Best Cash Advance Credit Cards for 2021

Cash advance credit cards are unique tools that allow you to borrow money from your credit card account. Unexpected expenses could leave you in a financial crisis. If you need an influx of cash for an emergency but don’t have enough funds to cover it, a cash advance can be a real lifesaver.

The downside to borrowing money through a cash advance is that you typically pay higher interest rates than standard purchases and face additional card fees. Because of the extra costs involved, consumers should only take out a cash advance when absolutely necessary. When choosing a cash advance card, always pay attention to the fine print, including extra fees, interest charges and advance limits. MoneyGeek recommends considering other card benefits included — not just the cash advance option — to find the right card choice for your spending.

Below are the very best cash advance credit card offers currently available. Our detailed listings include offer insights, pros and cons, and an expert editorial review of the card.

The following cards offer something even better than low cash advance fees — no fees at all. With no extra costs to worry about, you can pay off your card faster, saving money on interest charges.

Finding a credit card with low cash advance fees can save you money when unexpected expenses pop up. Below are cards that currently feature some of the lowest cash advance fees available.

Our list of the best credit cards is based on publicly available data from card issuers and other reputable sources like the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. We review each card's fees, interest rates, rewards, benefits and more to assign a rating for each feature. These ratings are stack ranked and weighted for each card category to determine our top selections for each type of user. Because card details change regularly, we revisit our data each month to update our ratings, recommendations and other card information as needed. Learn more about our data collection and ranking process.

While taking out a cash advance isn’t the best idea, it’s a valuable option if you’re in a financial pinch. If you’re thinking about applying for a cash advance card, here are several factors to consider while you research available credit cards.

With so many people living paycheck to paycheck these days, there’s often no extra cash cushion when unforeseen expenses occur. Your washing machine breaks. Your car needs repairs. Unexpected doctor visits lead to a pile of medical bills you can’t cover.

Credit card cash advances are a way to tap into quick cash to cover emergencies like these, especially if you don’t have an emergency fund. A cash advance is money given by a credit card issuer. They often come with expensive fees and APR charges, so they aren’t ideal in most circumstances.

So, why would someone use a cash advance? You can look at a cash advance as a short-term loan from your credit card company to use to get out of a financial bind and then pay it back. Cash advances are also more convenient than applying for loans, which can take several days or weeks to be approved.

It’s essential to understand how cash advances work, why they tend to be expensive, and alternatives that might be a better option in the long run.

A cash advance is essentially a loan from your credit card company for access to quick cash. Depending on your card, you can get cash advance funds in person, through an ATM or by check. Cash advance limits are usually lower than your credit limit.

The primary benefit of using a cash advance is the ability to address a pressing financial need immediately. Cash advance funds are easily accessible, giving you a quick way to take care of emergencies.

While you can pay for an emergency expense with a cash advance, remember that these charges are immediately subject to interest charges. Hefty fees and high APR rates usually accompany cash advances. Using a cash advance means you’ll end up paying more than the unexpected expenses themselves. It’s not an ideal option if you just want extra cash in your pocket.

MoneyGeek recommends only using cash advances in extreme circumstances where there’s no other option available, or you need access to extra money fast.

Most experts say to avoid cash advances because of the high fees and interest charges attached to them. If you’re low on available funds, the last thing you want is extra charges on top of what you borrow. That’s precisely what happens when you use a cash advance.

• Fees: Most cash advance fees are either a minimum flat rate charge or a percentage of the cash advance amount. For example, let’s say you take out a $500 cash advance. If the card has a $5 or 5% fee (whichever is greater), your cash advance fee would be $25.
• APR: The cash advance fee isn’t the only charge you need to worry about. Most cards have different APR rates for purchases and cash advances. Consider Chase Sapphire Preferred, one of the most popular rewards credit cards in the world. Depending on your credit, you could score a purchase APR as low as 15.99% with this card. Compare that to its 24.99% cash advance APR. Also, consider that the APR on card purchases doesn't typically kick in until after your statement due date. Interest on cash advances starts to accumulate immediately. If you had to borrow cash because of a difficult financial situation, the chances are it will take you a while to pay back your advance, leading to expensive interest charges.

Using a cash advance may get the job done when you need access to cash quickly, and you’re able to pay it off fast. There are several other options available that might prove to be better and cost less money, though:

• Borrow money from family and friends. Borrowing money from loved ones is less expensive because you won't have to pay fees or interest charges. Keep in mind that if you aren’t diligent in paying back the money on time, you could damage the relationship, which is much worse than paying credit card fees.
• A credit card with an introductory APR offer. If you’re going to use a credit card, why not charge unexpected expenses to a card with an 0% intro APR offer and pay it off slowly over the next year or longer?
• Take out a personal loan. A personal loan might also have high interest rates depending on your credit, but probably still lower than those found with a cash advance.
• Request a payment extension. Talk to your creditor to see if you’re eligible for a hardship extension. Many creditors are willing to work with customers to offer extended time to pay off debt or work out a payment plan that works for both parties.

MoneyGeek answered some of the most critical questions about using a cash advance and cash advance credit cards:

Cash advances aren’t an ideal option for borrowing money, especially if you’re looking to avoid extra credit card charges. But, if you’re in a bind and need access to cash fast, using a cash advance may be the best choice available. Take time to research each card option by looking at details like cash advance fees and APR charges before choosing a card.