6 Ways to Get Cash From a Credit Card

If you’ve ever stared at your credit card wondering, “Can this thing actually give me cash?”—you’re not alone. The short answer is yes, but there’s a catch (or several).

As someone who’s reviewed dozens of emergency borrowing options, I’ll walk you through what you most need to know before pulling money from plastic. We’ll cover the fastest ways to get cash from your credit card, what they really cost, and smarter alternatives (like cash advance apps) to consider first.

We’ve ordered the options below from high-risk/high-cost to lower-risk/lower-cost.

Table of Contents

1. ATM withdrawal
2. Venmo
3. Purchase and resell
4. Convenience checks
5. Balance transfer to a bank account
6. Cash-back cards
FAQ
Recap

1. ATM withdrawal

Need $100, like, right now? EarnIn offers a free, instant $100 cash advance to all qualifying first-time users.

Interest charged: As high as 29.99%
Fees: $10, or 3% – 5% of what you withdraw
Speed: Instant
Risk: High

Consumers can get cash from a credit card with a cash advance, when you use your credit card at an ATM to withdraw money. If you do this, you’ll be charged a high interest rate, typically more than your purchase APR plus a cash advance fee. For that reason, I only recommend this as a last resort if you have an emergency with no access to alternatives.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, credit card companies earned $717 million in 2022 from cash advance fees alone. Credit card companies charge a cash advance fee, typically $10 or 3% to 5% of the amount you withdraw. Plus, as mentioned, cash advance rates can be as high as 29.99%—sometimes more.

If you decide to take out a cash advance despite the high fees, you’ll need a PIN to withdraw money from an ATM. Most credit card companies will share your PIN in your introductory paperwork. However, if you don’t know your PIN, you can call your credit card company to request it or find it in your online account.

So while it might seem convenient to turn a credit card into cash at the ATM, the interest and fees on a cash advance can come back to haunt you later. Once you enter a cycle of high-interest debt, it can be hard to break. Again, please consider alternatives before using your credit card to take a cash advance.

2. Use a credit card with Venmo

Interest charged: Venmo doesn’t charge interest, but your credit card company will, often at the cash advance rate
Fees: 3% Venmo fee for using a credit card
Speed: Instant
Risk: High

You can get cash from your credit card online by using a peer-to-peer money transfer app like Venmo. It might be tempting to use your credit card on Venmo, but I don’t recommend it because you could pay double fees: a Venmo credit card fee and possibly a cash advance fee. (You can read more about this in the Reddit thread below.) Essentially, some credit card companies are now coding Venmo as a cash advance fee.

Credit Cards on Venmo is a cash advance?
byu/mdedina invenmo

Before using a credit card on Venmo, ask your credit card company whether it assesses additional charges. It’s better to check ahead of time because no one wants a surprise fee on their credit card bill after already paying a 3% Venmo credit card fee. I recommend using a checking account to send money via Venmo.

3. Purchase and resell

Interest charged: Only if you don’t pay your balance in full
Fees: Potential losses and debt if you fail to resell
Speed: Depends on the item
Risk: High

Another way to turn a credit cards into cash is to purchase items that are either in high demand or deeply discounted and then sell them for a profit. It could be the hottest game around the holidays or a big sale at a high-end store. However, this method comes with significant risks and should only be reserved for experienced resellers who have been in business for many years.

Although the idea of buying low and selling high is good in theory, you could get stuck with credit card debt at high interest rates if you can’t sell your inventory. If you want to earn cash from reselling, start with items you already have or free items you find.

Just last weekend, I found a wrought iron plant stand someone put on the curb with their trash and sold it on Facebook Marketplace the same day for $30. That’s preferable to risking going into debt with an interest rate above 20%!

4. Convenience checks

Interest charged: Varies depending on the issuer, often at the cash advance APR rate
Fees: Typically 3% – 5% of the check amount in addition to interest
Speed: A few days
Risk: Medium

Another trick to withdraw money from a credit card is to use convenience checks, but read the fine print. These are the physical checks some credit card issuers send to your address. If you’ve never received checks but want to, you can request one from your credit card company. For example, U.S. Bank allows customers to request checks online.

Convenience checks typically come with cash advance interest rates and a fee of 3% to 5% of your check amount. Many people don’t realize the checks come with high interest rates. If you’re not sure what the interest rate is on a convenience check, call your credit card issuer before using one.

Pro tip: Some convenience checks come with promotional offers for a set period. These are also called “balance transfer checks.” Of the several credit cards I have, only one from a small bank sends me monthly convenience checks. Over the past few months, the checks offered a promotional 2.99% APR for 18 months with a 5% fee on the amount used.

