Can I send money from my credit card?

You can send money with a credit card or debit card, but not every transfer service allows this. While it’s convenient to pay for an international money transfer via credit card, it often costs more than paying via bank transfer.

Can I send money from my credit card?

The short answer is yes. You can send money with a credit card or debit card by using a money transfer service that accepts credit or debit card payments. Usually, this isn’t the cheapest transfer method. Many transfer services charge lower fees when you pay by directly transferring funds from your bank account.

Can I send money from my credit card internationally?

Yes. There are several ways to pay for an international money transfer with your credit card including:

• Bank. Transfer funds from your credit card via cash advance to pay for an international money transfer through your bank online or in person at a local branch. But you’ll likely be charged a cash advance fee plus a higher interest rate than the regular purchase rate.
• Money transfer service. Companies that specialize in money transfers like WorldRemit, Remitly, Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria let you send money with a credit card. Some of these services (like Wester Union and MoneyGram) have physical locations where you can pay in cash. Compare transfer fees below.
• PayPal. PayPal accepts credit cards along with other payment methods like debit and transfers from your PayPal balance. You’ll pay 2.9% of the transfer amount plus a small fixed fee (usually less than $0.50) based on the receiving currency.

Can I send money with my debit card internationally?

Even if you don’t have a credit card, you may be in luck: Many money transfer providers accept debit cards. The transfer fees may even be lower than if you pay by credit card.

• OFX. Send to 170+ countries and pay by debit card or bank transfer with OFX. Send funds 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and get real-time updates on your transfer status with the OFX mobile app.
• Wise. Pay for international money transfers via credit, debit or bank transfer with Wise, and save with zero-markup exchange rates. Manage and spend up to 50 currencies with a multi-currency account and the Wise Card.

What are the fees to send money online with a credit card?

Some, though not all, companies accept credit card payments. But you may pay more for the convenience of paying with plastic. As of March 18, 2023, here’s what a number of popular transfer services charge in total for sending $1,000 to India, the Philippines and Mexico using the cheapest available option.

When we checked 8 of the most popular money transfer services, Western Union, WorldRemit and Remitly charged the lowest fees for sending money with a credit card. But transfer fees aren’t the whole story.

Drawbacks of sending money with a credit or debit card

It may be more convenient to transfer money with a credit card or debit card than by bank transfer. However, keep these potential pitfalls in mind.

Transaction could be treated as a cash advance

When you transfer funds from a credit card, your card provider will probably treat the transaction as a cash advance. This comes with a cash advance fee and higher interest rate than you pay for ordinary credit card purchases. Interest is also likely to start accruing from the day you make the transfer — there’s no grace period.

Fees

Using your bank account to fund an international money transfer is typically the cheapest option. When you use your credit or debit card, your provider is likely to charge a higher transfer fee.

Advantages of sending money with a credit or debit card

There are some reasons why it can be a good idea to send money with a credit card or debit card.

Earn credit card rewards

If you have a rewards credit card, you may earn travel miles or cash back after you fund your transfer. However, this works best if paying by credit card isn’t treated as a cash advance, which comes with extra costs that may offsets your rewards.

You need your card in a pinch

Credit and debit card transfers may be useful in an emergency. For example, you may need to send an urgent transfer to a loved one who’s gotten into a difficult circumstance while travelling and has no cash.

The fees work in your favor

Before you initiate your transfer, check the transfer fees for both credit and debit cards. If there’s a difference, you’re likely to get a lower fee for debit card transfers.

You don’t have a bank account

Using a bank account is the standard funding source for money transfers. But if you don’t have a chequing account, you may need an alternative way to send funds like transferring from a credit card.

If you don’t have a credit card, bank account or debit card, consider picking up a prepaid debit card. You can purchase one at a local supermarket or retailer like Shoppers Drug Mart and use it to fund your transfer.

Bottom line

You can send money with a credit card or debit card, but it’s typically your more expensive option. It’s almost always cheaper to fund your transfer by transferring funds directly from your bank account.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I send money from my credit card?

  Yes, but the transaction may be treated as a cash advance, which may trigger a cash advance fee and a higher interest rate that you'd normally pay for credit card transactions. With most money transfer services, it's cheaper to pay for transfers by bank transfer.

  Your bank may offer international money transfers, but you can also get competitive exchange rates and flexible transfer options with online services that accept credit card payments like Western Union, WorldRemit, Remitly, MoneyGram, Ria or Wise.

• Can you e-transfer from a credit card?

  You can e-transfer from a credit card by withdrawing funds as a cash advance and then sending an electronic transfer. Be aware that cash advances usually come with a fee plus a higher interest rate than you'd normally pay for credit card purchases. Save on fees by paying for transfers via debit or bank transfer.

• Can I send money overseas using a prepaid card?

  Some services like PayPal and Wise let you pay for money transfers with a prepaid card, but not all do. If your prepaid card is designed to process transactions securely (i.e. if it's 3D Secure) and it has a 16-digit number and expiry date, there's a good chance you can use it like a debit or credit card to pay for your transfer.

  Check with your transfer service to find out for sure what payment methods are acceptable.

• How much does it cost to send money with a credit card?

  When you send money with a credit card, transfer fees vary based on the service you use, the destination country, the receiving method and other factors. When we checked 8 popular transfer services, the fees for paying by credit card ranged from $0 with Western Union to $36 with Wise.

Written by

Tim Falk

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

Co-written by

Stacie Hurst

Associate editor

Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family. See full bio