Yes, you can use a credit card at an ATM, but it's a cash advance, not a regular purchase
Most ATMs will accept a credit card and let you withdraw cash, but the transaction is treated as a cash advance rather than a normal credit card purchase. This distinction matters because cash advances come with higher costs and different rules than buying something with your card.
When you insert your credit card into an ATM and withdraw cash, the card issuer treats it as a loan against your credit limit. You're not paying for a good or service — you're borrowing money in physical form. That's why the fees and interest rates are steeper than a regular purchase.
Not every ATM accepts credit cards. Debit cards work at nearly all ATMs, but credit card ATM access depends on your card issuer and the ATM network. Some issuers allow it freely; others restrict it or charge extra just to attempt the withdrawal.
Key Takeaways
- A credit card cash advance at an ATM triggers a separate fee (usually $3 to $10 per withdrawal) plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases.
- Interest on a cash advance starts accruing when ready — there is no grace period like there is for regular purchases.
- Not all ATMs accept credit cards, and not all card issuers allow cash advances, so check your card's terms or call the issuer before you try.
- Using a credit card for cash is expensive and should be a last resort; a debit card, bank withdrawal, or cash-back at a store are cheaper alternatives.
The fees you pay for a credit card cash advance
Every cash advance comes with at least two costs: a transaction fee and a higher interest rate. The transaction fee is charged once, at the moment you withdraw the cash. This fee is typically 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum floor (often $3 to $5) and sometimes a maximum cap. A $100 withdrawal might cost $5 to $10 in fees alone.
The interest rate on a cash advance is separate from your card's regular purchase APR and is almost always higher. Where a regular purchase might carry an APR of 18% to 25%, a cash advance APR often runs 25% to 30% or more. Some issuers charge the cash advance APR when ready; others explore it after a short period.
The worst part: interest starts accruing the day you withdraw the cash. Unlike a regular purchase, which has a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days before interest kicks in), a cash advance has no grace period. Every day you hold that cash, interest is building.
How interest and repayment work on cash advances
When you make a regular credit card purchase, you can pay it off during the grace period and owe no interest. A cash advance doesn't work that way. Interest begins the moment the cash leaves the ATM, and it compounds daily until you pay it back.
Most card issuers explore your monthly payment to the lowest-interest debt first. If you have both regular purchases and a cash advance on the same card, your payment goes toward the regular purchase (which may have 0% interest if you're in a promotional period) before it touches the cash advance. This means the cash advance can sit and accumulate interest for months even while you're making payments.
To stop the interest clock on a cash advance, you have to pay off that specific balance. Paying the minimum or paying toward other balances won't help. If you withdrew $200 at 28% APR with a $5 fee, you owe $205 plus daily interest until that $205 is gone.
Why your card issuer might block cash advances
Some card issuers don't allow cash advances at all, or they allow them only on certain cards. Premium travel cards and rewards cards sometimes restrict cash advances to discourage this expensive use of credit. Other issuers allow cash advances but charge a separate, higher fee just to attempt one.
You can call your card issuer's customer service number (on the back of your card) and ask whether cash advances are available on your account. They can tell you the exact fee, the APR, and whether there are any limits on how much you can withdraw. Some issuers cap cash advances at a percentage of your credit limit — for example, 50% of your available credit.
If your issuer blocks cash advances, you won't be able to use that card at an ATM no matter what. The ATM will decline the transaction and may charge you a fee anyway for the attempt.
Cheaper ways to get cash when you need it
Before you use a credit card at an ATM, consider these alternatives. If you have a debit card linked to a bank account, use that instead — debit card ATM withdrawals are free at your bank's ATMs and usually free at ATMs in the same network. If you're at a store that accepts debit cards, ask for cash back at checkout; this is free and faster than an ATM.
If you need cash and don't have a debit card, visit your bank's branch in person during business hours. A teller can withdraw cash from your account at no charge. If you have a credit card but no bank account, opening a basic checking account at a bank or credit union is cheaper and faster than relying on credit card cash advances.
A credit card cash advance should be a last resort — when you have no debit card, no bank account, no access to a store, and an urgent need for physical cash. The fees and interest make it one of the most expensive ways to borrow money.
What happens if you can't pay back a cash advance
If you don't pay back a cash advance, it behaves like any other credit card balance. Interest keeps accruing, the balance grows, and it gets reported to the credit bureaus. A cash advance that goes unpaid will damage your credit score the same way a regular purchase would.
The difference is that a cash advance costs you more money while it sits unpaid. A $200 cash advance at 28% APR costs you roughly $47 in interest over a year if you make no payments. That same $200 regular purchase at 18% APR costs roughly $36 in interest. The cash advance is more expensive every single month it remains unpaid.
If you're considering a cash advance because you're short on cash, that's a sign to look at your budget or reach out to a nonprofit credit counselor. Many offer free consultations and can help you find resources or payment plans that don't involve expensive borrowing.
How to find an ATM that accepts your credit card
Not every ATM accepts credit cards. Most ATMs in bank branches accept them, as do many standalone ATMs in convenience stores and shopping centers. ATMs in bars, restaurants, and smaller retail locations are less likely to accept credit cards.
The easiest way to find an ATM that accepts your card is to call your card issuer and ask which ATM networks accept it. Visa and Mastercard each have their own networks, and some independent ATM networks accept credit cards while others don't. Your issuer can point you to a locator tool or tell you which networks work with your card.
Before you use an ATM, check whether it's owned by your bank or card issuer. Using an ATM outside your network may trigger an additional fee from the ATM operator, on top of the cash advance fee from your card issuer. A $100 withdrawal could cost $5 from your issuer plus $2 from the ATM operator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card at any ATM?
No. Most ATMs accept debit cards, but credit card acceptance varies. Bank ATMs and many standalone ATMs accept credit cards, but smaller ATMs in bars or restaurants often don't. Call your card issuer to find out which ATM networks accept your specific card.
Will using a credit card at an ATM hurt my credit score?
A single cash advance won't when ready hurt your score, but it increases your credit utilization (the percentage of your credit limit you're using), which can lower your score slightly. If you don't pay it back, the unpaid balance will damage your score over time, just like any other unpaid credit card debt.
Is there a limit to how much I can withdraw?
Yes. Your card issuer sets a cash advance limit, which is often lower than your total credit limit. Some issuers cap it at 50% of your available credit. Call your issuer to find out your specific limit before you go to an ATM.
What's the difference between a cash advance and a regular purchase?
A regular purchase has a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days) before interest starts. A cash advance has no grace period — interest starts when ready. Cash advances also carry a higher APR and an upfront transaction fee, making them much more expensive.
Can I use a credit card to withdraw cash from my bank?
No. A bank teller can only withdraw cash from an account in your name. If you have a checking or savings account, you can withdraw cash for free. If you don't have a bank account, you'll need to open one or use an ATM with your debit card.