Most places won't sell you a money order with a credit card
You cannot buy a money order directly with a credit card at most retailers and banks. Money order sellers — including Western Union, MoneyGram, the U.S. Postal Service, and grocery store customer service desks — accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes checks, but not credit cards. This is a deliberate policy, not a technical limitation.
The reason is straightforward: a money order is a may provide payment, and credit card companies treat it as a cash advance. Selling you a money order on credit would mean the seller is lending you money upfront, which creates risk they don't want to take. Additionally, your credit card issuer may charge you a cash advance fee — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount — plus interest starting when ready, even if you pay your balance in full at the end of the month.
If you need a money order and only have a credit card available, you have a few real options that don't involve trying to force the transaction at the counter.
Key Takeaways
- Credit cards are not accepted for money order purchases at the post office, Western Union, MoneyGram, or most retail locations.
- You can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card and then buy a money order with that cash, though you will pay a cash advance fee.
- A debit card, which draws from your bank account directly, is the fastest way to buy a money order if you have one.
- Some banks let you request a money order through online banking or by visiting a branch, which may avoid the fee entirely.
- If you need the money order urgently and have no other payment method, a personal loan or advance from your bank may be cheaper than a credit card cash advance.
Using a cash advance to get the money first
If you have no other option, you can use your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy a money order. This works, but it costs you. Your credit card issuer will charge a cash advance fee — usually a flat amount (like $5 to $10) plus a percentage of the withdrawal (typically 3 to 5 percent). You will also start paying interest on the cash advance when ready, at a rate that is usually higher than your regular purchase APR.
For example, if you need a $500 money order and your card charges a 5 percent cash advance fee plus $5, you will pay $30 in fees just to get the cash. Then interest accrues from day one, even if you pay off the full amount when your statement arrives. Over a month, that could add another $10 to $15 depending on your card's APR.
This method makes sense only if you have genuinely no other way to pay and the money order is urgent. Check your credit card statement or call the issuer to confirm the exact cash advance fee before you go to the ATM.
Asking your bank to issue a money order directly
Many banks and credit unions will issue a money order on your behalf if you visit a branch or request one through online banking. You pay from your checking or savings account, not from a credit card. This is often faster and cheaper than buying one at a retail location.
Call your bank or log into your online banking portal and look for "money order" or "cashier's check" in the services menu. Some banks charge a small fee per money order (typically $1 to $5), while others include it free for account holders. If your bank offers this service, it is almost always the easiest route — no ATM fees, no cash advance charges, and no need to leave home if you can order online.
If your bank does not offer money orders, ask whether they offer a cashier's check instead. A cashier's check serves the same purpose as a money order for most situations and is issued the same way — directly from your account, with the bank's may provide behind it.
Using a debit card instead
If you have a debit card linked to your checking account, use that to buy a money order instead of a credit card. Debit cards are accepted everywhere that sells money orders — the post office, Western Union, MoneyGram, Walmart, grocery stores, and check-cashing services. The transaction draws directly from your bank account with no fees beyond the cost of the money order itself (usually $1 to $3).
This is the simplest option if you have a debit card. You avoid credit card fees, interest charges, and the complexity of a cash advance. If you do not have a debit card but have a bank account, you can request one from your bank in person or online — most arrive within 7 to 10 business days, though some banks offer expedited delivery.
What to do if you need a money order urgently
If you need the money order today and have no debit card or access to your bank, a credit card cash advance is not your only option. Some alternatives cost less:
- Personal loan from your bank or credit union: If you are an account holder, you may be able to get a small personal loan approved in hours, with an APR lower than a credit card cash advance. The money goes directly to your account, and you can withdraw it as cash to buy the money order.
- Payday loan or short-term loan: These are expensive, but some charge less than a credit card cash advance fee plus interest if you repay within a few days. Compare the total cost before you commit.
- Ask the recipient to wait: If the money order is for a bill or payment, contact the recipient and ask whether they can accept payment a few days later. Many will, especially if you explain the situation.
- Use a wire transfer instead: If the recipient has a bank account, you may be able to send money directly via wire transfer using your credit card through your bank's online portal. This bypasses the money order entirely and may have lower fees.
Understanding why credit cards are blocked for money orders
Credit card companies and money order sellers restrict this transaction because of how money orders work. A money order is a prepaid, may provide payment — once issued, it cannot be reversed or disputed the way a credit card charge can be. If a seller accepted a credit card for a money order, they would be giving you the money order first and trusting that your credit card payment would go through. If your card was declined or you later disputed the charge, the seller would have already handed over the may provide payment with no way to get it back.
From the credit card company's perspective, a money order purchase is treated as a cash advance because you are essentially borrowing money to buy something that functions as cash. This is why they charge higher fees and interest rates than they do for regular purchases.
Understanding this distinction helps you see why workarounds like cash advances are expensive — you are not just paying for the money order, you are paying for the credit card company to lend you money upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order with a credit card online?
No. Online money order services like Western Union and MoneyGram also do not accept credit cards for the purchase itself. They accept debit cards, bank transfers, and cash pickup at retail locations. If you want to send money online, a bank transfer or wire transfer through your bank is usually faster and cheaper than a money order.
What if my credit card has a PIN — can I use it like a debit card?
No. Even if your credit card has a PIN, using it at a money order counter will still be processed as a credit card transaction, not a debit transaction. The seller's system will decline it the same way. A PIN does not change how the card is classified.
Will buying a money order with a credit card cash advance hurt my credit score?
A cash advance itself does not directly damage your credit score, but it increases your credit utilization ratio — the amount of available credit you are using. This can lower your score slightly. More importantly, the high interest rate means you will carry a balance longer, which costs you money and keeps your utilization high.
Is there a limit to how much cash I can withdraw from an ATM with a credit card?
Yes. Most credit cards have a daily cash advance limit, which is usually lower than your credit limit — often $500 to $1,000 per day, though it varies by issuer. Check your cardholder agreement or call your issuer to confirm your limit before you try to withdraw cash for a large money order.
Can I use a prepaid card to buy a money order?
It depends on the prepaid card. Some prepaid cards are treated like debit cards and are accepted at money order counters. Others are not. Check with the prepaid card issuer or try using it at a post office or Western Union location — if it is accepted, the transaction will go through. If not, you will know when ready.