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PayPal has long been used as a platform for money transfers — but it’s also a common payment method for purchases made online. With a PayPal account, you can pay for purchases with participating retailers using the balance in your account, or with another payment method like a credit card.
When you connect a credit card to your account and use that card for purchases, you get the convenience of paying with PayPal plus any benefits you get from using a credit card. For example, paying with plastic can help you secure consumer protections like purchase protection against damage or theft, extended warranties on eligible items, return protection, and zero fraud liability.
You also get to earn rewards on purchases made through PayPal with a credit card, which can be especially fruitful if you use a credit card that gives you bonus points on PayPal purchases.
If you plan to use PayPal for your holiday shopping or you simply want to make the most of purchases made through this platform, here are three cards worth considering.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Compare the best credit cards for PayPal
Chase Freedom Flex
Why the Chase Freedom Flex is worth it: The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers 5% cash back (5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points) on up to $1,500 spent in quarterly bonus categories when you activate (then 1%). You’ll also earn:
5% back on travel purchases through Chase3% back on drugstore and dining purchases1% back one everything else
The quarterly bonus categories this card offers include PayPal and Walmart purchases between October 1 and December 31, 2022. You must enroll your card by December 14, 2022, for your purchases to be bonused.
You can redeem rewards from either card for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, travel, merchandise, and more. And if you also have the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can pool your points and access more redemption options like transferring points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners or getting bonus value when you redeem through the Chase travel portal or Pay Yourself Back.
This card has a Chase Freedom Flex℠ annual fee.
Welcome bonus: This card offers Chase Freedom Flex℠.
Review: Chase Freedom Flex review
Discover it Cash Back
Why the Discover it Cash Back is worth it: The Discover it® Cash Back is another rewards credit card that offers 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in quarterly bonus categories (then 1%) when you activate. From July 1 to September 30, 2022, you’ll earn 5% back at restaurants and with PayPal after you activate your card.
In addition to bonus rewards, you’ll also get 1% back on everything else.
The Discover it® Cash Back has a Discover it® Cash Back annual fee, and you can redeem your rewards for cash back, charitable donations, gift cards, or purchases made through Amazon or PayPal.
Welcome bonus: This card doesn’t come with a traditional welcome offer — but Discover will match the rewards you earn after the first 12 months of opening the card — meaning any 5% cash back you earn becomes a 10% return.
Review: Discover it Cash Back review
Discover it Student Cash Back
If you’re a young adult with limited credit history, you can also earn bonus rewards on PayPal purchases with the Discover it® Student Cash Back. This card has the same earning rate as the Discover it® Cash Back, so you’ll earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in quarterly bonus categories when you activate (then 1% back) as well as 1% back on other purchases.
The very same quarterly bonus categories apply with this card as with the Discover it® Cash Back. You can earn 5% back up to limits on PayPal and restaurant purchases made from July through September of 2022. This card also comes with a Discover it® Student Cash Back annual fee.
Welcome bonus: Again, this isn’t a normal intro offer. New cardholders will also have their rewards matched at the end of the first 12 months through the Discover CashBack Match program.
Review: Discover it Student Cash Back review
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
Why the PayPal Cashback card is worth it: The PayPal Cashback Mastercard® has become one of the all-around best cash back credit cards, as long as you funnel as many purchases as possible through PayPal.
Here are the card’s ongoing return rates: PayPal Cashback Mastercard®.
The card incurs a PayPal Cashback Mastercard® annual fee.
Welcome bonus: This card offers PayPal Cashback Mastercard®.
Review: PayPal Cashback Mastercard review
Best credit cards for PayPal purchases frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Are PayPal credit cards the best cards for online shopping?
The rewards credit cards featured above offer bonus points on PayPal purchases, but there are plenty of other credit cards that can help you boost your rewards haul when you shop online. This includes credit cards that reward you handsomely when you shop at Amazon, for example, as well as travel rewards credit cards that let you earn points and miles for all kinds of purchases you make.
With some research, you should be able to find a card that offers the most rewards for all your spending throughout the year. In addition to rewards rates, make sure to compare cards based on their benefits and features, sign-up bonuses, and the fees they charge.
Does PayPal count as a mobile wallet?
Some credit cards bonus purchases that are made through a mobile wallet. While you can use PayPal to pay via your phone at brick and mortar stores, it’s unlikely you’ll earn trigger a bonus category with a card with a mobile wallet bonus category, such as the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Does PayPal regularly appear as a credit card rotating bonus category?
It’s not a guarantee that PayPal will continue to be a bonus category on cards like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Discover it® Cash Back. However, it has made an appearance on these cards for years. In fact, PayPal was a bonus category at the exact same time in 2021.
Are PayPal credit cards the best cards to use with PayPal?
PayPal credit cards can certainly be rewarding. The PayPal Cashback Mastercard® will give you 3%. But none offer up to 5% back on purchases except for those cards with rotating bonus categories such as the Chase Freedom Flex℠. However, once you’ve maxed out the bonus category (or you’re spending in a month during which PayPal is not a bonus category), the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® becomes your best option.