Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator
@m_adams
Yes, you can get cash back without buying something, by taking out a cash advance with your credit card at an ATM or a bank branch. A cash advance allows you to withdraw money against your card’s credit limit, but it’s a very costly transaction.
Cash advance fees are about 3.85% of each transaction amount. There’s also a separate APR, around 24.22%, which is generally higher than the card’s regular rate. In addition, interest on a cash advance accumulates daily, starting on the transaction date.
How to Get Cash Back Without Buying Something
- From an ATM: To get a cash advance from an ATM, insert your credit card and enter your PIN. Choose the cash advance option and enter the amount you want to withdraw. If you don’t have a PIN yet, you’ll need to request one from your credit card company.
- At a bank branch: You can also get a credit card cash advance at a bank branch. You will need to present your credit card and a government-issued photo ID to the bank teller, and tell them how much money you wish to borrow.
- With a cash advance check: Your issuer may send you cash advance checks automatically or you may have to request one. You can write the check out to yourself or someone else and once it processes, the transaction will appear on your credit card statement.
The best way to get cash back is by using a cash back credit card for your purchases. This will give you the chance to earn a percentage of the purchases you make back as a statement credit, check or bank account deposit. To maximize your cash back, be sure to pay your balance in full by the due date every month. Otherwise, interest and possible late fees could cancel out your earnings.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
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