Yes, You Can Buy Money Orders With Gift Cards (Here’s Where & How)

You have to use a PIN-enabled, prepaid gift card that has a Visa or Mastercard logo, which the store can process as a debit transaction.

Examples of this can include:

• Vanilla Visa
• Green Dot
• Netspend

Also keep in mind that there is such a thing as money order purchase limits. Money orders have a limit of between $500 and $1,000, so if you need more money than that, you will need to consider other payment options or purchase more than one money order.

Here are the places to use a gift card to buy a money order with the highest success rates:

Walmart

Walmart is one of the most accessible and reliable places for this type of transaction.

Most locations will allow you to buy a MoneyGram money order using a PIN-enabled Visa or Mastercard gift card by simply running it as a debit payment at the customer service desk.

• Fee: Up to $1 (varies by location)
• Limit: $1,000 per money order
• Provider: MoneyGram

Kroger & Affiliate Stores

The entire Kroger family of grocery stores (which includes Fred Meyer, Smith’s, and others) is well-known for allowing customers to purchase Western Union money orders with a PIN-enabled debit gift card.

• Fee: Varies by store (typically ~$1.50)
• Limit: Often $500 per money order
• Provider: Western Union

Safeway & Affiliate Stores

Like Kroger, Safeway and its many affiliated grocery stores (like Vons and Albertsons) are another one of your best bets.

They also typically process Western Union money orders and will accept a PIN-enabled Visa or Mastercard gift card for payment.

• Fee: Varies by store
• Limit: Typically $500 per money order
• Provider: Western Union

7-Eleven

Many, but not all, 7-Eleven locations let you purchase money orders with a PIN-enabled prepaid debit card.

Because many locations are franchises, the policy can vary from store to store, so it is a good idea to call ahead to your specific location to confirm before making a trip.

• Fee: Varies by location
• Limit: Usually $500 per money order
• Provider: Can be MoneyGram or Western Union

Western Union Agent Locations

Western Union isn’t just a place to send money internationally. You can also try independent Western Union agents, which are usually inside convenience stores, pharmacies, or check-cashing businesses.

There’s a handy tool on the Western Union website that you can use to find places that sell money orders nearby.

You can enter your zip code, search, and then filter the results for money orders. Simply click “Money Order” in the filters section. Then, the map will update to show Western Union agent locations that sell money orders.

It’s important to note that you can only use a gift card at some Western Union agents that accept PIN-based debit transactions.

Now, the exact details in terms of fees and limits will vary from location to location. So, call ahead to ask about fees, limits, and whether or not that location accepts gift cards as a form of payment.

By the way, make sure to call the specific location ahead of time to ask if they accept PIN-enabled gift cards for money orders. that you won’t waste time driving down there only to be rejected.

• Fee: Varies by agent location
• Limit: Varies by agent location (typically $500 – $1,000)
• Provider: Western Union

Pro-Tips for a Smooth Transaction

Buying a money order with a gift card can be a bit tricky.

Also, I’m sure you know this; sometimes whether you succeed or not depends on the cashier you get that specific day!

To give yourself the best chance and avoid any issues at the counter, here are a few simple rules to follow.

• Use a PIN-based gift card:  You have to use one of those PIN-enabled Visa, Mastercard, or American Express gift cards that have a 4-digit PIN. Store-specific gift cards will not work (they used to years ago, but not anymore), and gift cards without a PIN are almost always declined.
• Call the store first: Don’t just show up and hope for the best. Call the customer service desk of the exact store you plan to visit and ask, “I have a PIN-enabled Visa gift card; can I use it to purchase a money order at your location?” This will save you a ton of time.
• Bring your ID: These days, most stores have a policy that requires you to show a government-issued ID to purchase a money order, regardless of how you are paying.
• Bring enough money to pay for fees: You will have to pay the standard money order fee (usually $1-$2), which cannot be paid with the gift card itself. You will need to have cash or a separate debit card for the fee.
• Don’t say “I wanna cash a gift card!”: The term for turning a gift card into cash is “liquidating,” and most stores have strict policies against it to prevent fraud. Just say you want to buy a money order.
• Have your payee info ready: Before you get to the counter, know the exact name of the person or company you are paying (the “payee”) and the exact dollar amount. You cannot leave this blank.

Confirmed: These Places DO NOT Accept Gift Cards for Money Orders

To save you time, it’s just as important to know which stores will turn you away.

Some of these stores and places used to let you use a gift card to buy money orders, but they have changed their rules now and only allow you to order money orders with cash or a credit card.

Here are some of the biggest and most popular stores that do not allow you to buy money orders with gift cards.

• USPS (The United States Post Office)
• Rite Aid
• Target
• CVS
• Walgreens
• Publix
• Smith’s
• Family Fare
• Winn-Dixie
• Kmart

What Are the Benefits of Using a Money Order?

A money order is a secure, prepaid payment method that is more trusted than a personal check because it cannot bounce. The main benefits are:

• Safety: It’s a safe way to pay if you don’t have a checking account and want to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Proof of Payment: You get a receipt which serves as proof that you paid the amount due.
• Security: Because you name a specific recipient, it’s very difficult for a money order to be cashed by the wrong person if lost or stolen.
• Privacy: Unlike a personal check, a money order does not display your bank account number or home address, which protects your personal information.

You can learn more about what to do with a money order in our guide on how to cash a money order.

FAQs About Buying Money Orders With Gift Cards

Turning Gift Cards into Money Orders: The Takeaway

As you can see, turning a gift card into a money order is possible, but it’s not as simple as walking into any store.

It’s one of the best gift card hacks for turning a prepaid card into usable cash.

The most important thing to remember is that you must use a PIN-enabled, prepaid gift card with a major credit card logo (like Visa or Mastercard).

Your best bet for success will always be major grocery store chains like Kroger or Safeway.

To save yourself a wasted trip, I always recommend calling your specific store location ahead of time to confirm their policy.

With a quick phone call and the right kind of card, you can definitely use a gift card to get the money order you need.