How to Transfer Money Using a Credit Card: Fees, Options and Best Services
Whether you need to support family abroad, pay an overseas invoice, or cover an urgent expense in another country, the question most people ask is straightforward: how to transfer money from credit card accounts internationally, and what will it actually cost? The good news is that you can send money from a credit card through a wide range of services including Wise, Remitly, Xe, PayPal, and Western Union. The catch is that credit card funding almost always costs more than paying with a debit card or bank transfer, and the exact additional cost depends entirely on which service you use and how your card issuer classifies the payment.
How to transfer money via credit card breaks into two very different situations. The first is using your card as a standard payment method with a specialist money transfer service, where it is processed as a purchase. The second is a cash advance, where your bank lends cash against your credit limit at a premium from day one. These two routes look superficially similar but carry dramatically different costs. Understanding the distinction is the most important thing to grasp before you try to figure out how to send money through credit card for the first time.
This guide covers how to transfer money through credit card using every available method, what each one costs with real numbers on a $1,000 example, and which services offer the best combination of low fees and reliable delivery. We have done the head-to-head comparison so you do not need to work through the fine print yourself. For anyone who wants to know how to transfer money from credit card to a recipient overseas, the answer is: use a specialist service, not PayPal or a bank.
Can you send money from a credit card and still come out ahead compared to using a bank? Yes, if you choose the right service. The difference between using Wise with a credit card versus a bank cash advance on a $1,000 transfer is over $80. This guide will show you exactly where that gap comes from.
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Can You Send Money From a Credit Card?
Yes, you can send money from a credit card through most major money transfer services. Wise, Remitly, Xe, and PayPal all accept credit cards as a funding option. Western Union accepts credit cards for a wide range of international transfers. The fees attached to credit card funding vary considerably across providers, and the service you choose determines most of the total cost.
Most specialist money transfer services treat a credit card payment as a standard purchase transaction. This means your card provider does not apply a cash advance fee. PayPal similarly processes most credit card payments as purchases. The risk is that some card issuers automatically classify any money transfer as a cash advance regardless of the service used. Before funding any significant transfer with a credit card, contact your issuer and confirm whether the specific service will be classified as a purchase or a cash advance.
It is also worth noting that a credit card surcharge charged by the transfer service and a cash advance fee charged by your card issuer are two separate costs that may both apply or neither may apply. To understand how to transfer money from credit card to a bank account overseas at the lowest total cost, you need to know which of these costs you will face. The sections below break each method down with real numbers.
How to Transfer Money via Credit Card: Four Methods Compared
There are four main approaches to transferring money with a credit card. Three involve using your card as a funding method with a third-party service. The fourth is a direct cash advance from your card issuer. Each method has a distinct cost profile, and choosing the wrong one can cost you ten times more than necessary.
1. Specialist Services: The Cheapest Way to Transfer Money From Credit Card
Specialist money transfer services are the best starting point for anyone who wants to transfer money through credit card internationally. Wise, Remitly, and Xe all accept credit cards as a funding method and charge a small surcharge on top of their standard fee when you pay by card rather than by bank transfer. Wise typically adds around 0.33% extra for credit card funding on most corridors. Remitly charges approximately 3% on top of its normal transfer fee when you pay by credit card. Xe applies a small surcharge that varies by corridor.
Even with the credit card surcharge applied, specialist services remain far cheaper than PayPal or a bank cash advance because they use the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden markup. The recipient receives the real value of the currency you are sending, not a rate artificially inflated for the service provider's benefit.
The process to send money through credit card on a specialist service is simple. You create an account, enter the recipient's bank or mobile wallet details, select credit card as your payment method, and the platform shows the exact total cost including any card surcharge and the precise exchange rate before you confirm. No hidden costs appear after the fact.
2. PayPal: Convenient but Expensive
PayPal accepts credit card payments for transfers. When you transfer money via credit card through PayPal, the platform charges 2.9% of the transfer amount plus a small fixed transaction fee. On a $1,000 international transfer, that is roughly $29 in PayPal fees before the exchange rate is applied.
