You can buy a money order with a credit card at most retailers, but the process and fees vary by location and issuer
Most places that sell money orders — supermarkets, pharmacies, check-cashing stores, and the post office — accept credit cards as payment. However, your credit card issuer may treat a money order purchase as a cash advance rather than a regular purchase. A cash advance typically charges a higher interest rate (often 20% to 30% annually), starts accruing interest when ready with no grace period, and may include an upfront fee of 3% to 5% of the amount. Before you buy, call your card issuer to confirm whether they classify money order purchases as cash advances on your specific card.
If your issuer does treat it as a cash advance, you may find it cheaper to pay with debit, a bank check, or cash instead. If you proceed anyway, the money order itself costs between $1 and $5 depending on the amount and the seller, and that fee is separate from any cash advance charges your card issuer applies.
Key Takeaways
- Your credit card issuer may classify money order purchases as cash advances, which charge higher interest rates and fees than regular purchases.
- Supermarkets, pharmacies, Western Union locations, and the post office all sell money orders and accept credit cards, though policies vary by branch.
- Call your card issuer before you buy to learn whether the purchase will trigger a cash advance fee and interest rate.
- Money order fees themselves range from $1 to $5 and are charged by the seller, separate from any card issuer fees.
- If cash advances are expensive on your card, paying with debit, a bank check, or cash may cost less overall.
Where to buy a money order with your credit card
Supermarkets and grocery stores are often the easiest option. Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, and most regional chains sell money orders at the customer service desk. You can pay with your credit card at the same time you buy the money order. Fees typically range from $0.88 to $1.50 per money order, depending on the amount and location.
Pharmacies including CVS and Walgreens also sell money orders at the register or customer service counter. Credit card payment is standard. Fees are usually $1 to $1.50.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) sells money orders at every post office. You can pay with a credit card, though some smaller rural branches may only accept cash or check. USPS money order fees are $1.45 for amounts up to $500 and $1.95 for amounts from $500.01 to $1,000.
Check-cashing stores and money transfer services like Western Union and MoneyGram also sell money orders and accept credit cards. Fees vary widely — Western Union charges $1 to $5 depending on the amount, while MoneyGram charges $1 to $4. These locations are useful if you need a money order outside normal business hours, since many are open evenings and weekends.
How to check if your card treats money orders as a cash advance
Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. Tell the representative you want to know whether purchasing a money order counts as a cash advance on your account. They will give you a direct answer and can also tell you the cash advance fee percentage and interest rate if one applies.
Some card issuers classify money orders as regular purchases with no extra fees. Others treat them as cash advances. A few issuers may decline the transaction altogether if they detect it as a cash advance and you have not set up a cash advance PIN. Knowing this before you go to the store saves you from a declined card at checkout.
If your card does charge cash advance fees, ask the representative whether there are any card products or account features that would avoid this charge. Some premium cards or business accounts have different rules.
Steps to buy a money order with your credit card
Step 1: Decide the amount. Money orders are typically sold in amounts up to $1,000. If you need more, you can buy multiple money orders. Know exactly how much you need to send before you go to the counter.
Step 2: Go to a retailer that sells money orders. Supermarkets, pharmacies, the post office, and check-cashing stores all carry them. Choose whichever is most convenient and has hours that work for you.
Step 3: Tell the clerk you want to buy a money order. They will ask you for the amount and the name of the person or business the money order is payable to. Have that name ready and spelled correctly.
Step 4: Provide your credit card. The clerk will run your card like a regular purchase. If your card issuer has flagged money orders as cash advances, the transaction may process differently or ask for a PIN — follow the clerk's instructions.
Step 5: Sign the money order. Once the transaction is complete, you will receive the money order. Sign it in the space marked "From" or "Purchaser." Do not sign the back — that is for the person who receives it.
Step 6: Keep your receipt. The receipt shows the money order number, amount, and fee. You need this if you ever have to report the money order as lost or uncashed.
What to do if your card issuer declines the transaction
If your credit card is declined when you try to buy a money order, the most common reason is that your issuer has blocked cash advances or flagged the transaction as suspicious. Call your card issuer when ready from the store or from home. Explain that you are trying to buy a money order and ask them to temporarily lift any cash advance block or fraud hold.
If your card issuer refuses to process money order purchases at all, you have a few alternatives. Use a debit card linked to your bank account instead — most retailers accept debit for money orders and do not charge cash advance fees. You can also pay with cash or a personal check if the retailer accepts it. Some retailers will let you use multiple payment methods, so you could split the purchase between your credit card and cash if needed.
Comparing the cost of paying different ways
Before you commit to using your credit card, calculate the total cost of each payment method. A money order itself costs $1 to $5. If your credit card issuer charges a 3% cash advance fee on a $500 money order, that is an additional $15. Over one month, if the cash advance interest rate is 25% annually, you would owe roughly $10 in interest. Total cost: $26 to $30.
By contrast, paying with debit or cash costs only the $1 to $5 money order fee with no additional charges. If you have the cash or debit balance available, that is almost always cheaper than a credit card cash advance.
The only scenario where a credit card makes sense is if you do not have cash or debit available right now but need the money order urgently, and you can pay off the credit card balance within a few days before interest accrues. Even then, the cash advance fee still applies, so the math rarely favors the credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will buying a money order hurt my credit score?
A money order purchase itself does not appear on your credit report. However, if your card issuer treats it as a cash advance, it may increase your credit utilization ratio (the amount of available credit you are using), which can temporarily lower your score. The effect is usually small and reverses once you pay down the balance.
Can I buy a money order online with my credit card?
No. Money orders must be purchased in person at a physical location. You cannot order them online and have them mailed to you. Some online bill-pay services let you send money electronically instead, which may be a better option if you need to send funds remotely.
What if I lose the money order after I buy it?
Contact the retailer or issuer where you bought it when ready and provide your receipt with the money order number. Most issuers will issue a replacement or refund, but the process takes time (often 30 to 90 days) and may require you to sign an affidavit stating the money order was lost. Keep your receipt in a safe place.
Is there a limit to how many money orders I can buy at once?
Most retailers do not have a hard limit, but buying many money orders at once may trigger fraud alerts with your credit card issuer or the retailer. If you need to send a large amount, ask the clerk whether there are any restrictions before you start the transaction.
Can I use a prepaid credit card to buy a money order?
Yes, prepaid cards work the same way as regular credit cards at the point of sale. However, check with the prepaid card issuer first to confirm they do not block money order purchases or treat them as cash advances, since policies vary by card type.