How to Get Cash from a Credit Card in USA: Fees, Process, and Smart Alternatives 2025

Life happens – maybe your car breaks down out of cash or you need foreign currency on the spot, and your savings are tied up. In the USA, you might wonder if your credit card can give you cash fast. Indeed, you can withdraw cash on many credit cards via a “cash advance”, but it’s costly and complex.

For example, Discover explains that “when you need cash in a pinch and you don’t have emergency savings to tap, taking an advance from one of your credit cards can put the money in your wallet quickly.” In this guide we’ll walk through why and when people use cash advances, how to get cash from a credit card in USA step-by-step, the fees and APRs involved, and smarter alternatives to avoid the high costs. We’ll also explain things like cash advance limits, risks, and ways to minimize charges.

What Is a Credit Card Cash Advance?

A cash advance is basically borrowing money with your credit card instead of making a purchase. When you take a cash advance, you’re pulling cash out of your credit line – for example from an ATM or bank – and your card issuer treats it like a short-term loan. Chase Bank defines it as withdrawing cash “against your credit card limit” and warns that cash advance APRs are “almost always much higher” than your normal purchase rate, with interest accruing immediately.

In other words, it’s not like using your debit card or getting cash back at a store – the card’s grace period no longer applies. Bank of America bluntly says a cash advance is “borrowing against your credit card to put cash in your pocket,” complete with extra fees and higher APR.

Different card issuers may handle the details slightly differently. For instance, Citi notes that your cash advance limit is typically set as a percentage of your regular credit limit, and Chase says issuers usually cap advances at some fraction of your credit line (e.g. 30% of a $15,000 limit would be $4,500). You should find your “Cash Advance Limit” on your billing statement or online account – Capital One reminds cardholders to check their statement for that line.

A few things are crucial to remember about cash advances:

• Immediate interest and fees: Cash advances have separate, higher interest rates and often no interest-free period. Capital One notes that “cash advances usually include transaction fees and a higher APR than credit card purchases,” with the fee charged at the time of the advance. BofA agrees: there’s typically a flat or percent fee up front, and interest starts accruing right away.
  
• No rewards: Unlike normal purchases, cash advances generally do not earn any rewards or cash back. Citi explicitly points out that cash advances don’t earn points or miles, since they’re not purchase transactions.
  
• Other transactions count: Beware that not all “cash advances” involve ATM machines. Many cards treat “cash equivalents” as advances. For example, Capital One’s help center warns that even sending money via PayPal/Venmo, paying bills with a third-party service, buying lottery tickets or casino chips, or exchanging foreign currency on your card will trigger a cash advance fee. Similarly, the CFPB notes that buying crypto or using cards for peer-to-peer transfers can be treated as a cash advance.
  

In short, a cash advance is cash in your hand, but it’s essentially a loan with extra fees and interest tacked on. Use it only when truly necessary.

Also Read: What Is CSC Service Work Charge on Credit Card? Explained in Detail 2025

How to Get Cash from a Credit Card in USA (Step-by-Step)

If you decide to proceed, here are the typical ways to withdraw cash (varies by issuer):

• Check your limit and terms first. Look at your statement or online account to find your Cash Advance Limit (often a portion of your total credit limit). Review your card’s agreement for the cash advance fee and APR so you know what costs to expect. For example, many credit cards charge around 5% of the advance (often with a $10 minimum).
  
• ATM withdrawal. If you have a PIN for your credit card, you can use an ATM much like a debit card. Insert your card, enter the PIN, and select “cash advance” (the exact prompt varies by ATM). Follow the on-screen instructions to enter the amount and confirm. Some ATMs will even warn you that a fee applies. Capital One’s help center walks through this: insert card ➔ enter PIN ➔ follow prompts ➔ enter desired advance amount ➔ accept fees ➔ take cash and receipt. Note that ATMs often impose their own withdrawal limits (e.g. $300/day) and fees. In-network ATM operators typically charge $2–$5, plus possibly another $1–$2 from your bank for an out-of-network ATM.
  
• Bank teller or branch. If you don’t have a PIN, you can still get cash at many banks or credit unions that accept your card network (Visa/MasterCard). Bring your credit card and a government photo ID to a teller and request a cash withdrawal. For example, Capital One says you can “take a cash advance inside a bank lobby that displays the Visa or MasterCard logo…by providing a government issued photo ID along with your card”. The teller will withdraw from your card like any cash advance (with the fee and rate applied).
  
• Convenience check. Some cards come with special “convenience checks” linked to your account. You can write one of these to yourself, then cash or deposit it. It works like a normal check, but the amount is charged to your credit card as a cash advance (so the APR and fee apply). Chase notes that convenience checks act like normal checks, except the funds are drawn from your credit line.
  
