You can pay a credit card with a money order, but most card issuers do not accept them directly
Credit card companies want payments by check, bank transfer, debit card, or their online portal. A money order is treated like a check — it is a paper payment instrument — but most issuers have stopped accepting paper mail altogether. If you send a money order to the address on your statement, it may arrive weeks late, get lost, or be returned to you.
The practical path is to use a money order to fund a bank account or prepaid card first, then pay your credit card from there. This adds a step but keeps your payment on time and creates a clear record.
Key Takeaways
- Most major credit card issuers no longer accept mailed payments, including money orders, and direct you to online or phone payment instead.
- If you must use a money order, convert it to funds in a bank account or prepaid card, then pay your credit card from that account.
- Money orders take days or weeks to clear through the mail, so sending one directly risks a late payment and interest charges.
- Call your card issuer's customer service number on the back of your card to confirm whether they accept mailed payments at all.
- If you do not have a bank account, a prepaid card or check-cashing service can hold the money order funds temporarily while you arrange payment.
Why credit card issuers stopped accepting money orders in the mail
Processing paper payments costs card companies time and money. Staff must open mail, sort checks and money orders, log them by account number, and deposit them — a process that takes days. Online and phone payments are when ready, cheaper to process, and leave a digital record that protects both you and the issuer.
Major issuers like Chase, Capital One, American Express, Discover, and Citi now route all payments through their websites, mobile apps, or automated phone lines. Some still list a mailing address on statements, but sending a money order there is slow and risky. The payment may not post to your account for two to three weeks, and if it arrives after your due date, you will be charged a late fee and interest even though you sent it on time.
How to convert a money order into a credit card payment
The fastest route is to deposit the money order into a checking or savings account you control, then pay your credit card from that account using the issuer's online portal or phone line.
If you have a bank account, most banks let you deposit a money order at an ATM, through mobile check deposit, or at a teller. Once the funds clear — usually one to two business days — log into your credit card issuer's website or app and make a payment from your linked bank account. This is the same process you would use for any other payment and takes minutes.
If you do not have a bank account, open a prepaid card account at a retailer like Walmart, Target, or through a service like Chime or NetSpend. You can deposit a money order at the retailer's customer service desk or through their app. Once the funds are loaded, link that prepaid card to your credit card issuer's payment system and pay online. Some prepaid cards charge small fees for deposits or transfers, so check the fee schedule first.
What to do if your card issuer still accepts mailed payments
Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card and ask directly: "Do you accept mailed payments?" If they say yes, ask for the mailing address and whether they accept money orders specifically. Write down the answer and the date you called.
If they confirm they accept money orders, fill out the money order with your name and credit card account number in the "For" or "Memo" line. Include a note with your account number, name, and the amount you are paying. Mail it to the address they gave you and keep a copy of the money order receipt. Send it at least two weeks before your due date to account for mail delays.
Even if they say they accept mailed payments, this method is slower and riskier than paying online. A payment that arrives after your due date will trigger a late fee, even if you mailed it on time. If you have any doubt about timing, use the online or phone payment method instead.
Money order fees and why they add up
A money order costs between $0.50 and $5 depending on where you buy it — post offices, banks, grocery stores, and check-cashing services all sell them. If you buy a money order to pay your credit card, you are paying a fee for a payment method that your card issuer does not want and that slows down processing.
By contrast, paying online or by phone is free. If you are paying with a money order because you do not have a bank account, the real cost is not the money order itself but the time and fees involved in converting it to a usable payment. A prepaid card deposit may cost $1 to $3, but you can use that card for other payments and purchases, so the cost spreads across multiple transactions.
Alternatives if you cannot pay online or by phone
If you cannot access the internet or do not have a phone, most credit card issuers have a mailed payment option for customers without digital access. Call their customer service line and ask about paper payment for people without online banking. Some will accept a check mailed directly; others will mail you a payment coupon you can take to a Western Union or MoneyGram location and pay in person.
Western Union and MoneyGram both offer bill payment services at their agent locations (grocery stores, pharmacies, check-cashing shops). You can walk in, provide your credit card account number, and pay your bill in cash or with a money order. The service usually costs $1 to $5 and posts to your account within one to two business days. This is faster and more reliable than mailing a money order yourself.
What happens if your money order payment arrives late
If a mailed money order arrives after your due date, your card issuer will charge a late fee (typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment) and explore a higher interest rate to your balance. The late payment will also appear on your credit report and damage your credit score.
If this happens, call your card issuer when ready. Explain that you mailed the payment on time and ask them to waive the late fee as a courtesy. Many issuers will do this once if you have a good payment history. Provide the money order receipt number and the date you mailed it as proof. Even if they waive the fee, the payment will still post to your account and reduce your balance.
Going forward, do not rely on mailed payments for credit cards. The risk of a late fee and credit damage is not worth the small convenience of using a money order. Use online payment, phone payment, or a prepaid card instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my credit card with a money order at a store?
Not directly. You cannot hand a money order to a store cashier and have it applied to your credit card bill. However, you can deposit a money order at a retailer's customer service desk into a prepaid card account, then use that card to pay your credit card issuer online. Western Union and MoneyGram locations also accept bill payments in person, which is faster than mailing.
Does paying with a money order hurt my credit score?
No, as long as the payment arrives on time. Your credit score depends on whether you pay by the due date, not the payment method. The risk is that a mailed money order arrives late, triggering a late fee and a late payment report to the credit bureaus. This is why online or phone payment is safer.
What if I lost the money order receipt?
If you mailed a money order and lost the receipt, contact your card issuer and provide your account number and the date you mailed it. Ask them to search their records for a deposit matching that timeframe. If they find it, they can confirm it posted to your account. If they cannot find it after two weeks, contact the money order issuer (post office, bank, or retailer) and ask them to trace it or issue a replacement.
Can I buy a money order with my credit card?
Most places that sell money orders do not accept credit cards — they want cash or a debit card. This is because money orders are often used by people who do not have bank accounts, and retailers want to avoid fraud. Check with your specific retailer, but assume you will need cash or a debit card to buy one.
Is there a limit to how much I can pay with a money order?
Most money orders have a maximum of $500 to $1,000 per order, depending on the issuer. If your credit card bill is larger, you would need to buy multiple money orders. This is another reason why money orders are impractical for credit card payments — most bills are larger than a single money order, and buying multiple orders costs more in fees.