 and $1.25 for orders from $500.01 to $1,000. Walmart charges 88 cents for orders up to $1,000. Western Union and MoneyGram charge between $1 and $2 depending on the amount and location. These fees are not negotiable.
Most sellers limit a single money order to $1,000. If you need to send more, you can buy multiple money orders. Some sellers also limit how many you can buy in a single day, though this is less common. Ask at the counter if you are buying more than one.
Money orders do not expire, but they do have a time limit for cashing. If a money order is not cashed within a certain period (usually one to three years, depending on the seller), you can request a refund. Keep your receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM?
Yes, but it costs more than using a debit card. Your credit card issuer charges a cash advance fee of 3 to 5 percent, plus the ATM operator may charge an additional $2 to $5. For a $100 withdrawal, you could pay $8 to $10 in fees. A debit card has no cash advance fee.
What if I do not have a debit card or credit card?
You can buy a money order with cash. If you do not have cash, you can ask a friend or family member to lend you the amount, or you can visit a check-cashing store to cash a personal check if you have one. Some employers also offer paycheck advances or early pay options.
Can I buy a money order online with a credit card?
No. Online money order services do not exist in the traditional sense. Some bill payment services let you send money electronically, but they are not money orders. If you need a physical money order, you must buy it in person at a location that sells them.
Is a money order safer than a personal check?
Yes. A money order is prepaid and traceable, so the recipient knows the funds are may provide. A personal check can bounce. Money orders are also harder to counterfeit. If you are sending money to someone you do not know well, a money order is the safer choice.
What happens if I lose a money order?
If you lose a money order before you send it, contact the seller with your receipt. They can issue a replacement, though there may be a fee. If someone else cashes it, it is gone — money orders are like cash once they are signed. Keep your receipt and do not sign the money order until you are ready to send it.