Can i withdraw cash from my capital one credit card

When you're in need of cash, whether it's from an unexpected expense or a sudden job loss, heading to the ATM and withdrawing money from your credit card sounds like a quick fix.

This is called a cash advance, and although many credit cards allow you to do this, the negative financial consequences should make you think twice.

Below, Select explains what exactly it means to use your credit card to borrow cash as an advance, and why it's not worth it.

How cash advances work

Cash advances let cardholders borrow money against their card's line of credit. They essentially act as a short-term loan and can be accessed by withdrawing cash at an ATM with your credit card's PIN number, by requesting one in-person at your bank or by writing a convenience check (if your card provides them) to yourself and then cashing or depositing it.

You can check your credit card statement or call your card issuer to find out your cash advance limit.

 Here are two reasons why experts don't recommend cash advances.

1. 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. And unlike having at least 21 days to pay off a credit card purchase in full before incurring interest, there is no grace period for cash advances. That means you will be charged interest starting from the date you withdraw a cash advance.

The fees to consider on cash advances are the monthly payment, the interest rate on that monthly payment, the cash advance fee (usually 3% or 5% of the total amount of each cash advance you request) and the ATM or bank fee (depending on what method you choose). Keep in mind that the interest rates for cash advances are usually steeper than the rate you pay on purchases or balance transfers.

For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (which requires good or excellent credit and ranked as Select's best credit card for grocery shopping) has a variable APR of 17.74% to 28.74% on purchases, but a 28.99%APR on cash advances (see rates and fees). Terms apply. But on a card such as the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (which is a good choice for fair and average credit applicants to earn cash back), the APR on purchases and balance transfers is the same as the cash advance APR: 28.49%%.

2. They can impact your credit score: Cash advances from your credit card won't show up on your credit report as their own line item, but they can harm your credit score if the amount you withdraw causes the percentage of available credit you're using, also known as your credit utilization rate, to increase. This could tell lenders that you are using more credit than you should while not paying it off.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.

Information about the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.

A Capital One cash advance, like cash advances from other card issuers, is one way to get immediate funds from an ATM with your credit card using your PIN.

It’s essentially like getting a cash loan from your credit card issuer. However, these are far from ideal because of the high fees and interest rates you’ll pay.

Before considering a cash advance, you should familiarize yourself with all of the details and any other options you may have to get money. Ultimately, a Capital One cash advance (or any cash advance) should only be used as a last resort.

Most credit card companies, like American Express, Bank of America, Chase, and Citi also offer cards with cash advances.

How Do I Get a Capital One Cash Advance?

If you do need to get a cash advance with your Capital One card, you’ll need to know the basics of how to get it, where you can get it, and what you’ll pay for it. Here’s a brief overview:

  • Be aware that cash advances will incur extra fees and will start accruing interest immediately.
  • Head to an ATM.
  • Insert your card, enter your PIN, choose “credit card” or “credit.” as the withdrawal option
  • Choose the amount of cash you’d like.
  • Finalize the transaction. Grab your card, the cash, and your receipt.

Take a look at a more in-depth breakdown below.

How to Get Cash

You’ll be able to use your Capital One credit card to get a cash advance at any ATM, though you may have to pay extra fees depending on the ATM you use (see our section on fees below). To avoid additional ATM fees, you can find Capital One ATMs here.

When getting cash from your credit card at an ATM, you’ll basically go through the same process as using a debit card to withdraw from a checking account:

  1. Insert your credit card.
  2. Enter your credit card’s PIN (personal identification number).
  3. Select “credit card” or “credit” as the option to withdraw from on the screen.
  4. Confirm you agree to any ATM fees outlined (if applicable).
  5. Collect and confirm the amount of cash received from the dispenser.
  6. Finalize the transaction on the screen and save your receipt. Make sure you take your card, too.

Your Credit Card PIN

You’ll need to know your card’s PIN, just like for an ATM card or debit card. When you first get a Capital One card, you’re usually given the option of selecting your own PIN, receiving a system-generated PIN, or declining a PIN.

If you’ve forgotten your PIN or don’t have one yet, you can get one online:

  1. Sign in to your online Capital One account.
  2. Click “More Account Settings,” then select “Control Your Card” and follow the directions under “Get a Cash Advance.”
  3. You may be eligible to get a code by email or text to let you select a custom PIN to use immediately. Otherwise, the PIN will arrive by mail in approximately 7 to 10 business days.

