How to Send Money With a Credit Card: All Your Options Compared
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Author: Jonathan Merry
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Credit cards have a range of different uses, from spreading major costs to acting as an emergency fund - and you can also use them to send money overseas. Read our guide to learn how you can send money abroad with a credit card, what costs are involved, and whether it’s the best option available.
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Can I send money online with a credit card?
Yes, you can send money online using your credit card, however there may be some limitations. If you’re using a money transfer provider, remember not all providers accept credit card payments.
Some may only allow you to pay with your credit card if sending money to or from a certain country, or in a certain currency. Comparing money transfer providers with MoneyTransfers.com means you’ll be able to see all the payment methods accepted by every single provider - so you can find the best available deal for the way you want to pay.
"Over 15 million customers use Wise, mostly for their excellent mobile app, transparent fee structure & use of mid-market rates. Now increasingly used for larger transfers."
Please share your experience with Wise
Would you recommend Wise?
Russell Pinkes
I can’t send money to Belize
Katsiaryna
Once trying to open sire, was automatically blocked for no reason
Alan
Unable to transfer money from Philippines to any other country. Philippines Wise does not work
Anonymous
Retiro de dinero en transferencia
Uwe
great rates and service - unfortunately for some countries not yet available
Martin Premprakash Anantharaman
On the first transfer to a hospital in NY they were already screaming that this was a sure scam and the same on my next transfer to a fried in Nigeria. They then summarily closed my account TERMINATING THE RUNNING TRANSFER TO NIGERIA, claiming that, hold on, I was being scammed🤦♂️ Sure, I could have appealed but immediately found that I would have had to provide so much intrusive detail that I desisted.
Martin Premprakash Anantharaman
Setting up is a bit unwieldy if you want to make a one-off transfer, as you have to create an account with complete identification - but it works and the process as well as charges are great.
Anonymous
My brother wants to send me money from India to Nigeria but he's finding it difficult how can he do it
Mohammed
WARNING : Wise was Great until main office decided to ruin WISE By letting the TW India office control handling Random verifications and do what ever they want by insane replies and no replies etc. If you want to waste your time and enjoy a journey into Black Hole of Insane then go ahead and try WISE !
Anonymous
Can't receive money from php to idr so far
sudheir
They don't allow transfer to Brokerage firms from India
Anonymous
Good app to transfer money
Anonymous
I didn't find Cuba on your list.
Anonymous
cuba not work
Nina
I made a transfer to a Canadian company 1.5 months ago, and the funds have not yet been received. After multiple emails, Wise insists that the money was paid out. However, I have received an official statement from the recipient’s bank confirming that the money has not been received. Wise's complaints department sent me a final letter stating that, according to their records, the funds were paid out. Additionally, Wise states the following in their Customer Agreement regarding their responsibility for losses: Quote from Wise's Terms: "Our Customer Agreement also explains our responsibility for losses in Section 29: 29.1 Unforeseeable loss or damage. We are not responsible for any loss or damage that is not foreseeable. Loss or damage is foreseeable if either it is obvious that it will happen or if, at the time the contract was made, both we and you knew it might happen, for example, if you discussed it with us during your sign-up process. 29.9 We are not liable for things which are outside of our control. We (and our affiliates) cannot be liable for our inability to deliver or delay because of things which are outside our control." Despite these terms, Wise has not been able to resolve this issue, and the money has still not been delivered as promised. I find it irresponsible that Wise does not conduct any investigations into the matter. The Canadian bank associated with Wise is unable to provide any information, as everything goes through Wise. Wise must be capable of tracking the funds and providing precise details about where exactly the money is, who received it, and to which bank account it was deposited. I would advise everyone to be cautious when transferring large sums of money with Wise. They are not capable of executing a secure money transfer!
