Most places will not sell you a money order with a credit card

Money order sellers — post offices, grocery stores, check-cashing shops, and convenience stores — treat credit cards differently from cash or debit cards. The vast majority will not accept a credit card as payment for a money order. They will accept cash, a debit card, or sometimes a prepaid card, but a standard credit card is almost always declined at the point of sale.

The reason is straightforward: money orders are a form of may provide payment, and sellers want to avoid the risk that comes with credit transactions. When you pay with cash or a debit card, the money moves when ready and the transaction is final. When you pay with a credit card, the seller faces the possibility that you will dispute the charge later, or that the card will be declined after the money order has already been issued. That exposure is not worth the small fee they collect.

Key Takeaways

  • Post offices, grocery stores, and check-cashing shops almost never accept credit cards to buy money orders, even though they accept them for other purchases.
  • Cash, debit cards, and prepaid cards are the standard payment methods for money orders at most locations.
  • If you need a money order but only have a credit card, you can withdraw cash from an ATM using the card, then use that cash to buy the money order.
  • Some banks and credit unions will issue a money order or cashier's check directly from your account if you are a customer, which may be faster than visiting a third-party seller.
  • Money order fees typically range from $1 to $5 depending on the amount and the location, so the cost of an ATM withdrawal may be comparable.

Why credit card payments are blocked for money orders

Money order sellers classify credit card transactions as a higher-risk category because the transaction is not when ready settled. When you swipe a credit card, the seller does not receive the funds right away — they receive a promise that the card issuer will pay them later. If you dispute the charge or if the card is reported stolen, the seller may have to refund the money order amount even though the money order itself has already been cashed by the recipient.

This is different from a debit card, where the money comes directly from your bank account and the transaction settles within hours. For a money order seller operating on thin margins, the credit card risk is not worth accepting. The policy is consistent across most major chains: the United States Postal Service, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and most check-cashing outlets all decline credit cards for money order purchases.

What payment methods actually work

Money order sellers will accept cash, debit cards, and prepaid cards like Green Dot or NetSpend. Some locations also accept checks, though this is less common. A few sellers may accept ACH transfers or bank transfers if you are buying a large money order, but this is rare and usually only available at banks or credit unions.

If you are buying a money order at a post office, grocery store, or convenience store, bring cash or a debit card. If you are a customer at a bank or credit union, you can often order a cashier's check or money order directly from your account without visiting a third-party seller, and you can pay from your checking or savings account.

Using an ATM to convert your credit card to cash

If you only have a credit card and need a money order, the most direct route is to use your credit card at an ATM to withdraw cash. Most credit cards allow cash advances at ATMs, though this comes with a cost: a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn) plus a higher interest rate that starts accruing when ready, even if you normally carry no balance.

For example, if you need $500 for a money order and your credit card charges a 5 percent cash advance fee, you will pay $25 just to get the cash, plus interest from the day of withdrawal. You can then use that cash to buy the money order at any location. The total cost — the cash advance fee plus interest — may be higher than the money order fee itself, so this route makes sense only if you have no other way to pay.

A better option, if you have time, is to transfer money from a credit card to a bank account using a balance transfer check or a peer-to-peer payment app, then use your bank account to buy the money order. This avoids the cash advance fee, though it may take a few days to process.

Ordering a money order or cashier's check from your bank

If you have a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union, you can order a money order or cashier's check directly from your account without visiting a third-party seller. You pay from your account balance, not with a credit card, so the credit card issue does not arise. Many banks allow you to order online or by phone, and some can issue the check or money order the same day.

A cashier's check is similar to a money order but is issued by a bank rather than a post office or retail location. It carries the bank's may provide, which makes it acceptable in situations where a money order might not be. The fee is usually $5 to $15 per check, depending on the bank. If you are a customer, this is often the fastest and cheapest way to get a may provide payment instrument.

When you might consider a different payment method

Before you commit to buying a money order, consider whether the recipient actually needs one. Money orders are useful when the recipient wants a may provide payment but does not want to give you their bank account number. However, many situations that once required a money order now have faster alternatives.

If you are paying a bill, check whether the company accepts online payment, automatic bank transfer, or credit card payment directly. If you are sending money to someone you know, a peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App is usually faster and free. If you are paying rent or a large bill and the recipient insists on a money order, a cashier's check from your bank is often acceptable and easier to obtain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a credit card to buy a money order online?

Most online money order services do not exist — money orders are physical instruments that must be purchased in person or through your bank. If you want to send money online, use a peer-to-peer payment app or a wire transfer service instead. If you need a physical money order, you will have to visit a location in person and pay with cash or a debit card.

What if the ATM charges a fee for a cash advance?

ATM fees for cash advances are separate from the cash advance fee charged by your credit card issuer. You may pay both: a fee to the ATM operator (usually $2 to $3) plus a percentage fee from your card issuer (usually 3 to 5 percent). Combined, these fees can exceed the cost of the money order itself, so this method is expensive and should be a last resort.

Can I use a gift card or prepaid card instead of a credit card?

Yes. Prepaid cards like Green Dot, NetSpend, and most gift cards are treated like debit cards and are accepted at most money order sellers. If you have a prepaid card with a balance, you can use it to buy a money order without the cash advance fees that come with a credit card.

Will my bank issue a money order if I do not have a checking account?

Most banks require you to be a customer to order a cashier's check or money order. If you do not have an account, you will need to use a post office, grocery store, or check-cashing shop. These locations accept cash and debit cards but not credit cards.

Is there a limit to how much I can spend on a money order?

Most post offices and retail locations cap individual money orders at $1,000. If you need to send more than that, you can buy multiple money orders or use a wire transfer service instead. Banks can issue cashier's checks for larger amounts.