Can You Use a Credit Card at an ATM? What You Need to Know

If you need cash but only have your credit card available, what should you do? Can you use a credit card at an ATM?

You can, but it may not be the best option. Make sure you understand how cash advances work — including the fees, interest charges, and effect on your credit score — before you use them.

Using a Credit Card at an ATM

You can use a credit card to withdraw cash at an ATM, similar to how you would use a debit card. This transaction is called a cash advance, and it’s different from regular credit card purchases.

Step-by-step process for withdrawing cash

If you need to withdraw cash from an ATM with your credit card, follow these steps:

1. Create a PIN either online or by calling your credit card issuer.
2. Check your cash advance limit and total credit limit to make sure you have credit left before reaching your limit. If you are already at your credit limit, you won’t be able to withdraw any money, even if you have not hit your cash advance limit.
3. Find a participating ATM through your credit card provider. If there are no participating ATMs around, you may be able to use another ATM, but for an additional fee.
4. Input your credit card in the ATM and follow the on-screen directions for cash advances. You will need to enter your PIN and the amount you want to withdraw.
5. Make a plan to repay the cash advance as soon as possible to limit your interest fees.

Just like you should avoid making only the minimum payments on business credit cards, try to make more than the minimum payment on your cash advance. Consider a credit card balance transfer if you’re struggling with your total balance and interest fees.

Required information: PIN and card specifics

You need two things to withdraw money at any ATM with your credit card: the card itself and your personal identification number (PIN). ATMs use the pin to make sure that you’re actually the cardholder.

Can you use a credit card at an ATM without a PIN? Generally you can’t withdraw money from an ATM without going through PIN verification. However, you may be able to get a cash advance inside a bank branch without a PIN as long as you have your credit card and photo ID.

If you don’t already have a PIN or you forgot yours, contact your credit card provider. You will be able to set up your PIN after verifying you are the real cardholder.

Costs and Fees Associated With Cash Advances

While cash advances at ATMs can be convenient, they often come at a steep cost. Your credit card company may charge a cash advance fee — either a percentage of the amount you withdraw (around 3% to 5%) or a flat fee (like $5 or $10).

So you’re already paying fees for the cash you take out of the ATM with your credit card. And that’s just your credit card provider. The ATM operator may also charge an ATM fee, which makes the cash withdrawal even more expensive.

Next, you have to consider the interest charges on the money you withdraw. Unlike regular credit card purchases, cash advances generally do not have an interest-free period. As soon as you take out the money, your credit card issuer starts charging you interest on the cash advance. These withdrawals often also have higher annual percentage rates (APRs) than regular purchases. Compare different credit card issuers and the interest rates they charge.

So cash withdrawals start accruing interest charges sooner, and those charges are often bigger. The combination makes cash advances more expensive than many people realize.

Impact on Credit Scores

Taking out a cash advance can also hurt your credit score. The money you borrow through a cash advance increases your credit utilization — the percentage of your total available credit that you’re currently using. Because the amount owed is one of the biggest components of your credit score, you may see your score go down after a cash advance.

Your credit utilization (and your credit score) should go back to normal once you pay off the cash advance. However, if you struggle to pay back the cash advance with its high interest and fees, that can negatively affect your credit rating long-term. Then you may be limited to consumer or business credit cards with bad credit.

Responsible Use of Credit Cards at ATMs: Key Tips

Because cash advances are quite expensive due to interest and other fees, consider alternatives first. For example, if you need cash to pay for a meal while out with friends, you might be able to borrow money from one of them. Or consider using peer-to-peer payment apps tied to your bank account to pay someone.

If you have access to other lines of credit, such as a home equity line of credit or personal loan, tapping into those might be a more affordable route to access cash.

You may be able to set your own limits on cash withdrawals to curb the temptation to take out money this way. Log into your credit card account online for more information about your withdrawal limits and possibly adjust them.

The bottom line is that you should only use cash advances for emergencies.

Smart Credit Card Choices With MoneyAtlas

Using your credit responsibly is crucial to protecting your financial security. Make smarter credit card choices with MoneyAtlas’s help.

MoneyAtlas provides complete guides on personal finance topics so you can understand your money inside and out. Take the first step toward reaching your financial goals and explore your credit card options with MoneyAtlas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use a Discover credit card at an ATM?

You can use a Discover credit card to withdraw cash at an ATM. You just need to create a PIN first. Then visit one of the over 500,000 eligible ATMs and enter your Discover card and PIN.

Can you use a Chase credit card at an ATM?

You can use a Chase credit card at an ATM. Just set up a PIN first by calling the phone number on the back of your card.

Can you use a Capital One credit card at an ATM?

You can use your Capital One credit card at an ATM as long as you have a PIN. If you forgot your PIN, you can request a new one online. Depending on your eligibility, you will get it either instantly online or in the mail after several days.