• Online transfer. A few issuers allow direct transfers. For instance, Discover offers a “cash advance into checking” feature on its website or app. You log in and move money from your card to your bank account; the bank deposit takes 1–3 business days. (This counts as a cash advance on the card.) As Discover says, you can get cash by transferring from your card to checking.
  
• Peer-to-peer apps (with caution). You could, in theory, use PayPal or Venmo to send money to yourself via your credit card. But as noted above, these usually trigger a cash advance fee – and sometimes an extra “cash transfer” fee from the app. Generally it’s better to use the methods above than attempting a workaround.
  

Once you’ve completed the withdrawal, immediately record the amount and plan to repay it ASAP (more on this in the tips below). The money should appear on your credit card balance in a day or two (sometimes immediately if at a bank). Then pay it off right away on your next payment cycle if you can.

Also Read: In House Financing Explained: How It Works & What to Expect at Car Dealerships

Fees and Interest Rates

Cash advances are notorious for high costs. You’ll typically pay:

• Upfront fee: Most cards charge either a percentage of the advance or a flat dollar amount – whichever is greater. A common structure is 5% of the advance ($10 minimum). For example, Capital One charges 5% (min $5) on many cards. If you request $1000, that’s at least a $50 fee. CFPB data notes many card issuers impose a $10 minimum, so even a small $20 advance could cost $10 fee.
  
• High APR: Cash advance interest rates are usually much higher than for purchases. After the 2023 rate hikes, many major cards list cash APRs in the high 20s or around 30%. In fact, an industry survey found the average cash advance APR was about 24.8% (2020 data), and the CFPB reports the most common cash APR across top issuers is 30%. For context, the average purchase APR is in the low-to-mid 20s now, so cash APRs are generally several points higher (for example, many Capital One cards show ~29.24–29.74% APR for cash advances).
  
• No grace period: Unlike purchases, there’s no 21–30 day grace period. Interest on a cash advance starts immediately, even on the day you take the advance. That means every day a balance remains, interest accrues at that high rate.
  
• ATM/Cross-border fees: On top of your card’s fees, ATMs often charge extra. Many ATM operators tack on $2–$5 per withdrawal. Some banks also charge a fee (e.g. $1–$3) for using an out-of-network ATM. If you’re abroad, currency conversion fees or foreign transaction fees may also apply.
  

Example: Suppose you take a $500 cash advance with a 5% fee and 30% APR. You’d owe $25 in upfront fees. If you repaid it in 30 days, at 30% APR you’d owe about $12 in interest, for a total cost of $37 on $500 – that’s over 7% of the amount! Carry it longer, and the interest grows daily. Many experts stress this is far more expensive than other borrowing options.

Also Read: WF/CA Vancouver Charge on Credit Card – Explained & What to Do

Cash Advance Limits

Your card doesn’t let you pull out the entire credit line in cash. Issuers set a cash advance limit (sometimes called a “cash access line”) that is typically a fraction of your full credit limit. Commonly this is around 5%–30% of the total limit. For example, Chase notes that if you have a $5,000 limit and a 30% cash cap, you could borrow up to $1,500. The exact percentage varies by card: secure or student cards might allow only 5–10%, while premium cards might allow 30% or more.

You can find your cash advance limit on your statement or online account (Capital One’s site advises checking your latest statement for it). Also note that some issuers impose per-transaction or daily withdrawal caps. And remember, taking a cash advance reduces your overall available credit too – you must have enough unused credit to cover it, or the transaction will be declined.

Risks and Drawbacks

Using a credit card for cash has clear downsides:

• Very high cost: As seen above, fees and APRs make cash advances extremely expensive. CFPB data warns many people are “caught off guard” by these fees. A flat $10 fee means a $20 advance effectively has a 50% fee rate! Experts emphasize cash advances are a last resort. One financial site bluntly states they should “only be used for emergencies” due to the “extremely high cost”.
  
• No rewards or protection: Purchases on credit cards often earn points, miles, or cashback, and can be disputed if things go wrong. Cash advances earn no rewards, carry no purchase protection, and add to your debt immediately.
  
• Credit score impact: A large cash advance spikes your credit utilization (the ratio of used credit to limit), which is a major factor (~30%) in FICO credit scores. If you spend a lot of credit on an advance, your score could drop. Chase notes that while a timely repaid advance shouldn’t hurt, any unpaid balance raises utilization and can ding your score. In contrast, if you repay the advance quickly, the long-term damage is minimal.
  
• Debt trap potential: Since interest starts immediately, carrying even a small balance can snowball. Many fall into a debt cycle: a cash advance to cover one expense leads to more interest, which leads them to borrow again. Unfortunately, there’s not much research on exact statistics of this behavior, but consumer advocates widely warn about the spiral effect. The CFPB’s spotlight on gambling found consumers “in for a shock” when routine transactions became high-fee cash advances – a cautionary tale about hidden costs.
  