You can also get a PIN by calling Capital One’s support phone number:

  1. Call 1-800-227-4825.
  2. Follow the directions from its automated system. It will let you request a PIN that will arrive in 7 to 10 days by mail. If you know your current PIN, you can simply update it on the phone.

Quick Guide

How to get a cash advance if you don’t know your PIN

If you don’t know your PIN or haven’t set one up and need to get money immediately, you can still obtain a cash advance by going in person to a bank lobby that displays the Visa or Mastercard credit card logo (your card has to match). You’ll just need to provide a government-issued photo ID like a driver’s license along with your Capital One card.

Cash advance limits

You’ll need to know how much money you can withdraw. Like your purchase credit limit, your Capital One cash advance limit will depend on various factors based on what the issuer believes you can pay back (e.g. your income, credit utilization, and payment history) and it’s often lower than your card’s overall credit limit.

You may have a daily cash advance limit along with that, and some ATMs may have their own limits as well.

What Does a Capital One Cash Advance Cost?

You’ll want to understand all fees and interest rates so you know the full cost of your Capital One cash advance.

Capital One Cash Advance fees

Most cards, including Capital One credit cards, have cash advance fees. For Capital One cards the cash advance fee is typically 3%, with a $10 minimum.

You may incur ATM fees, too. If you use an ATM outside of Capital One’s network, including generic ATMs like MoneyPass and Cardtronics, you’ll likely pay fees in addition to those outlined in your account terms. Usually, ATM surcharges are between $2 – $5 if you’re not an account holder with the financial institution that manages the ATM.

Capital One Cash Advance Interest Rates

With a Capital One cash advance (or a cash advance from any credit card issuer) you’ll usually pay a higher interest rate than regular purchases. The interest charges for a cash advance also begin accumulating immediately, unlike your regular card purchases which usually have a grace period of approximately 25 days.

For comparison, here are some of the interest rates you’ll pay for a cash advance and a purchase with some popular Capital One cards.

CardCash Advance APRPurchase APR
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card 24.99% Variable 15.99% – 24.99% Variable
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card 24.99% Variable 14.99% – 24.99% Variable
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 23.99% Variable 15.99% – 23.99% Variable
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card 24.99% Variable 14.99% – 24.99% Variable

Note: Interest rates are subject to change and may vary based on your specific terms and credit approval.

Insider tip

If you end up getting a cash advance, try to pay it off as soon as possible to minimize the interest charges that will accrue every day.

Are There Other Ways to Get Cash With a Credit Card?

There are a few other ways to get cash using a card, including:

  • Use a Discover credit card’s cash over option. This is a fee-free benefit to get cash at a variety of retailers, which works just like getting cash back with a debit card while checking out at a retailer. Learn more about the Discover cash over program.
  • Get a bank balance transfer with a 0% APR card. To go this route, you first need to have a credit card with a 0% balance transfer APR offer that allows you to transfer funds to your bank account (not all do). Then, you request a balance transfer and have your card issuer send the cash directly to your bank account.

Learn more about bank balance transfers along with other alternatives to getting a cash advance.

What Are The Best Capital One Cards?

Even if you’re not trying to get a cash advance, here are some of the best Capital One cards you may want to add to your wallet:

  • Best for Dining: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Best With No Annual Fee: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
  • Best for Travel: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
  • Best 0% APR Card: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Can I get cash out of my Capital One credit card?

You can take a cash advance inside a bank lobby that displays the Visa or MasterCard credit card logo. You'll just need to provide a government issued photo ID like a driver's license along with your Capital One card. Forgot your PIN? You can request a new one.

What ATM can I use to get money off my Capital One credit card?

Just look for Capital One, MoneyPass® or Allpoint® on the ATM.

Can I use my Capital One card at an ATM?

You'll be able to use your Capital One credit card to get a cash advance at any ATM, though you may have to pay extra fees depending on the ATM you use (see our section on fees below). To avoid additional ATM fees, you can find Capital One ATMs here.

How do I get a PIN number for my Capital One credit card?

Call 1-800-227-4825 and follow the directions given by our automated system. You can request a PIN by mail that will arrive in 7-10 days or if you know your current PIN, you can simply update it.