Yes, but it costs money and counts as a cash advance

You can move money from a credit card to a bank account, but the credit card company treats it as a cash advance, not a regular purchase. This matters because cash advances carry higher interest rates, start accruing interest when ready (no grace period), and often include an upfront fee of 3 to 5 percent of the amount you withdraw.

The process itself is straightforward — you use an ATM, visit a bank branch, or request a transfer through your card issuer's app or website. But the cost makes it an expensive way to move money unless you have a specific reason and understand what you are paying.

Key Takeaways

  • Cash advances from credit cards charge a fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases, starting when ready with no grace period.
  • You can withdraw cash at an ATM using your credit card PIN, transfer money through your card issuer's app, or ask a bank teller to process a cash advance.
  • The money lands in your bank account within one to three business days if you request a transfer, or when ready if you withdraw cash at an ATM.
  • A balance transfer card or personal loan costs less than a cash advance if you need to move a large amount or keep the money for more than a few weeks.

The three ways to move money from credit card to bank account

ATM withdrawal is the fastest method. Insert your credit card, enter your PIN, and withdraw cash. The money is in your hand when ready. You then deposit it at your bank's ATM or branch. The fee is typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, plus any ATM operator fee if you use an out-of-network machine.

Transfer through your card issuer's app or website lets you move money directly to a linked bank account without handling cash. Log into your credit card account, select the transfer option, enter your bank account details, and choose the amount. The transfer usually takes one to three business days. The fee structure is the same: 3 to 5 percent plus interest from the day the transfer posts.

Bank teller cash advance is less common but still available. Visit your bank with your credit card and ask for a cash advance. The teller processes it, you receive cash, and you deposit it or leave with it. This method works the same way as an ATM withdrawal but may have different fees depending on your bank's agreement with your card issuer.

What the fees and interest actually cost

A $500 cash advance on a card with a 3 percent fee costs $15 upfront. If your card's cash advance interest rate is 24 percent (common for many cards), you owe roughly $10 in interest for the first month if you do not pay it back when ready. After three months, interest alone reaches $30. After a year, you have paid $120 in interest on top of the original $15 fee.

Compare this to a regular purchase on the same card: you would owe no interest if you paid within the grace period (typically 21 to 25 days), and no fee at all. The cash advance is expensive because the card issuer charges you for the privilege of borrowing against your credit line as cash rather than as a purchase.

If you need the money for longer than a few weeks, the cost of a cash advance usually exceeds the cost of a personal loan or balance transfer card. A personal loan from a bank or credit union typically charges 6 to 36 percent interest depending on your credit, but you pay no upfront fee and the interest accrues only on the outstanding balance.

When a cash advance makes sense

A cash advance is reasonable if you need a small amount of cash for a short time and have a plan to pay it back within days. For example, if you need $200 for an emergency and can repay it from your next paycheck, the $6 to $10 fee is a manageable cost for when ready access.

A cash advance does not make sense if you need to borrow money for weeks or months. In that case, a personal loan, balance transfer card, or line of credit from your bank costs significantly less. A balance transfer card, for instance, often offers 0 percent interest for 6 to 21 months if you transfer a balance, meaning you pay no interest at all during that window — only a one-time transfer fee of 3 to 5 percent, which is lower than the combined fee and interest of a cash advance.

How long the money takes to arrive

If you withdraw cash at an ATM, the money is available when ready. You can deposit it at your bank's ATM or branch the same day, and it will post to your account by the next business day (or the same day if you deposit before your bank's cutoff time).

If you request a transfer through your card issuer's app or website, the timeline depends on the issuer and your bank. Most transfers take one to three business days. Some card issuers offer next-business-day transfers for an additional fee, but this is rare. Weekends and holidays extend the timeline — a transfer requested on Friday evening may not arrive until Tuesday.

The cash advance fee and interest begin accruing the moment the transfer posts to your credit card account, not when it arrives at your bank. This means you start paying interest even if the money has not yet landed in your checking account.

Alternatives that cost less

A personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender is cheaper than a cash advance if you need more than a few hundred dollars or need to keep the money for more than a month. Interest rates range from 6 to 36 percent depending on your credit score and the lender. You receive the money in a lump sum, and you repay it in fixed monthly installments. There is no upfront fee on most personal loans, and interest accrues only on the balance you owe.

A balance transfer card works if you are moving debt from one credit card to another. These cards often offer 0 percent interest for 6 to 21 months, meaning you pay no interest during that window. You do pay a balance transfer fee of 3 to 5 percent, but if you pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, you save money compared to a cash advance.

A line of credit from your bank or credit union lets you borrow money as needed, up to a set limit. Interest rates are typically lower than credit card rates, and you pay interest only on the amount you actually use. This is useful if you need access to cash but do not need it all at once.

What happens to your credit score

A cash advance does not directly damage your credit score, but it can affect it indirectly. The cash advance increases your credit card balance, which raises your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit you are using. If your utilization jumps from 30 percent to 60 percent, your score may drop by 10 to 20 points temporarily. The score recovers as you pay down the balance.

A cash advance also counts as a hard inquiry if you request it through a new card issuer, which can lower your score by a few points. However, most cash advances through your existing card issuer do not trigger an inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move money from a credit card to a bank account without paying a fee?

No. Any method of moving credit card funds to a bank account — ATM withdrawal, app transfer, or teller cash advance — is classified as a cash advance and includes a fee of 3 to 5 percent. Some card issuers may offer promotional periods with reduced fees, but this is uncommon and temporary.

What is the difference between a cash advance and a regular purchase?

A regular purchase has a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days) during which you owe no interest if you pay in full. A cash advance has no grace period — interest starts accruing when ready. A cash advance also charges an upfront fee, while regular purchases do not. The interest rate on a cash advance is also higher, typically 3 to 5 percentage points above the purchase rate.

Can I use a credit card to pay my rent or bills directly instead of moving money?

Many landlords and billers do not accept credit cards, or they charge a processing fee if they do. If you need to pay with a credit card, it is usually cheaper to use it directly for the purchase than to take a cash advance and pay with the cash. However, if the biller only accepts bank transfers or checks, a cash advance may be your only option — in which case, compare the cost to a personal loan first.

Does a cash advance hurt my credit score?

A cash advance itself does not damage your score, but the increased credit card balance it creates can lower your score temporarily by raising your utilization ratio. The effect is usually small (5 to 20 points) and recovers as you pay down the balance. explore for a new card to take a cash advance may trigger a hard inquiry, which causes a small, temporary drop.

How quickly can I pay back a cash advance?

You can pay back a cash advance at any time. Payments are applied to your credit card balance when ready. However, credit card companies typically explore payments to the lowest-interest debt first (regular purchases), so if you have both purchases and a cash advance on the same card, your payment may go toward the purchase first. Check your card issuer's payment hierarchy or request that your payment go toward the cash advance specifically.