Most places won't sell you 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 accept credit cards as payment. They accept cash, debit cards, and sometimes traveler's checks, but not credit cards. A few smaller retailers may have different policies, but you should expect to pay with cash or a debit card.

The reason is straightforward: money orders are meant to be a secure, final form of payment. Credit card transactions can be reversed or disputed, which defeats the purpose of a money order. Sellers want to know the money is actually there before they issue the order.

Key Takeaways

  • The U.S. Postal Service, Western Union, and MoneyGram all require cash or a debit card to buy a money order, not a credit card.
  • Money orders exist because they cannot be reversed, so sellers will not accept payment methods that can be disputed later.
  • If you do not have cash or a debit card, you can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card, though this usually costs a fee.
  • Some banks and credit unions may have their own money order policies — call yours to ask before you visit.

Where you can and cannot use a credit card

The U.S. Postal Service does not accept credit cards for money orders at any location. You can pay with cash, a debit card, or a traveler's check. Western Union and MoneyGram have the same rule at most locations — cash or debit only. If you try to use a credit card, the transaction will be declined.

Some independent check-cashing stores or small retailers may have different policies, but this is rare. Even if a store accepts credit cards for other purchases, money order sales often have separate payment rules. The safest approach is to assume you need cash or a debit card and bring one of those with you.

Your own bank or credit union may have a different policy. Some financial institutions issue money orders to their members without charging a fee, and they may accept credit cards if you have an account with them. Call your bank before you go in to ask what they accept.

Using a credit card to get cash for a money order

If you only have a credit card and need a money order, you can withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card. This is called a cash advance. You then use that cash to buy the money order at the post office, Western Union, or another seller.

Be aware that cash advances cost money. Your credit card company will charge a fee — usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount you withdraw, with a minimum fee of $5 or $10. You will also start paying interest on the cash advance immediately, often at a higher rate than your regular card purchases. If you withdraw $500, you might pay $15 to $25 in fees alone, plus interest starting right away.

This method works if you have no other option, but it is expensive. If you have access to a debit card, a regular bank account, or a friend or family member who can lend you cash, those are cheaper alternatives.

Debit cards as an alternative

A debit card is the easiest way to buy a money order if you do not have cash on hand. Debit cards are accepted everywhere that sells money orders — the post office, Western Union, MoneyGram, and most check-cashing stores. The transaction is quick and there are no fees beyond the money order fee itself.

If you do not have a debit card, you can open a basic checking account at most banks or credit unions with minimal requirements. Some accounts have no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Once you have a debit card, you can use it to buy money orders whenever you need to.

Why credit card companies and money order sellers both resist this

Credit card companies discourage using their cards to buy money orders because it looks like a cash advance, which costs them money in fees and interest. Some credit card companies have started blocking or limiting purchases at money order sellers specifically to prevent this.

Money order sellers resist credit cards because the transaction can be reversed. If you dispute a charge with your credit card company, the seller has already issued the money order and has no way to get it back. The buyer could cash the money order and then dispute the credit card charge, leaving the seller out the money. Cash and debit cards do not have this problem — the money is gone immediately and cannot be reversed.

What to do if you need a money order but have no payment method

If you do not have cash, a debit card, or access to either one, here are your options. First, ask your bank or credit union if they issue money orders and what payment methods they accept. Some will issue them to account holders using funds already in the account, which solves the problem entirely.

Second, ask a trusted friend or family member to lend you cash or to buy the money order on your behalf. You can pay them back later. Third, if you have a job, ask your employer if they can advance you a small amount of pay or if they offer paycheck advances through a third party.

Fourth, look for a local community action agency or nonprofit that may help with money order fees or provide cash assistance. These are less common than they used to be, but they exist in some areas. Call 211 (a referral line) to ask if any organizations in your area offer this kind of help.

Money order fees and what you are actually paying for

A money order itself costs between $1 and $5 depending on where you buy it and the amount. The U.S. Postal Service charges $1.45 for a money order up to $500 and $1.95 for one from $500.01 to $1,000. Western Union and MoneyGram charge more — often $2 to $5 for small amounts. These fees are separate from any payment method fees.

If you use a credit card cash advance to get the money for the money order, you are paying the money order fee plus the cash advance fee plus interest. That adds up quickly. If you use a debit card or cash, you only pay the money order fee itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

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. You can pay with a debit card or bank account, but not a credit card. Some online services may have slightly different policies, so check the specific site before you try to order.

What if my credit card company is blocking money order purchases?

Call your credit card company and ask why the transaction was declined. They may have flagged money order sellers as high-risk for fraud. You can ask them to unblock the merchant, but they may refuse. Using a debit card instead is the simplest solution.

Is there a difference between a money order and a cashier's check?

Yes. A cashier's check is issued by a bank and is larger — usually for amounts over $1,000. Banks typically issue cashier's checks to their own account holders and may accept credit cards if you have an account with them. Call your bank to ask what they accept and whether a cashier's check would work for what you need.

Can I use a prepaid credit card to buy a money order?

Prepaid cards are treated like credit cards by most money order sellers, so they will likely be declined. However, some prepaid cards are also debit cards — they draw from a balance you have already loaded onto the card. Check your prepaid card's terms to see if it functions as a debit card. If it does, it may work at money order sellers.