Shengjie Yin
good and perfect
Tristan
Beware: Wise's Unethical Policies and Unresponsive Support Cost My Business I am sharing my experience with Wise to warn fellow business owners about the serious risks and unacceptable practices you may encounter if you choose to use their services. My business, is a legally registered travel agency in the UK, and I relied on Wise to manage payments for my photography and cultural tours, primarily in South America. Things took a turn for the worse when Wise froze my account and accused my business of violating their Acceptable Use Policy, citing my once-a-year humanitarian trip to Cuba. Despite explaining multiple times that: No Cuba-related transactions were ever processed through Wise (I use a separate European bank for this purpose), My tours comply with the “Support for Cuban People” category authorized by OFAC, designed to help Cuban citizens outside state control, Wise completely ignored the facts. Their customer support team responded with automated messages, refused to engage in any meaningful dialogue, and even lied, claiming they didn't monitor my emails—despite clear evidence to the contrary. After days of chasing them and providing thorough documentation, they chose to close my account without justification. The Consequences: Wise left my business in chaos, disrupting essential transactions and client arrangements. Their rigid policies align with sanctions widely condemned by the global community, and in doing so, they indirectly support humanitarian suffering. The Bottom Line: Wise is unreliable, unresponsive, and unethical. If your business has any complexity or humanitarian focus, beware: Wise will shut you down without notice or explanation, and customer support will abandon you. Their actions have serious real-world consequences. Avoid Wise if you value your business stability or require ethical and accountable financial services. There are far better alternatives out there that won’t put your livelihood at risk Beware: Wise's Unethical Policies and Unresponsive Support Cost My Business
Anonymous
I have been a customer for a few years. Yes I love the instant deposits as I make around $1K. However as many non US entities Wise uses a bank out of New York. Therefore the TRANSFER and DEPOSIT from an account transfer can take 4 to 6 days. What this means is that you will not able to make another ACH transfer during this time. This is frustrating if you have to make a follow up transfer in a few days. All in all don't plan to make more than 4 transfer in a month because it may not fo through, Not sure if other transfer companies operate the same way but I am about to find out as I will try Revolute. Bottom linw will require you to use ANOTHER payment method like credit card or some other method. Understand this: YOU MAY HAVE THE MONEY IN YOUR ACCOUNT but they WILL NOT TRY TO VERIFY IT WITHIN THE THE PERIOD IT WILL TAKE THEM TO DEPOSIT IT IN YOUR ACCOUNT. To add insult to injury I called in and the agent siad that they can see that they got paid but the computer takes time to update/reconcille I guess! It is a slow system!
Anonymous
There is a lot of advice on RECEIVING INHERITANCE in the UK from overseas but nothing on the rules for SENDING money gifts to grandchildren living OVERSEAS and the rules on Inheritance Tax in that case.
Anonymous
The service is decent, nothing more. I have had security issues that are not quickly resolved. Call center personnel are average. The app is not, in general, user friendly. You should definitely do research on a variety of service providers before making a choice. Do not take the reviews at face value. I chose Wise based on positive reviews but now regret not doing more research on other companies.
Anonymous
So far so good
Daniel
I checked to see if Wise even sends money to Colombia. Colombia is not even in their list of countries. Why is it even advertising for Colombia?
Bill Sanders
I have used Wise for several years. They once rejected a large transfer because it was to a coal company. Apparently, they are a woke company! But they refused to tell me why. More recently, they required verification of my identity using a smart phone. I am 69 and never owned a cell phone because I don't need one. But they forced me to buy one, which I did last week. Getting the phone updates ate up all my data, so i got 1 GB more. I took 12 different pics of my passport and another 12 of my face for them. They rejected them - and are holding up my transfer. Now my phone ate up that gig of data and I must buy another gig (thru Tracfone) just to use the phone. What a hassle. This is not a photo studio! They know who i am already. Note: This comment has been edited by the MoneyTransfers.com team to align with our content guidelines.
Ziggy Meilus
It used to be always instant, now it may come right away or it can take 5 even 7 days to get the money.
Anonymous
i've heard of people having issues with accounts being locked/restricted, but i think that was mostly for business accounts, maybe they were locked for good reason. for me, i've had no issue with my account though i've only used it for small transfers and not very often, over the past 5+ years
How to send money with a credit card
If you’re sending money overseas and you want to use your credit card, the best way is to use a money transfer provider. You’ll usually just need to follow these basic steps:
Use our comparison tool
Tell us how much money you need to send and where it's being sent to
Find the best rates
Find the provider with the best deal on credit card transfers and click through to their website - it usually takes just minutes to sign up
Add details about your transfer
Enter information about your transfer, including the amount, the recipient’s details and the transfer type - ensure everything is 100% accurate
Enter your payment details
Choose credit card as your payment method and enter your card information
Finalize your transfer
Review the details of your transfer and send the money
These companies offer the fastest and cheapest money transfers on the market, routinely offering much better deals than banks and digital wallet apps.
Ways to send money with a credit card
If you want to pay for your money transfer through your credit card, your best way to do it is to use a money transfer provider. They offer the best rates and the fastest payments, although you are likely to pay more than if you would pay by bank transfer.
You should be aware, while credit cards offer convenience for sending money, many Americans struggle with high credit card debt depending on which state they live in, as seen in this credit card debt analysis.
An alternative would be to link your credit card to an app like PayPal or Cash App, but beware of the extra fees that are often included on top of the existing credit card fees.
The best credit cards for sending money abroad
The following credit cards offer the best rates and lowest fees for cash advances, so are best suited for using with a money transfer provider.
