Most money order sellers won't take credit cards directly
You cannot buy a money order with a credit card at most places that sell them. Western Union, MoneyGram, the U.S. Postal Service, and most banks and check-cashing stores require cash, debit card, or bank transfer. A few retailers like Walmart and grocery store chains may accept credit cards at their customer service desk, but this varies by location and by card issuer.
The reason is straightforward: money orders are meant to be a safe payment method for the recipient, and sellers want to reduce fraud risk. A credit card transaction can be disputed or reversed; cash and debit cannot. Accepting credit cards also costs the seller a processing fee, which cuts into their thin margins on money order sales.
If you need a money order and only have a credit card, you have a few real options. The most reliable is to use your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy the money order. Another option is to transfer money from your credit card to your bank account (if your card issuer allows this), then use your debit card or bank account to pay for the money order.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union, MoneyGram, USPS, banks, and check-cashing stores do not accept credit cards for money order purchases at most locations.
- Some Walmart locations and grocery store customer service desks may accept credit cards, but this is not may provide and depends on your card issuer.
- The fastest workaround is to withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then buy the money order with cash.
- You can also transfer money from your credit card to your bank account and use your debit card to pay for the money order, though this takes longer.
Where you might find credit card acceptance
Walmart is the most common place to buy a money order with a credit card. Many Walmart locations accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at their customer service desk when you purchase a money order. However, this is not may provide at every store, and some card issuers may decline the transaction for fraud prevention reasons.
Grocery store chains like Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons sometimes accept credit cards for money orders at their customer service or money center, but policies differ by store and region. Call ahead to confirm before you go. Smaller independent check-cashing stores rarely accept credit cards, so your best bet is a national retailer.
If you use a credit card at these locations, the transaction will show up on your statement as a money order purchase, not a cash advance. This means you will pay your regular purchase interest rate (if you carry a balance) rather than the higher cash advance rate, and you will earn any rewards your card offers on the purchase.
Using an ATM to get cash for a money order
The most straightforward path is to withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card. Most credit cards allow ATM withdrawals, though you will pay a cash advance fee (typically $3 to $10) plus a higher interest rate on the amount withdrawn. The interest starts accruing when ready, not at the end of your billing cycle like a regular purchase.
Once you have cash, you can walk into any money order seller — Western Union, MoneyGram, USPS, your bank, or a check-cashing store — and buy the money order on the spot. This takes minutes. The money order fee itself is usually $1 to $3 depending on the amount and the seller.
The downside is the cost: a $5 cash advance fee plus interest on that withdrawal adds up quickly if you are doing this regularly. If you only need a money order once or twice, this is usually the cheapest option. If you buy money orders often, it makes sense to set up a bank account or use a different payment method.
Transferring credit card funds to your bank account
Some credit card issuers allow you to transfer money from your card to your linked bank account. This is different from a cash advance — it is a balance transfer or account transfer feature. Check your card's website or call the customer service number on the back to see if this option is available.
If your card offers this, the transfer usually takes one to three business days and may carry a fee (often 3% to 5% of the amount transferred). Once the money lands in your bank account, you can use your debit card or write a check to buy a money order from any seller.
This method costs more than an ATM withdrawal in most cases, so it is worth comparing the fees. A $5 cash advance fee plus interest is often cheaper than a 3% transfer fee on a larger amount. Do the math for your situation before you choose.
Why credit card companies sometimes block these purchases
Even if a money order seller accepts credit cards, your card issuer may decline the transaction. Banks and credit card companies flag money order purchases as higher-risk transactions because they are often used to move money quickly or to send funds to someone the cardholder does not know well. This is a fraud prevention measure.
If your card is declined, you have a few options. Call your card issuer before you go to the store and let them know you are planning to buy a money order. They may temporarily raise your fraud alert threshold or note your account so the transaction goes through. Alternatively, use a different payment method or try a different seller.
This is not a reflection on you — it is a standard security practice. Card issuers decline legitimate transactions all the time, especially if you are buying something outside your normal spending pattern or in an unusual location.
Comparing the cost of each method
| Method | Fees | Time to complete | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card at Walmart or grocery store | Money order fee only ($1–$3) | Same day | One-time purchases if your card is accepted |
| ATM cash withdrawal | Cash advance fee ($3–$10) + interest | Same day | Quick purchases when you need cash anyway |
| Credit card to bank account transfer | Transfer fee (3–5%) + interest | 1–3 business days | Larger amounts where the fee percentage is lower |
| Debit card or bank account directly | Money order fee only ($1–$3) | Same day | Cheapest option if you have access to a debit card |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will buying a money order with a credit card hurt my credit score?
A money order purchase at a retailer will not hurt your score — it is a regular purchase. A cash advance from an ATM may temporarily lower your score slightly because it increases your credit utilization ratio, but the effect is usually small and temporary. Paying off the balance quickly minimizes any impact.
Can I buy a money order with a credit card online?
No. Western Union and MoneyGram do not accept credit cards for online money order purchases. You must use a debit card, bank account, or prepaid card. If you want to buy a money order online, you will need one of those payment methods.
What if my credit card is declined at the money order counter?
Call your card issuer when ready and ask them to review the decline. Explain that you are buying a money order and ask if they can temporarily lower their fraud settings. If they cannot help, use cash from an ATM instead, or ask if the store accepts debit cards or other payment methods.
Is it cheaper to use a credit card or withdraw cash from an ATM?
It depends on the amounts involved. For a small money order (under $100), a $5 ATM fee is usually cheaper than a 3% transfer fee. For larger amounts, compare the exact fees your card charges. If you can buy the money order directly with your credit card at Walmart or a grocery store, that is almost always the cheapest option because you only pay the money order fee.
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order for someone else?
Yes. The money order will be in your name as the purchaser, but you can fill in anyone's name as the payee. The recipient will cash it or deposit it normally. There is no restriction on who you send a money order to, though your card issuer may still flag the purchase as unusual.