The larger cost with PayPal on international transfers is the exchange rate markup. PayPal adds a 3% to 4% premium on top of the mid-market rate when converting currencies. On a $1,000 transfer, the FX markup alone costs $30 to $40. Combined with the transfer fee, you can lose $60 to $72 on a $1,000 international send. That compares to $12 to $20 on Wise.
PayPal is convenient for small domestic payments between friends. For international money transfers of any meaningful size, the combined cost makes it one of the most expensive credit card transfer options available.
3. Western Union and MoneyGram
Western Union and MoneyGram both accept credit cards and operate extensive global cash pickup networks. They are worth considering when the recipient does not have a bank account and needs to collect cash in person. For this specific use case, few services match their reach.
The cost structure is layered. Western Union charges a transfer fee that varies by corridor and payment method, with credit card payments attracting higher fees than bank-funded transfers. On top of the Western Union fee, your card issuer may classify the transaction as a cash advance, adding a further 3% to 5% fee plus a higher APR from the moment of the transaction.
For transfers where the recipient has a bank account, Remitly or Wise is consistently cheaper and faster. Use Western Union when cash pickup is genuinely the best delivery option for your recipient, not as a default choice.
4. Cash Advance: The Most Expensive Way to Transfer Money Through Credit Card
A cash advance is when you use your credit card to access cash directly from your issuer, either at an ATM or via a direct transfer from your card account. Some people then use that cash to fund a money transfer. This approach is almost always the most expensive method available.
Cash advance fees typically run from 3% to 5% of the amount, with a minimum charge of around $10. Unlike standard purchases, cash advances start accumulating interest immediately at the cash advance APR, which typically runs at 25% to 30% per year with no grace period. On a $1,000 cash advance, the upfront fee is $30 to $50 and interest accrues from day one.
If you then use that cash to fund a bank wire transfer, additional costs stack on top: the wire fee ($20 to $50 at most major banks) and the bank's exchange rate markup (2% to 4% above mid-market). Total cost to send $1,000 via cash advance and bank wire: $85 to $115. Compare that to $12 to $20 using Wise with a credit card classified as a purchase.
Cash advances charge 3% to 5% upfront and start accumulating interest at 25% to 30% per year from day one with no grace period. Add bank wire fees of $20 to $50 and a 2% to 4% FX markup, and a $1,000 transfer can cost over $100. Unless no other option exists, to transfer money through credit card safely and cheaply, always use a specialist service and pay by card as a standard purchase.
Best Services to Transfer Money From Credit Card Internationally
The three services below offer the lowest credit card surcharges, transparent mid-market exchange rates, and reliable international delivery. All three show you the full cost before you confirm, and all three typically process credit card payments as standard purchases with most card issuers. Anyone looking to transfer money through credit card to an overseas recipient should start here: these three services consistently deliver the best combination of cost and reliability.
Wise
Wise is consistently one of the most cost-effective ways to transfer money from credit card to overseas bank accounts. The service accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards on most corridors, and American Express on many routes. When you choose credit card funding rather than a bank transfer, Wise typically adds approximately 0.33% to the base fee on most corridors.
Before you confirm any transfer, Wise shows the exact exchange rate being applied, the full fee breakdown including the card surcharge, and the precise amount the recipient will receive. The displayed total is what you pay. With over 16 million customers and more than $120 billion transferred annually, Wise is one of the most trusted names in international money transfer.
Wise is regulated by the FCA in the UK, FinCEN in the US, and equivalent regulatory bodies in the EU, Australia, and Singapore. Customer funds are held separately from operating capital and protected under e-money safeguarding rules. For regular international senders, Wise delivers the best combination of low cost, transparency, and reliability across all major corridors.
Wise offers the lowest credit card surcharge among major specialist services and uses the mid-market rate with no FX markup. Total cost on a $1,000 credit card-funded transfer is typically $12 to $20.
- Mid-market exchange rate with no hidden FX markup on any corridor
- Credit card surcharge around 0.33% extra on most corridors
- Full cost shown upfront before you confirm, with no surprises
- FCA regulated with customer funds safeguarded separately
- Supports 40+ currencies across all major international corridors
Remitly
Remitly accepts credit cards and is especially strong when transfer speed is the priority. When you transfer money via credit card through Remitly, the platform adds approximately 3% to the base transfer fee. This is higher than Wise's card surcharge, but Remitly's Express service delivers funds within minutes to many corridors, which can justify the additional cost when urgency matters.
