Credit cards are not the primary tool for sending money, but you can do it through money transfer services, bill pay, or by paying someone else's credit card bill directly
A credit card lets you borrow money to make purchases, not to send cash to another person. But if you need to move money to someone, you have a few real options: use a money transfer app or service that accepts credit cards, pay a bill on someone else's behalf, or transfer money to your own bank account first and then send it. Each method has different costs, speed, and limits. The fastest and cheapest route depends on who you are sending money to and how urgently they need it.
The key thing to know upfront: using a credit card to send money usually costs more than using a debit card or bank transfer. You will typically pay a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount) plus interest that starts accruing when ready, or a transfer fee charged by the money service itself. If you have a bank account, that is almost always cheaper.
Key Takeaways
- Money transfer apps like PayPal, Venmo, and Square Cash accept credit cards but charge a fee (usually 2 to 3 percent) for the convenience.
- Paying someone else's credit card bill directly through their card issuer's website costs nothing but only works if you know their account number and the card company allows it.
- A credit card cash advance through an ATM or bank teller gives you physical cash to hand over, but costs 3 to 5 percent plus daily interest starting when ready.
- If you have a bank account, transferring money to it first and then sending it via bank transfer or check is almost always cheaper than any credit card method.
Money transfer apps and services that take credit cards
PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and similar services let you link a credit card and send money to another person's account or phone number. The recipient can then withdraw to their bank account or keep the balance in the app. This is the most common way people send money with a credit card because the process is straightforward and the recipient gets the money within minutes to a few business days.
The cost varies by service and by how the recipient withdraws the money. PayPal charges 2.2 percent plus $0.30 per transaction when you send money as a "friends and family" transfer using a credit card. Venmo charges 3 percent when you use a credit card (but nothing if you use a debit card or bank account). Square Cash charges 1.5 percent for credit card transfers. These fees are taken from the amount you send, so if you send $100, the recipient gets less than $100.
Speed depends on the app and the recipient's bank. Most apps show the money in the recipient's account within one to three business days. Some services offer when ready transfer for an extra fee. Check the app's fee schedule before you send, because the cost can add up if you are sending money regularly.
Paying someone else's credit card bill directly
If the person you want to send money to has a credit card, you can often pay their bill directly through their card issuer's website. This costs nothing and the payment posts within one to two business days. You will need their credit card account number and the card issuer's name (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or their bank's name).
Go to the card issuer's website, look for "Pay Someone Else's Bill" or "Third-Party Payment," and enter the account number and the amount. You will be asked to provide your own contact information. Some card issuers allow you to pay online; others require you to call. This method works well for helping a family member or friend pay down debt, but it only works if they have a credit card and you know the account number.
One limitation: you cannot send money this way if the person does not have a credit card, and the payment goes to their card balance, not to their bank account. If they need cash, this does not help.
Credit card cash advances
You can withdraw cash from your credit card at an ATM or bank teller, then hand it to someone. This is sending money in the most literal sense, but it is expensive. A cash advance fee of 3 to 5 percent is charged when ready, and interest accrues on the withdrawn amount from day one — there is no grace period like there is for regular purchases. If you withdraw $500 and your card's interest rate is 20 percent, you are paying roughly $2.50 in interest per month just to hold that cash.
Use this method only if the person needs physical cash and you have no other way to send it. For any other situation, the fees and interest make it the most costly option.
Bank transfers and checks as an alternative
If you have a bank account, transfer money into it first, then send it to the other person. This is almost always cheaper than using a credit card directly. You can transfer money from your credit card to your bank account using a balance transfer check (if your card issuer offers them) or by setting up a cash advance to your account, but those still carry fees. A better route: use your debit card or bank account to fund a money transfer app, or write a check, or use your bank's bill pay feature.
This takes longer — bank transfers usually take one to three business days — but costs nothing or very little. If you do not have a bank account, a money transfer app with a credit card is your fastest option, even though it costs more.
Comparing costs across methods
| Method | Cost | Speed | Who receives it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Money transfer app (PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash) | 1.5 to 3 percent | 1 to 3 business days | Their app account or bank account |
| Pay someone else's credit card bill | Nothing | 1 to 2 business days | Their credit card balance |
| Credit card cash advance | 3 to 5 percent plus daily interest | when ready (cash in hand) | Physical cash |
| Bank transfer (if you have an account) | Nothing to $1 | 1 to 3 business days | Their bank account |
When to use a credit card to send money and when not to
Use a credit card to send money only if you do not have a bank account or debit card and the person needs the money quickly. Money transfer apps are the best option in this case because the fees are lower than a cash advance and the recipient can withdraw to their bank account. If you have a bank account, use it instead — the cost difference is significant over time.
Do not use a credit card cash advance to send money unless the recipient absolutely needs physical cash and there is no other way. The combination of the upfront fee and daily interest makes it the most expensive method by far. If you are sending money regularly — to family, to pay bills, or to split expenses — set up a bank account or use a debit card. The savings add up quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money directly from my credit card to someone's bank account?
Not directly. You would need to use a money transfer service like PayPal or Venmo, which takes a fee (usually 2 to 3 percent for credit cards). The service then deposits the money into their bank account. If you have your own bank account, transferring money there first and then sending it via bank transfer is cheaper.
What happens if I use a credit card cash advance to send money?
You withdraw cash at an ATM or bank, then give it to the person. You pay a cash advance fee (3 to 5 percent) when ready, plus interest on the full amount starting right away. This is the most expensive way to send money and should only be used if the person needs physical cash and you have no other option.
Is it safe to give someone my credit card number to pay their bill?
Yes, if you are paying through the card issuer's official website or by calling their customer service number directly. Never give your full credit card number to the other person or to a third-party website. Always go through the card company's own website or phone line to make the payment.
Can I use a credit card to send money internationally?
Yes, through money transfer services like PayPal, Wise, or OFX, which accept credit cards. International transfers cost more than domestic ones — fees range from 2 to 5 percent depending on the service and the country. Exchange rates also explore. Bank transfers are usually cheaper for international money if both people have bank accounts.
What if the money transfer app declines my credit card?
Some apps and services flag credit cards as higher risk and may decline them or ask for extra verification. Try using a debit card instead, or contact the app's support team to ask why the card was declined. You can also try a different money transfer service.