Can You Use a Credit Card to Withdraw Money From an ATM Without Charges?

You can use a credit card to withdraw money from the ATM. However, you can’t withdraw money from your credit card without charges. And it’s expensive to withdraw cash using a credit card. You’ll pay high interest rates on the amount you withdraw, plus ATM fees.

Using your debit card at the ATM is your best bet. However, if you don’t have the funds and need cash quickly, we recommend you turn to solutions like cash advance apps. In this article, we’ll explore these alternatives and share tips to minimize your costs if you must use a credit card at the ATM.

Table of Contents

1. Can you withdraw money from a credit card without charges?
   1. How to use your credit card for cash
   2. How much does it cost to use your credit card at ATMs?
2. Can you withdraw cash from your credit card without fees?
3. Should you withdraw money from your credit card despite the charges?
4. Alternatives to using your credit card when you need cash
   1. Cash advance apps
      1. How they work
      2. Pros and cons
      3. Top recommendations
      4. Cash advance app FAQ
   2. Your debit card
      1. How it works
      2. Pros and cons
      3. Top recommendations
   3. Personal loan or line of credit
      1. How they work
      2. Pros and cons
      3. Top recommendations
   4. Emergency fund or savings
      1. How it works
      2. Pros and cons
      3. Top recommendations
5. How to minimize charges if you must use a credit card

Can you withdraw money from a credit card without charges?

No, you can’t withdraw cash from your credit card without charges. Credit card companies consider this a cash advance, which comes with interest costs. Additionally, most ATMs charge fees to withdraw cash. 

How to use your credit card for cash

Getting cash from your credit card works a lot like using a debit card:

• Insert your card at the ATM.
• Enter your PIN (you should’ve received one with your card paperwork, but if you don’t know it, call your issuer or check your online account).
• No PIN? No cash advance.

Some issuers also send “cash advance checks” you can fill out and deposit into your bank account.

However, cash advances are one of the most expensive ways to borrow, thanks to fees and high interest.

How much does it cost to use your credit card at ATMs?

Because you’re borrowing money using your credit card, you have to pay the credit card company interest in addition to other fees. Here is a breakdown of some costs you might incur if you use a credit card to withdraw money at an ATM.

Fee type	Details
Cash advance fee	Typically 3% or more of the amount you withdraw or a flat fee; varies by card
Interest	As hight as 29.9%, typically higher than your card rate
ATM fees	Varies, typically $2-$5 per transaction

Can you withdraw cash from your credit card without fees?

You can’t withdraw cash from your credit card without any charges—but you may be able to do it without fees. That means that you won’t have to pay a flat fee or a percentage of your withdrawal to access money. However, you still have to pay interest costs on cash advances. 

It’s all about finding the right card. Credit unions are a good place to find credit cards that don’t charge fees for cash advances. Here are some examples.

• PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card
• DCU Visa Platinum Secured Credit Card
• StarOne Visa Signature Rewards Card

Before applying for a credit card, it’s important to read your credit card agreement forms to ensure you understand the costs when using it. For example, PenFed clearly lists on its cardholder agreement that the APR (annual percentage rate) for a cash advance is 17.99% and that there are no cash advance fees.

The same is true if you get cash advance checks in the mail. Sometimes, these checks come with introductory APRs, so it’s important to read the fine print so you know when your interest costs increase.

Should you withdraw money from your credit card despite the charges?

Even if you’re okay with the high fees and interest that come with a cash advance, there’s another big drawback to keep in mind: your credit score.

When you take out a cash advance, you instantly increase your debt. Because the “amounts owed” category makes up about 30% of your credit score, carrying that extra balance can cause your score to drop. This risk grows if you don’t pay it off right away, since the higher balance lingers on your report.

So while a cash advance might seem like a quick fix, it often creates more long-term problems—hurting your credit and making it more expensive to borrow in the future. For that reason, we don’t recommend it unless you truly have no other option.

Alternatives to using your credit card when you need cash

Cash advance apps

Cash advance apps may look like an easy way to cover a small shortfall, but they’re not risk-free. While most don’t charge interest, fees for instant transfers and “optional” tips can add up quickly. In fact, frequent use can push the real cost into payday loan territory. That’s why these apps should only be seen as a short-term, occasional solution—not a regular way to borrow.

How they work

Using a cash advance app is pretty simple:

1. Download the app and set up an account.
2. Link your bank account (some apps also have a small monthly fee).
3. Request the amount you need, up to the app’s limit.
4. Wait a couple of days for free delivery—or pay a fee to get the money instantly.
5. The app will usually take repayment automatically on your next payday.

Once the money hits your bank account, you can use your debit card to withdraw it at an ATM.

