Most money order sellers will not take a credit card, but a few options exist

You cannot walk into a post office, grocery store, or Western Union location and hand over a credit card to buy a money order. The vast majority of money order vendors — the U.S. Postal Service, Walmart, grocery chains, check-cashing stores — accept only cash, debit cards, or bank transfers. A credit card transaction for a money order counts as a cash advance in the eyes of your credit card company, which means you pay an immediate fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus interest that starts accruing right away, even if you normally carry no balance.

That said, a small number of money order sellers do accept credit cards directly, and there are workarounds if you need a money order but only have plastic. The catch is that every workaround costs you money, and none of them are faster than simply withdrawing cash.

Key Takeaways

  • Most money order vendors do not accept credit cards because they treat credit card purchases as cash advances, which charge immediate fees and interest.
  • A few online money order services and bill payment platforms accept credit cards, but they charge processing fees on top of the money order cost.
  • The cheapest option is usually to withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card (if your card allows it) and then buy the money order with cash.
  • If you use a credit card cash advance to fund a money order, you will pay both the advance fee and daily interest until the balance is paid off.

Why credit cards and money orders do not mix

When you try to buy a money order with a credit card at a physical location, the transaction is classified as a cash advance, not a purchase. This distinction matters because cash advances carry different terms than regular purchases. You pay a fee upfront — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount, with a minimum of $2 to $10 depending on your card — and interest begins accumulating immediately. There is no grace period like there is for regular purchases.

Money order vendors treat credit card transactions this way because they are essentially converting your credit into cash. From the vendor's perspective, they are providing you with a cash-equivalent product, so the credit card company flags it as a cash advance. The vendor themselves may also refuse the transaction outright because they do not want to absorb the risk of a chargeback or the processing fees that come with credit card transactions on small-dollar items.

Online money order services that accept credit cards

A handful of online platforms will sell you a money order and accept a credit card, though they are not as widely used as traditional vendors. MoneyGram and Western Union both allow credit card purchases through their websites or apps, though fees apply. You pay the standard money order fee (usually $1 to $5 depending on the amount) plus a credit card processing fee that can range from $1 to $3 or more.

The money order is then mailed to you or held for pickup at a physical location. This route takes several business days and costs more than buying with cash, but it avoids the cash advance classification if you use a credit card through their online platform. Read the fine print carefully: some online services still treat credit card transactions as cash advances, so confirm the terms before you complete the purchase.

Bill payment services tied to your bank account — such as your bank's bill pay feature or platforms like Plastiq — can also issue money orders, though they typically require a bank account to set up. If you link a credit card as a backup payment method, you may be charged a convenience fee on top of the money order cost.

Using a credit card cash advance to get cash for a money order

If you need a money order and only have a credit card, the most direct route is to withdraw cash using a credit card cash advance at an ATM, then use that cash to buy the money order at a traditional vendor. This costs you the cash advance fee (3 to 5 percent) plus daily interest, but it avoids paying additional processing fees on top of that.

Not all credit cards allow cash advances at ATMs — some require you to visit a bank branch or use a convenience check. Check your card's terms or call the number on the back to confirm whether ATM cash advances are available and what the fee structure is. Once you have the cash, you can buy the money order at any post office, Walmart, grocery store, or check-cashing location without further fees.

Debit cards and bank transfers as alternatives

If you have a debit card linked to a bank account, that is the cheapest way to buy a money order. Debit transactions are not classified as cash advances, so you pay only the money order fee itself — typically $1 to $2 at most vendors — with no additional charges.

If you do not have a debit card but have access to your bank account, many vendors now accept direct bank transfers or ACH payments to fund a money order purchase. This is especially common at online money order services. The transfer may take one to three business days to clear, but there are no credit card fees involved.

What happens if you use a credit card anyway

If a vendor does accept your credit card for a money order — which is rare but possible at some online platforms or third-party services — the transaction will likely be coded as a cash advance. You will see the fee appear on your statement immediately, and interest will begin accruing on that balance right away. Unlike a regular purchase, you cannot avoid interest by paying your full balance at the end of the month; the interest clock starts the moment the transaction posts.

The total cost can add up quickly. A $500 money order purchased with a credit card that charges a 5 percent cash advance fee plus 25 percent annual interest means you pay $25 upfront plus roughly $10 in interest per month if you do not pay it off immediately. That is a significant markup on a transaction that costs $1 to $2 when paid with cash or a debit card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my credit card company let me buy a money order?

Most credit card companies do not block money order purchases, but they classify them as cash advances, which means you pay a fee and interest immediately. Some vendors will refuse the transaction outright because they do not accept credit cards for money orders. Your best bet is to call your card issuer or check your online account to see what cash advance fees and limits apply to your specific card.

Is there a way to avoid the cash advance fee?

Yes — use a debit card, bank transfer, or withdraw cash first and then buy the money order with that cash. Online money order services sometimes accept credit cards without coding them as cash advances, but this is rare and you should confirm the terms before purchasing. The fee structure varies by platform, so read the details carefully.

How much does a money order cost?

A standard money order costs $1 to $5 depending on the amount and the vendor. The U.S. Postal Service charges around $1.45 for amounts up to $500 and $1.95 for amounts up to $1,000. Walmart and grocery stores are typically in the $1 to $3 range. Online services may charge more if you add a credit card processing fee.

Can I use a credit card to withdraw cash and then buy a money order?

Yes, and this is often cheaper than trying to buy the money order directly with a credit card. You pay the cash advance fee once (3 to 5 percent) plus interest on that balance, then buy the money order with the cash at no additional cost. This avoids stacking multiple fees on top of each other.

What if I do not have a debit card or bank account?

A credit card cash advance at an ATM is your most straightforward option. If your card does not allow ATM withdrawals, visit a bank branch and ask for a cash advance, or use a convenience check if your card issuer provides them. Once you have cash, you can buy a money order anywhere that sells them.