I would recommend a balance transfer check like the one I received to someone who wants to pay down high-interest debt. It’s only worth using a convenience check if you understand the fees, it comes with a low APR promotional offer, and you can pay off the balance in full before the promotion ends. I wouldn’t recommend a convenience check with a cash advance APR.

5. Balance transfer to a bank account

Interest charged: Typically, a promotional rate for a set period that reverts to a higher rate afterward
Fees: Usually 3% – 5% of the amount you’re transferring
Speed: A few days
Risk: Medium

Usually, when transferring a credit card balance from one card to another, you enter your credit card details, and your new card pays off your old card for you. Balance transfers usually come with promotional rates and a 3% to 5% fee of the balance you transfer. However, in some situations, credit cards allow you to deposit a balance transfer to a specific bank account.

You can find out whether your credit card offers checking account deposits by reading the fine print or asking. As we mentioned above, sometimes you’ll get convenience checks specifically for balance transfers.

You might also get offers from your current credit card providers. Earlier this year, I received an email from Citibank offering a loan against my available credit on my credit card. It offered no credit check, a fixed interest rate, and a deposit to my checking account. This is another option to consider, especially if you want to avoid a hard credit pull.

6. Cash-back cards

Interest charged: None if you pay your balance in full
Fees: None if you pay your balance on time and in full
Speed: Depends on the card
Risk: Low

Another way to convert a credit card into cash is by applying for a cash-back credit card. Typically, to get approved for a cash-back credit card, you’ll need good to excellent credit. Once approved, you’ll get a percentage of your spending back as a credit on the card.

Some cards, like the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, offer 6% cash back on groceries, which is helpful, especially when groceries are so expensive. Another, the Capital One Save Cash Rewards Credit Card gives 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. (Hello, concerts!)

I recommend researching cash-back credit cards to find one that aligns with your spending and lifestyle. For you, that might mean dining out. For me, I prefer a flat cash back percentage on everything, so I don’t have to think about the categories. As with all credit cards, these rewards are only worth it if you pay off your balance in full each month.

FAQ

Can I get cash from a credit card without interest?

If you want to withdraw money from a credit card without charges, your best bet is to use a cash-back credit card or a 0% balance transfer promotional offer. If you’re open to credit card alternatives, consider using a cash advance app to borrow small amounts. The best cash advance apps don’t charge interest, but watch out for fees.

Can you get cash from a credit card without a cash advance?

To get cash from a credit card without a cash advance, use convenience checks that are specifically for balance transfers or balance transfer offers that allow you to deposit money into your checking account. You can also use cash-back rewards cards.

Some cash-back cards offer a percentage back on all your purchases, so you can earn some money back just for doing your regular shopping. This is one of the only ways to convert your credit card into cash without paying a cash advance fee or interest charges.

What are the best alternatives to getting cash from your credit card?

If you’re trying to avoid high fees and interest, consider these potentially lower-cost alternatives instead:

Personal loans: May offer lower rates and predictable payments. (See our picks for the best personal loans.)
Borrowing from family or friends: Often interest-free, but be clear about repayment
Using your emergency fund: Ideal for one-time, urgent expenses
Selling items online: Try local marketplaces or platforms like eBay
Taking on a side hustle: Quick gigs can help you earn fast cash
Cash advance apps like EarnIn: Useful for small, one-time emergencies

Each option has pros and cons, so be sure you’re clear on the terms if you borrow money.

Recap of ways to get cash from a credit card

Method to get cash	Interest charged	Fees	Speed	Risk
ATM (or cash advance)	As high as 29.99%	$10 or 3% to 5% of what you withdraw	Instant	🚩 High
Use a credit card on Venmo	Venmo doesn’t charge interest, but your credit card company will, often at the cash advance rate	3% Venmo fee for using a credit card	Instant	🚩 High
Purchase items to resell	Only if you don’t pay your balance in full	Potential losses and debt if you fail to resell	Depends on the item	🚩 High
Convenience checks	Varies depending on the issuer, often at the cash advance rate	Typically 3% to 5% of the check amount in addition to interest	A few days	Medium
Balance transfer to a checking account	Typically, a promotional rate for a set period that reverts to a higher purchasing rate afterward	Usually 3% to 5% of the amount you’re transferring	A few days	Medium
Cash back cards	None if you pay your balance in full	None if you pay your balance on time and in full	Depends on the card	Low