No, currently you can not buy a money order with a credit card directly. But indirectly it’s possible.
Need to send money to someone but don’t have the cash right now? Then you might be thinking about getting a money order with a credit card. So, can you buy a money order with a credit card?
Well, indirectly it’s possible. But it can get quite complex and costly. That’s why in this post, I will simply explain, can you buy a money order with a credit card? Moreover, I will also add the methods, disadvantages, and everything related to this topic. So, stay with me till the end.
Let’s start by answering Can I use my credit card to get a money order?
Find out can you return a money order
Can You Buy A Money Order With A Credit Card
Generally, it is not possible to buy a money order with a credit card directly. Because most money order issuers only accept cash or debit cards for purchasing money orders in the United States.
Money orders are one of the safest forms of payment for people who do not have a bank account. It’s cheap, widely available and accepted. However, one issue with money orders is that you can not purchase money orders with a credit card directly.
Although major money order issuers like 7-Eleven and Western Union used to accept money order payments with credit cards. But they are not allowing it now. So, no major money order issuers are now accepting money order payments with a credit card.
No money order issuers accept money order payments from credit cards because it can be harmful to both parties. Typically, money order payments will be considered as cash advances. So, the credit card holder has to pay a higher interest rate.
On the other hand, if the money order is lost then the credit card holder can file a complaint to the credit grantor. So, the credit card company and the money order issuer will go into dispute. So, it’s risky for the money order issuer too.
As a result, money order issuers such as MoneyGram, Western Union, and Amscot do not accept credit cards as a form of payment for money orders. But Can you buy a money order with a credit card online?
Can You Buy A Money Order With A Credit Card Online
No, you can not buy a money order with a credit card online.
Though money orders can be cashed or deposited online. However, you can not purchase a money order online. Because purchasing money orders requires going to the money order issuer, filling out a form, showing your ID, and receiving the money order along with the purchase slip All of this is done physically because of security reasons.
Moreover, money order issuers do not accept credit cards as a valid form of payment. So, it’s not possible to cash a money order with a credit card online.
Can You Buy Money Order with Credit Card at Post Office?
No, you can not buy a money order with credit cards at the post office.
On the USPS money order page
Money orders can only be purchased with cash, debit cards, traveler’s checks, and credit cards are not accepted.
So, like other major money order issuers, USPS also does not allow to purchase of a money order with a credit card. So, Is there anywhere you can buy a money order with a credit card?
Where Can I Buy A Money Order With A Credit Card
You can not buy a money order with a credit card anywhere. However, some individually owned agents of money order issuers might accept credit cards.
As no major money order issuers take credit card payments. So, it is almost impossible to get a money order with a credit card directly. But some local agents might sell you money orders with a credit card payment. But they are quite hard to find. So, How do you indirectly purchase a money order with a credit card?
How to Buy a Money Order With a Credit Card
Here is how to purchase a money order with a credit card indirectly
- Find a money order issuer who accepts credit cards as a payment form.
- If you do not find any then go to an ATM and withdraw money using your credit card.
- Go to the money order issuer with the withdrawn cash.
- Fill up the form.
- Show your ID card.
- Receive your money order and purchase slip.
It might seem like a good idea to purchase a money order with cash withdrawn from your credit card. However, in reality, it isn’t. So, why you should not purchase a money order with a credit card?
Why You Should Not Purchase a Money Order With a Credit Card?
Receiving money order payments from credit cards is not only risky for money order issuers. It’s a costly mistake for the money order purchaser too. Here is why you should never purchase a money order with a credit card
- Money order payments are considered cash advances by credit grantors. So, you have to pay a 5% or more cash advance fee for purchasing a money order.
- There is no grace period for cash advances. So, you have to pay APR for purchasing a money order with a credit card.
- Cash advance APR is higher than regular APR. Sometimes it can be as high as 30%. So, you might end up paying a hefty interest for the money order purchase.
- Minimum payment does not work with a cash advance. So, you will keep carrying high interest if you fail to pay the money order amount to your credit card company.
- There is no reward for money order purchases and you might end up hurting your credit score.
In simpler words, purchasing a money order with a credit card can cost you a lot of money in fees, interest, and penalties. So, you should avoid it at any cost. But can you buy a money order with a Visa gift card?
Can You Buy A Money Order With A Visa Gift Card?
Yes, it’s possible to buy a money order with a Visa gift card. However, USPS and some other issuers might not accept it as a valid form of payment.
You can use your Visa gift card to purchase a money order without paying any extra fees. However, not all money order issuers accept it as a valid form of payment. So, if you want to buy a money order with a Visa gift card then avoid USPS money orders.
By now we have found the answers to can you buy a money order with a credit card? Now let’s look at some of the related queries.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions related to this topic.
Can You Buy a Money Order With a Credit Card at 7-Eleven?
No, you can not buy a money order with a credit card at 7-Eleven. Although, 7-Eleven used to accept money order payments with credit cards. But as of 2023, they have stopped accepting credit cards as a valid form of payment for money orders.
Can You Buy a Money Order at Walmart With a Credit Card?
Walmart only sells MoneyGram money orders and you can not purchase a MoneyGram money order with a credit card. So, it’s not possible to get a money order with a credit card at Walmart.
Can I Buy a Western Union Money Order with a Credit Card?
No, you can not buy a Western Union money order with a credit card. In the past Western Union used to accept credit cards as a valid form of payment. However, they have stopped accepting it.
In Summary
It can be pretty difficult to find a money order issuer who accepts credit cards as a valid form of payment. Even if you find a money order issuer who takes credit cards, you should not use it. Because it can cost you a lot of money and trouble.
