You can get a money order with a credit card, but not everywhere, and the fees add up fast
Most places that sell money orders — post offices, grocery stores, check-cashing shops — do not accept credit cards. They want cash or a debit card. But some retailers and online services will let you buy a money order with a credit card, though you will pay a cash advance fee on top of the money order fee itself. The combination often costs more than other ways to send money.
If you need a money order and only have a credit card, your realistic options are limited. You can use a credit card to withdraw cash at an ATM, then use that cash to buy a money order at a post office or grocery store. You can also look for online money order services that accept credit cards, though these are rare and expensive. A third route is to use a different payment method altogether — a bank transfer, wire transfer, or payment app — which may be cheaper and faster.
Key Takeaways
- Most physical locations that sell money orders do not accept credit cards; they require cash or a debit card.
- Using a credit card to buy a money order costs you both a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount) and the money order fee itself (typically $1 to $5).
- Withdrawing cash from an ATM with your credit card, then buying a money order with that cash, is often cheaper than using an online money order service.
- Bank transfers, wire transfers, and payment apps are usually faster and less expensive than money orders for most situations.
Why most places won't take a credit card for money orders
Money order sellers treat credit cards as a risk. When you buy a money order with cash or a debit card, the money is gone from your account when ready. If you use a credit card, the seller has no may provide you will actually pay the bill when it arrives. They also worry about fraud — someone using a stolen card to buy money orders and cash them out elsewhere.
The post office, Walmart, grocery store chains, and check-cashing shops all have the same policy: cash or debit card only. This is not a mistake or a local rule. It is a blanket decision across the entire network. If you walk in with only a credit card, you cannot buy a money order there, period.
Getting cash from your credit card to buy a money order
The cheapest way to use a credit card for a money order is to withdraw cash first. Go to an ATM that accepts your card, withdraw the amount you need plus a little extra for the money order fee, then go to a post office or grocery store and buy the money order with cash.
This costs you a cash advance fee — usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $2 to $5. A $500 cash advance might cost you $15 to $25. Then add the money order fee itself, which is typically $1.50 to $5 depending on where you buy it. Your total cost is the cash advance fee plus the money order fee.
The catch is that cash advances accrue interest when ready. Unlike a regular credit card purchase, which has a grace period before interest kicks in, a cash advance starts charging interest the day you withdraw it. Your credit card statement will show the cash advance separately from your regular purchases, and the interest rate on cash advances is often higher than the rate on purchases.
Online money order services that accept credit cards
A few online services will sell you a money order and accept a credit card. MoneyGram and Western Union both offer online money order purchases, and some third-party platforms resell their services. These are rare and expensive.
When you buy through an online service, you pay the money order fee plus a processing fee, which can be $3 to $10 on top of the base fee. You also pay a credit card processing fee if the service charges one. The money order is then mailed to you or to the recipient, which takes 3 to 7 business days. If you need the money order today, this does not work.
Read the fine print carefully. Some online services do not actually issue a traditional money order — they issue a digital payment or a check instead. Make sure what you are buying is actually a money order, because the recipient may not accept anything else.
Comparing the total cost of each method
| Method | Credit Card Fee | Money Order Fee | Total Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATM cash withdrawal + post office | $15–$25 (on $500) | $1.50–$2 | $16.50–$27 | Same day |
| Online money order service | $0–$5 | $3–$10 | $3–$15 | 3–7 days |
| Bank wire transfer | $0 | $15–$30 | $15–$30 | Same day or next day |
| Payment app (Venmo, PayPal) | $0–$3 | $0 | $0–$3 | when ready to 3 days |
The numbers show why most people should avoid using a credit card for a money order. A cash advance is expensive because of the interest that starts accruing when ready. An online service is cheaper upfront but slow. A bank wire or payment app is often the better choice if the recipient will accept it.
When you actually need a money order instead of another payment method
Money orders are useful in specific situations: paying rent to a landlord who does not accept electronic payments, sending money to someone without a bank account, or paying a bill to an organization that does not take credit cards. In most other cases, a bank transfer, wire transfer, or payment app is faster and cheaper.
Before you commit to buying a money order, ask the recipient what payment methods they accept. Many landlords now accept bank transfers or payment apps. Many bills can be paid online. If the recipient truly requires a money order and you only have a credit card, then yes, you need to find a way to get one. But that situation is rarer than it used to be.
If you do need a money order and have a credit card, the ATM route is almost always cheaper than an online service. Withdraw cash, pay the cash advance fee and interest, buy the money order with cash, and move on. It costs more than using a debit card would, but it works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card at Walmart or the post office to buy a money order?
No. Both Walmart and the post office accept only cash, debit cards, and traveler's checks. Credit cards are not accepted for money order purchases at either location.
What is the difference between a cash advance and a regular credit card purchase?
A cash advance is money you withdraw from your credit card, usually at an ATM. It costs a fee (3 to 5 percent) and starts accruing interest when ready, with no grace period. A regular purchase has a grace period before interest kicks in. Cash advances also have a higher interest rate than purchases on most cards.
Is it cheaper to use an online money order service or withdraw cash from an ATM?
It depends on the amount. For small money orders (under $100), an online service may be cheaper because the cash advance fee is lower. For larger amounts, the ATM route is usually cheaper because the cash advance fee grows with the amount, but you only pay it once. Calculate both for your specific amount before deciding.
What if I do not have a debit card or cash?
Your options are to withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, use an online money order service that accepts credit cards, or ask someone else to buy the money order for you. If none of those work, consider whether the recipient will accept a bank transfer, wire transfer, or payment app instead.
Do money orders bought with a credit card work the same way as money orders bought with cash?
Yes. Once the money order is issued, it does not matter how you paid for it. The recipient will not know whether you used cash or a credit card. The money order itself is identical and works the same way.