In the world of credit cards, a cash advance is an option cardholders can use to borrow actual currency against their current balances. For most credit card users, the amount of cash available for a cash advance is a small percentage of their overall credit limit. Statements issued by the bank will generally provide two sets of numbers: the credit limit and the cash advance limit.

Receiving a cash advance can simply be a matter of using a credit card at the nearest ATM. Many electronic banking machines offer credit card users the option of a cash advance. As long as the requested amount does not exceed the current cash advance limit, the ATM or other electronic banking machine should dispense real currency. If the amount of the cash advance does exceed the current limit, the ATM may still dispense the money but also electronically flag the exchange. An unauthorized cash advance might be handled in the same manner as a purchase over the credit limit.

Even in a world where debit and credit cards have almost replaced cash, there are still some services and vendors which require immediate cash payments. Taking out a personal loan for a relatively small amount of cash could prove expensive, while debit cards can only supply what currently exists in a savings or checking account. During a cash emergency, such as paying the deductible on emergency dental work or a visit to the veterinarian, the best option may be to take out a cash advance against the balance of a credit card.

Using a cash advance option can prove to be expensive, so it's always best to explore other payment methods before incurring more debt. Any money gained through a cash advance will be added to the balance owed to the bank, which includes interest payments and other finance charges. Interest on some unsecured credit cards can reach 23% at times, which can quickly swallow up any benefits of a cash advance. This is why consumers should only borrow enough cash to resolve their financial obligation and make a sincere effort to pay back any cash advance quickly.