How to get cash off your credit card
You can withdraw 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. ATM withdrawals are the most common route. You will need your card and your PIN — if you do not have a PIN, call the card issuer to set one up, which usually takes a few minutes. The amount you can withdraw is limited by your card's cash advance limit, which is often lower than your credit limit and is set by your issuer.
The cost of getting cash is significant and when ready. Most card issuers charge a cash advance fee (typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $5 to $10), and interest on the cash begins accruing the day you withdraw it — there is no grace period like there is for purchases. Interest rates on cash advances are also usually higher than rates on regular purchases, sometimes 2 to 5 percentage points above your standard APR. A $500 cash advance at a 5 percent fee plus 25 percent APR costs you $25 upfront and roughly $10 in interest in the first month alone.
Key Takeaways
- ATM withdrawals are the fastest way to get cash, but fees and interest start when ready and are higher than for regular purchases.
- Your cash advance limit is separate from your credit limit and is usually much lower — check your card's terms or call your issuer to find out yours.
- The total cost of a cash advance includes an upfront fee (3 to 5 percent) plus daily interest at a rate higher than your purchase APR, with no grace period.
- Alternatives like personal loans, balance transfers, or borrowing from family often cost less and should be considered before using a cash advance.
Where and how to withdraw cash
The easiest method is an ATM. Insert your card, enter your PIN, select "withdrawal" or "cash advance," and choose your amount. Most ATMs owned by your card issuer's bank charge no additional ATM fee, but ATMs outside the network may charge $2 to $3 on top of your card issuer's cash advance fee. Check your card's website or app to find in-network ATMs near you.
If you prefer not to use an ATM, you can visit a bank branch and ask a teller for a cash advance. Bring your card and ID. The teller will process the transaction the same way an ATM does, but you may have more control over the amount and can ask questions about fees. Some banks charge a teller fee in addition to the cash advance fee, so ask before you proceed.
A third option is a cash advance app or service — companies like MoneyLion, Earnin, or Dave offer small cash advances (usually $100 to $500) against your next paycheck, with lower fees than credit card cash advances. These are not credit card withdrawals but separate loans, and they work only if you have a regular paycheck. They are worth exploring if you need cash urgently and want to avoid credit card fees.
Understanding cash advance fees and interest
Every credit card issuer charges a cash advance fee, and it is non-negotiable. The fee is usually a percentage of the amount withdrawn — commonly 3 to 5 percent — with a minimum charge (often $5 to $10). A $200 cash advance at a 4 percent fee costs $8 upfront. A $1,000 advance at 5 percent costs $50. This fee appears on your next statement as a separate charge.
Interest on cash advances begins the day you withdraw the money. Unlike purchases, which have a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days before interest accrues), cash advances accrue interest when ready. The interest rate is also higher — often 2 to 5 percentage points above your standard purchase APR. If your purchase APR is 18 percent, your cash advance APR might be 23 or 24 percent. Interest is calculated daily and compounds, so the longer you carry the balance, the more you pay.
To see the exact fees and rates for your card, check your card's terms and conditions document (available on your issuer's website or by calling the number on the back of your card). Look for "cash advance fee" and "cash advance APR." These figures vary by card and issuer, so comparing cards before you open one can save you money if you know you will need cash advances.
Your cash advance limit versus your credit limit
Your cash advance limit is separate from your credit limit and is usually much lower. If your credit limit is $5,000, your cash advance limit might be $1,000 or $1,500. Your issuer sets this limit based on your creditworthiness and account history. You cannot change it by yourself, but you can call your issuer and ask them to raise it — they may or may not agree.
To find your cash advance limit, log into your online account or mobile app and look for "cash advance limit" or "cash available." If you cannot find it, call the customer service number on the back of your card. Knowing this limit before you need cash prevents you from being declined at an ATM. If your limit is too low for what you need, you have two options: request an increase from your issuer, or use one of the alternatives described below.
Cheaper alternatives to credit card cash advances
A personal loan from a bank or credit union usually costs less than a cash advance. Personal loans have fixed interest rates (often 6 to 36 percent, depending on your credit) and no upfront fees. If you borrow $500 at 15 percent APR over 12 months, you pay roughly $40 in interest — far less than a credit card cash advance. The downside is that personal loans take a few days to a week to fund, so they do not work if you need cash today.
A balance transfer to a 0 percent APR card is another option if you have time to explore and be approved. Some cards offer 0 percent APR on balance transfers for 6 to 21 months, though they charge a balance transfer fee (usually 3 to 5 percent). This works only if you are transferring an existing balance from another card, not getting new cash. If you have family or friends who can lend you money, borrowing from them is almost always cheaper than any financial product.
If you need cash for an emergency and have no other options, a cash advance is faster than a personal loan but more expensive. Use it as a last resort, and pay it back as quickly as you can — every day the balance sits, interest is accruing at a high rate.
How cash advances affect your credit score
A cash advance itself does not directly damage your credit score, but it can indirectly harm it in two ways. First, it increases your credit utilization ratio — the amount of available credit you are using. If you have a $5,000 credit limit and a $1,000 cash advance limit, and you withdraw $500, your utilization jumps to 10 percent of your total credit limit. High utilization (above 30 percent) can lower your score. Second, if you carry the cash advance balance and miss a payment, that missed payment will be reported to the credit bureaus and will damage your score.
The cash advance itself appears on your credit report as a cash advance transaction, which some lenders view less favorably than regular purchases. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan soon, avoid cash advances — lenders see them as a sign of financial stress and may offer you worse terms or deny you outright.
Paying back a cash advance quickly
Because interest accrues when ready and at a high rate, paying back a cash advance should be your priority. When you make a payment to your credit card, the issuer applies it first to your lowest-interest balance (usually purchases), then to higher-interest balances (like cash advances). To pay down the cash advance faster, call your issuer and ask if you can designate a payment specifically to the cash advance balance. Some issuers allow this; others do not.
If your issuer does not allow designated payments, the fastest way to clear a cash advance is to pay more than the minimum payment each month. If you owe $500 in cash advance and $1,000 in purchases, and you pay $300 total, roughly $150 will go to purchases and $150 to the cash advance (the exact split depends on your issuer's rules). To avoid this split, pay off all other balances first, then attack the cash advance with every dollar you can spare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a cash advance if I have a low credit score?
Yes. A cash advance is a withdrawal from your existing credit limit, not a new loan, so your credit score does not determine whether you can get one. If you have a credit card and a cash advance limit, you can withdraw cash regardless of your score. However, a low score may mean your cash advance limit is very low or your cash advance APR is very high.
What happens if I withdraw more than my cash advance limit?
The ATM or teller will decline the transaction. You cannot exceed your cash advance limit. If you need more cash, you can try again the next day (some issuers reset limits daily), request a limit increase from your issuer, or use a different payment method.
Is a cash advance the same as a balance transfer?
No. A cash advance is money you withdraw in cash; a balance transfer is moving debt from one card to another. A balance transfer does not give you cash in hand. Both have fees and high interest rates, but they serve different purposes.
Can I use a credit card cash advance to pay off other debt?
Technically yes, but it is usually a bad idea. You would be borrowing at a high cash advance rate (often 23 to 28 percent) to pay off debt that might have a lower rate. The only exception is if you are paying off a much higher-rate debt, like a payday loan or credit card with a 35 percent APR.
How long does a cash advance stay on my credit report?
The transaction itself does not stay on your report — only the balance and payment history do. If you pay off the cash advance on time, it has no lasting impact. If you miss a payment, that missed payment stays on your report for seven years.