Can I Buy a Money Order With a Credit Card? - NerdWallet (2024)

Most purchases made with a credit card are straightforward: Just swipe or tap, and go. But for some things like marijuana, lottery tickets, gift cards and vehicles, it’s a little more complicated. Credit card use for those purchases, for example, may be restricted to certain states, or the transaction amount may be capped.

A money order — a prepaid, guaranteed form of payment that resembles a check — belongs to the latter category. Technically, you can buy a money order with a credit card in a roundabout way that we explain below. But even when it’s possible to pay with plastic, it’s probably not worth it.

Paying with a credit card is possible, but not advised

Most retailers, banks and credit unions don’t let you purchase money orders with a credit card. Popular places to get a money order — including the U.S. Postal Service, Walmart, Western Union and 7-Eleven — accept only cash or debit cards for money order purchases.

There is a workaround to using a credit card to buy a money order, but it’s expensive. Here's how it would work:

You could use your credit card to take out a cash advance. In this scenario, you’d use your credit card like a debit card at an ATM and withdraw money. Then, you would use the funds from the cash advance to purchase the money order.

However, unlike cash withdrawn from a bank account, a cash advance must be paid back to the credit card issuer. And that's far from the only drawback:

  • Issuers usually charge a cash advance fee, often $10 or 5% of the advance amount, whichever is greater.

  • Interest on cash advances starts accruing immediately. There is no grace period, as you might have with normal purchases.

  • The interest rate for cash advances is often higher than it is for purchases.

  • Cash advances are often capped at a certain amount.

Other (better) ways to purchase money orders

For the most seamless experience, pay for a money order with a payment method accepted by the retailer or institution. These typically include:

  • Cash.

  • Debit card.

  • Traveler’s check.

  • Transfer from your bank.

Note that many places charge a fee to issue a money order, even when you pay with an acceptable form of payment. These fees are usually $5 or less.

Can I Buy a Money Order With a Credit Card? - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

Can I Buy a Money Order With a Credit Card? - NerdWallet? ›

It's technically possible, but it'll probably cost you more than paying with cash, debit card, bank transfer or traveler's check. Jae Bratton is a writer for the credit cards team at NerdWallet.

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

A money order can be a useful form of payment in some situations. But before you head out to buy a money order, it's important to know how you'll pay for it. You generally can't buy a money order with a credit card; you'll need to use cash or a debit card.

Can I buy a cashier's check with a credit card? ›

Typically, you can't buy a cashier's check directly with a credit card. However, suppose you don't have sufficient funds in your checking or savings account. Then, you can consider taking a cash advance on your credit card, depositing those funds into your bank account, and purchasing a cashier's check.

Can I buy a money order with a credit card at Kroger? ›

Can you get a money order with a credit card? No, you must pay in cash or use a debit card to send a money order. Kroger money orders are a safe way to send small amounts of money if you don't want to use your bank account. If you're sending money internationally, check out Wise for a low cost option.

Can I purchase a money order with my credit one credit card? ›

Since a money order's face value is guaranteed, it's not surprising that an issuer would want that money in hand before issuing it. That's why they typically won't accept credit cards as a form of payment for it.

Can I buy a money order with a credit card at Walmart? ›

No, you can't directly purchase a money order from Walmart with a credit card. Instead, you must purchase a Walmart money order with cash or a debit card. However, you can take a cash advance from your credit card company and use the proceeds to purchase a money order.

Can I buy a money order with a credit card at USPS? ›

Go to any Post Office location. Take cash, a debit card, or a traveler's check. You cannot pay with a credit card. Fill out the money order at the counter with a retail associate.

Can I Western Union money with a credit card? ›

WU accepts Visa® and MasterCard® credit cards*. *Card issuer cash advance fee and associated interest charges may apply. Use a debit card to avoid these fees and charges. Note: American Express and Discover payment cards are not accepted for Telephone money transfer.

Can I withdraw cash from my credit card? ›

Getting cash from a credit card is one way to ensure you have money when you need it, but requesting a cash advance at an ATM can cost you. Expect to pay a cash advance fee at the ATM, and expect to pay a higher interest rate on any cash you withdraw.

What is the maximum amount for a money order? ›

Money orders are typically capped at $1,000. Some places may limit them to smaller amounts. If you need to purchase multiple money orders to get around the limit, you may be better off getting one cashier's check for the full amount.

Why won't Western Union accept my credit card? ›

Banks don't share with WU the specific reasons for declined transfers. The decline could be related to the cash advance capability of your credit card, your credit card limit, a mistake when entering bank account information or other requirements from your bank. Please contact your bank directly.

Where is the easiest place to get a money order? ›

Where to get a money order: 7 places to grab one
  1. The post office. If you need to mail your money order, getting one from the post office is super convenient. ...
  2. Convenience stores. ...
  3. Check-cashing stores. ...
  4. Western Union. ...
  5. MoneyGram locations. ...
  6. Your bank or credit union. ...
  7. Walmart.

Can I use a credit card for MoneyGram? ›

We want you to have options when sending money. You can securely pay for online transfers using a credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover Credit Card, Diners Club International, or Union Pay). You can also pay for transfers using Apple Pay on the MoneyGram app.

Can I get a money order with a credit card at Chase? ›

This means that in order to get a money order with your credit card, you'll have to first obtain a cash advance from the card at an ATM or a bank branch, or through a convenience check tied to your account.

Can I buy a money order with my Capital One credit card? ›

You can usually use a debit card or cash to buy them. There may be a cap on money order payment amounts. And they may come with fees. It's also important to note that if you use a credit card to buy a money order, it may be considered a cash advance.

Can I buy a money order with a credit card at Publix? ›

Do you need cash for a money order? Cash is the most popular way to pay for a money order, but some Publix locations may accept debit cards, too. You typically can't use a credit card to buy a money order.

Can I use a credit card for Western Union? ›

WU accepts Visa® and MasterCard® credit cards*. *Card issuer cash advance fee and associated interest charges may apply. Use a debit card to avoid these fees and charges. Note: American Express and Discover payment cards are not accepted for Telephone money transfer.

Can you use a Capital One card for a money order? ›

How can you pay for a money order? You can typically pay for money orders using cash or a debit card. Because issuers often want the cash up front, they may not accept a personal check or credit card. Even if a credit card is accepted, your card issuer could consider it a type of cash advance.

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