Remitly offers two service tiers on most routes: Economy (3 to 5 business days, bank-debit funded) and Express (minutes to hours, debit or credit card funded). For urgent transfers to the Philippines, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or dozens of other major remittance destinations, Remitly Express is one of the most reliable options for time-sensitive sends funded by credit card.
Remitly is FCA-licensed in the UK and FinCEN-registered in the US. It offers a delivery guarantee on most corridors: if the recipient does not receive the stated amount within the committed timeframe, Remitly refunds the transfer fee. For regular remittance senders who cannot afford delays, this guarantee provides meaningful reassurance.
When you need to send money urgently and your credit card is the fastest funding option, Remitly's Express service delivers within minutes to most major remittance corridors.
- Express delivery within minutes for most major corridors
- Accepts credit cards with a transparent 3% surcharge on the base fee
- Delivery guarantee on most routes: fee refunded if money is late
- FCA licensed with customer funds protected across all markets
Xe
Xe Money Transfer accepts credit cards and is particularly well suited for large transfers and exotic currency pairs. Xe uses the mid-market rate on all transfers with no FX markup, and for anyone looking to transfer money through credit card to a destination with a less common currency, Xe's coverage of over 100 currencies makes it one of the only viable specialist options.
For large amounts, Xe's fee structure is competitive even after the credit card surcharge is applied. On a $10,000 transfer, the absence of an FX markup saves several hundred dollars compared to PayPal or a bank, both of which apply a 2% to 4% premium. For high-value one-off transfers or exotic currencies, Xe is a trustworthy and cost-effective choice.
Xe is owned by Euronet Worldwide, a publicly listed NASDAQ company. It is regulated by the FCA in the UK, the Central Bank of Ireland for EU transfers, FinCEN in the US, and equivalent bodies in Canada and Australia. Xe has been processing foreign exchange transfers since 1993 and handles billions in transfer volume annually.
Xe supports over 100 currencies at the mid-market rate with no FX markup. For large transfers or less common destinations, Xe typically saves more on the exchange rate than the credit card surcharge costs.
- 100+ currencies supported, including many emerging market pairs
- Mid-market exchange rate on every transfer with no FX markup
- Accepts credit cards with a transparent surcharge
- FCA regulated with licences across the UK, EU, US, Canada, and Australia
Credit Card Transfer Fees: What You Will Actually Pay
The table below compares the real cost of sending $1,000 internationally using a credit card across the major platforms. These are approximate figures that vary by corridor, card type, and transfer amount, but they accurately represent the scale of the cost differences.
Service | Credit Card Surcharge | FX Markup | Estimated Total on $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
Wise | ~0.33% extra | None (mid-market rate) | $12 to $20 |
Remitly | ~3% extra | None (transparent pricing) | $28 to $40 |
Xe | ~1.5% extra | None (mid-market rate) | $18 to $30 |
PayPal | 2.9% + $0.30 | 3% to 4% | $60 to $72 |
Bank via cash advance | 3% to 5% cash advance fee | 2% to 4% + $20 to $50 wire fee | $85 to $115 |
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive options on a $1,000 transfer is over $100. For someone sending money monthly, that difference becomes over $1,200 per year. Choosing the right service is not a minor decision.
One important detail: the credit card surcharge shown in the table is charged by the transfer service. A cash advance fee from your card issuer is a separate cost that only applies if your issuer classifies the payment as a cash advance. Wise, Remitly, and Xe are generally processed as purchases by most major card issuers. Verify this with your issuer before sending for the first time with a new card.
Banks vs Specialist Services: The True Cost Compared
Traditional UK, US, and EU banks generally do not accept credit cards as a direct funding method for international wire transfers. If you want to use a credit card to fund a bank-issued international wire, the only route is a cash advance, which stacks fees as described above.
To make the numbers concrete: sending $1,000 from the US to India through a Chase or Citibank wire transfer funded by a credit card cash advance involves three separate cost layers. The cash advance fee from the card issuer is $30 to $50. The bank's outgoing international wire fee is typically $25 to $40. The bank's exchange rate markup is 2% to 4% above mid-market, adding another $20 to $40. Total cost: $75 to $130 to send $1,000. HSBC UK customers face a similar picture, with a 2% to 3% FX margin plus a $25 SWIFT fee on most corridors.
