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, the U.S. Postal Service, and grocery store customer service desks, do not take credit cards. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes prepaid cards, but not credit cards issued by banks or credit unions.
The reason is straightforward: a money order is meant to be a may provide payment, backed by cash already in hand. A credit card is a line of borrowed money. Sellers treat these as incompatible — if you're using credit, you haven't actually paid yet, so the money order isn't truly secured. Some sellers also worry about fraud or chargebacks if a credit card transaction is later disputed.
There are a few narrow exceptions, which we'll cover below, but they come with their own costs and complications. For most people, the path forward is to convert your credit card into cash or a debit-like form first, then use that to buy the money order.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union, MoneyGram, USPS, and grocery stores all decline credit cards for money orders; they require cash or a debit card.
- Some online money order services may accept credit cards, but they charge higher fees and are less widely accepted than traditional money orders.
- The fastest workaround is to use your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then buy the money order with that cash.
- A prepaid card loaded with credit card funds may work at some locations, but you'll pay fees at both steps.
- If you're trying to avoid using cash, a bank transfer or bill pay through your credit card issuer's website may solve the underlying problem without a money order at all.
Why credit card companies and money order sellers won't work together
Money order sellers operate on a cash-in, cash-out model. When you hand over $50 in cash for a $50 money order, the seller has your money when ready and can may provide the recipient will receive it. That certainty is the whole point of a money order — it's safer than a personal check because the funds are already collected.
A credit card transaction works the opposite way. The seller would be issuing a may provide payment on your behalf before your credit card company has actually moved any money. If your card is declined, maxed out, or later disputed, the seller is left holding the risk. Most money order networks have decided that risk isn't worth it.
There's also a fraud concern. Money orders are often used to move money quickly and irreversibly, which makes them attractive to scammers. Sellers limit credit card use partly to reduce their exposure to fraud schemes.
The cash withdrawal workaround
The simplest way to buy a money order with a credit card is to withdraw cash first. Use your credit card at an ATM to get cash, then take that cash to any money order seller. This works at every location that sells money orders.
The catch is that ATM cash advances on a credit card come with fees and a higher interest rate than regular purchases. Most credit card issuers charge a cash advance fee (often 3 to 5 percent of the amount, with a minimum of $5 to $10) plus a higher APR that starts accruing when ready — there's no grace period like there is for regular purchases. A $200 cash advance could cost you $10 to $15 just to get the cash out, before you even buy the money order.
If you have a debit card, use that instead. Debit card ATM withdrawals are usually free or cost far less, and you avoid the interest rate trap entirely.
Online money order services that accept credit cards
A handful of online services will sell you a money order and accept a credit card, including some third-party payment platforms and specialty money transfer sites. However, these come with significant drawbacks.
First, the fees are higher. Online money order services often charge $3 to $10 per order, compared to $1 to $3 at a physical location. Second, the money order itself may not be accepted everywhere — some businesses and government agencies only accept money orders from established sellers like USPS or Western Union. Third, delivery takes several business days, so if you need the money order quickly, this won't work.
If you do go this route, read the fine print carefully. Some services charge the credit card fee on top of the money order fee, and some require you to create an account and verify your identity before your first order.
Using a prepaid card as a workaround
Another option is to load a prepaid card with your credit card, then use the prepaid card to buy the money order. Some prepaid card providers accept credit card funding, and most money order sellers accept prepaid cards the same way they accept debit cards.
The problem is cost. You'll pay a fee to load the prepaid card with your credit card (often 2 to 3 percent), then you may pay a fee to use the prepaid card at the money order counter. You could easily spend $10 to $20 in fees on a $100 transaction. This only makes sense if you have a specific reason to use a prepaid card — for example, if you're trying to keep the transaction separate from your main bank account for privacy reasons.
When a money order isn't actually what you need
Before you go through the hassle of converting your credit card to cash or a prepaid card, ask yourself whether a money order is truly necessary. Many situations that seem to require a money order can be solved another way.
If you're paying a bill, check whether the biller accepts online bill pay through your credit card issuer's website or app. Most banks and credit unions offer this for free, and it's faster and cheaper than a money order. If you're sending money to someone, a bank transfer, Venmo, PayPal, or a similar service often works and costs less. If you need to prove payment, a receipt from any of these methods is usually acceptable.
Money orders are genuinely useful in a few situations: paying rent to a landlord who doesn't accept electronic payments, sending money to someone without a bank account, or paying a vendor who specifically requires one. But if you're considering a money order mainly because you think it's safer or more official, there's usually a cheaper electronic option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card at Western Union or MoneyGram?
No. Both Western Union and MoneyGram require cash or a debit card. Some MoneyGram locations at grocery stores or pharmacies may have different policies, so it's worth calling ahead, but the standard answer is no credit cards.
Will the post office take a credit card for a money order?
The USPS does not accept credit cards for money orders. You can pay with cash, a debit card, or a prepaid card. If you want to order a money order online through USPS.com, you can use a credit card to pay, but the money order itself is mailed to you — you don't get it when ready.
What if I use a rewards credit card to get cash, then buy the money order?
You'll earn rewards on the cash advance, but the fees and interest will likely cost more than the rewards are worth. A $200 cash advance with a 3 percent fee ($6) and a 25 percent APR will cost you at least $6 upfront plus interest charges. Even a 2 percent cash back reward only gives you $4 back, leaving you net negative.
Is there a way to buy a money order without paying extra fees?
Yes — use cash or a debit card directly at any money order seller. If you don't have cash on hand, withdraw it from your bank account using your debit card at an ATM, which is usually free. That's the cheapest path. If you only have a credit card, a cash advance is the most straightforward option, but expect to pay $5 to $15 in fees depending on the amount.
Can I buy a money order with a credit card over the phone?
Some money order services may accept credit cards over the phone, but this is rare and usually limited to specialty services, not mainstream sellers like Western Union or USPS. If you call ahead, ask whether they accept credit cards and what the fees are. Be cautious of any service that pressures you to pay by credit card — that's sometimes a sign of a scam.