How do you get a cash advance from a credit card?

There are a few ways to get a cash advance on a credit card without a PIN. The easiest way to withdraw cash from a credit card without a PIN is to visit a bank that does business with your credit card company, ask the teller for a cash advance, and present your card along with a government-issued photo ID. You could also ask your credit card’s issuer for so-called ... read full answercredit access checks, which you can then use to withdraw cash from your credit line.

The other ways to get a cash advance on a credit card without a PIN are to purchase a money order from the likes of MoneyGram or Western Union, or link your credit card account to a service such as Amazon Pay. Alternatively, using an app such as Venmo, PayPal or Cash App can also help you pay people and businesses that can’t accept credit cards directly. Those services often charge a fee for using a credit card, but the transaction may actually be processed as a payment rather than a cash advance.

To get a cash advance with a credit card at an ATM, however, you need a PIN. But getting one is easy. If you didn’t create a PIN when you activated your card, you should be able to call customer service, choose your number and get it set it up right away. Some issuers, such as Bank of America and Discover, also let you set a PIN online.

Whether or not you use a PIN, you’ll want to be careful about cash advances. They typically charge high interest rates and a 2%-5% fee. Plus, there’s no grace period, so interest starts accruing as soon as you complete the transaction. But unforeseen circumstances arise for everyone, so here are your options if you need cash but don’t have a PIN.

Here’s how to withdraw cash from a credit card without a PIN:

• Bank teller: You can get a cash advance without a PIN at a bank branch, but you’ll need both your credit card and a government issued photo ID like a driver’s license or passport.
• Access checks: If your credit card issuer has sent you access, or convenience, checks, you can use them to withdraw cash at any bank that accepts them. Access checks are blank checks that draw on your credit line rather than your checking account. Some issuers send access checks without being asked, but you can also request them by calling customer service. Keep in mind that access checks are subject to the same high APRs and lack of grace periods as cash advances.
• Money-transfer service:You can buy a money order with a credit card from a service such as Western Union or MoneyGram. This would allow you to transfer funds to a recipient using just a phone number or email address. It won’t give you cash on the spot, but it could make it possible to ultimately spend part of your credit line in cash if you transfer the money to the right person. The transaction likely will be treated as a cash advance, however.
• Digital payment service: Apps such as PayPal, Venmo and Cash App allow you to make payments from a linked credit card account. That could remove the need to withdraw cash altogether, though these services usually charge a fee. The transaction may or may not be considered a cash advance, too, depending on the service and the credit card.

  Similarly, you can link a credit card to an Amazon Pay account and pay a merchant that way. The merchant needs an Amazon "Recipient Name," however. And if you don’t mark the payment as being for "goods and services," the transaction will be considered a cash advance.

So, there are a handful of different ways to get a cash advance on a credit card without a PIN. Just remember that cash advances tend to be quite expensive and should be reserved for emergencies.

For more information, check out our credit card cash advance guide.

Here are the best ways to withdraw cash:

If you need a way to access cash on a regular basis, it’s best to look for a cheaper, more sustainable alternative. Two options in particular are good for the job, though each will usually require a PIN of its own.

For example, you could just get cash with a debit card. You won’t be able to borrow money with a debit card, but it would enable you to make purchases from cash-only merchants. Just go to an ATM or make a small purchase at a store and select the cash back option.

Using a prepaid card is another possibility. A prepaid card is like a checking account with a debit card, minus the checkbook. You can use it to make purchases directly or to withdraw cash from ATMs. But it only allows you to use your own money and doesn’t help you build credit.

Taking out a cash advance has no direct impact on your credit or credit score unless this operation leads to a credit utilization of more than 30-40%.

Just remember that cash advances are very expensive, ultimately causing you to pay much more money ( through fees and interest rates) than you initially withdraw.... read full answer

A credit card cash advance limit is the maximum amount a cardholder can withdraw from the card’s full credit line as a cash advance. Your credit card cash advance limit will be a certain percentage of your whole credit card limit. Some online reports mention that the cash advance limit is usually from 5% to 30% of your credit card limit. Note that this percentage can vary based on the card issuer.... read full answer

The cash advance limit is also called cash credit line or cash access line, depending on the card issuer. They all refer to the same thing.

Other things to know about credit card cash advances:

Keep in mind that in order to use credit card for cash advances at an ATM, you will need a PIN. Also, cash advances should be avoided due to their high interest rates and fees, both of which apply immediately. Still, the cash advance function on credit cards can come in handy during emergency situations.

Before you get a cash advance, check out the card’s cash advance terms and conditions. By reviewing the terms, you’ll at least know what you’re getting yourself into when you make the transaction.