How to Send Money With a Credit Card
5 Min Read | Published: June 20, 2025
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
Need to send money, but don’t want to use your bank account? You can send money to people with a credit card. Here’s how to do it.
At-A-Glance
- You can send money with a credit card to friends or vendors.
- There are several ways to pay someone with a credit card, including peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps, wire transfers, and cash advances.
- You can minimize charges by linking bank accounts and paying off credit cards on time.
Sometimes, you might prefer to send money to a friend or vendor with a credit card rather than with your bank account’s funds. This is convenient and can be ideal for situations where making a payment fast is a priority. Read on to see how you can send money this way, along with a few things you’ll want to keep in mind if you’re planning to send money with a credit card.
How to Send Money With Your Credit Card
You can use your credit card for more than just checking out at stores or restaurants. Sending money can be a good way to pay friends when splitting a bill or making purchases online.
There are several ways to send money with your credit card, including:
- Using a P2P Payment App
P2P payment apps allow you to send or receive money through a digital platform that links with your bank account, debt card, or credit card. Many P2P payment services utilize an app to facilitate transactions.1 Some credit card issuers may apply fees for using P2P apps but not all. For example, with Amex Send & Split, you can send money directly to other Venmo or PayPal users through the Amex App without a standard credit card fee.2
- Doing a Wire Transfer
You may also be able to do a wire transfer from a credit card. A wire transfer is a common way to transfer funds. They may be considered to be a secure way to transfer money, provided you use a legitimate service and know the recipient. Typically, there will be a fee charged to send and receive a wire transfer.3 - Get a Cash Advance
A cash advance is a withdrawal of funds from your available credit card balance. With this method, you’d make a cash withdrawal from your credit line and give the cash to the recipient.
Pros and Cons of Paying Friends With a Credit Card
Like most payment methods, there are pros and cons to using a credit card to pay friends:
Pros:
- Convenience
Using a third-party or financial institution app could allow you to pay a recipient quickly. - Rewards
Using your credit card may make you eligible to earn points or other rewards, depending on the type of credit card that you have and its rewards structure.
Cons:
- Fees
Some credit card issuers may charge processing fees when you use a credit card to send money. A cash advance can involve fees and sometimes higher interest rates as well. - Interest Charges
Like any credit card transaction, you’ll have to repay the amount you sent. If you fail to do so before the billing cycle is up, you may incur extra interest charges.
How to Save on Fees
There are a few ways to minimize fees and charges when you use a credit card to pay friends, including:
- Linking a Bank Account
Often, the easiest way to save on fees when sending money to friends is not to use a credit card or debit card at all. Usually, you can make P2P payments between bank accounts for free.4 - Checking Fees Ahead of Time
Each credit card provider has specific rules and terms for making P2P payments, wire transfers, and cash advances. Before you begin using a credit card to send money to friends, explore your credit card issuer’s terms and conditions to determine the most cost-effective option. - Using an Approved Service
Credit card issuers often have preferred platforms for making P2P payments, on which there may be lower or no fees.
Tips to Pay Someone With a Credit Card Safely
Sending money to friends with a credit card may be considered safe. Nonetheless, there are some important considerations to take into account to help ensure a secure transaction:
- Verify the Recipient
If you’re sending to a trusted friend or family member, it can be easy to verify that their account name and information by simply asking them. If you’re sending to an independent seller that you don’t know, double-check all the transaction information to be absolutely sure you’re sending money to the right person. - Use Credit Card Tools
Credit card issuers may have systems and tools in place to help protect your account. It’s important to set up fraud alerts to help mitigate the risks of someone else using your card without your permission. - Use Multifactor Authentication
Multifactor authentication can help protect your credit card and P2P accounts from unauthorized access.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few ways to send money with your credit card. These include using a P2P payment app, making a wire transfer to a trusted party, and taking out a cash advance.
Credit card processing times vary. Typically, P2P payment processing times could take anywhere from a few seconds to a few days.5
If you follow security best practices like only sending money to people you trust and taking the time to verify transaction information, sending money with a credit card can be safe.
The Takeaway
Sending money to friends with a credit card is a convenient way to make payments without withdrawing from your bank account. Check your credit card issuer or visit their website to learn more about fees for different types of payments.
Nick Perry writes about personal finance, real estate, insurance and other complicated topics that need simplifying. He lives in Melrose, Massachusetts with his wife, son, and dog, Goose.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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