In the past here, we’ve generally recommended against using a credit card for cash advances. It’s for good reason — a combination of a cash advance fee and being hit with what is usually the highest interest rate on a card, with no interest free days. There are exceptions to every rule however, and that’s what we’ll cover here. When might a cash advance not be such a bad idea?

Here are three situations when it might be worth taking out that cash advance:

1. You know you can pay it back almost immediately.

Yes, you’ll still be slapped with high interest starting as soon as you take out your cash advance, but if you know you can pay it off in full in a day or two, the dollar amount of that interest payment might be low enough to make it worth it.

Keep in mind that you’ll still be better off just using your credit card if at all possible (lower interest and no cash advance fee), but if it’s a cash-only situation and you don’t have cash or your debit card on you, a cash advance might be a short-term option.

2. You’re cash-strapped and your credit card isn’t accepted.

Let’s say you have to pay rent or make a mortgage payment. You don’t have enough money in the bank on the due date, but you’ll have the money shortly after when you get paid again. You can’t pay with a credit card.

In that case, it could make sense to take out a cash advance to pay the bank or your landlord, and then just pay the card balance off when you get paid. The amount you pay might be much more palatable than tarnishing your payment history. Think of it as a way to pay with your credit card even when credit cards aren’t accepted.

3. It will cost you more if you don’t take out the cash advance.

There might be situations where you’ll actually lose more money by making a late payment somewhere else than you’ll pay for a cash advance to cover the bill. In that case, it makes financial sense to take out the cash advance.

For example, let’s say you’ll be charged a $30 late fee if you pay a bill late, but you don’t have the money immediately to make the payment. You could take out a cash advance (let’s say it’s a $100 payment), but the cash advance fee and interest for a few days would cost you around $10. However, the bill would get paid, and you would avoid the late fee. Taking out the cash advance saves you $20.

Cash advances aren’t something to think about lightly. It’s not worth it to grab some quick cash to buy fast food on your way home because you left your debit card or cash behind. Yet in emergency situations, cash advances aren’t all bad. It’s just up to you to look at and weigh the costs and benefits in each situation that might arise.