Let’s say you owe money to your pet sitter or need to help a buddy out of a bind. You already have PayPal, Cash App, and Venmo in your
digital wallet, so shooting the money over shouldn’t be hard. But there’s one problem: Your bank account balance is getting low.
Then you check the available balance on your credit card and think to yourself, “Problem solved!” And you’re not wrong — once you link an account to those payment apps, it’s easy to figure out how to send money with a credit card.
But convenience often comes at a cost, and that’s definitely the case here. Using a credit card to send money usually involves some pretty steep fees. We’ll walk you through a few ways to do it and how much each might cost, plus some less-expensive alternatives that might solve your money-sending problems — without the extra costs.
4 ways to send money with a credit card
1. Peer-to-peer payment apps
One of the easiest ways to send money with a credit card is with peer-to-peer (P2P) apps like PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App. But using a credit card isn’t free. Most
P2P services charge a 3% fee when you send money from a credit card instead of a linked bank account or debit card. That means sending $500 to a friend could cost you an extra $15, which isn’t ideal.
You might be wondering about Google Pay, Apple Cash, and Zelle, three other common P2P payment methods. Both Google Pay and Apple Cash let you make credit card purchases with vendors online. But if you’re paying a friend, these payment apps won’t let you transfer money from a credit card — it has to come from the bank account you’ve linked.
2. Money transfer services
Companies like Western Union, MoneyGram, and Xoom let you send money directly to a recipient’s bank account, mobile wallet, or even as cash for pickup. These services are especially common for people making
remittance payments — wire transfers sent to family or friends in other countries.
Credit cards are an option for funding the transfer, but again, fees vary — and they’re usually higher if you’re sending money internationally. Plus, your credit card issuer might treat the transaction as a cash advance (more on that below), which means even more fees.
3. Cash advances
Payment platforms like Plastiq let you pay rent, tuition, or even a friend’s invoice using a credit card. The catch? They’ll usually tack on a processing fee that can add up quickly, especially on big transactions.
What to consider before you send cash with a credit card
Before you decide to use your credit card to send money, take a second to weigh the costs and potential risks. These are the key points to keep in mind.
Watch out for fees. Most payment services charge around 3% to send money with a credit card. If you use a money transfer service like Western Union, you could face even more charges, especially for international transfers.
Check your cash advance APR. Transactions treated as cash advances usually come with higher interest rates — often 25% or more. And unlike regular credit card purchases, there’s no grace period before you start accruing interest.
Make your payments on time. If you’re waiting for a paycheck to replenish your bank account, using payment services or apps to send money with a credit card buys you a little time. But it adds to your balance, which makes it harder to pay off the debt in full when you get paid.
Understand the impact on your credit. Unless you pay them off right away, large credit card transactions will increase your
credit utilization ratio (how much of your credit limit you’re using). And a high utilization ratio can really hurt your credit score.
Consider lower-cost alternatives. You can avoid fees and interest charges by using a bank transfer or debit card. And if your bank account doesn’t have the funds you need, EarnIn’s
Cash Out tool can give you early access to the wages you’ve already earned
— up to $150/day with a max of $750 between paydays.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to send money with a credit card?
It depends on the method you use. P2P apps like PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App usually process transfers instantly, but some may take 1-3 business days if the recipient moves the money to their bank. Money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram offer same-day wire transfers, but bank processing times can vary, especially for international remittance payments. If you're using a credit card cash advance, you can typically withdraw money immediately from an ATM.
Is sending money with a credit card safe?
Yes, as long as you use trusted payment platforms. P2P apps, digital wallets, and money transfer services offer encryption and fraud protection. But be careful — credit card payments are often harder to reverse than debit card or bank transfers, making them riskier for transactions with people you don’t know. Always verify the recipient’s details before sending money, whether it’s from a credit card or your bank account.
How do I pay myself with a credit card?
You can’t technically send money to yourself with your own credit card, but you can use your card at an ATM for a cash advance. But remember, credit card cash advances come with high interest rates and don’t offer the usual grace period before interest starts adding up.
What’s a wire transfer?
A wire transfer is a way to send money electronically between banks or financial institutions. The most common reason for people to use wire transfers is for large payments or international transfers, including remittance payments.
If you’re using a credit card for a wire transfer, be prepared for extra costs. Most banks don’t allow direct wire transfers from credit cards, so you’d need to go through a money transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram. These services will process the wire, but they usually charge high fees and may treat the transaction as a cash advance, meaning immediate interest and higher APRs.
Need money now? Get earned wage access with EarnIn
If you need to transfer money, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal make it easy to do right from your phone. And here’s the good news: Even if you don’t have the funds for the transfer in your bank account today, you can tap into your wages early with EarnIn to give your balance a boost.
Our
Cash Out tool lets you access your pay as you work — up to $150 a day with a max of $750 between paydays
— so you have what you need to keep moving forward, whatever life sends your way. The best part? There’s no interest, no credit check, and no mandatory fees.
Download EarnIn to make any day payday.
Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.
EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by our bank partners on certain products other than Cash Out.
A pay period is the time between your paychecks, such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly. EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the
Cash Out Maxes section of our
Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out. EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed is not available in all states. Restrictions and terms apply; see the
Lightning Speed Fee Table and
Cash Out User Agreement for details and eligibility requirements. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.
A pay period is the time between your paychecks, such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly. EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the
Cash Out Maxes section of our
Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out. EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed is not available in all states. Restrictions and terms apply; see the
Lightning Speed Fee Table and
Cash Out User Agreement for details and eligibility requirements. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.
