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, including Western Union, MoneyGram, the U.S. Postal Service, and Walmart, do not accept credit cards as payment. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes traveler's checks. A few regional banks or credit unions may have different policies, but you should assume credit cards are not an option.
The reason is straightforward: money orders are meant to be a find payment method for situations where the recipient doesn't want to accept a personal check or cash. Sellers treat them similarly to cash — they want when ready, may provide payment. A credit card creates a dispute risk that sellers want to avoid. If you charge a money order to a credit card and then dispute the charge, the seller has already handed over the money order, which is now in someone else's hands.
This matters because if you're trying to pay a bill or send money somewhere and you only have a credit card available, a money order won't work as your direct payment method. You'll need to find an alternative.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union, MoneyGram, USPS, and Walmart all require cash or debit card payment for money orders, not credit cards.
- Money order sellers avoid credit cards because they want when ready payment and want to prevent disputes after the money order has left their hands.
- If you need to use a credit card to send money, wire transfers, peer-to-peer payment apps, or balance transfers may work depending on where the money needs to go.
- Some credit unions or regional banks may have their own money order policies, so calling ahead is worth doing if you have an account with a smaller institution.
Why sellers won't take credit cards for money orders
Money orders are designed to be final, irreversible transactions. Once a money order is issued and handed to you, the seller has no way to get it back if you later dispute the charge with your credit card company. The recipient can cash it at any bank or check-cashing service, and the money is gone.
Credit card companies routinely side with cardholders in disputes, especially when the cardholder claims they never received a service or product. A money order seller who accepts a credit card faces the real risk of issuing the money order, you disputing the charge weeks later, and the credit card company reversing the payment — leaving the seller out the cash and with no recourse.
Debit cards and cash don't have this problem. Debit transactions are harder to dispute, and cash is when ready and final. That's why money order sellers stick to these payment methods.
What you can do if you only have a credit card
If you need to send money or make a payment and you only have a credit card available, you have several alternatives depending on where the money needs to go.
Wire transfers are available through most banks and credit unions. You can wire money directly from your credit card in some cases, though many banks charge a fee (typically $15 to $30) and treat it as a cash advance, which means interest starts accruing when ready. Call your bank to ask whether they allow credit card wire transfers and what the fee structure is.
Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, Square Cash, or Zelle let you send money to another person using a credit card, though some apps charge a fee for credit card payments (usually 2 to 3 percent). This works if the person you're paying has an account with the same app or a compatible one.
Balance transfers to another person's account are possible through some banks and payment services, but this is less common and usually requires both parties to have accounts at the same institution.
Bill pay through your credit card issuer is an option if you're paying a bill to a company. Many credit card companies offer a bill pay service where you can schedule a payment to be sent by check or electronic transfer on your behalf.
Where to buy a money order with cash or debit
If you can get cash or use a debit card, money orders are widely available. The USPS sells them at any post office for a flat fee (currently $1.45 for amounts up to $500 and $1.95 for amounts up to $1,000, though prices vary slightly by location). Western Union and MoneyGram sell money orders at thousands of retail locations, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and check-cashing services, with fees that vary by location and amount.
Walmart sells money orders at customer service desks for a low fee (typically under $1 for amounts up to $1,000). Some banks and credit unions also issue money orders to their account holders, sometimes at no fee or a reduced fee.
The fee structure varies, so if you're sending a large amount, it's worth calling ahead to compare. A $500 money order might cost $1.45 at the post office but $2 to $5 at a retail location, depending on the provider.
When a money order actually makes sense
Money orders are useful in specific situations: paying rent to a landlord who doesn't accept electronic payments, sending money to someone who doesn't have a bank account, paying a bill where you want a paper trail, or sending money through the mail when you don't want to send cash or a personal check.
If you're trying to pay someone electronically and you have a credit card, a peer-to-peer app or wire transfer is usually faster and doesn't require you to go somewhere to buy the money order. If you're trying to avoid credit card fees or you don't have a bank account, cash and a money order might be your best option — but you'll need to have the cash first.
What happens if you try to use a credit card anyway
If you walk into a Western Union, MoneyGram, post office, or Walmart and try to pay for a money order with a credit card, the cashier will tell you they don't accept it and ask for cash or a debit card instead. There's no workaround — the transaction straightforward won't go through at the point of sale.
Some people wonder whether they can use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM and then use that cash to buy a money order. Technically yes, but this is expensive: ATM cash advances on credit cards typically charge a fee ($3 to $5 per transaction) plus interest starting when ready, often at a higher rate than regular purchases. You'd be paying to convert your credit card into cash just to buy a money order, which defeats the purpose of using a money order in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card at any money order seller?
No. Western Union, MoneyGram, USPS, and Walmart all require cash or debit card payment. Some small credit unions or regional banks may have different policies, so it's worth calling if you have an account with a smaller institution, but the major sellers do not accept credit cards.
What if I use a debit card instead of a credit card?
Debit cards are accepted everywhere that sells money orders. The transaction is treated as a direct withdrawal from your bank account, so there's no dispute risk for the seller. This is why debit cards work where credit cards don't.
Is there a fee for buying a money order?
Yes. USPS charges $1.45 to $1.95 depending on the amount. Western Union and MoneyGram fees vary by location and amount, typically ranging from $1 to $5. Walmart charges under $1 for most amounts. Some banks waive the fee for account holders.
Can I send money internationally with a credit card instead of a money order?
Yes. International wire transfers, peer-to-peer apps that support international transfers, and services like Western Union's international money transfer (which does accept credit cards for international transfers, unlike domestic money orders) are all options. Fees and exchange rates vary significantly, so compare before you send.
What's the difference between a money order and a wire transfer?
A money order is a paper document you buy and then mail or hand to someone, who cashes it later. A wire transfer is electronic and moves money directly from one bank account to another, usually within hours. Wire transfers are faster but typically cost more ($15 to $30) and may accept credit cards depending on your bank.