What's the problem with using your credit card to take a cash advance?

Asked by: Prof. Zachary Ruecker  |  Last update: February 22, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (41 votes)

Unlike withdrawing money from a bank account, a cash advance pulls money from your line of credit through your credit card. In addition to repaying the money you withdraw, you'll need to pay additional fees and interest as well. The fees for a cash advance can be substantial.

What is the biggest problem with using your credit card for a cash advance?

High interest rate: This is the cost or amount you're charged for borrowing money. Interest rates on cash advances are often much higher, and if you don't pay it back quickly, interest charges can greatly increase the amount you owe.

Why should I avoid doing a cash advance using my credit card?

However, it's generally wise to avoid using your credit card to withdraw cash for the following reasons: High annual percentage rate (APR): Many credit cards charge significantly higher interest rates for cash advances than purchases.

Why is it bad to withdraw cash from a credit card?

Withdrawing cash (also known as a cash advance) from a credit card can have a negative impact on your credit score. Lenders may look at this unfavourably as it can be an indication of poor money management especially if there are multiple cash advances in a short period of time.

What is the risk of getting a cash advance on a credit card?

They may have a higher rate of interest from the day the cash advance is made and can attract a cash advance fee (more on this below). They can also impact any interest-free period that applies to the Credit Card Account.

How a Credit Card Cash Advance Works (and why you shouldn't do one)

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Do cash advances hurt your credit?

Using your credit card for a cash advance doesn't directly affect your credit score. Your credit report won't show that you used your credit card to get cash. However, the cash advance does increase your credit card balance and could hurt your credit score if it pushes your credit utilization ratio too high.

What is a disadvantage of cash advance?

Cons of cash advances

Cash advances have hefty fees. Fees for cash advances can be exorbitant. “Your issuer will charge a cash advance fee, which is typically 3 percent to 5 percent of the transaction, with a minimum of $10,” explained Kevin Chen, a credit card writer at Finder.com.

Why should you never withdraw cash from a credit card?

They're very expensive

The cost to withdraw money from a credit card can add up quickly. Since you are borrowing the money rather than withdrawing like you normally would from a checking account, the credit card company will charge you fees and interest rates until you pay back the loan.

What is the maximum cash advance on a credit card?

Cash advances are typically capped at a percentage of your card's credit limit. For example, if your credit limit is $15,000 and the card caps your cash advance limit at 30%, your maximum cash advance will be $4,500.

How much will I be charged if I withdraw cash from credit card?

Credit card ATM Withdrawal Charges

The credit card cash ATM withdrawal charges will vary from bank to bank. However, usually, they charge around 2.5% to 3% on the total amount. This means the bank will charge at least Rs. 300- Rs.

What happens if I take cash from my credit card?

In addition to repaying the money you withdraw, you'll need to pay additional fees and interest as well. The fees for a cash advance can be substantial. Depending on your credit card terms, the company may charge a flat fee for withdrawing money, or they'll charge you a percentage of the cash advance.

How much does it cost to withdraw cash from a credit card?

The interest rate for cash advances is usually higher than the interest rate for purchases. When you take cash out on your credit card, interest is added to your account straight away, even if you pay off the balance by the due date. You may also be charged a cash handling fee of around 2% of the amount you withdraw.

What are 3 reasons to avoid taking a cash advance on your credit card?

Key Points:
  • Credit card advances are a very expensive loan.
  • Cash advances start accruing interest immediately.
  • Credit card advances can quickly put you deeper in debt.

How long does a cash advance stay on your record?

Most of the information on your credit report remains there for seven years, although some information, like bankruptcies, will stay on your report for longer. These reports are created and maintained by the three major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

Can I deposit a credit card check into my checking account?

In addition to balance transfer checks, some credit card issuers offer convenience checks. These checks allow you to write a check against your available credit and deposit the check wherever checks are accepted — in your own bank account, with a retailer or utility provider and so on.

How long do you have to pay back your cash advance?

Unlike a loan, there's no deadline for repaying a cash advance. You must make your credit card's minimum monthly payment, and that's it. However, since cash advances charge a high interest rate, you should pay the money back as soon as possible.

Can you pay rent with a credit card?

Landlords who do accept direct credit card payments have to pay merchant processing fees for the privilege, and it's common for them to pass those fees on to the renters on top of rent. The convenience fee for paying rent with a card typically ranges from 2.5% to 2.9%, which may sound small, but it adds up.

How do I get cash from my credit card without cash advance?

If you want to get cash from your credit card, but don't want to use a cash advance, you can try utilizing credit card cash-back rewards, buying a prepaid gift card, asking a friend for the cash while you make a purchase for them on your card, and more.

Can I transfer money from my credit card to my bank account?

Yes, you can transfer money from your credit card to your bank account, but it's costly and not recommended. This process is called a 'cash advance' and typically comes with high fees and interest rates that start accumulating immediately. It's one of the more expensive ways to borrow money.

Why is it bad to withdraw cash from credit card?

You'll pay a higher interest rate on cash advances than on your card purchases. On top of this, you may be charged a cash advance fee of around 2-3% of the advance amount. And you'll usually pay another 2-3% fee if you get the cash advance abroad or in a foreign currency. Cash advances don't have a 'grace period'.

How does a cash advance on a credit card work?

A credit card cash advance is a withdrawal of cash from your credit card account. Essentially, you're borrowing against your credit card to put cash in your pocket. However, there are costs to taking a credit card cash advance and, in some cases, limits on the amount you can withdraw.

What are the risks of cash advances?

These types of loans have higher interest rates and are dependent on the applicant having a high credit score. Unfortunately, once this interest starts accruing, the amount you owe the financial institution can become considerably greater than the amount of the initial loan.

How often do you carry a balance on personal credit cards?

Carry a balance only when you need to

If you're under financial stress and can't afford to pay your credit card balance in full, it's best to pay as much as you can each month. Any amount will help to reduce the amount of compounded interest you'll end up paying.

Which is better, cash advance or credit card?

If it's an option, paying with a credit card is likely better than taking out a cash advance. You often have a grace period before interest starts to accrue, so you have some time to pay off your balance. Even better, you can use a 0% APR credit card that offers 0% introductory APR for a certain amount of time.