Can you send money internationally with a credit card?
You can send money internationally with a debit card. Credit cards are also accepted, but your card issuer may charge a cash advance fee.
Yes, MoneyGram lets you pay for online international money transfers with a credit or debit card from Visa or Mastercard.
But before you choose a credit card, there’s one important thing to know: your credit card company may treat the transfer as a cash advance. That could mean an additional cash advance fee and interest charges from your card issuer.
For many senders, a debit card may be the more cost-effective option.
Debit cards and credit cards can both be convenient, but they do not work the same way.
When you use a debit card, the money comes directly from your bank account. You’re paying with funds you already have available. For many senders, this makes debit a simpler and more cost-effective way to pay for an international money transfer.
Credit cards work differently. When you use a credit card for a money transfer, your card issuer may classify the transaction as a cash advance. A cash advance is different from a regular purchase. It may come with a separate fee, and interest may begin right away.
Those cash advance fees and interest charges come from your credit card company, not from MoneyGram. That distinction matters. MoneyGram shows the transfer fee and exchange rate before you confirm, but your card issuer may apply its own fees separately depending on how it processes the transaction.
That does not mean a credit card is always the wrong choice. Some people may still prefer to use one. But it does mean you should check with your card issuer before you send, especially if you’re trying to understand the full cost.
If you want to avoid the possibility of a credit card cash advance fee, a debit card is often the stronger choice.
Paying with a debit card with MoneyGram is easy.
.jpg)
Start your transfer on MoneyGram.com or in the MoneyGram® Money Transfers app. Log in or create a profile, then enter your recipient’s information.
Next, choose the country you’re sending to and enter the amount you wish to send. You’ll also select how your recipient should receive the money. Depending on the destination, available options may include cash pickup, direct to bank account, mobile wallet, debit card, or another receive method.
When it’s time to pay, select debit card as your payment method. MoneyGram accepts Visa and Mastercard debit cards for online transfers.
Enter your card details, then review the full transfer before confirming. This review step is important. Before you send, MoneyGram shows the fee, exchange rate, and total amount. That means you can see the cost upfront and make changes before you commit to paying. Cross-border money transfers are subject to a 1% government-mandated tax. Debit card and mobile wallet payments are excluded from this tax.
If you are a new customer, you may also qualify for a $0 transfer fee on your first online transfer on our website or in the app.
After you confirm, make sure to save your reference number. Only share it with your recipient and avoid posting the number or sending it through unsecured channels. You can also track your transfer online or in the app.
Before choosing between a debit card and a credit card, take a minute to check three things.
The best payment method depends on your needs, but the clearest choice is the one you understand before you send. Debit cards are often the more affordable option, while credit cards may come with extra costs from the issuer of the card.
With MoneyGram, you can review your transfer details upfront, choose the payment method that works for you, and send money internationally with more peace of mind.
