What does a cash advance allow a credit card holder to do?

A cash advance allows a credit card holder to withdraw a certain amount of cash from their credit line. This feature provides immediate access to cash when needed, allowing individuals to use their credit cards like a loan for cash rather than solely for purchases. The amount available for a cash advance is typically a portion of the overall credit limit and can be accessed through ATMs, bank branches, or certain checks provided by the credit card issuer.

While options such as obtaining a lower interest rate or transferring a balance relate to different functions of credit management, they do not describe the specific capabilities associated with cash advances. Additionally, purchasing items online without a credit limit is inaccurate, as online transactions still must stay within the set credit limit of the cardholder's account.