Most places won't let you buy a money order with a credit card
The short answer is no — the vast majority of money order sellers (post offices, grocery stores, check-cashing outlets, banks) do not accept credit cards for money order purchases. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes traveler's checks. A few rare exceptions exist, but they are the exception, not the rule.
The reason is straightforward: money orders are a cash-like product. They are meant to move actual money from one person to another without a personal check. Sellers treat them the same way they treat cash withdrawals — they want when ready, may provide payment. A credit card transaction can be disputed, reversed, or declined days later. A money order, once issued, is final.
If you need a money order and only have a credit card, you have a few workarounds, but none are as direct as walking in with cash or a debit card.
Key Takeaways
- Post offices, Walmart, grocery stores, and check-cashing outlets all refuse credit cards for money orders and require cash or a debit card instead.
- 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 charge a fee.
- Some banks let you buy a money order at the teller window with a debit card or account withdrawal, which is faster than finding an ATM.
- Money order fees range from about 70 cents to $5 depending on the amount and the seller, and that fee is separate from any credit card cash advance fee.
Why credit cards don't work for money orders
Money orders are designed to be final, irreversible transactions. Once issued, they cannot be stopped, reversed, or disputed the way a credit card charge can be. If a seller accepted a credit card and the cardholder later disputed the charge with their bank, the seller would have already handed over a money order they cannot recover.
This is why money order sellers treat them like cash sales. They want payment they can be certain of — cash in hand, or a debit card that pulls directly from a bank account. A credit card introduces risk the seller does not want to take on.
The same logic applies to other cash-like products: you cannot buy lottery tickets, casino chips, or gift cards with a credit card at most retailers, for the same reason.
Using an ATM cash advance to get cash for a money order
If you have a credit card and need a money order, the most direct route is to withdraw cash using your credit card at an ATM, then use that cash to buy the money order. This works, but it costs you money in two places.
First, most credit card issuers charge a cash advance fee — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. So if you withdraw $200, you might pay $6 to $10 just to get the cash. Second, you will pay the money order fee itself, which ranges from about 70 cents to $5 depending on where you buy it and how much the money order is for.
Cash advances also usually start accruing interest when ready — there is no grace period like there is for regular purchases. The interest rate is often higher than your regular purchase APR. If you carry a balance, this becomes expensive quickly.
Buying a money order at your bank with a debit card or account withdrawal
If you have a bank account, this is usually the cheapest and fastest option. Many banks sell money orders at the teller window and accept debit cards or will deduct the amount directly from your account. You do not need to find an ATM or visit a separate store.
Call your bank first to confirm they sell money orders and what payment methods they accept. Some banks charge less for money orders than retail outlets do — sometimes as little as 50 cents. If your bank does not sell them, ask the teller where nearby you can get one.
This option only works if you have a bank account and a debit card. If you do not, the ATM cash advance route is your next best option.
Other places that sell money orders and what they accept
Money orders are sold at multiple locations, and payment methods vary slightly, but credit cards are not accepted anywhere:
- Post offices: Cash or debit card. Money order fees are typically $1.45 to $2.00 depending on the amount.
- Walmart and other grocery stores: Cash or debit card. Fees are usually 70 cents to $1.50.
- Check-cashing outlets: Cash or debit card. Fees vary widely, from $1 to $5 or more.
- Banks: Debit card or account withdrawal. Fees are often lower than retail outlets, sometimes 50 cents to $1.
If you are buying a large money order, call ahead to confirm the seller has enough cash on hand. Some locations have daily limits on how much they will issue in a single transaction.
What to do if you do not have cash or a debit card
If you have a credit card but no debit card and no bank account, your options narrow. A cash advance at an ATM is the most straightforward path, even though it costs you in fees and interest. Some credit unions also sell money orders and may have different policies than banks — it is worth calling ahead.
Another option is to ask a trusted friend or family member to buy the money order on your behalf using their cash or debit card, then reimburse them. This avoids the cash advance fees, though it requires someone else to do the errand.
If you need a money order regularly and do not have a bank account, opening one is worth considering. Many banks offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance, and having a debit card makes buying money orders, paying bills, and withdrawing cash much simpler and cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to pay for a money order online?
No. Online money order services (which are rare and usually only for specific purposes like bail bonds) also do not accept credit cards. If you need to send money online, a wire transfer, ACH transfer, or peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo or PayPal is faster and usually cheaper than a money order anyway.
What if my credit card has a PIN? Can I use it like a debit card?
No. Even if your credit card has a PIN, it is still a credit card. Money order sellers will not accept it. The PIN is for cash advances at ATMs or for certain other transactions, not for purchases at retail locations.
Do any money order sellers accept credit cards at all?
Virtually none. The policy is consistent across post offices, banks, grocery stores, and check-cashing outlets. If a location claims to accept credit cards for money orders, confirm this directly with the company before you go — it is almost certainly a misunderstanding or outdated information.
Is there a cheaper way to send money than a money order if I only have a credit card?
Yes. If the person you are sending money to has a bank account, a wire transfer or ACH transfer (also called a bank transfer) is usually cheaper and faster. If they do not, a peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App often lets you link a credit card directly and send money without buying a money order at all.
What happens if I dispute a money order purchase with my credit card company?
If you buy a money order with cash from an ATM cash advance, you cannot dispute the money order itself — you can only dispute the cash advance fee if it was charged incorrectly. Once the cash is in your hand, the transaction is complete. This is another reason money order sellers prefer cash: there is no dispute mechanism.