Credit card | Cash advance fee | Cash advance APR* |
|---|---|---|
PenFed Gold | $0 | 17.99% |
PenFed Platinum Rewards | $0 | 17.99% |
DCU Platinum Rewards | $0 | 15.75 - 18% |
DCU Platinum Secured | $0 | 16% |
Simmons Bank | 3% (Min $4) | 18.75% - 26.75% |
*APR is the overall cost of borrowing money for the cash advance, incorporating the interest rate as well as any fees you might face into one percentage figure.
Pros and cons of paying for your money transfer with a credit card
- Fast: Credit card payments are often processed much faster than bank transfers
- Convenient: They let you borrow money and pay it back, making them useful for emergencies
- Benefits: Some credit cards offer benefits like cashback and reward points when you use them
- Secure: Credit cards are one of the most secure payment methods available
- Cash advance fees: You pay more than normal with a credit card, as these transactions are charged a cash advance fee
- Provider fees: Some providers charge their own fee if you pay by credit card - with providers like Wise and Instarem this can be around $30-$70
- Interest charges: Cash advances are usually charged at a higher rate of interest than normal transactions, and any interest-free perks you might have probably won’t apply
- Credit score: If you spend money on your credit card and don’t pay it back on time, this is likely to negatively impact your credit score
How much it costs to send money with a credit card
Wise
Destination | Credit card fee for transfer of $100 | Credit card fee for transfer of $1,000 | Credit card fee for transfer of $2,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
$4.12 | $41.23 | $82.45 | |
$4.12 | $41.23 | $82.45 | |
$4.12 | $41.23 | $82.45 |
Instarem
Destination | Credit card fee for transfer of $1,000 | Credit card fee for transfer of $10,000 | Credit card fee for transfer of $100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
$30 | $300 | $3,000 | |
$60 | $600 | $6,000 | |
Hong Kong | $45 | $320 | $3,020 |
Fees are involved in sending money with a credit card
While credit cards can be a convenient and fast way to pay for your money transfer, you should be aware of possible fees you might face. Generally speaking, credit cards are also the most expensive method of payment for money transfers, as they come with a host of extra charges you don’t usually see with alternatives like debit cards and bank transfers.
Cash advance fees
The main thing to be aware of with credit card money transfers is that credit card providers usually class these transactions as cash advances. These often incur extra fees, usually in the region of 3-5% of the total transaction amount - and interest rates on cash advances are usually higher than the rate for standard card payments
Interest charges
Speaking of interest, this is essentially the cost of borrowing money on your credit card in the first place. Some credit cards offer interest-free periods, but these may not apply to money transfers as they are seen as cash advances. It’s worth noting that if you don’t pay back the money you owe on your credit card, you’ll likely lose this interest free period anyways
Currency conversion fee
You may also have to pay a currency conversion fee to the provider or the credit card payment processor, often between 1-3% of the total transaction
Provider's fee
Money transfer providers differ in the fees they charge for money transfers. Some may even charge extra for processing a credit card payment compared to alternative methods, so be sure you keep an eye out for any added costs
Provider's markup
Providers also often add a markup on the exchange rate, usually a very small percentage - and this shouldn’t be affected by your payment method
What is a cash advance?
What is a cash advance?
A cash advance is almost like taking out a small loan on your credit card - it usually applies to things like cash withdrawals from ATMs, or convenience checks you might get from your provider.
Although it might seem similar to withdrawing cash from your own account, there are often high fees involved because you’re borrowing the money. It also often involves a higher rate of interest compared to using your card for standard transactions in shops.
Alternatives to paying for a money transfer with a credit card
While paying for your money transfer with a credit card does have its benefits, you might be better off considering an alternative method. Most providers offer bank transfer and debit card payments as alternatives, although some may even offer cash payments, prepaid cards, and mobile wallets.
Bank transfers
Paying for your money transfer directly from your bank account is usually the cheapest option, but can sometimes take a little longer to process
Debit card
Paying by debit card is likely to be quick, sometimes as quick as with a credit card, but likely with lower fees - and no risk of paying interest
Prepaid cards
Prepaid cards can be just as fast as credit and debit cards, but not all places accept them
Cash
If your chosen money transfer provider has an agent nearby you can visit, they may let you pay for your transfer in cash after confirming the details online
Mobile wallets
Some providers accept payments via mobile wallets like PayPal, Google Pay and Apple Pay
Can I receive money from overseas to a credit card?
Some providers, like TransferGo and Western Union, allow money transfers directly to the recipient’s credit or debit card. While this might sound strange, as most people use cards to make payments rather than receive them, they offer the benefit of not having to share bank account details.
You’ll simply just need the recipient’s full name and credit card number, and they should receive the money directly to their credit card balance. They may receive an email that reads similar to ‘You have spent -$100 on your credit card’ to indicate that money has been added to their balance.
Should I use my credit card to send money overseas?
