What Is a Cash Advance?

A cash advance is a short-term cash loan intended to cover an unexpected expense or emergency. Cash advances tend to come with high-interest rates and fees. 

There are 4 main types of cash advances — credit card cash advances, payday loans, installment loans, and merchant cash advances. All of these options can deliver cash in a hurry, but each works a little differently. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each before deciding which option is right for you.

What Is a Credit Card Cash Advance?

The most common type of cash advance is a credit card cash advance. When you take a credit card cash advance, you are borrowing money from the available balance on your credit card. It works in a similar way as withdrawing cash from the ATM with your debit card, except the money comes from your credit limit rather than from your bank account balance. This means you will have to pay it back with interest.

Unlike using your credit card to purchase goods or services, credit card cash advances start incurring interest on the withdrawn amount as soon as you take the money out. Also, be aware that most credit card companies won’t allow you to take your entire credit line in the form of a cash advance. For most consumers, cash advances are capped at a few hundred dollars.

Credit card cash advance transactions can be performed by using your PIN at an ATM or by using a convenience check mailed to you by your credit card issuer.

What Is a Payday Loan?

Payday loans are intended to be short-term loans, in which the borrower pays the lender back on their next payday; unless the borrower wishes to extend the loan — in that case, additional interest is charged. Payday loans typically range from $50 to $1,000, but despite the small amount of money borrowed, lenders often charge insanely high-interest rates, sometimes up to 400%.

Heed caution when considering a payday loan. Getting a payday loan can keep you in a cycle of debt, and payday loans come with hefty fees and interest rates. If you can’t repay the loan by the allotted deadline, you can “roll over” the loan, but the already steep price to borrow grows even higher. Consider some payday loan alternatives instead.

What Is an Installment Loan?

As the name suggests, installment loans are a type of cash advance in which the amount borrowed is paid back through a number of scheduled repayments over an agreed upon time. Common installment loans are auto loans, student loans, and mortgage loans. For each installment payment, the borrower repays a portion of the amount borrowed and also pays interest. Typically, installment loans carry lower interest rates and more flexible terms than other loan types.

For borrowers who are good at making regular, steady payments, installment loans can be an advantageous form of cash advance. If you aren’t able to keep up with your scheduled payments, then you will be at high risk of defaulting on the loan, which can lead to loss of collateral, debt, and a drop in credit score.

What Is a Merchant Cash Advance?

A merchant cash advance is for companies or merchants to help them finance their business. These types of cash advances provide alternative financing to a traditional small-business loan. Typically, a business owner is given a sum of money upfront and then receives a percentage of all credit card sales until the sum is completely paid off.

While this type of cash advance can be beneficial to some business owners, it is important to keep in mind that interest rates can be very high and fees can quickly add up. Not to mention that due to the speed and ease of merchant cash advances, business owners may find themselves in a debt cycle that can be hard to break free from.

Depending on the type of cash advance you use, the fees will differ. Here’s what you’ll pay to take out a credit card cash advance — and how much it could cost you over time.

• Cash advance fees: Typically 5% of the transaction or $10, whichever is greater.
• ATM fees: If you use an out-of-network ATM, you’ll pay an average of $4.64.
• Interest charges: When you take out a cash advance, you’ll begin accruing interest immediately. Many credit cards charge higher interest rates for cash advances; the average is nearly 25%.

As an example, let’s imagine you’re $500 short on rent this month. You don’t get paid until next week, and really can’t be late again, so you decide to withdraw money from the ATM using your credit card.

Off the bat, you’ll pay a $25 cash advance fee (5% of $500) and a $5 ATM fee, for a total of $30. You’ll also start accruing interest at 24.8%. So, if you don’t pay your bill until your statement arrives, you’ll owe almost $10 in interest.

The next time you’re in a bind, here are 5 alternatives to compare to cash advances. 

1. Get a Fee-Free Overdraft

What do overdrafting, cash advances, and payday loans have in common? They all come with a boatload of fees.

Chime’s feature SpotMe allows eligible members to overdraft up to $200¹ on debit card purchases with no fees. Whether you need a tank of gas or a cart of groceries, Chime’s got your back.

2. Ask for an Advance on Your Paycheck

Need some cash to help you survive until next week?

You can ask your employer for help by providing you with a paycheck advance. Simply reach out to the human resources department at your job or your supervisor to learn more about your company’s policies.

Or, if you set up direct deposit online through Chime, you won’t even need to bug HR. Chime offers its members the ability to get paid up to two days early³ — at no cost to you or your employer.

3. Use a Credit Card

While it’s normally not advised to spend money on a credit card unless you can pay it off immediately, credit card purchases do have two major advantages over cash advances.

1. They don’t start accruing interest until the end of your grace period, so if you pay your statement balance in full, you’ll avoid interest charges completely.
2. Regular credit card purchases have lower fees and interest rates than cash advances.

So if you’re in an emergency situation, it’s better to pay a bill with a credit card than with a cash advance.

Alternatively, if you know you have a big purchase coming up, you can look for a credit card with a 0% introductory APR. The promotional period usually lasts between 6 and 24 months, and as long as you pay off the balance before it’s over, you won’t owe any interest.

4. Pay the Late Fee

Are you getting a cash advance from your credit card because you’re scrambling to make a payment before you get dinged with a late fee? Before committing to a cash advance, you might want to calculate how much a late payment would actually cost you. 

Take rent for example. Most landlords offer a grace period of 5 days before they start charging late fees, and even then, they may only charge 5%. If your rent is $700, for example, it will cost you $35 to pay a week late, which is less than the cost of a cash advance.

Don’t make this a habit, of course, but in a one-time emergency, paying a late fee is worth considering.

5. Get a Personal Loan

If you have a decent credit score, you can also consider applying for a personal loan at a bank, credit union, or peer-to-peer website like Prosper or LendingClub.

While you’ll still have to pay interest, it will generally be lower than the 25% you’d pay with a cash advance. The most creditworthy borrowers at Prosper, for example, will see rates as low as 6.95%. (Just note: You’ll also need to pay an origination fee.)

Cash advances, though not ideal, can be beneficial for some. For urgent needs, a cash advance is a quick and easy way to access funds. Before taking a cash advance, make sure you are fully aware of all the fees, interest, and costs associated with a cash advance. Consider all your options and choose wisely.