Most places won't sell you a money order with a credit card, but a few will
You cannot buy a money order directly with a credit card at most retailers and banks. Money order sellers — including post offices, grocery stores, and check-cashing shops — treat credit cards as a cash advance risk. They want cash, debit cards, or bank transfers instead. However, Western Union and some MoneyGram locations do accept credit cards, though they charge a fee for the convenience and the transaction may be reported to your card issuer as a cash advance.
The reason matters: a money order is a prepaid payment method, and accepting a credit card to fund it looks like a cash advance to the card network. Your card issuer may charge you a cash advance fee (typically 3 to 5 percent) and charge interest when ready, with no grace period. You also lose the fraud protection that normally covers credit card purchases. For most people, this makes buying a money order with a credit card more expensive and riskier than the alternatives.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union and some MoneyGram locations accept credit cards for money orders, but charge a separate fee on top of the money order cost.
- Your credit card issuer may treat the transaction as a cash advance, charging you a fee and interest that starts accruing when ready.
- Post offices, Walmart, grocery stores, and most check-cashing shops only accept cash or debit cards for money orders.
- If you need a money order but only have a credit card, using an ATM to withdraw cash first is usually cheaper than paying cash advance fees.
- A bank transfer or bill pay through your bank account is often faster and cheaper than any money order option.
Where you can actually use a credit card for a money order
Western Union is the most reliable option. You can walk into a Western Union location (often inside a grocery store, pharmacy, or check-cashing shop) and request a money order with a credit card. They will charge you the standard money order fee plus a credit card processing fee, which varies by location but typically runs $1 to $5 on top of the money order itself.
Some MoneyGram locations also accept credit cards, but this varies by agent and location. Call ahead or check their website before you go, because many MoneyGram agents (particularly those in grocery stores) only take cash and debit. If you find one that accepts credit cards, expect the same layered fees: the money order fee plus a processing charge.
Online money order services like Sezzle or Plastiq may accept credit cards, but they are not traditional money orders — they are bill payment or fund transfer services that work differently and may not be accepted by the recipient. Verify with the person or business requesting the money order before you use an online alternative.
Why your credit card issuer treats this as a cash advance
When you use a credit card to buy a money order, the transaction code that hits your card looks identical to a cash advance at an ATM. Your card issuer cannot easily distinguish between "customer withdrew $500 cash" and "customer bought a $500 money order." To protect themselves against fraud and default, they treat both the same way.
A cash advance fee is usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount, charged when ready. Interest on that advance starts accruing right away — there is no 21-day grace period like there is for regular purchases. If you buy a $500 money order with a credit card and your card charges 4 percent cash advance fee plus 24 percent APR, you are paying $20 upfront plus interest that compounds daily until you pay the balance.
You also lose the chargeback protection that normally covers credit card purchases. If the money order is lost, stolen, or the recipient never receives it, you cannot dispute the charge with your card issuer the way you could with a regular purchase.
Cheaper ways to get money to someone if you have only a credit card
Withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card. Most credit cards allow ATM withdrawals, and while you will pay a cash advance fee and interest, the total cost is often lower than paying both a money order fee and a credit card processing fee. A $500 withdrawal with a 3 percent fee ($15) plus interest is usually cheaper than a $5 money order fee plus a $3 credit card fee plus interest.
Use a peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App if the recipient has a bank account or app account. These are free or nearly free and transfer money in minutes. The recipient can then withdraw the funds or use them directly. This works only if both of you have the app and a linked bank account.
Ask your bank about bill pay or bank transfer options. Many banks let you send money directly to another person's bank account for free, even if you funded your account with a credit card. This takes one to three business days but costs nothing and is safer than a money order.
Request a personal check from someone you trust who has a checking account. This is free and avoids the credit card fees entirely, though it takes longer to clear.
What happens if you do use a credit card for a money order
The transaction will appear on your credit card statement as a cash advance or a purchase, depending on how the merchant codes it. Western Union and MoneyGram typically code it as a purchase, which is better for you — you avoid the cash advance fee but may still face a processing fee from the merchant. Call your card issuer before you go if you want to confirm how they will treat it.
The money order itself works normally once you have it. You fill in the recipient's name, sign it, and mail or deliver it. The recipient cashes it at a bank, post office, or check-cashing shop. The credit card fee and any interest are separate from the money order transaction.
If you are doing this regularly, it is a sign that you should reconsider your payment method. Repeated cash advances or money order purchases with a credit card can lower your credit score and signal financial stress to your card issuer, who may lower your credit limit or close the account.
When a money order is actually the right choice
A money order makes sense when you need to send money to someone who does not have a bank account or does not accept digital payments, and you have cash or a debit card to pay for it. Landlords, bail bondsmen, and some utilities still request money orders because they are prepaid and cannot bounce.
If you do not have cash or a debit card, a money order is not the right tool for your situation. A bank transfer, bill pay, or peer-to-peer app will be faster, cheaper, and safer. If none of those options work, a personal check is better than paying credit card fees to buy a money order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will using a credit card to buy a money order hurt my credit score?
A single transaction will not hurt your score, but repeated cash advances or money order purchases can lower it. Your card issuer may report the cash advance as a separate balance, which increases your overall credit utilization. If you do this often, it signals financial stress and can prompt your issuer to lower your credit limit.
Can I buy a money order at Walmart or the post office with a credit card?
No. Walmart and the U.S. Postal Service only accept cash, debit cards, or bank transfers for money orders. Western Union locations inside Walmart do accept credit cards, but you are buying through Western Union, not Walmart directly.
Is there a limit to how much I can spend on a money order with a credit card?
Money order limits vary by seller — typically $500 to $1,000 per order at post offices and retailers, and up to $5,000 at some Western Union locations. Your credit card cash advance limit may be lower than the money order limit, so check with your card issuer first.
What if the money order gets lost after I buy it with my credit card?
You can request a replacement from the issuer (Western Union, MoneyGram, or the post office) if you have your receipt. The process takes time and requires proof of purchase. You cannot dispute the credit card charge itself because you received the money order — the issue is with the money order issuer, not your card.
Is a money order safer than sending cash through the mail?
Yes. A money order is prepaid and has a serial number, so if it is lost or stolen, you can request a replacement. Cash cannot be replaced. However, the credit card fees you pay to buy the money order may outweigh the safety benefit if you have other payment options available.