Yes, you can withdraw cash from a credit card, but it costs more than a regular purchase

You can pull money directly from a credit card at an ATM or bank teller window. The card issuer treats this as a cash advance — a short-term loan against your credit limit. The money appears in your bank account within minutes at an ATM, or the same day at a bank branch.

The catch is immediate: cash advances charge fees and interest rates that are steeper than regular purchases. Most cards charge a flat fee (often $5 to $10) or a percentage of the amount withdrawn (usually 3% to 5%), whichever is higher. Interest starts accruing the same day you withdraw — there is no grace period like there is for regular purchases. The interest rate on cash advances is also typically 2% to 5% higher than your standard purchase APR.

Because of these costs, a cash advance should be a last resort, not a convenience. If you need cash, a debit card withdrawal or a trip to your bank is almost always cheaper.

Key Takeaways

  • Cash advances charge an upfront fee (flat or percentage-based) plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases, with interest starting immediately.
  • You can withdraw cash at any ATM that displays your card's logo, or at a bank teller by presenting your credit card and ID.
  • The amount you can withdraw is limited by your cash advance limit, which is usually lower than your total credit limit and set by your card issuer.
  • Interest on a cash advance accrues daily and compounds, so the longer you carry the balance, the more you pay.
  • Paying off a cash advance should be your priority because the interest cost grows quickly compared to other types of credit card debt.

Where and how to withdraw cash from your credit card

You can withdraw cash at any ATM that displays your card network's logo — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. Insert your card, enter your PIN, select "cash advance" or "withdrawal," and choose your amount. The ATM will show you the fee before you confirm, so you can back out if the cost is too high.

You can also visit a bank branch in person. Bring your credit card and a photo ID. Tell the teller you want a cash advance. They will process it at the counter and hand you cash. This method sometimes avoids ATM fees, though the card issuer's cash advance fee still applies.

Some credit cards do not allow cash advances at all, or they restrict them to certain ATM networks. Check your card's terms or call the issuer's customer service number on the back of your card to confirm your cash advance limit and whether there are any restrictions.

Understanding your cash advance limit

Your cash advance limit is separate from your credit limit. If your credit limit is $5,000, your cash advance limit might be $1,500 or $2,000. The issuer sets this limit to manage risk, and it does not change just because you pay your balance down.

You can find your cash advance limit by logging into your online account, calling customer service, or checking your most recent statement. If you need a higher limit, you can request an increase, though the issuer is not required to grant it.

If you try to withdraw more than your cash advance limit, the ATM will decline the transaction. You cannot override this by using multiple ATMs or multiple cards — each card has its own limit, and you cannot combine them.

The fees and interest that make cash advances expensive

A typical cash advance fee is either a flat amount ($5 to $10) or a percentage of the withdrawal (3% to 5%), whichever is higher. On a $500 withdrawal, a 5% fee costs $25. On a $100 withdrawal, a $5 flat fee is the bigger charge. Always check your card's terms to know which structure applies to you.

The interest rate on cash advances is usually 2% to 5% higher than your purchase APR. If your regular APR is 18%, your cash advance APR might be 23%. This higher rate applies only to the cash advance balance, not your entire card balance.

Interest on a cash advance starts accruing the day you withdraw the money — there is no grace period. If you withdraw $500 at a 23% APR, you owe roughly $9.58 in interest after one month if you make no payments. After three months, you owe about $29. The longer you carry the balance, the faster the interest compounds.

How credit card companies apply your payments to cash advances

When you make a payment to your credit card, the issuer applies it to your balances in a specific order set by federal law. Payments go first to the balance with the highest interest rate, which is usually your cash advance. This is good news — your payment tackles the most expensive debt first.

However, if you have both a purchase balance and a cash advance balance, and you only make the minimum payment, that minimum might not cover all the interest on the cash advance. This means your cash advance balance can grow even while you are paying.

To avoid this trap, pay more than the minimum, or pay off the cash advance in full as soon as you can. The sooner you eliminate the balance, the less interest you pay overall.

When a cash advance makes sense (and when it does not)

A cash advance is rarely the right choice, but there are narrow situations where it might be your only option. If you need cash for an emergency and have no other way to get it — no debit card access, no nearby ATM for your bank account, no friends or family to borrow from — a cash advance is better than missing a critical payment or going without necessary funds.

A cash advance does not make sense if you have a debit card, a bank account you can access, or a credit line through another source. It also does not make sense if you are already carrying credit card debt, because the new cash advance balance will compound on top of what you already owe.

If you are considering a cash advance to pay another bill, pause and explore other options first: a personal loan from a bank or credit union (usually cheaper), a payment plan with the creditor, or a temporary reduction in spending to free up cash from your regular income.

Alternatives to getting cash from your credit card

If you need cash but want to avoid the high cost of a cash advance, consider these options instead. A personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender typically charges 6% to 36% APR — lower than most cash advance rates — and you know the exact payment and timeline upfront. A balance transfer to a card with a 0% introductory APR can be cheaper if you are moving existing debt, though balance transfers also charge fees.

A line of credit from your bank or credit union is another option. These are usually unsecured and charge less interest than a cash advance. If you have a savings account, some banks will let you overdraft it or take a short-term loan against it at a lower rate than a credit card cash advance.

If you need cash for a specific bill or expense, contact the creditor or service provider directly. Many will set up a payment plan, accept a partial payment, or give you extra time to pay. This costs nothing and avoids debt altogether.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does taking a cash advance hurt my credit score?

A cash advance itself does not directly damage your score, but it increases your credit utilization — the percentage of your available credit you are using. High utilization can lower your score temporarily. If you pay off the cash advance quickly, the impact is usually small and temporary.

Can I use a credit card cash advance to pay another credit card?

Technically yes, but it is almost never a good idea. You are borrowing at a high interest rate to pay off another high-interest balance, and you now owe two separate debts instead of one. You also pay the cash advance fee on top of the interest. A balance transfer or personal loan is cheaper.

What happens if I cannot pay back a cash advance?

The balance stays on your card and interest continues to accrue. If you miss payments, your credit score drops and the card issuer may increase your interest rate or close your account. After several months of missed payments, the issuer may send your debt to a collection agency. Contact your card issuer immediately if you are struggling to pay — they may offer a hardship program or payment plan.

Is there a way to avoid the cash advance fee?

No. The fee is built into the cash advance product and applies every time you withdraw. Some cards offer fee waivers for the first cash advance in a year, but this is rare. The only way to avoid the fee is to not take a cash advance.

Can I withdraw cash from a credit card without a PIN?

At an ATM, you need a PIN. At a bank branch, you can withdraw cash by showing your card and ID without a PIN. If you do not know your PIN, call the card issuer's customer service number on the back of your card to reset it.