You can use a credit card at most ATMs, but it's a cash advance, not a regular withdrawal
Yes, you can insert a credit card into an ATM and pull out cash. But this is not the same as withdrawing from a checking account. The ATM treats it as a cash advance — a short-term loan against your credit limit. The moment you take the money, interest starts accruing at a rate that is usually much higher than your regular purchase APR. You also pay an upfront fee, typically $3 to $5 per transaction, charged by both your card issuer and the ATM operator.
Most credit card companies allow cash advances at ATMs that display their logo — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. But the process and the cost are different enough that you should understand what happens before you do it.
Key Takeaways
- A credit card cash advance at an ATM starts charging interest when ready, with no grace period like you get on purchases.
- You pay two fees: one from your card issuer (usually $3 to $5) and one from the ATM operator (often another $2 to $3).
- The interest rate on cash advances is typically 3 to 5 percentage points higher than your regular purchase APR.
- Cash advances count against your available credit and can lower your credit score if they push your utilization too high.
- Using a debit card or a checking account withdrawal is almost always cheaper than a credit card cash advance.
How the fees and interest work
When you use a credit card at an ATM, you face two separate charges. The ATM operator fee is set by the bank or network that owns the machine — this is typically $2 to $3 and appears on your receipt. Your card issuer fee is set by your credit card company and usually ranges from $3 to $5, though some cards charge a percentage of the amount withdrawn instead (often 3% to 5%). Both fees hit your account when ready.
Interest is the bigger cost. Unlike a purchase, which has a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days before interest kicks in), a cash advance starts accruing interest the day you withdraw it. There is no grace period. The interest rate is also higher — most cards charge 2 to 5 percentage points more for cash advances than for regular purchases. If your purchase APR is 18%, your cash advance APR might be 23% or 24%. That interest compounds daily until you pay the balance off.
A concrete example: if you withdraw $200 at an ATM with a $5 issuer fee and a $2.50 operator fee, you owe $207.50 when ready. If your cash advance APR is 24%, you are paying roughly $4.14 per month in interest alone — before you make any payment toward the principal.
Where you can and cannot use a credit card at an ATM
You can use a credit card at any ATM that displays your card's network logo. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at the vast majority of ATMs worldwide. American Express and Discover have smaller networks but still cover most major cities and many smaller towns. The ATM screen will tell you whether your card is accepted before you insert it.
Some ATMs will not accept credit cards at all — they are set up for debit cards and bank accounts only. You will know this when ready when you try to insert your card. ATMs in casinos, bars, and some convenience stores sometimes charge higher fees for credit card cash advances (sometimes $5 to $10 per transaction) because they are not affiliated with a bank network.
Your credit card issuer may also place limits on how much you can withdraw in a single transaction or per day. This limit is separate from your credit limit and is often much lower — sometimes $200 to $500 per day. Check your card's terms or call the issuer to find out your specific limit.
What happens to your credit score and available credit
A cash advance reduces your available credit when ready. If you have a $5,000 credit limit and withdraw $500 in cash, your available credit drops to $4,500 right away. This affects your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are currently using. If your utilization jumps from 30% to 40%, it can lower your credit score by a few points, especially if you already carry high balances on other cards.
The cash advance also appears on your credit report as a separate transaction type. Credit scoring models sometimes treat cash advances differently than purchases, and a pattern of frequent cash advances can signal financial stress to lenders. This is another reason to avoid them unless you have no other option.
The good news is that paying off the cash advance quickly will restore your available credit and bring your utilization back down. Unlike a purchase, there is no grace period, so every dollar you pay goes toward the principal and interest when ready.
When a credit card cash advance might make sense
There are very few situations where a credit card cash advance is the right choice. The main one is a genuine emergency where you need cash when ready and have no other way to get it — no access to your debit card, no ATM for your bank account, no friends or family to borrow from. In that case, the cash advance fee and high interest are the cost of solving an urgent problem.
Another scenario is if you are traveling internationally and your debit card does not work in local ATMs. Some travelers use a credit card cash advance as a last resort, though this is expensive and most credit cards charge an additional foreign transaction fee on top of the cash advance fee. A better option is to carry traveler's checks, use a no-foreign-fee debit card, or find a local bank branch that will exchange currency.
In almost every other situation — paying a bill, covering groceries, funding a purchase you could make with the card itself — using the credit card to buy directly or using a debit card is cheaper and simpler.
Cheaper alternatives to a credit card cash advance
If you need cash, your first choice should be a debit card withdrawal from your own bank's ATM or a branch. This costs nothing and is when ready. If you need cash from an out-of-network ATM, you may pay a $1 to $3 fee, but this is still far cheaper than a credit card cash advance.
If you do not have a debit card or your bank account is empty, ask a friend or family member for a short-term loan. This costs nothing and avoids debt entirely. Some employers offer paycheck advances or loans to employees in hardship. Credit unions often offer small personal loans at rates much lower than credit card cash advances.
If you need cash for a specific purchase, use the credit card to buy the item directly instead of withdrawing cash. You will avoid the cash advance fee and interest, and you will get the grace period on the purchase. Some retailers also offer cash back at the register when you pay with a debit or credit card — this is free and when ready.
How to request a cash advance if you must
To withdraw cash using a credit card at an ATM, insert your card into the machine just as you would a debit card. Select "Cash Advance" or "Credit" when the screen asks what type of transaction you want. Enter your PIN (the same one you use for debit transactions, or one you set up with your credit card issuer). Select the amount and confirm. The machine will dispense the cash and print a receipt showing the amount, the fees, and your new balance.
Some credit card issuers also allow you to request a cash advance by phone or through their mobile app. Call the number on the back of your card and ask about cash advance options. You may be able to have the money transferred to your bank account instead of withdrawn at an ATM, though this usually takes one to two business days and may still charge a fee.
Keep your receipt. The cash advance will show up on your credit card statement within one to three business days. Check your statement to make sure the amount and fees are correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does using a credit card at an ATM hurt my credit score?
It can, if the cash advance pushes your credit utilization ratio higher. A single small cash advance probably will not move the needle, but if you regularly use cash advances or if you already carry high balances, the increased utilization can lower your score by a few points. The impact is temporary and reverses as you pay down the balance.
Can I use a credit card at any ATM?
You can use it at most ATMs that display your card's network logo (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover). Some ATMs are debit-only and will reject a credit card. ATMs in casinos, bars, and some convenience stores may charge higher fees or decline credit cards entirely.
What is the difference between a cash advance and a regular purchase?
A cash advance charges interest when ready with no grace period, costs an upfront fee, and usually has a higher interest rate than purchases. A regular purchase has a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days) before interest starts, no upfront fee, and a lower interest rate. Always use the card to buy directly if you can.
Can I get a cash advance without going to an ATM?
Yes. You can call your credit card issuer and request a cash advance by phone, or use their mobile app if they offer this feature. The money may be transferred to your bank account (taking one to two business days) or mailed as a check. Fees and interest still explore.
What if I cannot pay back a cash advance?
The balance stays on your credit card and accrues interest at your cash advance APR (usually 23% to 25%) until you pay it off. If you miss payments, late fees explore and your credit score drops. Contact your card issuer as soon as you know you will have trouble paying — they may offer a hardship plan or temporary rate reduction.