The same $1,000 sent via Wise with credit card funding costs approximately $12 to $20 in total. No FX markup, no wire fee, just the base transfer fee and the small credit card surcharge. The recipient receives significantly more.
This is the fundamental principle underpinning every comparison on this site: the biggest single driver of transfer cost is almost always the exchange rate, not the listed fee. A 2% to 4% FX markup on $1,000 ($20 to $40) is more than Wise charges in total including the credit card surcharge. Use the comparison tool below to see the real numbers for your specific corridor before you send.
See What Your Transfer Actually Costs
Enter your transfer amount and destination below to see live rates from multiple providers. Fees and exchange rates change daily, and the cheapest provider for your corridor this week may not be cheapest next week.
When Does It Make Sense to Send Money From a Credit Card?
Using a credit card to send money is not always the wrong choice. Emergency transfers where your bank account balance is insufficient are a genuine and practical use case. If you need to move money today and your debit account is short, a credit card provides immediate funding. In this situation, a specialist service keeps the additional cost small and predictable.
Earning rewards or cashback can justify the approach if the return exceeds the surcharge. If your card pays 2% cashback and you know how to send money through credit card via a service that charges a 0.33% surcharge, you are net positive by around 1.67% on the transfer amount. This only holds if your issuer classifies the transfer as a purchase and you clear the balance before interest accrues. Never use credit card funding primarily for rewards if there is any chance of carrying the balance.
For regular remittances where timing is flexible, funding via bank debit and avoiding the card surcharge is almost always the better economic choice. Reserve credit card funding for urgent sends or the specific reward-earning scenario above. The cheapest overall method is a specialist service funded by bank transfer, but when a credit card is necessary, specialist services keep the extra cost small and transparent.
How to Reduce Costs When You Transfer Money via Credit Card
Choosing the right service is the single biggest lever. As the table above shows, the difference between Wise and PayPal on a $1,000 credit card transfer is around $50. Choosing either specialist service over a bank cash advance saves even more. Before every credit card-funded transfer, compare at least two or three providers using the tool on this page.
Before initiating any transfer, call your card issuer and confirm directly whether the specific money transfer service you plan to use is classified as a purchase or a cash advance. The classification can differ between issuers even for the same service. If the answer is a cash advance, weigh whether waiting until you have debit funds available is more cost-effective.
Some credit cards offer 0% introductory purchase APRs. If your issuer processes the transfer as a purchase and a 0% period is active, you can fund the transfer interest-free for the promotional period, paying only the transfer fee and credit card surcharge. The essential caveat is that you must clear the full balance before the promotional period ends. Many cards apply deferred interest, meaning any remaining balance at the end of the 0% period triggers interest retroactively on the full original amount.
To summarise how to transfer money through credit card at the lowest possible cost, the checklist is straightforward: choose a specialist service, confirm the purchase classification with your issuer, compare rates before sending, and pay the card balance before interest accrues. Follow those four steps and you will consistently pay less than almost anyone sending money via traditional channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you send money from a credit card to a bank account in another country?
Yes. Specialist services like Wise, Remitly, and Xe let you fund an international transfer with a credit card and deliver the funds directly to the recipient's bank account. You enter the recipient's bank details, choose credit card as the payment method, and confirm. Always verify with your card issuer whether the payment will be classified as a purchase or a cash advance before sending.
How to transfer money from credit card to a bank account step by step?
Create an account with a specialist service such as Wise or Remitly. Enter the recipient's name, country, and bank account details. Enter the amount and select credit card as the payment method. The platform shows the total cost including any credit card surcharge, the live exchange rate, and the exact amount the recipient will receive. Confirm and enter your card details. The transfer typically completes within minutes to 2 business days depending on the service and corridor.
What is the cheapest service to use when sending money with a credit card?
Wise is consistently the cheapest option for credit card-funded international transfers. The credit card surcharge is approximately 0.33% on top of its low base fee, and Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with no FX markup. On a $1,000 transfer, the total cost with credit card funding is typically $12 to $20, compared to $60 to $72 on PayPal and $85 to $115 via a bank cash advance.
