Most money order sellers won't take credit cards directly, but you have workarounds
You cannot walk into a Western Union, MoneyGram, or post office and hand over a credit card to buy a money order. These sellers accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes bank transfers — but not credit cards. The reason is straightforward: money orders are meant to move cash, and credit card companies treat them as cash advances, which carry high fees and interest rates that start when ready.
If you need to buy a money order and only have a credit card, you have three realistic paths: withdraw cash from an ATM using your card, use a third-party payment app that accepts credit cards, or pay someone else to buy the money order for you. Each has different costs and timing.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union, MoneyGram, and the U.S. Postal Service do not accept credit cards for money order purchases at the counter.
- Using a credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM and then buying a money order with that cash costs you an ATM fee plus credit card interest on the cash advance.
- Some payment apps like PayPal or Venmo let you send money directly to someone's bank account using a credit card, which may be faster than a money order.
- If you must use a money order, a debit card or bank account transfer is cheaper than any credit card method.
Why money order sellers reject credit cards
Money orders are treated as cash equivalents by credit card networks. When you use a credit card to get cash — whether from an ATM, a casino, or by buying a money order — the card issuer classifies it as a cash advance. Cash advances do not earn rewards points, and they charge a separate fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount) plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases.
Money order sellers know this. They also know that credit card companies have flagged money orders as a common way to move money quickly, which raises fraud concerns. For these reasons, Western Union, MoneyGram, and the U.S. Postal Service straightforward do not accept credit cards at the point of sale. Some sellers may accept them online, but the transaction will still be coded as a cash advance.
Using an ATM to get cash, then buying the money order
The most straightforward method is to use your credit card at an ATM to withdraw cash, then use that cash to buy a money order. This works, but it costs you money. You will pay an ATM fee (typically $2 to $5, depending on your bank and the ATM network), plus your credit card will charge a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the withdrawal amount), plus interest on the cash advance begins accruing when ready at a rate higher than your regular purchase rate.
Example: If you need $500 for a money order, you might pay $3 for the ATM fee, $15 to $25 for the cash advance fee (3 to 5 percent), and then interest starting right away. If your cash advance rate is 25 percent annual, you are paying roughly $0.34 per day in interest until you pay off the $500. This method works in a pinch, but it is expensive.
Sending money through payment apps instead
If the person or business you are paying has a bank account, you may not need a money order at all. Payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Google Pay let you send money directly using a credit card, and the recipient gets the funds in their bank account within one to three business days. No fees explore to the sender on most of these services when you use a credit card.
This is faster than a money order (which can take several days to clear) and cheaper than the ATM-plus-cash-advance route. The catch: not everyone accepts digital payments. Landlords, courts, and some businesses still require a money order or certified check. But if you are paying a friend, a small business, or anyone with a Venmo account, this is worth asking about first.
Asking someone else to buy the money order for you
If you have a friend or family member with a debit card or cash, you can ask them to buy the money order on your behalf, then you reimburse them. This avoids the credit card cash advance fees entirely. You can reimburse them through a payment app, a bank transfer, or cash — whatever works for both of you.
This only works if you trust the person and if you can reimburse them quickly. It also adds a step and depends on someone else's availability. But if you are in a situation where you absolutely need a money order and only have a credit card, this is often the cheapest option.
Checking whether your credit card issuer allows money order purchases
Some credit card issuers block money order purchases outright, coding them as cash advances and declining the transaction. Others allow them but still charge cash advance fees. Before you try any method, call your credit card company and ask: "If I buy a money order, will you charge me a cash advance fee?" The answer will tell you whether it is worth pursuing at all.
If your issuer does allow money orders without cash advance fees (rare, but it happens with some cards), you might be able to buy one online through a service like MoneyGram.com or WesternUnion.com using your credit card. Check the terms carefully — some online purchases still trigger cash advance coding, and fees vary by card and by seller.
Using a debit card or bank account instead
If you have access to a debit card or can transfer money from your bank account, either of these is cheaper than any credit card method. Debit cards are accepted at all major money order sellers and carry no cash advance fees. Bank transfers (also called wire transfers or ACH transfers) can send money directly to someone's account without a money order at all, though they may take one to three business days and sometimes charge a small fee.
If you are trying to avoid using a credit card because you do not have cash or a debit card, this is worth reconsidering. A debit card, even a prepaid one, will cost you less in the long run than the combination of ATM fees, cash advance fees, and interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order online with a credit card?
Some online money order services like MoneyGram.com and WesternUnion.com accept credit cards, but the transaction is usually still coded as a cash advance. Call your credit card company first to confirm whether they will charge you a cash advance fee for an online money order purchase.
What is the difference between a money order and a wire transfer?
A money order is a paper document you buy and send to someone; they cash it at a bank or post office. A wire transfer sends money directly from your bank account to someone else's bank account electronically. Wire transfers are faster and do not require a physical document, but they may cost $15 to $30 per transfer depending on your bank.
Will my credit card company decline a money order purchase?
Many will. Some credit card issuers block money order purchases as a fraud prevention measure. Others allow them but code them as cash advances. The only way to know is to call your card issuer and ask before you try to buy one.
Is there a way to avoid the cash advance fee?
Yes. Use a debit card, pay with cash, or transfer money directly from your bank account. If you must use a credit card, ask whether the seller or your card issuer offers any exceptions. Some cards marketed to people with poor credit or limited banking options may have different rules.