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 money order counters, do not accept credit cards. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes checks, but not credit cards. A few smaller retailers or online services may have exceptions, but they are rare enough that you should assume credit cards are off the table.
The reason is straightforward: money orders are meant to be a cash-like payment method. A money order is a may provide payment — the seller collects your money upfront and issues a document that the recipient can cash or deposit. If you paid with a credit card, the seller would be extending credit to you while they've already promised the funds to someone else. That creates a risk they don't want to take.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union, MoneyGram, USPS, and grocery store counters all require cash or a debit card to buy a money order, not a credit card.
- If you need to use credit to pay for a money order, you can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then use that cash to buy the money order.
- Some credit card issuers treat cash advances as a separate transaction type with higher fees and interest rates than regular purchases.
- A wire transfer or bank transfer may be a better option than a money order if you're trying to send money and only have a credit card available.
Why credit cards and money orders don't mix
Money order sellers treat the transaction as a cash sale. They take your money, print the money order, and hand it to you — the exchange is complete. There's no account to charge, no billing cycle, and no promise to pay later. A credit card is the opposite: it's a promise to pay later, backed by the card issuer.
If a seller accepted a credit card for a money order, they would be holding the risk that your card issuer might dispute the charge, that you might hit your credit limit, or that the charge might be reversed. Money order sellers have decided that risk isn't worth it, so they've straightforward excluded credit cards from the payment methods they accept.
This applies even if your credit card has a high limit or a perfect payment history. The policy is about the payment method itself, not about your creditworthiness.
Getting cash from your credit card to buy a money order
If you need to buy a money order and only have a credit card, you can get cash from an ATM using your credit card, then use that cash to buy the money order at any location that sells them. This works, but it comes with costs.
Most credit card issuers charge a cash advance fee — typically 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. On top of that, cash advances usually carry a higher interest rate than regular purchases, often 2% to 3% higher. Interest starts accruing when ready, with no grace period like you get on regular purchases. If you withdraw $200 as a cash advance, you might pay $6 to $10 in fees plus interest from day one.
Before you use this route, check your credit card's terms or call the issuer to confirm the cash advance fee and interest rate. For small money orders, the fee alone might be more than the money order itself costs.
When a debit card is your better option
If you have a debit card linked to a checking account, use that instead. Debit cards are accepted everywhere that sells money orders — USPS, Western Union, MoneyGram, grocery stores, and check-cashing services. There's no fee for using a debit card to buy a money order, and the money comes directly from your account with no interest.
If you don't have a debit card but have a credit card, opening a basic checking account at a bank or credit union is usually faster and cheaper than paying cash advance fees. Many banks offer accounts with no monthly fee and will issue a debit card within a few days.
Alternatives to money orders if you only have a credit card
If you need to send money and a credit card is your only payment method, a money order may not be the best choice. Consider these alternatives instead.
Bank transfers or wire transfers: If both you and the recipient have bank accounts, you can transfer money directly from your bank account to theirs. Many banks let you set up a wire transfer online or by phone. Some credit card issuers also let you transfer a balance to a bank account, though this is treated as a cash advance and carries the same fees and interest rates as an ATM withdrawal.
Payment apps: Services like Venmo, PayPal, Square Cash, and Zelle let you send money using a credit card (though some charge a fee for credit card transfers). These are faster than money orders and don't require the recipient to go to a store to cash them.
Online bill pay: If you're paying a bill or a business, many banks and credit card issuers offer online bill pay, which sends a check or electronic payment on your behalf. This is free and doesn't require a money order at all.
Where to buy a money order with cash or debit
Once you have cash or a debit card, you have several places to choose from. USPS locations sell money orders for a flat fee (currently $1.45 for amounts up to $500, though this can change). Western Union and MoneyGram are available at many grocery stores, pharmacies, and check-cashing services, and their fees vary by location and amount.
Grocery stores like Walmart, Target, and many supermarket chains sell their own money orders at their customer service desk, usually for $0.70 to $1.50 per order. Check-cashing services also sell money orders, though their fees tend to be higher than other options.
Call ahead or check online to confirm that the location near you sells money orders and to ask about their current fee. Fees can vary between locations and change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order online?
Most online money order services also don't accept credit cards directly. However, some payment platforms that sell money orders may let you link a credit card to your account. Check the service's payment methods before you sign up. Even if they accept credit cards, you'll likely pay higher fees than you would in person with cash or a debit card.
What if my credit card has a PIN? Can I use it like a debit card?
No. A credit card with a PIN is still a credit card, and money order sellers won't accept it. The PIN is for ATM cash advances or chip-and-PIN transactions at some merchants, but money order counters specifically exclude credit cards regardless of whether you have a PIN.
Will buying a money order with a cash advance hurt my credit score?
A cash advance itself doesn't directly hurt your credit score, but it does increase your credit utilization (the percentage of your available credit you're using), which can lower your score slightly. The bigger issue is the fees and interest you'll pay, which make it an expensive way to get cash.
Can I use a prepaid credit card to buy a money order?
It depends on the prepaid card and the money order seller. Some prepaid cards are treated like credit cards and will be rejected. Others are treated more like debit cards and may be accepted. Call the money order seller or check their website to confirm whether they accept your specific prepaid card.