Most places won't sell you a money order with a credit card
The short answer is no — the vast majority of money order sellers treat credit cards the same way they treat checks: they won't accept them. Money orders are designed to move cash or funds already in your account. When you buy a money order at a grocery store, post office, or check-cashing place, they expect payment in cash, debit card, or sometimes a bank transfer. A credit card creates a problem for them: you're borrowing money to buy a financial instrument, and if you don't pay the credit card bill, the seller has no way to recover the money order you already have.
A few rare exceptions exist — some online money order services and certain prepaid card companies may let you use a credit card — but these are uncommon, often charge extra fees, and come with their own complications. For most people in most situations, a credit card straightforward won't work at the counter.
Key Takeaways
- Post offices, grocery stores, and check-cashing outlets do not accept credit cards for money order purchases; they require cash or a debit card.
- Using a credit card to buy a money order counts as a cash advance on most cards, which triggers higher interest rates and when ready fees.
- If you need a money order but only have a credit card, withdrawing cash from an ATM first is usually cheaper than any alternative.
- Some online money order services may accept credit cards, but they typically charge significantly more in fees than in-person purchases.
Why credit cards don't work at the money order counter
Money order sellers operate on a straightforward principle: they need to know the money is real before they hand over the money order. When you pay with cash or a debit card, the transaction is final. The seller has the money, and you have the money order. With a credit card, that certainty disappears. You're asking the seller to trust that you'll pay your credit card bill later, and if you don't, they've already given you a financial instrument worth real money.
This is why the U.S. Postal Service, Walmart, Western Union, MoneyGram, and most grocery store customer service desks have the same policy: cash or debit card only. They're protecting themselves from the risk that your credit card payment bounces or you dispute the charge after you've already cashed the money order somewhere else.
What happens if you try to use a credit card anyway
If a seller does accept your credit card — which is rare — your credit card company will likely classify the transaction as a cash advance, not a regular purchase. This matters because cash advances come with their own fees and a much higher interest rate than regular credit card charges.
A cash advance fee is typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount, charged when ready. So if you buy a $500 money order with a credit card treated as a cash advance, you might pay $15 to $25 just in fees. On top of that, the interest rate on cash advances is usually 5 to 10 percentage points higher than your regular APR, and interest starts accruing right away — there's no grace period like there is for regular purchases. If you carry a balance, that money order will cost you significantly more than if you'd just paid cash.
The cheapest way to buy a money order if you only have a credit card
If you need a money order and only have a credit card available, your best move is to withdraw cash from an ATM using that credit card, then use the cash to buy the money order. This sounds like it adds a step, but it's usually cheaper than any alternative.
ATM withdrawals with a credit card are also treated as cash advances and come with fees — typically $3 to $5 per withdrawal — plus the same higher interest rate. But a $3 to $5 fee is almost always less than the 3 to 5 percent fee you'd pay if the money order seller accepts your card directly. You're paying a flat fee instead of a percentage, which saves money on larger amounts.
After you withdraw the cash, you can walk into any post office, grocery store, or check-cashing location and buy the money order with no additional fees. The only cost is the money order itself (usually $1 to $2) plus the ATM fee you already paid.
Online money order services and prepaid cards
Some online platforms claim to let you buy money orders with a credit card. These services are real but come with trade-offs. They typically charge higher fees than in-person money order purchases — sometimes $5 to $10 per money order instead of $1 to $2 — and they may still classify your purchase as a cash advance, meaning you still face the higher interest rate.
Prepaid card companies sometimes allow credit card funding, which you could theoretically use to buy a money order. But again, you're adding fees at each step: a fee to load the prepaid card, possibly a fee to use it, and then the money order fee itself. By the time you're done, you've paid far more than if you'd straightforward withdrawn cash and bought the money order in person.
When you actually need a money order
Money orders are useful when someone needs may provide payment but won't accept a personal check, and you don't have access to a bank transfer or wire. Landlords sometimes require them for security deposits. Some utilities or government agencies ask for them. If you're sending money through the mail and want proof of payment, a money order gives you a receipt and tracking number.
But if you're considering using a credit card to buy one, it's worth asking whether you actually need a money order at all. Many places that once required money orders now accept bank transfers, Venmo, or other digital payments. If you do need one, paying with cash or a debit card is almost always the right choice — and if you don't have either, withdrawing cash from an ATM first is cheaper than trying to force a credit card into the transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order online?
Some online money order services accept credit cards, but they typically charge $5 to $10 per money order — far more than the $1 to $2 you'd pay in person. Your credit card company may also treat it as a cash advance, adding fees and a higher interest rate. Withdrawing cash and buying in person is usually cheaper.
Will my credit card company charge me a fee if I buy a money order?
If the seller accepts your credit card directly, your card company will likely treat it as a cash advance and charge a 3 to 5 percent fee plus a higher interest rate. If you withdraw cash from an ATM first, you'll pay a flat ATM fee (usually $3 to $5) but avoid the percentage-based cash advance fee.
What if I don't have a debit card or cash?
Withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then buy the money order with that cash. You'll pay an ATM fee, but it's almost always less than the fees you'd face if you tried to buy the money order directly with your credit card.
Are there any credit cards that don't charge cash advance fees for money orders?
No standard credit card waives cash advance fees. Some cards offer rewards on certain purchases, but money orders are not typically included. Even if a card had no cash advance fee, the higher interest rate on cash advances would still explore, making it more expensive than paying with cash or a debit card.