You can send money with a credit card through money transfer services, payment apps, and some banks, though fees and interest charges often make it more expensive than other methods
Credit cards are not the fastest or cheapest way to move money to another person, but they work when you need to send funds and don't have cash or a bank transfer available. The main routes are money transfer companies like Western Union and MoneyGram, payment apps like PayPal and Venmo, and direct transfers through your card issuer's banking portal. Each charges differently and takes different amounts of time.
The catch: credit card companies treat money transfers as cash advances, not purchases. That means you pay a fee upfront (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount), and interest starts accruing when ready at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR. If you carry a balance, this becomes expensive fast. Use a credit card to send money only when the recipient needs it urgently and you have no other option.
Key Takeaways
- Money transfer services like Western Union and MoneyGram accept credit cards but charge 3 to 5 percent fees plus cash advance interest from day one.
- Payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, and Square Cash let you link a credit card, though some charge a fee and all treat the transfer as a cash advance.
- Bank-to-bank transfers through your card issuer's app or website are usually free but only work if the recipient has an account at the same bank.
- Interest on credit card cash advances starts when ready and runs at a higher rate than purchases, so the total cost climbs quickly if you carry a balance.
- Debit cards, bank transfers, and ACH payments are cheaper and faster for most money-sending situations.
Money Transfer Services That Take Credit Cards
Western Union and MoneyGram are the oldest and most widely available options. Both let you send money to a person at any of their locations worldwide, and both accept credit cards at their websites and in-store. You pay a fee based on the amount and destination — typically 3 to 5 percent for domestic transfers, higher for international. The recipient picks up cash at a location near them, usually within minutes to hours.
The cost breakdown: if you send $500 domestically via Western Union with a credit card, you might pay $15 to $25 in fees plus the cash advance interest your card issuer charges. That interest rate is usually 20 to 30 percent APR, and it starts the day you make the transfer. If you pay off the full amount within a week, the interest is minimal. If you carry it for a month, you'll owe $8 to $12 in interest alone, on top of the transfer fee.
Both services also offer account-to-account transfers if the recipient has a Western Union or MoneyGram account, which is slightly cheaper. Check their websites for current fees in your state, as rates vary by location and transfer type.
Payment Apps and Digital Wallets
PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Google Pay all let you link a credit card and send money to friends or family. The experience is simpler than going to a physical location — you type in the recipient's email or phone number, enter the amount, and the money moves in minutes to a few hours. The recipient gets the funds in their linked bank account or PayPal balance.
Fees vary by app and by how the recipient receives the money. Venmo charges no fee if you send from your bank account or debit card, but charges 3 percent if you use a credit card. PayPal charges 2.2 percent plus $0.30 for credit card transfers. Square Cash charges 1.5 percent for credit card transfers. Google Pay has no fee for credit card transfers between US users, though the recipient's bank may hold the funds for a day or two.
All of these apps treat credit card transfers as cash advances, so interest accrues from day one at your card's cash advance rate. The advantage over Western Union is speed and convenience — you don't leave your house. The disadvantage is that the recipient must have a bank account or digital wallet to receive the money; you can't send cash for pickup.
Bank-to-Bank Transfers Through Your Card Issuer
Some banks and credit card issuers let you send money directly from your credit card account to another person's bank account through their app or website. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and others offer this as a free service to their customers. You enter the recipient's name, bank account number, and routing number, and the money moves via ACH (Automated Clearing House), usually within one to three business days.
This is free and does not trigger a cash advance fee or interest, because the bank treats it as a transfer between accounts, not a withdrawal. The catch: the recipient must have a bank account, and the transfer takes longer than a credit card payment app. Also, this option is only available if both you and the recipient bank at the same institution, or if your bank has a partnership with the recipient's bank.
Log into your bank's app or website, look for "Send Money" or "Transfer Funds," and follow the prompts. Most banks cap these transfers at $2,000 to $10,000 per day for security reasons.