Using your credit card to send money abroad isn’t always the recommended option, as it’s often much more expensive than alternative methods. However, it can be a useful payment method in the following circumstances:
If you need to send money quickly
Some providers might process credit card payments faster than debit card payments or bank transfers, which can be useful if speed is paramount
If you need to borrow money to send
Credit cards let you borrow money to pay back later, so if you need to send funds abroad and you’re a bit short, a credit card can be a good way to tide you over. Just be sure you pay back the money you owe on time, otherwise you might face high interest charges
If you benefit from credit card bonuses
With some credit cards you might have certain incentives to keep you using them, such as cashback or reward points to spend in different shops. If these benefits outweigh the extra charges you might face, then it could be worth pulling out the credit card for your next money transfer
Sending money from a credit card to a bank account
You can send money from your credit card to a bank account, but this will usually be seen as a cash advance just like any kind of money transfer. This means you’ll face a range of fees for taking money out of your credit balance for your money transfer.
Another option is to use a service like PayPal or Venmo, which allows you to easily transfer funds from your linked credit card to another person's bank account. Just be sure to check for any associated fees before proceeding with the transfer.
Using a credit card to make a wire transfer
Like above, you can use your credit card to fund a wire transfer, but it’s likely to be an expensive option. We would recommend only doing this as a last resort, as you’ll face credit card fees as well as potential wire transfer fees.
Using a credit card to send money domestically
If you need to send money domestically within the US, you can use a credit card to pay for the transfer. While banks in the US do allow domestic transfers, they often charge huge fees - so most people use alternatives like digital wallet apps.
PayPal, Venmo and Cash App allow you to make domestic money transfers with your credit card. We’ve broken down their fees below:
Provider | Credit card fees |
|---|---|
PayPal | 2.9% plus a fixed fee of $0.30 |
Cash App | 3% |
Venmo | 3% |
FAQs
Can I send money with a credit card using PayPal?
You can send money with PayPal using your credit card. For domestic payments you’ll be charged 2.9% of the transfer amount plus $0.30, and for international payments you’ll be charged the same fee as when paying from your PayPal balance, bank account, or Amex Send account. This is 5% of the transaction fee, with a minimum value of $0.99 and a maximum value of $4.99.
Can I send money with a credit card using Cash App?
You can send money with Cash App, but only domestically within the UK or the USA, or between the UK and the USA. You can also pay by credit card, and it will cost a 3% fee of the total transaction amount.
Are exchange rates when sending money with a credit card competitive?
This can depend on the credit card company and their partnerships with banks or exchange companies. It is important to do research and compare rates before choosing a method of sending money with a credit card. Additionally, there may be fees associated with using a credit card for international transactions, so be sure to factor those in when comparing options.
Ultimately, it is possible to find competitive rates when sending money with a credit card, but it may take some research and comparison.
Is sending money with a credit card safe?
This is a question many people have when considering using their credit card to send money.
The good news is that, as long as you are careful and vigilant about protecting your personal information, sending money with a credit card can be just as safe as any other method. One way to ensure safety is by only using reputable and trusted sources, such as a well-known payment platform or your credit card's own money transfer service.
You should also make sure the recipient is someone you know and trust, and double-check all information before finalizing any transaction. Additionally, it's important to regularly monitor your credit card statements for any unusual or unauthorized activity.
Will sending money with a credit card impact my credit score?
The short answer is, it depends. If you are using your credit card to make a purchase and then paying off the balance in full and on time, it should not have a negative impact on your credit score. However, if you are using your credit card to withdraw cash or make a payment that you cannot pay off in full, it could have a negative impact on your credit score due to increased utilization and potentially missed or late payments. It is always best to use a debit card or other means of payment for cash withdrawals, and to make sure you can pay off any credit card purchases in full and on time.
Can I make an IBAN transfer with a credit card?
If you need to make a bank transfer using someone’s IBAN, depending on the provider you’re using you should be able to pay with a credit card. You’ll need their IBAN as well as their name and address, and to pay you’ll need your 16-digit card number, expiry date and CVV code.
Remember this will count as a cash advance, so you’ll be charged an extra fee for the transaction.
What apps can I use to send money with a credit card?
There are multiple apps that allow you to send money using your credit card. The best ones would be money transfer provider apps like XE, Wise and WorldRemit, as they offer the lowest fees and fastest transfers.
PayPal is an alternative, but paying with your credit card will incur extra fees on top of the existing credit card fees - so this could turn out to be quite expensive. Cash App may also be an option, but this only allows transfers between the USA and the UK, or domestic transfers within these countries.
Can I send money with a credit card without paying interest?
If you have a 0% interest rate on your credit card, you might be able to capitalize on this - however it’s very unlikely that the 0% interest rate will apply to cash advances. In most cases these are exempt from all interest-free offers, so you’ll almost always have to pay interest even if you make your payments on time.
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