Most credit card issuers will not let you buy a money order directly
You cannot walk into a store, hand over your credit card, and buy a money order the way you would with cash or a debit card. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express treat money order purchases as cash advances, and most issuers either block them outright or charge you a fee plus interest from the moment the transaction posts.
The reason is simple: a money order is a form of cash. From the card network's perspective, letting you convert credit into cash is riskier than a regular purchase, so they restrict it. Some issuers may allow it but charge a cash advance fee (typically 3–5% of the amount) and a higher interest rate than your regular purchase APR.
Before you attempt to buy a money order with a credit card, call your card issuer and ask whether they allow it and what the fee structure is. Many will tell you no outright. If they say yes, ask what the fee is and whether interest starts accruing immediately—it usually does.
Key Takeaways
- Most credit card issuers classify money order purchases as cash advances and either block them or charge a separate fee plus higher interest.
- If your issuer does allow money order purchases, you will pay a cash advance fee (usually 3–5%) and interest from the transaction date, not from your statement due date.
- Debit cards, prepaid cards, and cash are the standard payment methods for money orders at most retailers.
- If you need a money order but cannot use cash or debit, a personal loan or credit line may be cheaper than a cash advance fee.
Why money orders count as cash advances
A cash advance is any transaction that converts your credit into cash or cash-like instruments. Money orders, wire transfers, and casino chips all fall into this category. Credit card networks treat them differently from purchases because there is no merchant involved—you are essentially borrowing cash from your card issuer.
Because cash advances are riskier for the lender, they come with penalties: a separate fee (charged upfront), a higher interest rate, and no grace period. Interest on a cash advance starts accruing the day you take it, even if you pay your full statement balance by the due date. A regular purchase, by contrast, has a grace period—you do not pay interest if you pay in full by your due date.
Some issuers set a cash advance limit that is lower than your credit limit. For example, you might have a $5,000 credit limit but only a $1,000 cash advance limit. Check your card agreement or call your issuer to find out what yours is.
Where you can and cannot use a credit card for a money order
Money orders are sold at post offices, grocery stores, pharmacies, check-cashing services, and some banks. Each location has its own payment policy, and most do not accept credit cards at all—they want cash, debit cards, or prepaid cards.
The U.S. Postal Service, which sells money orders at post offices, does not accept credit cards for money order purchases. Walmart, which sells money orders at customer service desks, also does not accept credit cards. Western Union, which sells money orders at many retail locations, varies by location but generally does not accept credit cards for money orders themselves.
Your best bet is to call ahead to the specific location where you plan to buy the money order and ask what payment methods they take. If they say no to credit cards, ask whether they accept debit cards or prepaid cards instead.
Alternatives if you do not have cash or a debit card
If you need a money order but do not have cash or a debit card available, several options are cheaper than a credit card cash advance:
- Use a prepaid card or gift card. If you have a prepaid debit card or a gift card with a balance, most money order retailers will accept it. Prepaid cards work like debit cards at the point of sale.
- Withdraw cash from an ATM. If your credit card issuer allows ATM withdrawals (many do), you can take out cash and use that to buy the money order. You will still pay a cash advance fee and interest, but you avoid the money order retailer's payment restrictions.
- Ask the recipient to accept a different payment method. If the person or business you are paying will take a check, bank transfer, or online payment instead, that avoids the money order altogether.
- Use a personal loan or credit line. If you need cash for a larger amount, a personal loan or home equity line of credit may have a lower interest rate than your credit card's cash advance rate.
What happens if you try to buy a money order with a credit card anyway
If you attempt to buy a money order with a credit card at a retailer that does not accept them, the transaction will be declined at the register. The retailer's system is programmed to reject credit cards for money order sales, so you will not be able to complete the purchase.
If you somehow complete the transaction (for example, if a cashier manually processes it), your card issuer may still flag it as a cash advance and apply the cash advance fee and interest rate retroactively. You could also end up disputing the charge later if you did not realize the fee structure.
The safest approach is to confirm with your card issuer in advance whether they allow money order purchases and what the cost is. That way you know exactly what you are paying before you go to the store.
How to get a money order without a credit card
If your credit card issuer does not allow money order purchases, or the fee is too high, use one of these standard methods instead:
- Cash. Bring cash to any money order retailer. This is the most common method and has no fees beyond the money order cost itself (usually $1–$5 depending on the amount).
- Debit card. Most retailers accept debit cards for money orders. If you have a bank account, ask your bank for a debit card if you do not have one.
- Prepaid card. Retailers treat prepaid cards the same as debit cards. You can load money onto a prepaid card at most grocery stores or pharmacies.
- Check. If the recipient will take a check instead of a money order, you can write one from your bank account at no cost (beyond any check fees your bank charges).
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my credit card issuer tell me if money order purchases are blocked?
Not automatically. You have to call and ask. Some issuers block money order purchases silently—the transaction will be declined at the register, and you will not know why until you contact them. Calling ahead saves you a trip to the store.
Can I use a credit card to buy a prepaid card, then use that to buy a money order?
Yes, and this is a common workaround. Buying a prepaid card with a credit card is treated as a regular purchase, not a cash advance, so you avoid the cash advance fee. You then use the prepaid card to buy the money order. However, you may pay a fee to load the prepaid card, so check the total cost before you do this.
What if I need a money order urgently and cannot get cash?
Call your card issuer and ask whether they allow money order purchases and what the fee is. If they do, the fee may be worth it for the convenience. If they do not, use a prepaid card or ask the recipient whether they will take a different payment method instead.
Is a money order the same as a wire transfer?
No. A money order is a paper document you buy and mail or hand to someone. A wire transfer is an electronic transfer of funds between bank accounts. Wire transfers are faster but usually cost more. Both are treated as cash advances if you try to pay for them with a credit card.