By LaToya Irby
Edited by Michelle TipswordCan You Get Cash Back With a Credit Card?
By LaToya IrbyEdited by Michelle Tipsword
Quick Answer
You can get cash back from your credit card, but it likely counts as a cash advance. Borrowing cash from your credit card is expensive because you’re charged a fee and daily interest starting the day you get the cash.
When you're in need of money, you may be able to borrow cash from your credit card—but at a high cost. Understand the fees and charges and explore alternatives before getting cash back from your credit card.
If you decide to take this route, learn more about your options for withdrawing cash from your credit card. Here's what you need to know.
Can You Get Cash Back From a Credit Card?
You can get cash back from a credit card, but it's treated as a cash advance. This transaction comes with steep fees and carries a higher interest rate than you'll be charged for regular purchases, making it an expensive form of debt.
Learn more: What Is a Cash Advance and How Does It Work?
What to Consider Before Getting Cash From Your Credit Card
There are several factors to consider before getting cash from your credit card.
Fees
You could potentially face two different fees when you get cash from your credit card:
- An ATM fee if you use another bank's ATM for a cash withdrawal.
- A cash advance fee charged by your credit card issuer. This fee is either a flat fee or a percentage of the cash advance, whichever is higher.
The more cash you withdraw, the higher the fees you'll pay.
Learn more: What Is a Cash Advance Fee on a Credit Card?
High Interest Rates
Cash advance transactions typically have the highest interest rate of any transaction on your credit card. Because a cash advance does not have a grace period, that higher interest begins accruing right away. The combination of a high interest rate and no grace period means you'll pay higher finance charges for getting cash back from your credit card. This is true even if you pay the balance in full by your due date.
Limited Withdrawal Amounts
Your limit for withdrawing cash may be lower than your credit limit for purchases. Any existing purchases or transferred balance may reduce the credit you have available for a cash advance. Not only that, some ATMs may limit the amount of cash you can withdraw. These limitations may prevent you from withdrawing the amount you need.
Potential Credit Impact
Taking out a cash advance could hurt your credit, particularly if the cash advance is high enough to raise your credit utilization ratio, or percentage of available credit you're using on your credit card. Credit card utilization has a significant impact on credit scores, so keeping a low balance, ideally in the single digits, is typically best for credit scores.
How to Get Cash Back From a Credit Card
If you're considering a cash advance, check your online account for how much credit is available for cash withdrawal. Review your cash advance fee and annual percentage rate (APR) to understand the cost of the transaction.
Tip: You'll be able to see your cash advance APR in your credit card's Schumer box, which appears in your credit card agreement or your monthly statement. Your card's cash advance APR will likely be higher than your standard APR.
When you're out of other options, you can use one of the following methods to get cash back from a credit card.
ATM Withdrawal
If you've ever used your debit card to withdraw cash at an ATM, the process for getting cash back from a credit card at an ATM will be familiar. Simply insert your credit card into the ATM and enter your PIN when prompted. Select the option to make a withdrawal and follow the prompts on screen. If you don't remember getting a PIN from your card issuer when you opened your account, you can contact them to ask for one.
If you're using another bank's ATM, you may receive a warning about an ATM fee. Accept the fee if necessary and the cash will be dispensed to you. Once you've received the cash, remember to take your card and end the transaction.
At the Bank
Depending on your credit card network, you may be able to withdraw cash at a participating bank if you don't have your PIN and can't use an ATM. Inform the bank teller that you'd like to take a credit card cash advance and specify the amount. Have your credit card and government-issued ID ready to show the teller.
Cash Back at the Register
At some retailers, you may have the option to request cash back during a transaction. When you're at the checkout, look for the option on the credit card terminal to receive cash back. Next, you'll be prompted to specify the amount of cash you'd like to receive. After confirming the amount, the cash will be dispensed to you along with your purchase.
Convenience Check
If your credit card issuer has mailed convenience checks to you, you can use them to get cash or deposit money into your checking account. Simply fill out the check by writing your name or "cash" as the payee and the amount of cash you want to receive. Then, endorse the check by signing the back and take it to your bank to cash or deposit.
You can alternatively use mobile check deposit if your bank offers the option. Log in to the mobile app, select the mobile check deposit option and follow the prompts on screen to deposit the check electronically.
Alternatives to Getting Cash From Your Credit Card
While they may be a convenient option when you're in a bind, cash advances aren't a good idea generally. Because it's an expensive way to get money, it's best to avoid borrowing money from your credit card if possible.
Consider alternatives before turning to a cash advance as a last resort.
- Use your emergency savings. If you have an emergency fund, using it can help you avoid debt, fees and interest. Just be sure you have a plan to replenish your savings as soon as possible.
- Redeem rewards for cash back. Depending on your credit card, you can opt for a statement credit, direct deposit or check mailed to you. A statement credit may be the fastest option to redeem your rewards.
- Take out a personal loan. If you have decent credit, you may qualify for a lower interest rate on a personal loan.
- Borrow from family or friends. While borrowing from a loved one can be awkward, it can also save you in interest charges. Be sure you stick with your payment agreement to avoid damaging your relationship.
- Sell some assets. If you have valuable jewelry, electronics or artwork, you may be able to come up with enough cash to avoid borrowing money.
- Pick up a side gig. You can earn extra income to cover your expenses and you won't have to take on new debt.
- Negotiate with your creditors. Extending your payment due dates may allow you to take care of your most urgent needs and make up your payments at a later date.
Learn more: Alternatives to Credit Card Cash Advances
Best cash back cards of 2026
Compare cards from our partners that offer cash back on everyday spending, often with no annual fee.
Offers from our partners
Citi Double Cash® Card
Intro APR:0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 3% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Intro bonus:Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Rewards:2% (Cash Rewards)
Annual Fee:$0
Discover it® Cash Back
Intro bonus:INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1% - 5% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:29.99%*
Rewards:2% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0*
The opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Ongoing APR:23.89% Variable
Rewards:10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$35
Credit One Bank American Express® Card for Rebuilding Credit
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$75 First year. $99 thereafter, billed monthly at $8.25
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 6% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Credit One Bank® Secured Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0*
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Ongoing APR:18.74% - 26.74% (Variable)
Rewards:1% - 5% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
First Latitude Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards
Ongoing APR:27.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$75*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:Introductory fee of $75 for the first year. After that, $99 annually.*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$39*
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa® Metal Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% - 5% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$95
First Progress Prestige Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards
Ongoing APR:13.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$49
First Progress Select Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards
Ongoing APR:17.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$39
Credit One Bank® Premier American Express® Credit Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$39
Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% - 10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$95
Credit One Bank® Premier American Express® Unlimited Rewards Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard® - With A Higher Credit Limit
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$125*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$75*
See all our best cash back credit cards for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
If you've ruled out alternative options and determine a cash advance is the only viable choice, make sure you understand the costs and the risks. While you can't avoid the cash advance fee, you can minimize interest by repaying the cash advance balance quickly.
You can check the impact to your credit by checking your FICO® ScoreΘ for free. A cash advance may cause you to lose points initially, but your score could recover as you reduce your balance.
Don’t apply blindly
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About the author
LaToya Irby
LaToya Irby is a personal finance writer who works with consumer media outlets to help people navigate their money and credit. She’s been published and quoted extensively in USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, myFICO, Investopedia, The Balance and more.
Read more from LaToya