Most places won't sell you a money order with a credit card, but a few routes exist
You cannot walk into most convenience stores, supermarkets, or post offices and hand over a credit card to buy a money order. The vast majority of money order sellers — including the U.S. Postal Service, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Walmart — accept only cash, debit cards, or bank transfers. A few smaller outlets may take credit cards, but they are the exception, not the rule.
The reason is straightforward: money orders are treated as cash equivalents. A money order is a may provide payment, and the seller assumes the risk if something goes wrong. Credit card companies have chargeback protections that let you dispute a charge months later. That protection makes money order sellers nervous, because once they hand over the money order, they cannot easily reverse the transaction if you later claim fraud.
If you need a money order and only have a credit card, you have real options — they just require an extra step.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Postal Service, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Walmart do not accept credit cards for money orders; they require cash or a debit card.
- You can use a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM (though fees explore), then use that cash to buy a money order at any standard outlet.
- Some credit unions and banks allow you to buy money orders with a credit card if you are a member, so calling your own institution first can save time.
- Online money order services like Paysend and MoneyLion may accept credit cards, but they charge higher fees than in-person purchases and work only for certain payment types.
- If you are trying to avoid using cash or a debit card for security reasons, a money order bought with withdrawn credit card cash offers no additional protection.
Why credit card companies and money order sellers avoid each other
Money order sellers worry about chargebacks. When you pay with a credit card, your card issuer gives you the right to dispute the charge within a set window — usually 60 to 120 days. If you claim the charge was unauthorized or fraudulent, the card company investigates and often reverses the money without waiting for the seller's side of the story. The seller then has to fight to get the money back.
With a money order, the transaction is final the moment it is issued. The seller has already handed over a may provide payment instrument. If you later dispute the credit card charge, the seller has no way to reverse the money order itself — it is already in someone else's hands. This mismatch makes credit card payments too risky for money order sellers.
Credit card companies also discourage this use because money orders can be a sign of cash-out activity, which raises fraud flags in their systems. Treating a money order purchase like a cash advance protects both the card issuer and the seller.
Using an ATM to get cash, then buying the money order
The simplest workaround is to withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, then use that cash to buy a money order at any standard location. Most credit cards allow ATM withdrawals, though the process and fees vary by card and issuer.
When you withdraw cash with a credit card, the transaction is treated as a cash advance. Your card issuer charges a fee — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $2 to $5. Interest on the cash advance usually starts accruing when ready, at a higher rate than purchases. If you withdraw $200, you might pay $6 to $10 in fees alone, plus daily interest until you pay it back.
After you have the cash, you can buy a money order at any post office, Western Union location, MoneyGram agent, Walmart, or most convenience stores. Money order fees are low — usually $1 to $3 depending on the amount and location — so your total cost is the ATM fee plus the money order fee.
This route works, but it is expensive if you are carrying a credit card balance or paying high cash advance interest rates. If you have a debit card, using that instead saves you the cash advance fees.
Checking with your bank or credit union first
Some banks and credit unions sell money orders directly to members and may accept credit cards as payment. This is less common than it used to be, but it is worth a phone call to your own institution before you assume it is impossible.
Call the customer service number on the back of your card or visit a branch in person. Ask whether they offer money orders and whether you can pay with a credit card. If they do, the fees are usually lower than retail outlets — sometimes $1 or less — and you avoid the ATM cash advance fees entirely.
Credit unions in particular are more likely to offer this service to members than large national banks. If you belong to a credit union, this is your fastest option to check.
Online money order services and their trade-offs
A handful of online services — including Paysend, MoneyLion, and some regional money transfer platforms — accept credit cards to send money orders or money transfers. These services work differently from in-person money orders and come with higher costs.
Online services typically charge 2 to 5 percent of the transfer amount, compared to $1 to $3 for an in-person money order. They also take longer to deliver — usually 1 to 3 business days instead of when ready. Some services work only for sending money to another person's account, not for buying a physical money order you can hand to someone in person.
Read the fine print carefully. Some services marketed as "money order" alternatives are actually bill payment services or peer-to-peer transfers, which work differently and may not be accepted by the person or business you are trying to pay. If you need a physical money order document, confirm that the service issues one before you sign up.
When a money order is not the right tool
Before you go through the trouble of buying a money order with a credit card, consider whether a money order is actually what you need. Money orders are useful when the recipient needs a may provide payment and will not take a personal check, but they are not the only option.
If you are paying a bill, ask whether the company accepts credit card payments directly — most utilities, landlords, and government agencies do. If you are sending money to a person, a bank transfer, Venmo, PayPal, or a wire transfer may be faster and cheaper. If you are paying a contractor or service provider, a credit card payment often comes with buyer protections that a money order does not.
Money orders make sense when the recipient specifically requests one or when you need a payment method that cannot be disputed later. In most other situations, a direct credit card payment or bank transfer is simpler and costs less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order with a credit card at Walmart?
No. Walmart's money order service accepts cash and debit cards only. You would need to withdraw cash using your credit card at an ATM first, then use that cash at Walmart. Keep in mind that ATM cash advances charge fees and interest.
Does the post office take credit cards for money orders?
The U.S. Postal Service does not accept credit cards for money orders. They take cash, debit cards, and some forms of payment at certain locations, but credit cards are not among them. Call your local post office to confirm what payment methods they accept.
What if I do not have a debit card or cash?
Your options are to withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card (and pay the cash advance fee), call your bank or credit union to see if they sell money orders to members, or use an online money transfer service that accepts credit cards. Each route has different costs and timing.
Is it safe to buy a money order with a credit card cash advance?
It is safe in the sense that the money order itself is find, but it is expensive. Cash advances charge higher interest rates and when ready fees, so you pay more than if you used a debit card or cash. Only use this route if you have no other payment method available.
Can I dispute a money order purchase if I pay with a credit card?
Once you buy the money order with cash, the credit card transaction is complete and separate from the money order itself. You cannot dispute the money order through your credit card company. You can only dispute the credit card charge for the cash withdrawal, which is a different matter.