What is the NAB credit card cash advance?

NAB credit card cash advances attract specific fees and interest, and some cash-like transactions are treated the same as withdrawing cash. Below is a concise guide to what counts as a cash advance, when fees appear, and how to reduce or block them in the NAB app.

What is a NAB credit card cash advance?

The NAB cash advance fee is a one-off fee charged when you use your credit card to access cash or make cash-like transactions. This fee applies to most NAB credit cards (it doesn’t apply to products that don’t permit cash advances, such as NAB StraightUp Card). Interest on cash advances is usually higher than on purchases and starts accruing from the date of the transaction.

When the cash advance fee appears

• Cash withdrawals (e.g., at ATMs or over the counter).
• Transferring funds from your credit card to another account (treated as a cash advance).
• Gambling or gaming-related transactions (including lottery and similar).
• Utility bill payments made over the counter at other financial institutions or post offices.
• Other cash-like purchases (e.g., loading value onto prepaid cards and similar quasi-cash operations).

Note: Promotional “balance transfers” to a NAB card are separate offers with their own fees/rates; however, transferring funds from your credit card is treated as a cash advance.

How interest on cash advances works

• Interest is charged from the date of the cash advance until it’s repaid (no interest-free period applies).
• The cash advance interest rate is typically higher than the purchase rate.

How to turn off some cash advance operations in the NAB app

You can block specific cash-advance activity on eligible NAB credit cards:

1. Log in to the NAB mobile app.
2. Go to Cards and choose the card.
3. Open Usage controls.
4. Select ATM cash advances to block domestic and/or international cash advances.

You can also apply Gambling restrictions under Usage controls if you want to stop gambling transactions on your card.

Tips to avoid cash advance fees

• Use your card for purchases (not cash access) and pay bills through standard biller channels instead of over-the-counter at other institutions.
• Avoid transferring funds from your credit card to bank accounts.
• Enable relevant card controls (ATM cash advances, gambling restrictions) in the app.
• Repay any cash-advance balance as quickly as possible to limit interest charges.