Yes, you can get cash back on most credit cards, but the method depends on the card type and issuer
Cash back on a credit card works differently than cash back at a debit card. With a debit card, you can ask a cashier for cash back and the amount comes straight from your bank account. With a credit card, you cannot do that at the register — instead, you have three main routes: a cash advance from an ATM or bank, a balance transfer check, or a rewards program that converts points into cash.
The route you choose matters because each one has different costs and terms. A cash advance charges interest when ready and often includes an upfront fee. A balance transfer check works like a loan against your credit line. A rewards cash back is free but only works if your card offers it and you have earned the points. Most people confuse these three because they all result in cash in hand, but the mechanics and the cost to you are completely different.
Key Takeaways
- A cash advance from an ATM or bank teller lets you withdraw cash using your credit card, but charges a fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus interest starting when ready.
- Balance transfer checks work like a short-term loan against your credit line and carry their own fee and interest rate, which may differ from your purchase rate.
- Rewards cash back is free and comes from points you have already earned through purchases, but only works if your card includes a cash back rewards program.
- Cash advances and balance transfers both report to credit bureaus and count toward your credit utilization, which can lower your credit score.
- The cheapest way to get cash from a credit card is through a rewards program; the most expensive is a cash advance at an ATM.
Cash Advances: Getting Cash Directly From Your Credit Card
A cash advance is a withdrawal of cash using your credit card at an ATM, bank teller, or through a convenience check. The issuer treats it as a loan against your available credit, not as a purchase. You can usually withdraw up to a percentage of your credit limit — often 20 to 50 percent — though some cards set a lower cap.
The cost is when ready and steep. Most cards charge a cash advance fee of 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. On top of that, interest accrues from the day you withdraw the cash, not from your statement closing date like a purchase does. There is no grace period. If you withdraw $500 at a 5 percent fee and your card's cash advance rate is 25 percent APR, you pay $25 upfront plus daily interest starting that day.
Cash advances also count toward your credit utilization ratio, which is the percentage of your total credit limit you are using. If you have a $5,000 limit and take a $1,000 cash advance, your utilization jumps to 20 percent even if you have not made any purchases. High utilization can lower your credit score temporarily.
Balance Transfer Checks: A Different Kind of Cash Access
Some credit card issuers send balance transfer checks along with your statements. These checks let you write a check against your credit line and deposit it into your bank account. The money arrives as a bank deposit, not as cash, but the effect is the same — you have money in your checking account.
Balance transfer checks usually have a lower interest rate than cash advances, sometimes matching your purchase APR or offering a promotional rate for a set period (often 6 to 12 months). However, they charge an upfront fee, typically 3 to 5 percent, and that fee is added to your balance when ready. Interest begins accruing after any promotional period ends, and there is no grace period like a purchase has.
Not all cards offer balance transfer checks, and issuers can stop sending them at any time. If you receive them, read the terms carefully — the promotional rate, the fee, and the date the rate expires. Balance transfer checks are useful if you need cash and your card offers a low introductory rate, but they are not a free way to access your credit.
Rewards Cash Back: The Free Option if Your Card Offers It
If your credit card includes a cash back rewards program, you earn a percentage of every purchase you make — typically 1 to 5 percent depending on the card and the category. You can then redeem those points or cash back dollars for actual cash, usually by requesting a statement credit, a check, or a direct deposit to your bank account.
This is the only method that costs you nothing. You are not borrowing money; you are converting rewards you have already earned. The cash back comes from the issuer's rewards budget, not from interest or fees charged to you. If your card offers 2 percent cash back and you spend $1,000, you have $20 in cash back to redeem with no fee and no interest.
The catch is that you have to earn the cash back first, which means making purchases on the card. You cannot get cash back on a card that does not offer a rewards program, and you cannot redeem rewards you have not yet earned. Some cards also set a minimum redemption amount — often $25 or $50 — so small balances may not be redeemable right away.
How the Costs Compare Across the Three Methods
| Method | Upfront Fee | Interest Rate | Grace Period | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Advance | 3–5% of amount | Usually 20–30% APR | None; interest starts when ready | Emergency cash when no other option exists |
| Balance Transfer Check | 3–5% of amount | Varies; may have promotional rate | None after promotional period ends | Accessing credit at a lower rate than cash advance |
| Rewards Cash Back | None | None | N/A | Converting earned rewards into cash |
A cash advance is the most expensive option because of the combination of an upfront fee and a high interest rate with no grace period. A balance transfer check is cheaper if your card offers a promotional rate, but still costs the upfront fee. Rewards cash back is free, but only works if you have earned the rewards and your card offers the program.
What Happens to Your Credit Score When You Take a Cash Advance
Both cash advances and balance transfer checks affect your credit in two ways. First, they increase your credit utilization ratio because the amount borrowed counts toward your total credit use. If you have a $10,000 limit and take a $2,000 cash advance, your utilization becomes 20 percent, which can lower your score by a few points.
Second, the new balance appears on your credit report as an outstanding debt. If you do not pay it off quickly, it stays on your report and continues to affect your score. The longer the balance sits, the more it weighs on your credit profile. Rewards cash back does not have this effect because you are not borrowing money — you are straightforward converting points you have already earned.
If you need cash and are considering a cash advance or balance transfer, pay it back as quickly as possible to minimize the impact on your score and to avoid paying more interest.
When a Cash Advance or Balance Transfer Check Makes Sense
A cash advance is rarely the right choice because of the high cost, but it can be useful in a genuine emergency when you need cash when ready and have no other option. If your car breaks down and you need $500 for a repair today, a cash advance might be faster than waiting for a loan or asking for a personal loan from family.
A balance transfer check makes more sense if your card offers a promotional rate — for example, 0 percent APR for 12 months — and you know you can pay off the balance within that period. In that case, you pay only the upfront fee and no interest, which is cheaper than a cash advance but still costs money.
Rewards cash back makes sense whenever you have earned it and need cash. There is no cost and no credit impact beyond the normal effect of carrying a balance on your card. If you use a cash back card for everyday purchases and redeem the rewards for cash, you are getting a small return on money you were going to spend anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get cash back at a store if I pay with a credit card?
No. Cash back at the register is only available with a debit card or a PIN-based payment method. Credit cards do not allow cash back at checkout. Your only options are a cash advance at an ATM or bank, a balance transfer check, or rewards cash back if your card offers it.
What is the difference between a cash advance and a balance transfer?
A cash advance is a direct withdrawal of cash from your credit line, usually at an ATM. A balance transfer check is a check you write against your credit line and deposit into your bank account. Both charge fees and interest, but balance transfers sometimes offer lower promotional rates. Cash advances have no grace period and higher interest rates.
Does getting cash back from rewards hurt my credit score?
No. Redeeming rewards cash back does not affect your credit score because you are not borrowing money. You are converting points you have already earned. A cash advance or balance transfer, however, does affect your score because it increases your credit utilization and adds to your outstanding debt.
Can I use a credit card to withdraw cash from my bank account?
Not directly. You cannot use a credit card to access your bank account the way you use a debit card. A cash advance lets you borrow against your credit line and withdraw cash, but that money comes from the credit card issuer, not your bank. You then have to repay it with interest and fees.
What if my credit card does not offer rewards cash back?
If your card does not have a rewards program, your only options are a cash advance at an ATM or bank, or a balance transfer check if the issuer sends them. Both will cost you a fee and interest. Consider switching to a card that offers cash back rewards if you want a free way to access cash from your credit line.