Do You Earn Rewards Buying Money Orders?
Why money orders are treated as cash
A money order is a near-cash instrument, so issuers generally classify buying one the same as pulling cash from an ATM. That means it earns no rewards and can trigger a cash advance, which carries an upfront fee and starts charging interest the day of the transaction with no grace period. This is one of the few purchases where a credit card can actively cost you money.
Most stores will not allow it
Even if your card would permit it, many retailers, grocery stores, and the post office require cash or a debit card for money orders and will not run a credit card at all. Some grocery and big-box stores allow debit only. So in practice the option is often closed before rewards even enter the picture.
Better ways to handle the payment
If you are trying to earn rewards on a bill that only takes a money order, look instead at whether the biller accepts a card directly, or a third-party bill-pay service, though those charge a fee that usually erases any rewards. For everyday spending you actually want to reward, a plain cash back card on normal purchases is the honest path. Value points at a flat 1 cent so you never talk yourself into a fee that outweighs them.
Frequently asked questions
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