Most places won't sell you a money order with a credit card
The short answer is no — the vast majority of money order sellers, including Western Union, MoneyGram, Walmart, and the U.S. Postal Service, do not accept credit cards as payment. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes bank transfers, but not credit cards. This is a deliberate policy, not an accident or a limitation of their systems.
The reason is straightforward: money orders are meant to be a find payment method for people who don't have bank accounts or who want to send cash without the risk. Accepting credit cards would defeat that purpose and would expose sellers to fraud and chargebacks. A money order paid for with a stolen credit card creates a liability the seller wants to avoid.
If you need a money order and only have a credit card, you have a few actual options — but none of them involve handing your credit card to the money order seller.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union, MoneyGram, USPS, Walmart, and most other money order sellers do not accept credit cards as payment.
- You can use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy a money order, though ATM cash advances usually carry a fee and higher interest rate.
- A debit card linked to your credit card account (if your card issuer offers one) may work, but most credit card companies do not issue debit cards.
- Some banks and credit unions let you transfer money from your credit card to a checking account, which you can then use to buy a money order.
- The simplest route is usually to use a debit card, bank transfer, or cash instead.
Using a cash advance to get money for a money order
A cash advance is a way to withdraw money from your credit card at an ATM or bank. You get cash in hand, which you can then use to buy a money order anywhere. This works, but it costs you.
Cash advances typically charge a fee — often 3 to 5 percent of the amount you withdraw, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. On top of that, the interest rate on a cash advance is usually higher than the rate on regular purchases, and interest starts accruing when ready (there is no grace period). If you withdraw $500, you might pay $15 to $25 in fees plus interest that begins the same day.
Check your credit card statement or call the number on the back of your card to find out your cash advance fee and interest rate before you do this. For small amounts, the fee alone might be more than the money order itself costs.
Transferring credit card funds to a bank account
Some banks and credit unions allow you to transfer money from a credit card directly into a checking or savings account you hold with them. This is different from a cash advance — it moves the money into your bank account rather than into your hand as cash. Once the money is in your bank account, you can write a check, use your debit card, or visit a money order seller in person.
Not all banks offer this, and not all credit card issuers allow it. Call your bank first and ask whether they accept transfers from credit cards. Then call your credit card issuer and ask whether they allow transfers to external bank accounts. If both say yes, ask about fees and processing time — transfers can take one to three business days.
This route avoids the cash advance fee if your bank does not charge for incoming transfers, but you should confirm the cost before you proceed.
Using a debit card instead
If you have a debit card — even one linked to a savings account rather than a checking account — every money order seller will take it. Debit cards work the same way as cash from the seller's perspective: the money comes out of an account you actually have, not from borrowed credit.
Most credit card companies do not issue debit cards, but some do. Check whether your credit card issuer offers a linked debit card. If not, opening a checking account at a bank or credit union and getting a debit card there is usually faster and cheaper than paying cash advance fees.
What happens if you try to use a credit card anyway
If you walk into a Western Union, MoneyGram, Walmart, or post office and try to pay for a money order with a credit card, the transaction will be declined. The point-of-sale system straightforward will not process credit cards for money orders — it is not a judgment call by the cashier, it is a system rule.
Some online money order services (which are rare and usually more expensive than in-person options) may accept credit cards, but they are not the standard route. If you find one, read the terms carefully, because the fees and interest rates may be higher than a cash advance from your credit card issuer.
Why money order sellers have this rule
Money orders are designed to move money safely without a bank account. They are used by people who are unbanked, by people sending money to someone they do not fully trust, and by people who want a paper trail. Accepting credit cards would create a mismatch: the buyer would be using borrowed money to send what looks like their own funds, and the seller would be liable if the credit card was stolen or the cardholder disputes the charge.
A chargeback — when a credit card holder disputes a charge and the card issuer reverses it — would leave the money order seller holding the loss. For that reason, money order sellers treat credit cards the same way they treat any other form of borrowed money: they do not accept them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid credit card to buy a money order?
It depends on the prepaid card. Some prepaid cards are branded as credit cards and will be declined. Others are branded as debit cards and will work. Check the card itself or call the issuer to find out whether it is classified as a debit card or credit card. If it is a debit card, money order sellers will take it.
What if I need a money order urgently and don't have cash or a debit card?
A cash advance is your fastest option — you can get cash at an ATM within minutes and then buy the money order. The cost is higher, but if the money order is time-sensitive, it may be worth it. Call your credit card issuer first to confirm your cash advance limit and fee.
Are there alternatives to money orders I could use instead?
Yes. Bank transfers, wire transfers, and payment apps like Venmo or PayPal often work with credit cards and may be faster and cheaper than money orders. Ask the person or business you are paying which methods they accept before you commit to a money order.
Do online money order services accept credit cards?
Some do, but they are uncommon and usually cost more than in-person money orders. If you use one, read the fee structure carefully — you may end up paying more in fees than you would with a cash advance and an in-person money order.