Pros and cons

Pros

• No interest charges

  Many cash advance apps don’t have interest charges, and credit card cash advances do.

• Free standard transfers

  Many cash advance apps don’t charge fees for standard cash advances. (If you want cash instantly, there is a fee.)

• No credit check

  For many apps, signing up does not affect your credit score. With a credit card cash advance, borrowing money affects the “amounts owed” part of your credit score.

• Extras like budgeting or savings tools

  Some cash advance apps include budgeting tools, credit monitoring, automatic savings, and money tips. Most credit cards don’t have those built-in features.

Cons

• Fees add up fast

  Instant transfer fees, monthly memberships, and tipping models can make borrowing surprisingly expensive.

• Temptation to rely on them

  Easy access to quick cash can lead to a cycle of borrowing from one paycheck to the next.

• Small borrowing limits

  Advances are usually capped between $200 and $750—fine for covering groceries or gas, but not enough for bigger emergencies.

• Not a long-term fix

  Frequent use can mimic the high costs of payday loans and leave you worse off financially.

Top recommendations

Here are some of the best cash advance apps, especially if you need help with small, short-term expenses. These companies don’t have separate interest charges, but they do charge transfer fees. Some apps will ask for tips in lieu of transfer fees.

Depending on the amount you borrow using a cash advance app and the company’s transfer fee, the APR can be lower or much higher than credit card cash advance costs. For that reason, it’s always best to compare lending options before borrowing.

Cash advance app FAQ

I don’t recommend using cash advances regularly. Instead, I recommend building a 6 to 18-month emergency fund where you can access cash if needed.

Your debit card

A debit card is usually the cheapest way to get cash. Since it’s linked directly to your checking or savings account, you avoid the steep fees and interest that come with credit card cash advances.

How it works

1. Insert your debit card at an ATM.
2. Enter your PIN and withdraw cash directly from your account.
3. Pay an ATM fee if you’re out of network (usually just a few dollars).

Pros and cons

Pros

• No borrowing or added debt

• No impact on your credit score.

• Much lower fees than a credit card cash advance

Cons

• You’re limited to the balance in your account

• Out-of-network ATM fees can still add up if used often.

Top recommendations

Any debit card tied to your checking account works. To avoid ATM fees, try to use your bank’s network ATMs whenever possible.

Personal loan or line of credit

If you need to borrow more than a few hundred dollars, a personal loan or line of credit is usually a better option than a cash advance. They tend to have lower interest rates, clearer repayment terms, and won’t trap you in high fees.

How they work

A personal loan lets you borrow a lump sum and repay it over fixed monthly installments. A personal line of credit allows you to borrow as needed, up to a set limit, and only pay interest on what you use.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Lower interest rates than cash advances

• Predictable repayment terms with personal loans

• Flexible access to funds with lines of credit

• Can cover larger expenses

Cons

• Requires an application and credit check

• Not as fast as withdrawing cash from an ATM

• Interest still applies, so costs depend on your credit profile

Top recommendations

Here are some of our top picks for personal loans and personal lines of credit.

Emergency fund or savings

The best option, if you have it, is to tap into your own savings. Unlike borrowing, you don’t have to worry about fees, interest, or hurting your credit score.

How it works

With this option, you can transfer money from your savings account to checking, and withdraw cash using your debit card if you need physical money.

Pros and cons

Pros

• No interest, fees, or repayment

• Immediate access to your own money

• Protects you from relying on debt

Cons

• Only works if you’ve already built up savings

• Draining your emergency fund may leave you less prepared for future surprises

Top recommendations

Aim to build an emergency fund covering three to six months of expenses. Even starting small—like $25 a week—can make a big difference over time.

How to minimize charges if you must use a credit card

If you need a credit card to get a cash advance, there are a few ways to minimize cash advance fees. The first is to use an in-network ATM to save you the $2 to $5 it costs to withdraw money.

Some credit cards also send out cash advance or convenience check offers, where you get a lower APR for a set period of time. You can save on interest costs if you pay back the cash advance before the intro offer period expires. 

Finally, many credit unions offer credit cards with lower-than-average cash advance interest rates. Doing research to find credit cards with lower fees and interest rates for cash advances can help you save if you borrow money using this method.

I recommend creating a savings plan, even if just a few dollars each month, to build up your emergency savings account. In theory, if you don’t have the cash for purchases, you should not be making those purchases. I like to set up auto-transfers—so that when income comes in, it is automatically sent to a savings account. It gets it out of your daily account that you may be more likely to spend. If you use online savings accounts, that’s even better because to access cash, it takes a few days—it is not instant. Get in the habit of paying yourself first by automating savings.