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Can You Use Apple Pay to Send Money with a Credit Card?
July 1, 2025
Quick Answer
Yes, you can use a credit card to pay someone through Apple Pay, but the transaction will incur a standard processing fee.
Should You Apple Pay Someone With A Credit Card?
Using a credit card for Apple Pay has both benefits and associated costs.
Benefits
- Rewards: You can earn credit card rewards, such as points or cash back, on the money you send.
- Flexibility: It allows you to send money immediately, even if you do not have sufficient funds in your bank account.
- Security: Transactions are protected by the security and fraud protection features offered by your credit card issuer.
Costs
- Transaction Fee: Apple charges a 3% fee on all payments sent using a credit card.
- Cash Advance: Your credit card issuer might treat the transaction as a cash advance, which often comes with higher fees and a higher interest rate.
- Interest Charges: If you carry a balance, the amount sent will accrue interest at your card's standard purchase APR.
How to Apple Pay Someone With A Credit Card
Sending money via Apple Pay with a credit card is a convenient way to pay friends and family. Here’s a general guide to navigating the process from start to finish.
Add Your Card to Apple Wallet: Before you can send money, your credit card must be linked to your Apple Wallet. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the plus sign, and follow the prompts to add your card details.
Choose the Right Card: Not all credit cards are equal for person-to-person payments. Some issuers may treat these transactions as cash advances, which can incur high fees and interest rates. We recommend using Kudos' Explore Tool to find and compare cards that best fit your needs.
Initiate Payment in Messages: Open a conversation with the recipient in your Messages app. Tap the Apple Pay icon in the app drawer, enter the desired amount, and ensure your credit card is selected as the payment method.
Authenticate and Send: Confirm the transaction details and authenticate the payment using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. The money will be sent instantly, and a confirmation will appear in your message thread.
Impact On Your Credit Score
Using Apple Pay with a credit card can influence your credit score in several ways, much like any other credit card transaction. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind:
- Credit Utilization Ratio: Every purchase made via Apple Pay adds to your credit card balance. A higher balance increases your credit utilization, which can negatively impact your score if it gets too high.
- Payment History: Your payment history remains a crucial factor regardless of the payment method. Making timely payments will help your score, while missed payments will hurt it significantly.
- Hard Inquiries: Applying for a new credit card to use with Apple Pay, such as the Apple Card, results in a hard inquiry. This can cause a temporary, minor dip in your credit score.
Alternative Ways To Apple Pay Someone
Using Your Debit Card or Apple Cash Balance
If you want to avoid using a credit card for peer-to-peer payments, you can set a debit card as your default payment method in your Wallet settings. This ensures funds are drawn directly from your bank account. Another option is to use your Apple Cash balance. If you've received money from others, that balance can be used for future payments without ever touching your linked bank cards, offering a self-contained payment loop within the Apple ecosystem.
Initiating Payments Through Siri or Contacts
Beyond the Messages app, you can streamline payments using other native iOS features. For a hands-free transaction, simply activate Siri and say, "Apple Pay [contact's name] for [amount]." Alternatively, you can initiate a payment directly from the Contacts app. Navigate to the specific contact card and tap the Apple Pay button to send money without needing to open a message thread first, providing a quicker route for the transaction.
Choose the Right Card to Apple Pay Someone
With thousands of credit cards on the market, choosing the one that best suits your spending habits is crucial for maximizing rewards and minimizing fees. Instead of getting lost in the options, you can use a tool that offers personalized recommendations based on your preferences. Find the best card for your needs and ensure every payment you make works harder for you.
If you want to get more from your credit cards, Kudos is the smartest free tool to use when you shop online. Plus, we are currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase when you sign-up for free with code “GET20” and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there fees for sending money with a credit card on Apple Pay?
Yes, Apple charges a standard 3% fee when you use a credit card to send money through Apple Cash.
Does using a credit card for Apple Pay count as a cash advance?
This depends on your card issuer. Some treat it as a purchase, while others may classify it as a cash advance.
What are the limits for sending money with a credit card on Apple Pay?
After verifying your identity, you can send up to $10,000 per transaction and up to $10,000 within a seven-day period.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
