Money order can you buy credit card

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If you need to send cash to someone, a money order is one way to get the job done. A money order is similar to a check, but you pay for it up-front — which means the funds are guaranteed. You make your money order out to a specific individual or business, and they cash it as they would a regular bank check.

Some people use money orders because they do not have a traditional checking account. Other people purchase money orders because they need to make a payment to someone who will not accept a traditional check.

Although money orders are less common these days, thanks in part to the increase in money order scams , people are still sending and receiving money orders through banks, the U.

Although a money order is similar to a regular bank check, it works very differently than a check does. When you purchase a money order , you pay for the entire amount up front, using a guaranteed form of payment such as cash or a transfer from your checking or savings account. Money orders eliminate one of the key risks associated with using bank checks, which is not having enough funds when the check is cashed. This is because most retailers do not let you use a credit card to pay for a money order directly.

When you take out a cash advance, your credit card issuer will charge you a cash advance fee on the transaction and your purchase will incur a higher interest rate. A money order is a paper document that's used to move funds from one place to another.

If that description reminds you of a check, you're absolutely right: Because the two items function so similarly, money orders are often used in place of a check by those who don't have a checking account. Unlike a check, however, money orders are issued for a specific amount of money, making them a slightly more trusted form of payment than checks.

And whereas regular checks can and do bounce if there isn't enough money in the connected account to clear them, money orders represent guaranteed funds. That's because in order to get them, you have to actively purchase them from a trusted entity — locations like a bank or credit union , the post office, a grocery store, or even Walmart. To purchase one, you'll hand over the amount you want your money order to be made out for, plus a nominal charge for the order itself.

They'll be filled out with your information, as well as that of the payee, so they're less likely to go astray. And even if they are lost or stolen, the proof of purchase provides a paper trail that usually means you can get your money back — so hold onto that receipt! Most folks won't have the occasion to use a money order very often, so when you do, it's worth knowing all the facts. Most importantly: Can you buy a money order with a credit card?

The short answer is yes, but only in specific situations and locations. Because a money order functions like cash or a guaranteed check, most issuers will require they be purchased with cash, or in some cases a debit card. But there are a couple locations where you can reliably purchase a money order with a credit card.

The first is Western Union, a company that's made a name for itself for facilitating money transfers all across the globe, and the second is slightly more surprising: 7-Eleven.

As of this writing, you can purchase a money order by showing up at brick-and-mortar locations for either of the above entities and presenting a credit card, but there's more to bear in mind when it comes to the effect on your wallet. But when you pay with a credit card, that won't be the extent of the fees you should expect. Since a money order is a cash equivalent, paying for one with a credit card is often treated as a cash advance by your credit card company.

It will start piling up the moment you pay for the money order, and won't stop until you pay off the charge in full. In short, the charges and dings to your credit can add up quickly, so try not to purchase a money order with a credit card unless absolutely necessary. If you do purchase a money order with a credit card, make sure you do so as responsibly as possible.

That means spending within your means, of course, but also filling out the money order clearly and carefully, making sure all information is accurate and up to date. Even though money orders are almost universally accepted, if the name on the payee's identification doesn't exactly match what you wrote on the money order, they won't be able to cash it. So take your time now to do things properly the first time, so you don't have to hunt down another location that accepts credit cards for money orders, and start the whole process again.

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Credit Cards Credit card reviews. Best credit cards Best rewards credit cards. Best cash back credit cards. Best airline credit cards. Best small business credit cards. Best balance transfer cards. Of course, the offers on our platform don't represent all financial products out there, but our goal is to show you as many great options as we can. The easiest way to find out whether you can purchase a money order with a credit card is to ask.

But watch out — if you use your card to make your purchase, you may end up paying more than you expect. A money order is a guaranteed payment for a specific dollar amount that can be used to pay bills or send money to specific people. You can use money orders just like cash. Here are a few reasons. You can buy money orders at a variety of different locations, including post offices, retail stores such as Walmart , banks and credit unions, grocery stores and convenience stores.