Most places won't let you buy a money order with a credit card

The short answer is no — the vast majority of money order sellers, including the U.S. Postal Service, Western Union, and MoneyGram, do not take credit cards. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes traveler's checks. A few regional outlets may have different policies, but credit card payments are the exception, not the rule.

The reason is practical: money orders are meant to be a safe payment method for people who don't have bank accounts or who want to send cash without the risk. Sellers treat them as cash equivalents, and accepting credit cards would introduce the same fraud and chargeback risks that money orders were designed to avoid. From the seller's perspective, a credit card transaction can be reversed; a cash transaction cannot.

If you only have a credit card available, you have other routes — but they involve an extra step and sometimes a fee.

Key Takeaways

  • USPS, Western Union, and MoneyGram do not accept credit cards for money order purchases; they require cash or a debit card.
  • You can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card (usually with a fee), then use that cash to buy a money order.
  • Some credit card issuers treat cash advances as a separate transaction type with higher interest rates and immediate fees.
  • A debit card, if you have access to one, is the simplest alternative and avoids cash advance fees.
  • Bank transfers or online payment services may work instead of a money order, depending on who you need to pay.

Using a cash advance to get money for a money order

If you have a credit card but no cash, you can use a cash advance to withdraw money from an ATM, then use that cash to buy the money order. This works, but it costs you. Most credit card issuers charge a cash advance fee — typically 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. That fee is separate from the money order fee itself.

Cash advances also carry a higher interest rate than regular purchases. Many cards charge 20% to 30% APR on cash advances, and interest starts accruing immediately — there is no grace period like there is for regular purchases. If you carry the balance, the cost adds up quickly.

Before you do this, check your credit card statement or call your issuer to confirm the cash advance fee and APR. For small money orders, the fee alone might make this option more expensive than alternatives.

Why debit cards are simpler if you have one

If you have a debit card linked to a bank account, use that instead. USPS, Western Union, and MoneyGram all accept debit cards, and there is no cash advance fee or higher interest rate. The only cost is the money order fee itself, which ranges from about $1 to $5 depending on the amount and the seller.

A debit card transaction is treated like a direct withdrawal from your account — the money comes out immediately, and there is no debt created. If you are trying to avoid credit card debt or fees, this is the clearest path.

When a bank transfer or online payment might work instead

Before you go through the trouble of buying a money order at all, ask yourself whether the person or business you are paying will take a bank transfer, check, or online payment service like PayPal or Venmo. Many will, and those methods work directly from a credit card or linked bank account without the extra steps.

Money orders are most useful when the recipient specifically requires one — often for security deposits, court payments, or situations where they need a traceable payment that cannot be reversed. If the recipient is flexible, a direct transfer is usually faster and cheaper.

If you do need a money order and only have a credit card, compare the total cost: the cash advance fee plus interest, plus the money order fee, against the cost of alternatives like a wire transfer or cashier's check from your bank.

Prepaid cards and gift cards don't work either

Prepaid debit cards and gift cards are not accepted for money order purchases, even though they function like debit cards at most retailers. Money order sellers treat them differently — they require a card linked to a bank account or cash. This is another reason why a cash advance is often the only credit-based option.

If you have a prepaid card, your best move is to use it to withdraw cash at an ATM (if the card allows ATM withdrawals), then use that cash to buy the money order. Check your card's terms first, as some prepaid cards charge ATM fees.

What to do if you need a money order but only have a credit card

Start by deciding whether a money order is actually necessary. If the recipient will take a bank transfer, wire, or check, use one of those instead — they are faster and usually cheaper.

If a money order is required, your options are: (1) use a cash advance from your credit card to withdraw cash, then buy the money order with that cash; (2) borrow a debit card from someone else; or (3) visit your bank and ask about a cashier's check, which serves the same purpose and may be available without a debit card.

If you go the cash advance route, do the math first. Add up the cash advance fee, the money order fee, and estimate the interest you will pay if you carry the balance. For a small money order, this might total more than the payment itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a credit card at Walmart or CVS to buy a money order?

No. Walmart, CVS, and other retailers that sell money orders follow the same rule as USPS and Western Union — they do not accept credit cards. They take cash and debit cards only. You would need to use a cash advance to get cash first.

Does the cash advance fee apply if I pay off the balance right away?

Yes. The cash advance fee is charged at the time you withdraw the money, regardless of when you pay it back. Interest, however, starts accruing immediately and stops only when the balance is paid in full. Paying it off quickly reduces the interest but does not eliminate the upfront fee.

What if my credit card doesn't allow cash advances?

Some credit cards, particularly those for people rebuilding credit, do not offer cash advances. If yours doesn't, you cannot use this method. In that case, ask a friend or family member to lend you their debit card, or visit your bank to see if a cashier's check is an option.

Is a cashier's check the same as a money order?

They are similar — both are traceable, secure payments that cannot be reversed. A cashier's check is issued by a bank and is typically used for larger amounts. A money order is issued by USPS, Western Union, or other vendors and is used for smaller amounts. Ask the recipient which one they need.

Can I buy a money order online with a credit card?

No. Online money order services like MoneyGram and Western Union also do not accept credit cards for purchase. They may accept them for other services, but money orders themselves require cash or debit payment.