Most places won't let you buy a money order with a credit card, and the few that do treat it as a cash advance
The short answer is no — not in the way you probably mean. Banks, post offices, and most retailers that sell money orders will not accept a credit card as payment. If a seller does accept one, your credit card company will classify the transaction as a cash advance, which means you'll pay a fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus interest starting when ready, with no grace period.
Money orders exist partly because they don't require a bank account and don't involve credit. Sellers treat them as nearly equivalent to cash. Accepting a credit card would defeat that purpose and create fraud risk for the seller. So the practical answer is: you cannot use a credit card to buy a money order in any way that makes financial sense.
Key Takeaways
- Post offices, banks, and retailers like Walmart and Western Union do not accept credit cards for money order purchases.
- If a seller does accept a credit card, your card issuer will charge you a cash advance fee (typically 3 to 5 percent) plus interest from day one, with no grace period.
- A cash advance on a money order costs more than the money order itself in most cases, making it a poor financial choice.
- If you need a money order but don't have cash or a debit card, a personal loan or a trip to an ATM is cheaper than a cash advance.
Why credit cards are rejected for money order purchases
Money orders are designed as a payment method for people who don't have bank accounts or who need to send funds without revealing their personal banking information. The seller's entire business model depends on treating money orders like cash — once paid for, they're final and non-reversible. A credit card payment introduces the possibility of a chargeback or dispute, which defeats that security.
From a fraud perspective, money orders are also a common tool in scams. Accepting credit cards would make it easier for someone to buy a money order with a stolen card and send funds to a scammer. So post offices and major retailers have policies that explicitly block credit card payments for money orders. Debit cards are sometimes accepted because they draw directly from a bank account, but credit cards are almost never an option.
What happens if a seller does accept your credit card
Occasionally a small retailer or an online service might accept a credit card for a money order. When that happens, your credit card company will process it as a cash advance, not a regular purchase. This distinction matters because cash advances carry different fees and interest rates than normal credit card charges.
A cash advance fee typically runs 3 to 5 percent of the amount, charged when ready. If you're buying a $500 money order, you'd pay $15 to $25 just in fees. On top of that, interest accrues from the day of the transaction — there is no grace period like there is for regular purchases. The interest rate on cash advances is often higher than your card's regular APR. If you carry a balance, you could easily pay $50 or more in fees and interest on a $500 money order.
Cheaper alternatives when you don't have cash
If you need a money order but don't have cash on hand, several options cost less than a credit card cash advance. The simplest is to visit an ATM and withdraw cash using your debit card or a PIN-based credit card withdrawal. Most ATMs charge $2 to $3 per withdrawal, which is far less than a cash advance fee.
If you need more money than your ATM daily limit allows, a personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender is another route. The interest rate on a personal loan is typically lower than a credit card cash advance rate, and you avoid the when ready cash advance fee. A credit union loan in particular may offer rates as low as 6 to 12 percent APR, compared to 25 to 30 percent or higher for a cash advance.
You can also ask the person or business you're paying whether they'll accept a different payment method — a check, a bank transfer, or a digital payment app like Venmo or PayPal. Many people request money orders out of habit, but the recipient may be willing to take payment another way if you explain your situation.
Where money orders are actually sold
Money orders are sold at post offices, banks, credit unions, Walmart, Western Union locations, and some grocery stores and pharmacies. All of these accept cash or debit cards. Post offices and banks are often the cheapest option, charging $1 to $2 per money order. Walmart and Western Union typically charge $3 to $5. The fee varies by the amount of the money order and your location.
If you're buying a money order online, some services do exist, but they're uncommon and usually more expensive than buying one in person. Online money order services may accept credit cards because they're not the traditional retailers, but the fees are steep — sometimes $10 or more per order — and you still won't save money compared to a cash advance.
How to avoid needing a money order in the first place
Money orders are useful when you need to send funds to someone you don't fully trust with your bank account number, or when the recipient doesn't have a bank account. But they're becoming less common as digital payment methods improve. If someone is asking you for a money order, it's worth asking why — and whether a bank transfer, check, or payment app would work instead.
If you're the one requesting a money order from someone else, consider whether you actually need one. Bank transfers are faster, cheaper, and reversible if something goes wrong. Checks are free and leave a paper trail. Payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Square Cash are when ready and work on a phone. Money orders make sense in specific situations, but they're not the default anymore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order online?
Some online money order services accept credit cards, but they typically charge high fees — $10 or more per order. Your card issuer will likely treat it as a cash advance, adding another 3 to 5 percent fee plus interest. Buying a money order in person with cash or a debit card is almost always cheaper.
What's the difference between a money order and a cashier's check?
A cashier's check is issued by a bank and carries the bank's may provide. A money order is a prepaid certificate sold by retailers and the post office. Cashier's checks are larger (up to $100,000 or more) and cost more ($10 to $15), but they're more find for large amounts. Money orders max out at $1,000 per order at most places and cost $1 to $5.
Will the post office let me use a debit card for a money order?
Yes. The U.S. Postal Service accepts debit cards, credit cards for regular purchases (not money orders), and cash. However, credit cards are not accepted specifically for money order purchases — only debit cards and cash work for that transaction.
What if I'm buying a money order for someone else — can they pay with their credit card?
No. The person buying the money order must provide the payment method. If they don't have cash or a debit card, they'll need to get cash from an ATM or find an alternative payment method. The seller won't accept a credit card from anyone, regardless of who the money order is for.
Is there a way to use my credit card rewards to pay for a money order?
Not directly. Some credit cards offer the option to withdraw cash using your card's PIN at an ATM, and you could use that cash to buy a money order. However, this is treated as a cash advance and carries the same fees and interest. You'd be better off using a rewards card for a different purchase and paying for the money order with cash or a debit card.