Yes, you can use a credit card at an ATM, but it costs money and works differently than a debit card
Most ATMs will accept a credit card, but when you do, you are taking a cash advance — not withdrawing money from a checking account. The ATM treats it as a short-term loan against your credit limit. Your card issuer charges you a fee for this transaction (usually $3 to $5 per withdrawal), and interest starts accruing when ready at a rate that is typically higher than your regular purchase APR. You will see both charges on your next statement.
The process looks the same as using a debit card: insert the card, enter your PIN, choose an amount, and take your cash. But the financial outcome is very different. A debit card withdrawal costs nothing and draws from money you already have. A credit card cash advance costs money upfront and creates a debt you have to repay.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card cash advances charge a fee (usually $3 to $5) plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases, starting when ready.
- The cash advance APR is often 5 to 10 percentage points higher than your standard purchase rate and does not have a grace period.
- You can use most credit cards at most ATMs, but your card issuer may limit how much you can withdraw per day or per transaction.
- Cash advances count against your available credit and can lower your credit score if they push your credit utilization too high.
- If you need cash, a debit card, bank withdrawal at a teller window, or a cash-back transaction at a store are cheaper alternatives.
How much a credit card cash advance actually costs
The fee is the first cost you see. Most card issuers charge between $3 and $5 per withdrawal, or a percentage of the amount withdrawn (often 3 to 5 percent), whichever is higher. If you withdraw $100, you might pay $5 flat. If you withdraw $500, you might pay $15 (3 percent). Check your card's terms to know which structure yours uses.
The interest rate is the larger cost over time. Cash advance APRs typically run 5 to 10 percentage points higher than your purchase APR. If your regular rate is 18 percent, your cash advance rate might be 25 percent. Unlike purchases, there is no grace period — interest starts accruing the day you withdraw the money. If you take out $200 at a 25 percent APR and pay it back in 30 days, you will owe roughly $12 in interest plus the withdrawal fee.
Example: You withdraw $300 from an ATM using your credit card. Your issuer charges a $5 fee and a 24 percent cash advance APR. After one month, you owe $300 plus $5 plus $6 in interest — a total of $311 to break even.
Daily and transaction limits on credit card cash advances
Your card issuer sets a cash advance limit that is separate from your credit limit. This limit is often much lower — sometimes $500 or $1,000, even if your credit limit is $5,000. You can request a higher limit by calling your card issuer, but they may deny the request or require you to lower it again later.
Most issuers also cap how much you can withdraw per transaction (often $300 to $500) and per day (often $500 to $1,000). These limits exist to reduce fraud risk. If you try to withdraw more than your limit, the ATM will decline the transaction and may charge a fee anyway.
Your cash advance counts against your available credit. If you have a $5,000 limit and take a $1,000 cash advance, you now have only $4,000 left to spend on purchases. This can raise your credit utilization ratio, which may lower your credit score if it pushes you above 30 percent of your total limit.
Which ATMs accept credit cards and which ones do not
Most ATMs in the United States accept credit cards, but not all. Bank-owned ATMs (at your issuer's branches or partner banks) almost always do. Independent ATMs in convenience stores, bars, and gas stations usually do, but some older machines or machines in remote locations may not.
If an ATM does not accept credit cards, it will tell you when you insert the card — the screen will display a message and return your card without charging a fee. ATMs that do accept credit cards will ask you to choose between "Withdrawal" (cash advance) and "Balance Inquiry" (checking your balance). Select "Withdrawal" to proceed.
Out-of-network ATMs (machines not owned by your card issuer) may charge an additional surcharge on top of your card issuer's fee. This surcharge typically ranges from $1 to $3 and goes to the ATM operator, not your card issuer. You will usually see this fee disclosed on the ATM screen before you complete the transaction.
Why a credit card cash advance is usually a bad idea
The combination of fees and high interest rates makes cash advances one of the most expensive ways to borrow money on a credit card. If you need cash for an emergency, a cash advance might feel necessary, but the cost adds up quickly if you cannot repay it within a few days.
Cash advances also do not earn rewards or cash back, even if your card offers them on purchases. You are paying to borrow money instead of earning anything back. Additionally, if you are already carrying a balance on your card, the cash advance interest rate may be even higher, and the cash advance will be paid off last (after purchases) when you make a payment.
The impact on your credit score is another reason to avoid them. A large cash advance can spike your credit utilization and signal to lenders that you are in financial distress. This can lower your score by 10 to 50 points depending on how much you borrow and how close you are to your limit.
Cheaper ways to get cash when you need it
If you do not have a debit card, ask for cash back at a grocery store, pharmacy, or gas station when you make a purchase with your credit card. This costs nothing and does not trigger a cash advance fee or higher interest rate — the cash back is treated as part of your regular purchase. Most retailers allow cash back up to $100 or $200 per transaction.
Visit your bank's branch and withdraw cash at the teller window. This is free if you have a checking or savings account and costs nothing even if you do not. Some banks will cash a check for non-customers as well. If you do not have a bank account, a check-cashing service or payday lender will charge a fee, but it is often lower than a credit card cash advance fee.
If you have a debit card linked to a checking account, use that at any ATM instead. Debit card withdrawals are free at your bank's ATMs and usually cost $2 to $3 at out-of-network machines — far less than a credit card cash advance. If you do not have a debit card, opening a basic checking account at a bank or credit union takes 15 to 30 minutes online or in person.
What happens if you cannot repay a cash advance
If you do not pay back the cash advance in full by your statement due date, the balance rolls over and accrues interest at your cash advance APR every month until you pay it off. This interest is calculated daily and added to your balance, so the amount you owe grows even if you do not take out any more cash.
A cash advance that goes unpaid also counts as a regular credit card balance for payment purposes. Your minimum payment will cover some of the interest and principal, but if you only make the minimum, it can take years to pay off and cost hundreds of dollars in interest. If you miss a payment, your card issuer may charge a late fee and report the missed payment to credit bureaus, which will damage your credit score.
If the cash advance pushes you over your credit limit, you may be charged an over-limit fee (usually $25 to $35) in addition to the cash advance fee and interest. Some card issuers have eliminated over-limit fees, but many still charge them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card at any ATM?
Most ATMs accept credit cards, but not all. Bank ATMs and independent ATMs in retail locations usually do. Older machines or machines in very remote areas may not. The ATM will decline your card and return it if it does not accept credit cards — no fee is charged for a declined transaction.
What is the difference between a credit card cash advance and a debit card withdrawal?
A debit card withdrawal pulls money from your checking account and costs nothing at your bank's ATM. A credit card cash advance borrows money against your credit limit, charges a fee ($3 to $5), and accrues interest when ready at a higher rate than purchases. The cash advance also does not earn rewards.
Will a credit card cash advance hurt my credit score?
Yes, if the cash advance is large enough to raise your credit utilization ratio above 30 percent of your total credit limit. A large cash advance can lower your score by 10 to 50 points. The impact is temporary and recovers as you pay down the balance, but it can affect your ability to borrow in the short term.
Can I get cash back with a credit card without paying a cash advance fee?
Yes. Ask for cash back when you make a purchase at a store, gas station, or pharmacy. This is treated as part of your regular purchase, not a cash advance, so you pay no fee and earn rewards if your card offers them. Most retailers allow $100 to $200 cash back per transaction.
How long does it take to pay off a credit card cash advance?
That depends on how much you borrow and how much you pay each month. If you pay the full amount by your statement due date, you owe only the fee and one month of interest. If you make only the minimum payment, it can take years to pay off and cost hundreds in interest. Use a credit card payoff calculator to estimate your payoff timeline.