• Reduced credit availability: Since the advance uses your credit, you might have less available for genuine emergencies or other charges. And on a more subtle note, banks and credit unions require photo ID for cash advances at branches, which adds hassle.
  

Smart Alternatives to Cash Advances

Because cash advances are so costly, consider these lower-cost options first:

• Earned Wage Access apps: Apps like Earnin, Dave, Brigit, Chime, and Branch let you access part of your pay early (up to a few hundred dollars) without interest (though they often encourage tips or fees). For example, Earnin lets you withdraw up to $100 per day (max $750 per pay period) of earned wages with no mandatory fee (just an optional $4–$6 express fee or tip). Brigit provides small advances ($25–$250) but charges a monthly subscription ($8.99–$14.99) and small instant-funding fees. Dave offers up to $500 no-interest advances with a modest monthly fee. These services withdraw repayment from your next paycheck automatically. Pros: Much lower fees/interest, and may include budgeting tools. Cons: Advance limits are smaller, require linking to your bank/paycheck, and missing a repayment can incur overdrafts.
  
• Personal loans: A small installment loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender can have a far lower APR than a cash advance. NerdWallet reports average personal loan rates (April 2025) of about 12–17% for strong-credit borrowers, and 20–22% even for fair/bad credit. That’s still high, but usually better than 30%. Plus you’d repay over months instead of immediately. Many lenders have quick funding, though not instant like an ATM. If approved, this spreads the cost out and may improve your credit if paid on time.
  
• Credit union emergency loans: If you belong to a credit union (or can join one), ask about emergency or small-dollar loans. Under federal rules, credit unions can offer “Payday Alternative Loans” (PALs) of $200–$1,000 with 1–6 month terms and limited fees. State credit unions often have similar products, sometimes capped at around 18–28% APR – still high, but often much lower than a credit card advance. Some credit unions even waive most fees if you have direct deposit or membership tenure. It’s worth checking.
  
• Ask your employer: Some employers offer paycheck advances or emergency loans (especially if large). Apps like Branch or employer payroll advances let you get a portion of next payday. These are typically low- or no-fee.
  
• 0% balance-transfer check or card: In very limited cases, a new credit card offering a 0% APR on balance transfers (with no fee) could be used via a convenience check for cash. This is rare and may violate some card rules, but it’s technically possible. (Proceed with caution and read terms.)
  
• Friends/family or side jobs: It may be less formal, but borrowing from someone you trust or picking up a quick side gig (rideshare, food delivery, etc.) can be cheaper and safer than a cash advance.
  
• Emergency fund/build savings: The best long-term fix is having a rainy-day fund. Even small weekly savings can prevent the need for expensive credit later.
  

Each alternative has pros/cons, but the key is avoiding a 25–30% APR loan when possible.

Tips to Minimize Cash Advance Costs

If you absolutely must take a cash advance, here are some tips to soften the blow:

• Take only what you need. Since fees are often a percentage or a minimum amount, don’t withdraw extra. If your card charges a percentage fee (e.g. 5%), get just the amount needed. If it charges a flat fee (e.g. $10), do it in one lump sum rather than multiple smaller withdrawals, so you pay the flat fee just once.
  
• Repay it immediately. Every day an advance sits, interest accrues at that high rate. Pay it off on your next statement (or before) to minimize finance charges. If possible, make an extra payment right after withdrawing or set up an automatic payment.
  
• Use lower-fee cards or ATM networks. Some credit cards (especially from credit unions) have lower cash advance fees or even none. For example, certain PenFed or DCU cards charge no cash advance fee and have sub-20% APR (though you may need to join the credit union). Also, use an ATM in your own bank’s network to avoid the $2–$5 ATM surcharge.
  
• Combine transactions: If your fee is a flat dollar (not percentage), take it all at once to avoid a second fee. If percentage-based, smaller is better as above. Capital One suggests limiting the fee by withdrawing “only as much as you need”.
  
• Check for special promos: Very rarely, issuers run promos (like skip/waive fees). Check your issuer’s alerts or site, though most do not advertise such offers for cash advances.
  
• Avoid using it for non-essentials. Ask yourself if the purchase really must be cash. If it can wait a week until your next paycheck or be put on the card normally, that saves a lot in fees and interest.
  

By planning carefully and minimizing the borrowed amount and time, you can shave off some costs – but remember, alternatives are usually better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I withdraw cash from my credit card?
A: There are a few ways. At an ATM (with your credit card and PIN) by choosing “cash advance,” or at a bank teller by showing your card and photo ID. Some cards let you write a convenience check (which you deposit) that draws from your account. Discover even allows online transfer to checking. Always choose the method your issuer supports and be aware of ATM/network limits.

