You can send money with a credit card through money transfer services, but expect fees and higher interest rates
Sending money with a credit card is possible, but it works differently than sending from a bank account. Most credit card money transfers go through third-party services like Western Union, MoneyGram, or Wise rather than directly from your card issuer. You pay a fee upfront — usually 3% to 10% of the amount — and the recipient gets cash or a deposit into their own account within minutes to a few business days, depending on the service and destination.
The catch: your credit card company treats a money transfer as a cash advance, not a purchase. That means you start paying interest when ready, usually at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR, and there is no grace period. If you send $500, you owe interest on that $500 from day one. For this reason, credit card money transfers are most useful when you need to send money urgently and have no other option — not as a routine way to move money.
Key Takeaways
- Money transfer services like Western Union and MoneyGram accept credit cards but charge 3% to 10% in fees plus interest that starts when ready.
- Your credit card company classifies the transfer as a cash advance, which carries a higher interest rate than regular purchases and no grace period.
- Bank transfers and peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or PayPal are cheaper and faster for most situations, and should be your first choice if available.
- If you must use a credit card, compare fees across services before you send, because the same $500 transfer can cost $15 at one service and $50 at another.
Where to send money with a credit card
Western Union and MoneyGram are the largest networks. Both let you send money in person at their locations (grocery stores, pharmacies, check-cashing shops) or online through their websites and apps. You enter the recipient's name, the amount, and where they will pick up the cash or have it deposited. Western Union typically charges 3% to 10% depending on the amount and destination country. MoneyGram charges similarly.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) accepts credit cards for international transfers and charges a flat fee plus a small percentage — usually lower than Western Union for transfers between countries, but it requires the recipient to have a bank account, not just pick up cash. PayPal and Square Cash let you send money to other PayPal or Square users with a credit card on file, though these are best for small amounts between people you know.
Your own bank may offer a money transfer service through its app or website. Call your bank's customer service line to ask whether they accept credit cards for transfers and what the fee is. Some do; many do not.
Step-by-step: sending money through Western Union online
Go to westernunion.com or open the Western Union app. Click "Send Money" and select the country where the recipient is located. Enter the amount you want to send and how the recipient will receive it — cash pickup, bank deposit, or mobile wallet, depending on what is available in that country.
Enter the recipient's full name, address, and phone number exactly as they will provide it when they pick up the money. You will need this information to match what the recipient shows when they collect the transfer. Then enter your own name, address, and contact details.
At payment, select "Credit Card" and enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV. Review the total fee and exchange rate (if sending internationally) before you confirm. Western Union will show you a reference number — write this down or take a screenshot. The recipient uses this number to pick up the money at any Western Union location, or it deposits to their bank account if you chose that option.
Step-by-step: sending money through MoneyGram online
Visit moneygram.com or open the MoneyGram app. Select "Send Money" and choose the destination country. Enter the amount and select how the recipient will receive it — cash pickup or direct to bank account.
Fill in the recipient's full name, address, and phone number. Then provide your own details. At checkout, select "Credit Card" and enter your card information. MoneyGram will display the fee, exchange rate if applicable, and total amount due. Confirm the transaction and save your reference number — the recipient will need it to collect the money.
Fees and interest you will pay
A transfer fee is charged by the money transfer service and is non-refundable. For Western Union, sending $500 domestically costs roughly $15 to $25 depending on how fast you want it to arrive. Sending $500 internationally can cost $30 to $50 or more. MoneyGram charges similarly. Wise charges a smaller percentage but a flat fee on top — for example, $3.99 plus 0.7% of the amount.
Interest is charged by your credit card company starting the day you make the transfer. If your credit card's cash advance APR is 25% and you send $500, you will owe roughly $10.42 per month in interest alone until you pay off the $500. That is on top of the transfer fee. If you take two months to pay it back, you have paid $20 in interest plus the original $15 to $25 fee — a total cost of $35 to $45 to move $500.
Some credit cards offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases but not on cash advances, so check your card's terms. Cash advances are almost always excluded from promotional rates.
Why a bank transfer or peer-to-peer app is usually cheaper
If you are sending money to someone with a U.S. bank account, ACH transfer (also called a bank transfer) through your own bank is free or costs $1 to $3 and takes one to three business days. No interest is charged because you are spending money you already have, not borrowing.
Peer-to-peer apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Square Cash let you send money when ready or within one business day for free if you transfer from your bank account. If you use a credit card on these apps, they may charge a fee (usually 2% to 3%), but it is still lower than a cash advance plus interest.
Use a credit card money transfer only if the recipient does not have a U.S. bank account, needs cash when ready, or lives in a country where bank transfers are not available. For domestic transfers between people with bank accounts, a free ACH transfer is always the better choice.
What happens if you cannot pay back the transfer right away
Interest accrues daily on a cash advance until you pay the full balance. If you sent $500 at 25% APR and pay $100 per month, it will take six months to pay off, and you will pay roughly $40 in interest on top of the original transfer fee. The longer you carry the balance, the more you pay.
If you are short on cash and considering a credit card money transfer, ask yourself whether you can pay back the full amount within one or two months. If not, the interest cost will be substantial. In that case, explore whether the recipient can wait for a free bank transfer, or whether a personal loan or line of credit from your bank would be cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money with a credit card to any country?
Western Union and MoneyGram operate in most countries, but not all. Check their websites to confirm the destination is available before you start. Some countries have restrictions on cash transfers for regulatory reasons. International transfers also take longer — usually one to three business days — and carry higher fees than domestic transfers.
What is the difference between a cash advance and a purchase on my credit card?
A purchase is something you buy with your card; a cash advance is money you borrow against your credit limit. Cash advances charge interest when ready with no grace period, while purchases usually have a 21- to 25-day grace period before interest kicks in. Money transfers are treated as cash advances, so interest starts right away.
Can I send money with a credit card to someone's bank account directly?
Not directly from your credit card to their account. You can use a service like Wise that accepts credit cards and deposits to a bank account, but you still pay a fee and interest. For the cheapest option, transfer from your own bank account to theirs using your bank's free ACH transfer service.
What if the recipient does not pick up the money?
Most services hold the money for 30 to 90 days. If it is not picked up, the money is returned to your credit card. You will still owe the transfer fee — it is not refunded. Contact the service's customer support with your reference number to request a refund of the fee if the transfer was not completed.
Is it safe to send money with a credit card through these services?
Western Union and MoneyGram are established services with fraud protections, but they are not as find as bank transfers. Never send money to someone you do not know or trust. If you suspect fraud, contact the service when ready with your reference number — they may be able to stop the transfer if it has not been picked up yet.