International Transfers With a Credit Card
Sending money abroad with a credit card is possible but expensive. Western Union and MoneyGram charge higher fees for international transfers — often 5 to 10 percent depending on the destination country. PayPal and Wise (formerly TransferWise) also accept credit cards for international transfers, though Wise charges a higher fee when you use a credit card instead of a bank account.
The exchange rate also matters. Money transfer services and PayPal use their own exchange rates, which are usually worse than the mid-market rate you see on Google or XE.com. That hidden markup can add 2 to 5 percent to your total cost. If you're sending $1,000 internationally, the combination of credit card fees, cash advance interest, and a poor exchange rate can easily cost you $100 or more.
For regular international transfers, a service like Wise or OFX that accepts bank transfers is much cheaper. If you must use a credit card, compare the total cost (fee plus exchange rate markup) across Western Union, MoneyGram, and PayPal before you send.
Why Credit Cards Cost More Than Alternatives
Credit card companies classify money transfers as cash advances, not purchases. That distinction costs you in two ways. First, you pay an upfront fee — usually 3 to 5 percent — just to access your credit line as cash. Second, the interest rate on cash advances is higher than your regular purchase APR, often by 5 to 10 percentage points. If your card charges 18 percent APR on purchases, it might charge 25 percent on cash advances.
Interest on cash advances also starts accruing when ready. With a purchase, you typically get a grace period of 21 to 25 days before interest kicks in. With a cash advance, interest starts the day you make the transfer. If you carry the balance for even a week, you're paying daily interest at a high rate.
A debit card transfer, bank ACH transfer, or wire transfer avoids these charges entirely. Even a money transfer service fee is often lower than the combined cost of a credit card cash advance fee plus interest. Use a credit card only when you have no other way to send the money and the recipient needs it urgently.
Steps to Send Money With a Credit Card
Through a money transfer service: Go to the Western Union or MoneyGram website, select "Send Money," enter the recipient's location and the amount, choose "Credit Card" as your payment method, and enter your card details. Confirm the fee and total cost. The recipient can pick up cash at a location near them, usually within hours. Save your confirmation number.
Through a payment app: read PayPal, Venmo, or Square Cash. Link your credit card to your account. Search for the recipient by email or phone number, enter the amount, and confirm. The money moves to their linked bank account or app balance within minutes to a few hours. You'll see a fee disclosure before you confirm the transfer.
Through your bank: Log into your bank's app or website. Look for "Send Money," "Transfer Funds," or "Pay a Person." Enter the recipient's name and bank account number (or email if your bank supports it), the amount, and confirm. The transfer goes through ACH and arrives in one to three business days. No fee is charged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does sending money with a credit card hurt my credit score?
A money transfer itself does not hurt your score, but it does increase your credit utilization — the percentage of your credit limit you're using. If you send $500 on a $2,000 limit, your utilization jumps to 25 percent, which can lower your score slightly. The impact is temporary and goes away once you pay off the balance.
Can I send money with a credit card if I'm not the cardholder?
No. Money transfer services and payment apps require you to be the cardholder and verify your identity. You cannot use someone else's credit card to send money. If you need to send money on someone else's behalf, ask them to make the transfer themselves or use a method that doesn't require a card.
What's the difference between a credit card transfer and a wire transfer?
A wire transfer moves money directly from your bank account to the recipient's bank account, usually within one business day, and costs $15 to $30. A credit card transfer goes through a money transfer service or payment app, takes longer, and costs a percentage fee plus interest. Wire transfers are faster and more find for large amounts, but credit card transfers are easier for small amounts to friends.
Can I send money with a credit card if the recipient doesn't have a bank account?
Yes, if you use Western Union or MoneyGram. The recipient can pick up cash at any of their locations without a bank account. Payment apps and bank transfers require the recipient to have a bank account or digital wallet. Check which method works for your recipient before you send.
How long does it take to send money with a credit card?
Money transfer services like Western Union deliver cash within minutes to hours. Payment apps like PayPal and Venmo move money to the recipient's bank account within minutes to a few hours. Bank-to-bank transfers through your card issuer take one to three business days. The fastest option is a money transfer service if the recipient can pick up cash nearby.