Q: Do I need a PIN to get a cash advance?
A: For ATMs, yes – enter your credit card’s PIN to withdraw. If you forgot or don’t have one, you can instead go to a bank. For example, Capital One says you can get cash in-branch by showing a government photo ID and your card.

Q: What fees and interest will I pay?
A: Typically a fee (often ~5% of the amount, with a $5–$10 minimum) plus a high APR (often 25–30%). There’s no grace period, so interest starts immediately. Also expect any ATM surcharges. Check your card’s terms or statement for exact rates.

Q: Will this hurt my credit score?
A: A paid-off cash advance doesn’t directly hurt your score, but it increases your credit utilization (your used credit ratio). If you suddenly use a lot of credit for cash, your score might dip until it’s repaid. Always try to pay it down fast to avoid issues. Missing a payment, of course, will significantly damage your credit.

Q: How much cash can I get?
A: Up to your card’s cash advance limit (often 5–30% of your credit line). Check your statement or online account to see that limit. Remember also any ATM-specific limits per transaction/day.

Q: Are there better options than a cash advance?
A: Yes – almost always. Consider borrowing from your credit union (they have small emergency loans), using earned-wage apps (Earnin, Dave, etc.), a personal loan, or even friends/family. These often charge far less interest. Building an emergency fund is ideal to avoid these traps altogether.

Q: Can I ever get a cash advance with no fee?
A: Some rare credit cards (usually credit-union cards) waive the cash-advance fee. For example, PenFed Visa cards charge $0 fee with ~18% APR. But most mainstream cards do have a fee. It’s worth checking the fine print or asking issuers for any special promotions.

References

1. Credit Karma – What is a credit card cash advance fee?
   Provides insights into typical cash advance fees charged by credit card companies.
   
2. Chase Bank – Credit Card Cash Advance: What It Is & How It Works
   Details on cash advance fees, APRs, and the immediate accrual of interest.
   
3. Credit Counselling Society – Is a Cash Advance Bad for Credit?
   Discusses higher interest rates for cash advances and potential credit implications.
   
4. Experian – 4 Alternatives to Credit Card Cash Advances
   Explores personal loans, 0% APR credit cards, and other alternatives.
   
5. Bank of America – What is a Credit Card Cash Advance and the Associated Fees?
   Explains the costs and considerations of taking a cash advance.
   
6. NerdWallet – What Is a Credit Card Cash Advance Limit and How Can You Change It?
   Provides information on cash advance limits and their impact on credit utilization.
   
7. High Rise Financial – Risks Involved in a Cash Advance
   Outlines potential risks associated with cash advances.
   
8. NerdWallet – 7 Alternatives to Credit Card Cash Advances
   Discusses various alternatives including low-interest credit cards and BNPL services.
   
9. Capital One – What Is a Cash Advance on a Credit Card?
   Provides an overview of cash advance fees and processes.
   
10. FDIC – Credit Card Checks and Cash Advances
    Highlights the lack of a grace period for cash advances and associated fees.
    
11. Gerald – Best Cash Advance Cards & Fee-Free Alternatives 2025
    Introduces fee-free cash advance alternatives like Gerald.
    
12. USAA – Credit Card Cash Advance FAQ
    Provides specifics on cash advance limits and daily transaction caps.
    
13. myFICO – Before You Get a Credit Card Cash Advance, Read the Fine Print
    Emphasizes the immediate interest accrual and higher costs of cash advances.
    
14. Take Charge America – Know the Risks of Credit Card Cash Advances
    Discusses how overusing cash advances can affect credit limits and interest rates.
    
15. Bankrate – Online Cash Advances: What They Are Plus Alternatives
    Explores online cash advances and alternative options.
    
16. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Data Spotlight: Credit card cash advance fees spike after legalization of sports gambling
    Analyzes the increase in cash advance fees and APRs.
    
17. InCharge Debt Solutions – What Is a Credit Card Cash Advance and How Do They Work?
    Provides a comprehensive overview of cash advances and their costs.
    
18. Business Insider – Credit Card Cash Advances: Everything You Need to Know in 2024
    Discusses repayment strategies and alternatives to cash advances.
    
19. PNC Bank – What Is a Cash Advance on a Credit Card?
    Explains cash advance fees and considerations.

20. LendingTree – Does a Cash Advance Hurt Your Credit?
Analyzes the potential credit score impacts of cash advances.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. While we strive to ensure the content is accurate and up to date, financial regulations, fees, and credit card terms may change over time. Always consult directly with your credit card issuer or a certified financial advisor before making financial decisions. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from the use of this information.