Can I Make a Money Order with a Credit Card?

Can You Buy a Money Order with a Credit Card?

Yes, you can buy a money order with a credit card at some retailers, but it is treated as a cash advance and carries high fees and interest. Many major providers like Western Union and MoneyGram allow credit card payments, and some grocery and convenience stores will process them too. Because of the cash-advance classification, this is usually an expensive way to fund a money order.

How Credit Card Money Orders Work

When you use a credit card to purchase a money order, the transaction is coded as a cash advance rather than a regular purchase. This means the credit card company applies a cash-advance APR, which is typically much higher than the standard purchase APR, and interest begins accruing immediately. There is no grace period. Fees also stack up: your card issuer may charge a cash-advance fee, and the retailer or money order issuer may charge a processing fee on top of that.

Where You Can Buy Them

• Western Union and MoneyGram: Both accept credit cards at many agent locations, but the cash-advance terms apply.
• Grocery and convenience stores: Some locations will ring up a money order purchase on a credit card, though availability varies by store.
• Post offices and pharmacies: These generally prefer debit cards or cash and may not accept credit cards for money orders at all.

Costs and Risks to Consider

The main cost is the cash-advance fee, usually a percentage of the transaction or a flat dollar amount, plus the money order fee itself. Because interest starts accruing from day one, carrying a balance on a money order purchase can be very expensive. There is also the risk that a credit card issuer may flag or decline the transaction if it suspects a cash advance, which can cause delays if you need the money order quickly.

Better Alternatives

If you need a money order and want to avoid cash-advance fees, use a debit card or cash instead. A debit card pulls funds directly from your bank account and is treated as a regular purchase, so you avoid the higher APR and fees. If you do not have a debit card or cash, consider whether a peer-to-peer payment app or a bank transfer can meet the same need more cheaply than a credit card-funded money order.