Written by: Adam West
Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro
In the article below, we’ll take a look at the best online cash advance loans for bad credit, as well as some possible alternatives in case a cash advance loan isn’t the best fit for your situation.
Although the history of the term is sometimes disputed, English speakers have been using the word “cash” to describe hard currency for centuries. And while digital payments are on the rise, it’s unlikely we’ll stop using the term any time soon.
While it’s true your favorite credit card can be used to buy nearly anything these days, there are still some cases in which you simply need cash. And, oftentimes, you need it sooner rather than later.
If your emergency fund is depleted, or simply not enough, you may look to a short-term cash advance loan to find the cash you need. But short-term loans may not be your only — or most affordable — option for quick cash.
Short-Term | Credit Card | Installment | Tips
Short-Term Cash Advance Loans for Bad Credit
Short-term cash advance loans, a category that includes payday loans, are small loans with terms that generally only extend a few days up to a few months. These loans are typically easy to qualify for, even with poor credit, but will charge particularly high fees.
Loan fees for short-term loans are charged as a flat-rate finance fee based on the size of the loan you need, though some may factor in your credit score as well.
Comparing options for short-term loans is critical due to the high cost. Online lending networks, like our expert-rated providers below, can help you compare options quickly.
1. MoneyMutual
- Short-term loans up to $5,000
- Online marketplace of lenders
- Funds available in as few as 24 hours
- Simple online form takes less than 5 minutes
- Trusted by more than 2 million customers
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 | Varies | Varies | See representative example |
2. CashUSA.com
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- Receive a loan decision in minutes
- Get funds directly to your bank account
- Use the loan for any purpose
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $10,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | 3 to 72 Months | See representative example |
Because of how easy they are to obtain, short-term cash advance and payday loans can be a tempting choice. But that ease comes with a high price tag.
It’s not unusual to see finance fees as much as $20 per $100 borrowed, which would mean a $1,000 loan will cost you $200. For a six-week loan, that’s an APR of 434% — 12 times higher than the worst credit card interest rate.
What’s more, short-term loans are usually repaid in a single lump sum on the due date. That means you’ll need to repay both the full principal and all finance fees at once at the end of your loan term, which can be a difficult task if you’re already struggling with an overextended budget.
Credit Card Cash Advances for Bad Credit
Another common type of cash advance that you can use to get quick currency is a credit card cash advance. Basically, this service lets you use your credit card to get cash from an ATM or bank teller.
Not all credit cards allow cash advances, and those that do usually charge fairly steep transaction fees — typically 3% to 8% of the advance, as well as charging a higher APR than regular purchases. Rates and fees will vary by issuer, however, so it’s important to compare options.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
- When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- We help people with bad credit, every day.
- Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
- You can build* or rebuild your credit: apply for a PREMIER Bankcard credit card, keep your balance low, and pay all your monthly bills on time.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
- *Build credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time every month.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
- Brink’s gives you the peace of mind you deserve. Securing cash and valuables since 1859.
- With Brink’s Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster* than a paper check.
- No late fees or interest charges because this is not a credit card.
- Use the Brink’s Money Prepaid Mobile App to manage your account on the go and get text message or email alerts (Message & data rates may apply.)
- *Card issued by Republic Bank & Trust Company, Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Mastercard Debit cards are accepted. “Apply Now” for full details.
- See additional Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard® Details.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | N/A (Prepaid) | No | 7.5/10 |
The exact amount you can advance with a credit card will depend on the credit limit of that card and your credit profile — but it will never be your full limit. Check your credit card agreement, online account, or contact your issuer to find out how much you can obtain with a cash advance.
One important thing to note about credit card cash advances is that they will not fall under the interest rate grace period that applies to new purchases. This means any cash advances you make will start accruing interest as soon as they hit your account.
To get a credit card cash advance from an ATM, you’ll need to contact your credit card issuer to set up a cash advance PIN number. Alternatively, you can head into a qualifying bank and get a cash advance through a teller with your credit card and ID.
Additionally, credit card convenience checks are an easy way to pay for things that can be paid with a regular check. Transactions made by convenience checks are considered to be essentially the same as a cash advance and will typically incur the same fees.
Installment Loans for Bad Credit
If you have a day or so before you need funds, then an installment loan is likely the most affordable way to get cash, as the interest rates and fees are often much lower than other types of financing.
Once an installment loan has been dispersed into your bank account, you can withdraw the money as cash and use it for whatever you need. While dispersal time will vary by lender, online lending networks, like our options below, can let you compare offers to find the right fit.
6. CashUSA.com
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- Receive a loan decision in minutes
- Get funds directly to your bank account
- Use the loan for any purpose
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $10,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | 3 to 72 Months | See representative example |
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- Get connected with a lender
- Simple form & quick funding
- Get your money as soon as next the business day, if approved
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $10,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | 3 to 60 Months | See representative example |
- Loans from $1,000 to $35,000
- Large lender network
- Fast loan decision
- Use the loan for any purpose
- Funding as soon as one business day, if approved
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $35,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | 3 to 72 Months | See representative example |
While short-term loans are repaid all at once, installment loans are repaid via smaller, regular payments, typically monthly payments. This can make it easier to repay installment loans than short-term loans, as you don’t need to repay the full principal all at once.
At the same time, installment loans won’t work in every situation. For one thing, it usually takes at least one business day to receive funds — though quicker is sometimes possible. Additionally, installment loans are intended to be larger loans, with a $500 minimum for most lenders.
And while installment loans have significantly lower APRs than short-term loans — easily 12 times lower — installment loans also tend to come with origination fees. A type of processing fee, origination fees can range up to 6% of the total loan amount.
Tips for Using Cash Advances Wisely
By and far the most important part of using a cash advance wisely is to have a plan to pay it back before you borrow. No matter how you go about it, cash advances are expensive, and they’ll only get more expensive if they’re allowed to hang around.
Another key to responsible cash advances is to read the paperwork carefully before you make a cash advance. If you’re getting a loan, read through the loan agreement to ensure you know exactly what you’re being charged and exactly when — and how much — you need to make payments.
For credit card cash advances, know your cash advance limit, fees, and interest rate before you even contact your issuer for a PIN number. You should also make sure you have plenty of available credit for both the cash advance and any applicable fees.
The rates and fees you’ll be charged for credit card cash advances are laid out in your card’s terms and conditions.
If you’re unsure of your ability to repay a cash advance (or even if you’re completely sure) you should consider alternative — i.e., more affordable — payment methods before taking out a cash advance.
Installment loans are often the best route thanks to their low rates, but simply charging the expense to your credit card, if possible, can be a great alternative. Most credit cards offer interest rate grace periods on new purchases that can mean paying no interest at all.
Find the Cash You Need
While we’ve only called it cash for a few centuries, hard currency has been around for millennia — and, regardless of what it’s called, it’ll likely be around for millennia more.
In today’s world, where credit cards can be used for most things, cash often seems to be the currency of the emergency; when you need cash for something, you rarely have a lot of time to wait for it.
Although getting cash in a hurry can seem like a challenge with poor credit, it isn’t an impossible task. Just remember to borrow wisely to avoid getting trapped in an expensive cash advance mistake.
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