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Money orders are a handy and safe alternative to checks when you need to send a specific amount of money to a specific person or business entity. Since money orders are prepaid when they’re handed off to the recipient, it’s best to use cash or a debit card to pay for the grand total. We’ll walk you through every step of the process (including where and how to buy a money order), so you can get your money where it needs to go as soon as possible.
How can I do an online money order?
You technically can’t send a money order online, but you can accomplish the same thing with an online money transfer. Go to Walmart, Western Union, or MoneyGram’s website to initiate a money transfer anywhere in the world. If you need a money order specifically, visit a post office, Walmart, WU, or MG in person.
Steps
Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I transfer money without a physical credit card if I know the information?Top AnswererYes.
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QuestionCan I buy a money order with an American Express?Andrew SerranoTop AnswererThis would depend on who you are purchasing from. If you are buying it in person, changes are they will request cash, however American Express does have different allowances with some of their vendors. They may only allow a traveler's check, however many places will no longer accept them because of fraud potential.
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QuestionCan I use a credit card to purchase a cashiers check?Andrew SerranoTop AnswererIn a roundabout way, yes. You would have to go to your bank and request a cash advance from your credit card. This cash would be deposited in your account, and the bank would issue a cashiers check. However, be forewarned: a cash advance from a credit card will cause the highest potential interest rate to begin accruing the same day as you take the cash, and there are usually a cash advance fee of a percentage of what you advance. Only do this in an emergency situation, and pay the balance off immediately.
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Tips
- For more info on money order fees, check out the USPS's articles on domestic money order fees and international money order fees .Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/money-orders#where-can-i-get-a-money-order-how-much-does-a-money-order-cost-52485679
- ↑ https://www.westernunion.com/blog/en/us/everything-you-need-to-know-about-travelers-checks/
- ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Money-Orders-The-Basics
- ↑ https://www.walmart.com/cp/money-orders/5791922
- ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/how-to-fill-out-money-order
- ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/money-orders#how-can-i-buy-a-money-order-561530865
- ↑ https://dmv.ny.gov/about-dmv/dmv-payment-methods
- ↑ https://money.usnews.com/investing/term/check
- ↑ https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/money-orders#how-can-i-buy-a-money-order-561530865
About This Article
A money order is like a pre-paid check you can buy from a bank, post office, or online. You can pay for a money order with cash or a debit card. If you’re buying your money order from the United States Post Office, you can also use traveler’s checks. Keep in mind that you can’t use personal checks, since these take too long to clear. Some money order issuers, like Western Union and 7-Eleven, will let you use a credit card, but these will be expensive, since your card issuer will charge you fees and interest rates. You can also use a PayPal account linked to your bank or credit card through some websites like Payko. However, this will only work for a single, 200-dollar money order per day and you’ll have to wait for it to come in the mail. For more tips, including how to use alternatives to money orders, read on!
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