A credit card cash advance lets you withdraw cash against your credit line — but the limits are lower than you might think, and the costs are significant. Here is what you need to know for 2026.
Cash Advance Limits by Card Type
| Card Issuer/Type | Typical Cash Advance Limit |
|---|---|
| Chase cards | 20–30% of credit limit |
| American Express | 20–30% of credit limit |
| Capital One | 20–30% of credit limit |
| Citi cards | 20–30% of credit limit |
| Discover cards | 20–30% of credit limit |
| Bank of America | 20–30% of credit limit |
| Secured credit cards | Usually 100% of limit (cash-backed) |
Example Cash Advance Limits by Credit Limit
| Your Credit Limit | Estimated Cash Advance Limit |
|---|---|
| $1,000 | $200–$300 |
| $5,000 | $1,000–$1,500 |
| $10,000 | $2,000–$3,000 |
| $20,000 | $4,000–$6,000 |
| $50,000 | $10,000–$15,000 |
How to Find Your Cash Advance Limit
Your cash advance limit is listed on your monthly statement and in your card’s online account portal:
- Log in to your card issuer’s website or app
- Navigate to Account Details or Credit Limits
- Look for “Cash Advance Limit” or “Cash Credit Available”
You can also find it in your original card agreement under “Fees and Other Important Information.”
Cash Advance ATM Daily Limits
Even if you have a large cash advance limit, ATM withdrawals are capped daily:
| Issuer | Typical ATM Cash Advance Daily Limit |
|---|---|
| Chase | $500–$1,000/day |
| American Express | $1,000/day |
| Capital One | $500/day |
| Citi | $500–$1,000/day |
| Discover | $500/day |
For amounts above the ATM daily limit, request a bank teller cash advance — you go to any bank that accepts your card network (Visa/Mastercard) and request cash directly with your card.
Cash Advance Costs: The Full Picture
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cash advance fee | 3–5% (minimum $5–$10) |
| Cash advance APR | 25–30% (typical) |
| Grace period | None — interest accrues immediately |
| ATM fee | $2–$5 (ATM operator) |
Example: A $1,000 cash advance at 5% fee = $50 upfront + interest at 29.99% APR from day one. If you carry the balance for 30 days, add another ~$25 in interest.
Better Alternatives to a Cash Advance
| Alternative | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Personal loan | 7–25% APR (no upfront fee) | 1–3 days |
| Paycheck advance app | $0–$10 tip | Instant–1 day |
| HELOC | Prime + 1–2% | 2–4 weeks to open |
| Borrow from 401(k) | 0% (repay yourself) | 1–2 weeks |
| Credit union emergency loan | 12–18% APR | 1–2 days |
A cash advance should be a last resort. Even a payday app like Earnin or Dave (with a small tip) is cheaper for small amounts.
How to Get a Cash Advance
At an ATM:
- Insert your credit card
- Enter your PIN (call your issuer to set one if you don’t have one)
- Select “Cash Advance” or “Credit Card”
- Enter the amount (up to your daily ATM limit)
At a bank teller:
- Bring your credit card and a photo ID
- Tell the teller you want a “credit card cash advance”
- They will process it through their terminal — usually up to your full cash advance limit