Three ways to get cash from your credit card
You can pull cash from a credit card in three ways: at an ATM using your card's PIN, at a bank teller's window, or through a cash advance app or service. Each method costs money upfront — usually between 3% and 5% of the amount you withdraw, plus interest that starts accruing when ready, often at a higher rate than your regular purchase APR. The cash is not information programs; it is a loan against your credit limit, and you owe it back.
The fastest route is an ATM. You need your card and your PIN (which you set up when you got the card, or can reset through your card issuer's website or app). The withdrawal posts when ready, and you walk away with cash. A bank teller can also give you cash if you bring your card and ID, though this is slower and less common. Some newer services let you request a cash advance through an app, but these typically charge higher fees and are meant for emergencies only.
Before you withdraw, understand that this is not the same as using your card to buy something. A cash advance is treated as a separate transaction with its own fee structure, interest rate, and repayment terms. Your card issuer will show it separately on your statement so you can track what you owe.
Key Takeaways
- Cash advances charge an upfront fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount) plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases, and interest begins accruing when ready with no grace period.
- You can get cash at an ATM with your card and PIN, at a bank teller's window, or through some card issuer apps, but all three methods trigger the same fees and rates.
- A $300 cash advance at 5% fee plus 25% APR will cost you $15 upfront and roughly $6 in interest over one month if you do not pay it back when ready.
- Cash advances reduce your available credit and count toward your credit limit, so withdrawing $500 leaves you with $500 less to spend on purchases.
- Most people should avoid cash advances except in genuine emergencies, because personal loans, credit unions, or even payday loans often cost less.
What the fees and interest actually cost you
The cost of a cash advance has two parts: the upfront fee and the ongoing interest. The fee is charged the moment you withdraw the money. It typically ranges from 3% to 5%, though some cards charge a flat dollar amount (like $10) if that is higher. A $300 withdrawal at 5% costs you $15 when ready.
Interest is the second cost. Unlike a purchase, which usually has a grace period (typically 21 to 25 days before interest kicks in), a cash advance starts charging interest the day you withdraw it. The interest rate is also higher — often 5 to 10 percentage points above your regular purchase APR. If your card's purchase rate is 18%, your cash advance rate might be 25% or higher. That $300 advance at 25% APR costs roughly $6 in interest over one month if you do not pay it back.
The total cost grows quickly if you carry the balance. Over three months, that same $300 advance would cost you $15 in fees plus roughly $19 in interest — a total of $34 to borrow $300. That is equivalent to a 45% annual rate. For comparison, a personal loan from a credit union typically costs 8% to 12% annually, and even a payday loan (which is predatory) usually costs less than a credit card cash advance over time.
How to get cash at an ATM
To withdraw cash at an ATM, insert your credit card into the machine and enter your PIN when prompted. Select "cash advance" or "withdraw cash" from the menu (the exact wording varies by ATM). Enter the amount you want, and the machine will dispense it. The transaction posts to your account within minutes.
You can use any ATM, not just ones run by your card issuer's bank. However, using an out-of-network ATM may trigger an additional ATM operator fee on top of the cash advance fee your card issuer charges. This fee is typically $2 to $3 and goes to the ATM operator, not your card issuer. Your card issuer's ATMs are usually free of this extra charge, so check your card's website to find locations near you.
There is a limit to how much you can withdraw. Your card issuer sets a cash advance limit, which is often lower than your total credit limit. You might have a $5,000 credit limit but only a $1,000 cash advance limit. Check your card's terms or call the number on the back of your card to find out your limit before you go to the ATM.
Getting cash from a bank teller
You can also request a cash advance at a bank teller's window. Bring your credit card and a photo ID. Tell the teller you want a cash advance, and they will process it the same way an ATM would — the fee and interest explore identically. The teller will give you cash, and the transaction posts to your account.
This method is slower than an ATM and requires you to visit during business hours. It is useful if you need a large amount and want to speak to someone, or if you do not have your PIN memorized. Some people also prefer it because they can ask the teller questions about the fee or their cash advance limit in real time.
Not every bank will process a cash advance for a card issued by a different bank. If your card is from Bank A and you walk into Bank B, Bank B may refuse. Your best bet is to visit a branch of the bank that issued your card, or use an ATM.