Does PayPal charge fees when you use a credit card to send money internationally?
Yes. PayPal charges 2.9% of the transfer amount plus a fixed transaction fee when you fund the payment from a credit card. For international transfers, PayPal also applies a 3% to 4% exchange rate markup above the mid-market rate. The combined cost on a $1,000 international transfer funded by credit card typically reaches $60 to $72.
How to send money through credit card without incurring a cash advance fee?
Use a specialist money transfer service such as Wise, Remitly, or Xe. These services typically process credit card payments as standard purchases rather than cash advances, which means your issuer does not apply the cash advance fee or elevated APR. Confirm this with your card issuer before sending, as some issuers apply cash advance classification to all money transfer merchant category codes regardless of service.
What is a credit card cash advance and why should I avoid it for money transfers?
A cash advance is when you draw on your credit limit to access cash directly from your issuer. It is expensive for transfers because it incurs a 3% to 5% fee upfront, starts accumulating interest at 25% to 30% per year from the transaction date with no grace period, and does not reduce bank wire fees or FX markups that apply separately. Total cost on a $1,000 transfer via cash advance and bank wire can exceed $100.
Can I use a Visa or Mastercard credit card on Wise?
Yes. Wise accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards on most corridors. American Express is accepted in many regions. When you pay by credit card, Wise adds approximately 0.33% to the transfer fee on most corridors. The exact total including the card surcharge is displayed before you confirm.
How long does a credit card money transfer take?
Transfer speed depends on the service and delivery method. Remitly's Express service delivers within minutes to most major corridors when funded by a credit card. Wise credit card transfers typically arrive within minutes to a few hours for most routes. Xe transfers are usually same-day or next-business-day for major corridors. PayPal transfers between accounts are typically instant, while bank account withdrawals take 1 to 3 business days.
Will my credit card company charge extra when I send money internationally?
It depends on how the transaction is classified. If the transfer service processes the payment as a standard purchase, most card issuers do not charge anything beyond the service's own credit card surcharge. If classified as a cash advance, a 3% to 5% fee applies along with a higher APR from the moment of the transaction. Contact your card issuer before sending to confirm the classification for the specific service you plan to use.
Is it safe to use a credit card to send money internationally via Wise or Remitly?
Yes. Wise and Remitly are both regulated financial institutions. Wise is authorised by the FCA in the UK, FinCEN-registered in the US, and regulated in the EU, Australia, and Singapore. Remitly holds FCA authorisation in the UK and FinCEN registration in the US. Credit card payments on both platforms are processed through standard encrypted payment systems, and your card details are never shared with the recipient.
How to transfer money via credit card to Western Union?
Western Union accepts credit cards for international transfers and cash pickup. Visit the Western Union website or app, enter the recipient and transfer details, and select credit card as your payment method. Be aware that some card issuers classify Western Union payments as cash advances, adding a 3% to 5% fee on top of Western Union's own charges. For recipients with bank accounts, Wise or Remitly will almost always be cheaper.
How to transfer money through credit card: purchase vs cash advance?
When a credit card payment is classified as a purchase, interest only accrues from the statement date and no cash advance fee applies. When classified as a cash advance, a 3% to 5% fee is charged immediately and interest starts at 25% to 30% per year with no grace period. Specialist services like Wise, Remitly, and Xe are generally processed as purchases by most card issuers. Confirm with your issuer before the first transfer with any new card.
Sending money internationally using a credit card is affordable and practical when you choose the right service. Wise, Remitly, and Xe each let you transfer money from credit card accounts to overseas recipients at a fraction of the cost of PayPal or a bank cash advance, and all three show you the exact total before you confirm. Use the comparison tool above before every transfer: fees and exchange rates change daily, and a few minutes of checking routinely saves money on every send.
Mohammad Humaid
Verified AuthorMo is the founder of MoneyTransferStore. As an expat who has experienced the challenges of sending money across borders himself, he set out to help others like him avoid hidden fees and unfair exchange rates on international transfers. With a background spanning fintech, payments, and Web3, Mo brings years of practical experience to building a platform focused on transparency and trust.
