Can You Buy Money Order With Debit Card? | 2025
oney orders are a safe way to send money. They are often used when cash or personal checks are not good options. Money orders are prepaid, which means you pay for them before you use them. You can buy money orders at many places, like banks, post offices, and stores.
A common question people have is, “Can you buy money order with debit card?” In this article, I will explain everything about money orders, including how to buy them with debit cards online and in-person, where to get them, the fees involved, and the good and bad sides of using this payment method.
Can You Buy Money Order With Debit Card?
Yes, you can buy a money order with a debit card at places like the U.S. Postal Service, Walmart, and banks, some retail stores, but not with a credit card
What is a Money Order?
A money order is a way to pay someone a specific amount of money. It is similar to cash or a check but can be safer in some cases. People often use money orders when they cannot use cash or when the person receiving the payment does not accept personal checks. You can cash or deposit money orders at banks, credit unions, and other places.
Key Features of Money Orders
- Prepaid: You pay the full amount upfront, including any fees.
- Guaranteed Funds: Because they are prepaid, the money is guaranteed to be available when the person cashes the money order.
- Widely Accepted: Many businesses accept money orders as payment.
- Tracking: Money orders come with a receipt that has a tracking number. This helps both the sender and receiver keep track of the payment.
How to Purchase a Money Order with a Debit Card
Purchasing a money order with a debit card is easy, but it might be different depending on where you go. Here’s how you can do it:
- Choose a Location: Decide where you want to buy the money order. Common places include:
- Banks and credit unions
- U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
- Grocery stores
- Convenience stores
- Retailers like Walmart
- Western Union locations
- Prepare Your Information: Before you go, gather what you need:
- The name of the person or business getting the money.
- The amount of money you want to send.
- Your debit card for payment.
- Visit the Location: Go to your chosen place and ask for a money order at the counter.
- Complete the Purchase:
- Fill out the money order form with the required details (like who it’s for).
- Show your debit card to pay.
- Pay any fees that may apply (these can vary by location).
- Keep Your Receipt: After you finish buying it, keep your receipt safe. It proves that you bought the money order and has important tracking information.
Can You Purchase Money Orders Online?
You can also buy money orders online, although it’s usually different from buying them in person. Here’s how it works:
- Digital Money Orders: Some websites let you buy digital money orders using online payment methods like debit cards. For example, services like PayPal offer ways to send money electronically.
- Limitations: While buying a traditional paper money order online directly can be tricky, many online services help you send money electronically instead.
- Process:
- Sign up for an account with an online service that offers digital money orders.
- Choose the option to send a money order.
- Enter details about who will receive the money and your payment information using your debit card.
- Follow the steps on the website to complete your transaction.
Can You Buy Money Orders with a Debit Card in the USA?
Yes! You can buy money orders with a debit card in many places across the USA. Popular spots include banks, credit unions, grocery stores, convenience stores like 7-Eleven, and retailers such as Walmart. The U.S. Postal Service also allows you to purchase postal money orders using cash or debit cards at their locations.
Where Can You Buy Money Orders?
You can get money orders at several types of places:
- Banks and Credit Unions: These places usually offer money orders but may charge higher fees than other outlets.
- U.S. Postal Service (USPS): USPS provides reliable services for buying money orders with set limits on amounts; you can pay with cash or debit cards.
- Grocery Stores: Many supermarkets sell money orders at their customer service desks.
- Convenience Stores: Stores like 7-Eleven often sell them through companies like Western Union or MoneyGram.
- Retail Stores: Big retailers such as Walmart also offer money orders through their customer service centers.
- Western Union Locations: Participating Western Union agents sell money orders that you can buy using debit cards.
Fees Associated with Money Orders
The cost of buying a money order can differ based on where you get it:
- Banks/Credit Unions: Fees can range from $5 to $10 or more.
- USPS: Usually charges around $1.50 to $2 for domestic money orders.
- Retailers/Grocery Stores: Fees generally range from $0.70 to $3.
