Can you pay PayPal with a credit card?

PayPal®¹ offers easy ways to shop online, send money to friends and family, and access other features and benefits. To use some of PayPal’s features you’ll need to link your account to a method of payment such as a bank account or card.

This guide walks through using PayPal with a credit card, including how to get started and what you’ll pay.

How to link a credit card to your PayPal account

You can use many popular credit cards with PayPal in the US, to buy things online or to send money to others. To use your credit card with PayPal you’ll first need to link it - which can be done easily and securely in the PayPal app or on the desktop site.

To link your credit card to PayPal, take the following steps²:
Log into your PayPal account and go to Wallet Click Link a debit or credit card Follow the instructions to link your card automatically

Is it safe to link a credit card to PayPal?

PayPal is a large, trusted and regulated company. When you link your credit card to PayPal you go through a secure verification process and any essential data is stored safely by PayPal.

This means that using your credit card with PayPal should be safe as long as you follow normal common sense precautions.

Which credit cards can you link to PayPal?

PayPal US allows you to link credit cards to your account which have been issued on the following networks³:

• Visa®
• Mastercard®
• Discover®
• American Express®

What if your credit card is declined on PayPal?

PayPal highlights a few troubleshooting tips, covering common reasons that a credit card can’t be linked to a PayPal account⁴:

• Different billing address - for security your card billing address must be entered to PayPal exactly as it is written on your card statement

• Authorization charge declined - when you link your card, PayPal sends an authorization charge to ensure the card works. If your card issuer declines this it can’t be added

• Too many cards already linked - you can add 4 cards to an unverified PayPal account, or 24 to a verified account

• Card linked to another PayPal account - cards can only be linked to one account at a time

• Incorrect card details used - your card details must be added exactly as they show on your card, including the security code

You can learn more about all of these common issues and how to resolve them, on the PayPal help center, which has comprehensive FAQs and self help tips.

How much does it cost to pay with a credit card on PayPal?

Using your credit card with PayPal may mean paying fees. Below we’ve highlighted the key PayPal credit card fees to know about - it’s worth reviewing the PayPal fee schedule before you start to use your card, and also checking with your card issuer to see if they will charge you anything for using your credit card with PayPal.

Transaction type	PayPal US fee⁵
Buy something online or in person	No fee for purchases in USD Currency conversion fees apply for buying in foreign currencies
Send a domestic payment to friends or family	2.9% + fixed fee
Send an international payment to friends or family	2.9% + fixed fee + international charge of 5% (from 0.99 USD to 4.99 USD) Currency conversion fees apply where relevant
Currency conversion	3% - 4% depending on the transaction type

Wise

Many money apps to send money with credit cards don’t allow international services — or impose high fees where they do. Wise is different.

Send money overseas with the mid-market exchange rate, using just your recipient’s email address. Fees are low and transparent*, and payments are often instant.

Send money with Wise 🚀

Note: Transaction speed claimed depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions

Paying for purchases with a credit card on PayPal

You’ll be able to pick which payment method you use when you buy something with PayPal, including choosing to use a credit card. There’s not usually a PayPal fee to buy something in USD, but you’ll pay a conversion fee when shopping with international retailers.

It’s also worth double checking if your own card issuer has any fees which may apply when you use your card with PayPal.

Can you use a credit card to send money on PayPal?

Yes. You can make payments locally and internationally to friends or family with a credit card. Fees apply. When you send a domestic payment you’ll pay 2.9% + a small fixed fee.

For international payments, the domestic charge applies, plus an international supplement of 5% of the transaction amount, capped at 4.99 USD.

How do you remove a credit card from your PayPal account?

You can easily remove any card if you change your mind about adding it to your PayPal account.

Here’s what you’ll need to do⁶:
Log into your PayPal account online or in app Go to your Wallet and click the card you want to remove Click Remove card

Alternatives to paying PayPal with a credit card

Using your credit card with PayPal isn’t always the best option. If you’d like to avoid some of the fees involved with using credit on PayPal, you can choose an alternative:

• Link a debit card to PayPal and use this to pay

• Link a bank or credit union account to PayPal and pay with this

• Pay using any PayPal balance you already hold

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PayPal is a flexible option for online shopping and for sending money to friends and family. You can use PayPal with a credit card, or select a debit card or bank account instead.

Using a credit card can come with some pretty high fees for some transactions - so read up on the costs before you decide which is the best option for spending or sending money online with PayPal.

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Sources:

1. PayPal US
2. PayPal help - link credit card
3. PayPal help - which cards can I use
4. PayPal help - problems linking cards
5. PayPal US fees
6. PayPal help - remove a card

Sources checked on 06.19.2024