Most money order sellers won't take credit cards directly
You cannot buy a money order with a credit card at most locations. Post offices, Walmart, Western Union, and MoneyGram — the four largest money order sellers in the US — all require cash or debit card payment. A few smaller chains and some online services accept credit cards, but they are the exception rather than the rule.
The reason is straightforward: money orders are treated as cash equivalents. Sellers want when ready, irreversible payment. A credit card transaction can be disputed or reversed, which creates risk for the seller. Cash and debit cards do not carry that risk, so those are the payment methods you will find accepted almost everywhere.
If you do not have cash or a debit card on hand, you have a few workarounds, but none of them are direct. Understanding which route makes sense depends on what you are trying to accomplish and what payment methods you actually have access to.
Key Takeaways
- The US Postal Service, Walmart, Western Union, and MoneyGram all require cash or debit card payment for money orders and do not accept credit cards.
- You can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card (usually with a cash advance fee), then use that cash to buy a money order.
- Some online money order services and smaller retailers accept credit cards, but they are rare and often charge higher fees than in-person locations.
- A bank transfer or wire transfer may be a cheaper and faster alternative to a money order if the recipient has a bank account.
Getting cash from an ATM to buy a money order
The most common workaround is to use your credit card to withdraw cash at an ATM, then use that cash to purchase the money order. This works at any ATM that accepts your card, and you will have the cash in hand within minutes.
Be aware that credit card cash advances carry a fee — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $2 to $5. That fee is charged when ready, and interest begins accruing on the withdrawn amount right away, usually at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR. If you withdraw $500 for a money order, you might pay $15 to $25 just to get the cash, plus interest from the withdrawal date forward.
Compare this cost to the money order fee itself, which is usually $1 to $3 at the post office or Walmart. The cash advance fee often makes this route more expensive than it seems at first glance. If you have any other payment method available — a debit card, a bank account you can transfer from, or cash on hand — that will almost always be cheaper.
Online money order services that accept credit cards
A small number of online platforms will sell you a money order and accept credit card payment. MoneyGram Online and some regional services offer this, but the fees and terms vary widely.
Online money orders typically cost more than in-person purchases. You may pay $5 to $10 or more per money order, compared to $1 to $3 at a post office or Walmart. You also have to wait for delivery — usually 3 to 7 business days — rather than having the money order in hand when ready. The recipient then has to deposit or cash it, which adds another step.
These services make sense only if you have no other way to pay and you do not need the money order urgently. Read the terms carefully, because some require the recipient's address before you purchase, and some charge additional fees if the money order is not cashed within a certain timeframe.
Using a debit card instead of a credit card
If you have a debit card linked to a bank account, that is your fastest and cheapest option. Every major money order seller accepts debit cards, and there is no cash advance fee or interest charge. You pay only the money order fee itself.
If you do not have a debit card but you have a bank account, you can visit your bank and ask for a temporary debit card or a one-time payment authorization. Some banks can issue a card on the spot; others mail one within a few business days. This is still faster and cheaper than using a credit card cash advance.
Bank transfers and wire transfers as alternatives
Before you buy a money order at all, consider whether the person you are paying actually needs one. If they have a bank account, a direct bank transfer or wire transfer is often faster, cheaper, and simpler.
A bank transfer (also called an ACH transfer) is free or costs $0 to $3 and takes 1 to 3 business days. A wire transfer costs $15 to $30 but arrives the same day or next business day. Both can be initiated online or by phone from your bank account, and neither requires you to leave home or handle cash.
Money orders are useful when the recipient does not have a bank account or when you need to send cash to someone you do not fully trust with your bank details. In most other situations, a transfer is simpler and cheaper.
Smaller retailers and specialty shops
Some independent check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies sell money orders and may accept credit cards. This varies by location and by individual business, so you will need to call ahead or ask in person.
Even when credit cards are accepted, the fees are often higher than at major chains. You might pay $3 to $5 per money order instead of $1 to $2. Combined with a potential cash advance fee if you are using a credit card, this route becomes expensive quickly.
If you do find a retailer that accepts credit cards, confirm the total cost before you commit. Ask whether they charge a credit card processing fee on top of the money order fee, because some do.
What to do if you have no payment method at all
If you have no cash, no debit card, and no credit card, or if your credit card is maxed out, you have a few remaining options.
Ask the person you are paying whether they will accept a different form of payment: a bank transfer, a check, a payment app like Venmo or PayPal, or even a promise to pay in person later. Many people accept money orders out of habit rather than necessity, and they may be flexible if you explain your situation.
If a money order is truly required, visit your bank and ask whether you can withdraw cash against your account without a debit card. Some banks allow this with a photo ID. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member to lend you cash, which you repay later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order with a credit card at Walmart?
No. Walmart requires cash or debit card payment for money orders. They do not accept credit cards at the money services desk. If you want to use a credit card, you would need to withdraw cash at an ATM first, but that will cost you a cash advance fee.
Does the post office take credit cards for money orders?
No. The US Postal Service accepts only cash and debit cards for money orders. Credit cards are not an option at any post office location. You can pay for postage and other services with a credit card, but money orders must be paid for with cash or debit.
What is the cheapest way to send money if I only have a credit card?
A bank transfer from your bank account is cheapest if the recipient has a bank account — it is free or costs $0 to $3. If you must use a credit card, a payment app like Venmo or PayPal is cheaper than a money order plus a cash advance fee. A money order via cash advance will cost you $15 to $25 in fees alone.
Can I buy a money order online with a credit card?
Some online services like MoneyGram Online accept credit cards, but the fees are much higher than in-person purchases — often $5 to $10 per money order. You also have to wait 3 to 7 days for delivery. This is only worth considering if you have no other payment method and you do not need the money order urgently.
What happens if I use a credit card cash advance to buy a money order?
You will pay a cash advance fee (typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount) plus interest starting when ready. On a $500 withdrawal, you might pay $15 to $25 in fees alone, plus interest charges. This makes the total cost much higher than using cash or a debit card.