Yes, you can withdraw cash with a credit card, but it costs money and works differently than using a debit card
A cash advance is a withdrawal of cash from your credit card account. You can get one at an ATM, a bank teller window, or sometimes at a store checkout. The money comes from your credit limit, not a separate bank account, and you pay interest on it when ready — usually at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR.
The catch is that cash advances are expensive. You pay an upfront fee (typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn), plus interest that starts accruing the same day you take the cash, with no grace period. If you need cash urgently, a cash advance works. If you have other options, they will cost you less.
Key Takeaways
- Cash advances charge an upfront fee of 3 to 5 percent plus a higher interest rate than purchases, with no grace period.
- You can withdraw cash at an ATM using your credit card PIN, at a bank teller, or through a cash advance check from your card issuer.
- The interest on a cash advance starts the day you withdraw it, so the longer you carry the balance, the more you pay.
- Most credit cards charge a different (higher) APR for cash advances than for purchases, so check your card's terms before withdrawing.
How to get a cash advance at an ATM
Find an ATM that accepts your card's network — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. Insert your credit card and select "cash advance" or "withdraw cash" from the menu. Enter your PIN (the same one you use for a debit card, or one you set up with your card issuer). The ATM will show you the fee amount before you confirm. Withdraw the amount you need, and the transaction is complete.
Not all ATMs accept credit card cash advances, and some charge an additional ATM operator fee on top of your card issuer's fee. Bank ATMs are more likely to accept credit cards than convenience store or casino ATMs. If you are unsure whether an ATM will work, call your card issuer first — they can tell you which ATM networks accept their cards.
Getting cash from a bank teller or through a cash advance check
You can also walk into a bank branch and ask for a cash advance. Bring your credit card and a photo ID. The teller will process the transaction the same way an ATM does — you pay the fee and interest applies when ready. This method works if you do not have a PIN set up or prefer to work with a person.
Some card issuers mail cash advance checks to cardholders. These are blank checks drawn on your credit card account. You can deposit them into a bank account or cash them at a check-cashing service. The fee and interest still explore, and the interest clock starts when you cash or deposit the check, not when you receive it in the mail.
What the fees and interest actually cost
A typical cash advance fee is 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn. On a $500 withdrawal, that is $15 to $25 upfront. The interest rate on cash advances is usually 2 to 3 percentage points higher than your purchase APR — if your card charges 18 percent APR on purchases, the cash advance APR might be 21 or 22 percent.
Interest accrues daily from the moment you withdraw the cash. If you withdraw $500 at a 21 percent APR and pay it back in 30 days, you will owe roughly $26 in interest plus the initial $15 to $25 fee. If you carry the balance for three months, the interest alone could exceed $25. The longer you hold the cash, the more expensive it becomes.
Unlike purchases, there is no grace period on cash advances. Interest starts the day you withdraw, even if you pay the full balance when your statement arrives.
Why your credit card cash advance APR is different from your purchase APR
Card issuers treat cash advances as higher risk than purchases because there is no merchant involved and no record of what you bought. They charge a separate, higher APR to offset that risk. Your card agreement lists both rates — check the "Pricing and Terms" or "APR" section to see what your cash advance rate is before you withdraw.
Some cards offer promotional rates on purchases (0 percent for 12 months, for example) but never extend those rates to cash advances. Cash advances always carry the standard or higher APR, even if you have a promotional purchase rate active.
When a cash advance makes sense and when it does not
A cash advance makes sense if you need cash urgently and have no other way to get it — you do not have a debit card, your bank is closed, or you need cash after hours. The fee and interest are real costs, but they are worth paying if the alternative is missing a payment or going without.
A cash advance does not make sense if you have a debit card, can visit an ATM, or can wait until your bank opens. It also does not make sense as a way to move money between accounts or to pay down other debt — the fees and interest will cost more than the benefit. If you are considering a cash advance to cover a shortfall, look first at whether you can delay a purchase, ask for a paycheck advance, or borrow from a friend or family member.
How a cash advance affects your credit and your available credit
A cash advance counts against your credit limit the same way a purchase does. If your limit is $5,000 and you withdraw $500 in cash, your available credit drops to $4,500. The withdrawal shows up on your credit report as a balance owed, which can lower your credit score if it raises your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your limit you are using).
Paying back the cash advance quickly helps. The faster you pay it off, the sooner your available credit returns and the less interest you pay. If you carry a cash advance balance for months, it will drag down your score and cost you significantly in interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to withdraw cash at any ATM?
Most ATMs accept credit cards, but not all. Bank ATMs are most reliable. Some ATMs at convenience stores, casinos, or independent operators may decline credit cards or charge extra fees. If you are unsure, call your card issuer to confirm which ATM networks accept their cards.
What if I do not have a PIN for my credit card?
You can set up a PIN by calling your card issuer or logging into your online account. You can also skip the ATM and go to a bank teller instead — they can process a cash advance with just your card and ID, no PIN required.
Is a cash advance the same as a balance transfer?
No. A cash advance is cash withdrawn from your credit limit. A balance transfer moves a balance from one card to another. Balance transfers sometimes have lower introductory rates, while cash advances always charge a higher APR and start accruing interest when ready.
Will a cash advance hurt my credit score?
It can, because it raises your credit utilization ratio and shows as a balance owed. The impact is temporary — your score recovers as you pay off the balance. Carrying a cash advance for months will hurt your score more than paying it off quickly.
Can I use a credit card cash advance to pay another credit card bill?
Technically yes, but it is expensive. You pay the cash advance fee and interest rate, then pay the other card's interest on top. You are paying interest twice. It is cheaper to call your card issuer and ask about a hardship program or payment plan.