The card company can also send you convenience checks, which are checks drawn against your credit limit. A convenience check functions just like a cash advance. A cash advance is different from a regular purchase. Finance charges begin to accrue as soon as you take the cash and remain in effect until the advance is paid off completely. The rate may be the same as your APR, or it may be higher.
Cash advances are an important feature of credit cards.
They can help pay emergency expenses when funds aren't available any other way. But they are expensive, and can encourage spending that gets out of hand. But remember, if you take an advance for any of the reasons above, you might not have money to fall back on if you have a real emergency. By law you have certain rights as a credit consumer. You also have the right to information about finance charges.