When a cash advance makes sense (and when it does not)
A cash advance is rarely the right choice, but there are narrow situations where it might be. If you have a genuine emergency — a car repair you need today, a medical bill, a deposit for housing — and you have no other way to pay, a cash advance is faster than waiting for a personal loan or a paycheck. The cost is high, but it is better than missing a important date that would cost you more.
A cash advance does not make sense if you are using it for everyday spending, to pay off other debts, or because you want to avoid using your debit card. In those cases, you are paying 3% to 5% plus 20%+ interest for money you could borrow much cheaper elsewhere. A personal loan from a credit union, a 0% balance transfer card, or even a short-term loan from family costs less. If you are in a true emergency, call 211 or your local community action agency — many offer emergency information funds that do not charge interest at all.
If you do take a cash advance, pay it back as fast as you can. Every day you carry the balance, the interest compounds. Paying back $300 within a week costs you roughly $1 in interest. Waiting a month costs $6. The faster you repay, the less the cash advance actually costs you.
How a cash advance affects your credit and available credit
A cash advance counts toward your credit limit, just like a purchase does. If you have a $5,000 limit and you withdraw $300 in cash, your available credit drops to $4,700. This affects your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are using. A higher utilization ratio can lower your credit score, especially if you are already using a lot of your available credit.
The cash advance itself does not show up differently on your credit report than a regular purchase. Your card issuer reports the total balance you owe, not the breakdown of purchases versus cash advances. However, if you miss a payment or carry a large balance, both hurt your score equally.
The main credit impact is indirect: if a cash advance pushes your utilization higher, or if you struggle to pay it back and miss a payment, your score will drop. To minimize this, keep your total credit card balance (purchases plus cash advances) below 30% of your limit, and pay your bill on time every month.
Alternatives to a credit card cash advance
Before you go to an ATM, consider these cheaper options. A personal loan from a credit union or online lender typically charges 8% to 15% APR with no upfront fee. A 0% balance transfer card lets you move debt from one card to another interest-free for 6 to 21 months (though there is usually a 3% to 5% transfer fee). A payday loan costs more than a personal loan but less than a cash advance if you repay it within two weeks. A payment plan with the creditor you owe money to might let you spread the cost over time with no interest.
If you are facing a housing, utility, or food emergency, contact 211 (dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org) to find local information programs that do not charge interest or fees. Many cities and counties run emergency funds for rent, utilities, and other essentials. These programs exist specifically to help people avoid high-cost borrowing.
If you do not have access to any of these options and you need cash today, a cash advance is faster than most alternatives. But it should be your last resort, not your first choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card cash advance to pay off another credit card?
Technically yes, but it is a bad idea. You are paying a 3% to 5% fee plus 20%+ interest to move money from one card to another. A balance transfer (moving the balance directly from one card to another) costs 3% to 5% in fees but charges 0% interest for 6 to 21 months. A balance transfer is much cheaper if you are trying to consolidate debt.
What happens if I do not pay back a cash advance?
The balance stays on your card and interest keeps accruing. If you miss a payment, your card issuer reports it to the credit bureaus and your credit score drops. They may also raise your interest rate, freeze your account, or send the debt to a collection agency. The longer you wait, the more you owe and the harder it becomes to recover.
Is there a limit to how much cash I can withdraw?
Yes. Your card issuer sets a cash advance limit, which is often lower than your total credit limit. You might have a $5,000 credit limit but only a $1,000 cash advance limit. Some ATMs also have daily withdrawal limits (often $500 to $1,000). Check your card's terms or call your issuer to find out your specific limit.
Do I have to pay the cash advance fee if I pay it back right away?
Yes. The fee is charged the moment you withdraw the money, regardless of when you pay it back. However, if you pay back the cash advance within a few days, you will owe very little interest. The fee is unavoidable, but you can minimize the total cost by repaying quickly.
Can I get a cash advance on a debit card?
No. Debit cards draw directly from your bank account, so there is no loan involved. If you need cash from a debit card, you straightforward withdraw it from an ATM with no fee (unless you use an out-of-network ATM). Credit card cash advances and debit card withdrawals are different transactions.