How to Send Money Via a Credit Card

Wire transfers using a credit card can be expensive.

You can use money transfer stores or their online counterparts to send money using a MasterCard or Visa credit card. The transaction will be treated as a cash advance by your card company, with upfront fees of about 4 percent of the total you're sending. You'll also pay additional transaction fees charged by the money transfer store. Finance charges on the cash advance will begin immediately, with a higher interest rate than that on purchases and other transactions.

Instructions

1. Find a money transfer store. These stores are often located in grocery stores, large retail stores and inside check-cashing or payday loan stores. Some money transfer stores also have online counterparts. There are other online money transfer stores as well. Select the money transfer store you wish to use.

2. Contact the money store or visit the website to confirm that it accepts credit cards for sending cash. Not all of the stores accept credit cards.

3. Visit the store or website to send money using your credit card. At the store, fill out the proper form available at the counter and present it along with your credit card. If you choose to send online, click on "Send Money" or a similar menu tab on the homepage and follow the prompts to complete your transaction. Your credit card will be charged for the transaction.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're sending online, the money transfer company may contact you by phone to confirm your identity before completing the transaction. Also confirm that you have enough available credit on your card to cover the amount being sent and the money transfer transaction fees.

• If the money transfer store does not accept credit cards, you can complete the transaction by using your credit card and personal identification number to withdraw a cash advance from an ATM. Then you can pay cash at the money store. The bank will charge a fee for the cash advance along with a higher interest rate.

References

• Bankrate.com: Cost of Cash Advances
• Bankrate.com: Safe Ways to Send Cash