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Can You Buy a Money Order With a Credit Card?

Buying a money order with a credit card may be possible but it’s not advisable.

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Updated February 21, 2024
Written by Rachel Alulis
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Key takeaways

  • Buying a money order with a credit card is not typically allowed. If a merchant does allow it, it will be treated as a cash advance, which comes with high fees and interest rates.
  • If you find a provider that lets you to purchase a money order with a credit card, be prepared for additional costs: a credit card cash advance fee, ATM fee, and a higher interest rate charged immediately.
  • The better option is to use a debit card or cash or to pay via an app, cashiers check, or prepaid card.

Buying a money order with a credit card is possible but it’s not an ideal solution. You canbuy a money order with a credit card but not directly. Most merchants will only take cash or a debit card. This means that you’ll have to use your card at an ATM, take out a cash advance, and then use the cash to make the purchase.

Learn more about how you can use money orders and where can you buy a money order with a credit card.

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How to use money orders

Money orders are similar to checks. The difference is when you write a check the funds stay in your account until the recipient cashes it. With a money order, you pay for it upfront using cash or a transfer from your bank account. Purchasing ones is straightforward.

Go to your local bank, credit union, post office, or other authorized location like Walmart, 7-Eleven, or Western Union. You will have to pay for the amount you want plus associated fees upfront. Fees typically range from a few dollars to $5 or more.

Next, fill out the form. Put the recipient’s name down on the ‘Pay to Order of Line’. Then add your name and contact information.

Sign the front where indicated. Do not sign the back, as that area is for the recipient’s endorsement. Keep the receipt or stub since it contains the tracking number and can be used to verify that the order was cashed.

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Where can you buy a money order?

So, where can you buy a money order with a credit card? There are countless locations where you can purchase a money order.

  • Post office: Post offices are a convenient option if you also want to send it through the mail but can you buy a money order with a credit card at the post office? To do that, you will have to use your card withdraw cash, and then use the cash to make the purchase.
  • Grocery stores: Some grocery stores also offer money orders with other monetary services.
  • Banks: Many banks will charge a fee for this service. The amount of the fee will depend on the amount of ordered.
  • Retail stores: You can also get them from popular retailers like Walmart, 7-Eleven, and Western Union. Note that even if the store is open 24 hours, the service center that provides money orders may have a more limited schedule.

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Can you earn rewards from the purchase of a money order?

No, most issuers do not allow you to earn rewards from purchasing a money order. A money order is a secure form of payment that is in return for cash. If you use your card for it most credit card issuers will treat it as a cash advance, not a purchase that earns rewards.

Some retailers offer promotions and loyalty points on money orders. However, you should always check with the retailer before purchasing to see whether any promotions are available.

Read more about credit cards!

Paying for a money order with a credit card

Can you buy a money order with a credit card? While possible, it is not a good idea. Few merchants will accept cards and if you find a merchant who does, your credit card issuer will consider the transaction a cash advance. Credit card cash advances are a convenient but costly way to get cash. Issuers charge a higher APR for cash advances than for regular purchases. There is also no grace period so you will begin accruing interest immediately. Lastly, your issuer will charge additional fees plus the ATM fee for the cash advance. Overall, it’s not a good idea.

Can you use a credit card to pay for a money order online?

The short answer is no. Money orders must be purchased in person with cash or a debit card. You can find companies who will print and mail orders you’ve already paid for, but they are subject to scams.

If you want to send funds online, there are plenty of apps that will let you do this. Venmo, Zelle, Chime, and Current are a few that provide this service.

Where can you buy a money order with a credit card?

In general, you cannot buy a money order directly with a credit card. Most merchants and institutions prefer cash or debit cards as forms of payment. While there may have been some providers in the past, such as Western Union and 7-Eleven, that accepted cards, it seems that this is no longer the case. You cannot buy a money order with a credit card at Walmart.

If you want to use credit, you would typically need to obtain a cash advance. This involves withdrawing cash from an ATM or bank branch using your card. You then use that cash to purchase the money order. However, as we discussed before cash advances typically come with higher fees and interest rates compared to regular credit card purchases, making it a costly option.

What merchants accept credit cards for a money order?

No merchant allows you to pay with with credit for a money order. There are rumors that you can buy a money order with a credit card at 7-Eleven or Western Union, but this has been confirmed not to be true. Like other merchants they take debit card or cash payments only. 

You can buy a MoneyGram money order with a credit card but it will not be a direct purchase. MoneyGram and the US Postal Service allow transfers for the purchase of money orders. These transfers can be wire transfers, telephone transfers, prepaid cards, etc. A transfer with a credit card would be considered a cash advance.

Money order fees

Fees vary depending on the amount of the order and where you purchase it.

  • US post office: The United States Postal Service charges from $2.10 to $3 depending on the amount.
  • Banks: Many banks charge a fee from $5 to $10 or 10% of the total amount ordered. Some banks waive fees for customers who have certain types of accounts.
  • Walmart: Walmart typically charges a maximum of $1 per order.
  • Western Union: Western Union’s fees depend on the location and specific circumstances. In general, they range from 50 cents to $1.50 or more.
  • 7-Eleven: The fees typically range from 1% to 3% of the total amount of the order, with a minimum fee of $0.65 . The specific fee may depend on the location of the 7-Eleven store.

Money order alternatives to consider

Alternatives to consider include:

Prepaid cards: Prepaid cards can be a secure and anonymous alternative. They can be used to pay friends, family members, or for regular purchases, bills, and rent.

Personal checks: A personal check is a secure and inexpensive way to send funds. It requires a bank account, but typically doesn’t have fees. You can purchase a book of checks from your bank’s check provider.

Bank drafts: Bank drafts are similar to checks but are guaranteed by the bank, so they are accepted as payment immediately.

Cashiers checks: Cashiers checks are considered safer since they are backed by a bank or credit union. However, they may come with slightly higher fees.

Pay via an app: Some institutions let you use a payment app like PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle. These can safely let you transfer funds without fees. Just make sure you have the cash in your bank account.

Another option is to free up cash so you’re not dependent on credit. Redo your budget or use your card for other purchases. Take out a paycheck advance from a cash advance app. These apps let you access your pay early and instantly with no credit check, no interest, and few fees.

You could also take a personal loan if you need more funds than you can get from a cash advance app. Online marketplaces are very useful since they connect you with direct lenders instantly and can send funds to your bank account in less than 24 hours.

Personal loans typically have lower interest rates and fewer fees than payday loans.

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Cash advance fees can be substantial

Credit card cash advances are expensive. Fees range from a flat fee of $5 to $10 or 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, depending on your issuer. The interest rates are also much higher than for regular purchases – around 29.99% APR. Interest starts accruing immediately, so you’ll want to pay back your cash advance as soon as possible.

Bottom line

Merchants no longer accept credit cards to purchase money orders. If you have no other option, you can take out a cash advance from an ATM and use the funds to pay for it but this will cost you. It is better to consider an alternative like paying via an app, using a prepaid card, or going with debit.

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About the author

Rachel Alulis

Rachel Alulis has been the lead editor for Moneyfor’s credit cards team since 2015 and for the financial rewards team since 2023. Before joining Moneyfor, Rachel worked at USA Today and the Des Moines Register. She then established a successful freelance writing and editing business specializing in personal finance. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA.

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