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 will not accept a credit card as payment. Money orders are designed to move cash or funds already in your account, and sellers treat them as a cash-equivalent product. When you buy a money order, the seller needs to know the money is actually there and yours to spend. A credit card represents borrowed money, which creates risk for the seller and violates the terms most money order issuers set.
The few exceptions are rare and come with extra fees or restrictions. Some online money order services may accept credit cards, but they typically charge a processing fee on top of the money order fee itself, making the total cost significantly higher than paying with a debit card or cash. Your best option is to use a debit card, cash, or a check instead.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union, MoneyGram, the U.S. Postal Service, and most banks and check-cashing stores do not accept credit cards to buy money orders.
- Money order sellers require payment in cash, debit card, or sometimes check because they need to verify the funds are actually available.
- A few online services may accept credit cards but charge extra fees that make the total cost much higher than other payment methods.
- Using a debit card, withdrawing cash, or paying with a check are the standard ways to buy a money order without paying extra fees.
Why money order sellers don't take credit cards
Money orders are treated like cash by the financial system. When you hand over payment for a money order, the seller is giving you a may provide payment instrument — essentially a promise that the money is there. If you pay with a credit card, the seller has no may provide that you actually have the funds or that the charge won't be reversed later. This is different from buying groceries or paying for a service, where the merchant can absorb a chargeback if something goes wrong.
Money order issuers also have compliance rules around how they can accept payment. Western Union and MoneyGram, which handle the majority of money orders sold in the U.S., explicitly prohibit credit card payments in their merchant agreements. The U.S. Postal Service has the same policy. Banks and check-cashing stores follow similar rules because they're protecting themselves from fraud and from customers who might dispute the charge later.
What payment methods actually work
You can buy a money order with cash, a debit card, or sometimes a personal check. Cash is the most straightforward — you walk in, hand over the amount you want plus the fee, and walk out with the money order. Debit cards work the same way as cash from the seller's perspective: the money comes directly out of your account, and there's no dispute risk.
Some locations accept personal checks as payment for money orders, though this is becoming less common. If you use a check, the seller will hold it until the money order clears, which can take a few business days. A few banks also let you order money orders through their online banking platform and pay with funds from your checking account, though this is typically only available to account holders.
If you only have a credit card
If a credit card is your only available payment method, you have two options: get cash first, or use an online money order service that accepts credit cards.
The easiest route is to withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit card. Most credit cards let you do a cash advance at an ATM, though this typically comes with a fee (usually 3–5% of the amount) and a higher interest rate than regular purchases. Once you have cash, you can buy a money order normally. The total cost will be the cash advance fee plus the money order fee, which is usually between $1 and $5 depending on where you buy it.
Some online money order services, like certain third-party platforms, do accept credit cards. However, they charge a processing fee on top of the money order fee — sometimes an additional 2–3%. If you're sending a $500 money order, that extra fee could be $10 to $15. This makes the total cost higher than a cash advance plus a regular money order, so compare the numbers before you commit.
Where to buy a money order without a credit card
Western Union and MoneyGram locations accept cash and debit cards at their retail agents — grocery stores, pharmacies, check-cashing stores, and dedicated agent locations. You can find a nearby location on their websites. Fees typically range from $1 to $5 depending on the amount.
The U.S. Postal Service sells money orders at post offices for a flat fee of around $1.45 for amounts up to $500, and about $1.95 for $500 to $1,000. They accept cash and debit cards. This is often the cheapest option if you have a post office nearby.
Banks and credit unions sell money orders to customers and sometimes to non-customers. Fees vary by institution, but they're usually comparable to the post office. Call ahead to confirm they sell them and what they charge.
Check-cashing stores and grocery stores with money order services accept cash and debit cards. Fees are typically higher than the post office — often $2 to $5 — but they may have longer hours or more convenient locations.
Alternatives to money orders
If you're trying to send money and a credit card is your only payment method, consider whether a money order is actually what you need. A bank transfer or wire transfer from your bank account is faster and doesn't require you to buy anything. A cashier's check from your bank works similarly to a money order but may be free or cheaper if you have a checking account. Digital payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, or your bank's own app let you send money directly from a credit card in many cases, though the recipient needs to be set up to receive it.
Money orders are most useful when the recipient specifically requests one or when you need a may provide payment method that doesn't require a bank account. If that's not your situation, exploring these alternatives may save you time and money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order online?
Most major money order providers don't offer online ordering. A few third-party services do accept credit cards, but they charge extra processing fees on top of the money order fee. Compare the total cost to a cash advance plus a regular money order before you choose this route.
What if I need a money order right now and only have a credit card?
Use your credit card to get a cash advance at an ATM, then use the cash to buy a money order at a Western Union, MoneyGram, post office, or bank. The cash advance will have a fee and higher interest rate, but it's usually faster and cheaper than using an online service that accepts credit cards.
Will the money order seller report a credit card payment to the credit card company?
This isn't the issue — the seller straightforward won't accept the credit card in the first place. Money order issuers have explicit policies against credit card payments, so the transaction won't go through at the point of sale.
Is there a fee difference between paying with cash versus a debit card for a money order?
No. The money order fee is the same regardless of whether you pay with cash or a debit card. The fee covers the money order itself, not the payment method. Your debit card issuer may charge you a fee for the transaction, but that's separate and depends on your bank's policies.
Can I use a prepaid card to buy a money order?
Yes. Prepaid cards function like debit cards from the seller's perspective — the money is already loaded and verified. Most money order sellers accept them without issue. Just make sure your prepaid card has enough balance to cover both the money order amount and the fee.