Using a debit card might add extra fees depending on where you go.
Advantages of Using Debit Cards for Money Orders
Using a debit card to buy a money order has several benefits:
- Convenience: Debit cards make it easy because you don’t have to carry cash.
- Immediate Payment: The funds come directly from your bank account when you make the purchase.
- Security: Debit cards often have fraud protection features that cash does not provide.
Disadvantages of Using Debit Cards for Money Orders
While there are advantages, there are also some downsides:
- Fees: Some places may charge extra fees for using debit cards compared to paying with cash.
- Cash Advance Fees: If you use certain credit cards instead of debit cards, these transactions might be treated as cash advances, leading to high fees and immediate interest charges.
Filling Out a Money Order
Filling out a money order correctly is important so that it gets processed properly. Here’s how:
- Payee Information: Write down the name of the person or business receiving the funds in the “Pay to the Order Of” section.
- Your Information: Fill in your name and address in the designated fields.
- Amount: Clearly write down how much you’re sending in both numbers and words.
- Memo Field: Optionally include notes about what this payment is for (like rent).
- Signature: Sign your name on the front of the money order; this shows that it’s authorized.
Tracking Your Money Order
After purchasing your money order, keep your receipt safe because it contains important tracking information. If there are any problems with delivery or if it gets lost or stolen, you’ll need this receipt to ask for a replacement or refund.
Can You Buy a Money Order with a Credit Card?
No, you usually cannot buy a money order directly with a credit card. Most places that sell money orders only accept cash or debit cards.
Why Not?
- Cash Advances: If you want to use a credit card, you would need to take out cash from your credit card first. This is called a cash advance.
- Extra Fees: When you take out cash this way, you have to pay extra fees. These fees can be about $10 or 5% of the amount you take out, whichever is more.
- High Interest Rates: The money you take out starts to cost more right away because of high interest rates. Unlike regular purchases, where you might have some time to pay back without interest, cash advances start adding interest immediately.
Alternatives to Buying Money Orders
If you need to buy a money order, here are better options:
- Use Cash: This is the easiest and cheapest way to buy a money order.
- Use a Debit Card: A debit card works like cash because it takes money directly from your bank account.
- Money Transfer Apps: You can also use apps like Venmo, Paypal, or Cash App to send money easily without needing cash or checks.
Read also: What Happens If You Don’t Use Insurance Money for Repairs on Home
How to Pay for a Money Order in 2024?
- Choose the Amount: Decide how much money you want to send. Most money orders can be for up to $1,000.
- Find a Place to Buy: You can buy a money order at various locations such as:
- Banks and credit unions
- U.S. Postal Service (Post Office)
- Walmart
- Western Union
- Some grocery stores and convenience stores
3. Bring Payment: When you go to buy the money order, you’ll need to bring payment. You can pay using:
- Cash: This is the easiest way.
- Debit Card: This takes money directly from your bank account.
- Traveler’s Check: Some places accept this, but not all.
Note: Most places do not accept credit cards for buying money orders because they often count as cash advances, which can mean extra fees.
4. Fill Out the Money Order: At the counter, fill out the money order with:
- The name of the person or business you are sending money to (the payee).
- Your name and address as the sender.
- A note in the memo field about what the payment is for (like a bill or service).
5. Pay for It: You will pay the amount of the money order plus a small fee (usually a few dollars). For example, if you buy a $400 money order and it costs $2, you will pay $402 in total.
6. Keep Your Receipt: After you buy the money order, keep the receipt. It has a tracking number that helps you check if the money order was delivered or if it got lost.
Read also: Government Money for Stay at Home Moms
Conclusion
After all the information on can you buy money order with debit card? You know everything, you can buy a money order with a debit card! It’s not only possible but also convenient for many people looking for safe ways to pay in the USA. Knowing where and how to purchase these instruments, along with their costs, can help make financial transactions easier for everyone involved.
If you choose cash or debit depends on what works best for you; each method has its pros and cons that should be considered before making your choice.
