We are living in a world of online shopping! In such a scenario, payments via PayPal on large online shopping sites are very common. However, it may surprise you that certain online stores still do not accept PayPal as a valid payment option. Let’s talk a bit about can I use PayPal on Amazon or not because many buyers have been interested in finding this out!
- You can not use PayPal directly for Amazon purchases but there are alternative methods like using PayPal Cash Card, PayPal Key, PayPal Credit Card, Amazon gift cards with PayPal, or Venmo.
- PayPal Key is one of the best options as it works instantly and does not require any credit for application.
- There is no indication that PayPal payments will be integrated on Amazon anytime soon.
…and Much More!
Can I Use PayPal On Amazon – All You Need To Know
You may already be aware that PayPal is not a supported payment method if you have tried to utilize your PayPal balance for an Amazon purchase.
- Unfortunately, you can’t always directly merge two of your favorite online purchasing activities for convenience.
However, if you’re determined on using it to buy products on Amazon, there seem to be various ways to make it happen. You can transfer the PayPal balance into your bank account and utilize those cash however you wish. Below you will learn more about the methods that enable you for using your PayPal account to make purchases on Amazon by reading about these hacks.
Reason Why Amazon Doesn’t Accept PayPal Directly
Amazon does not work with this payment app for two main reasons. First of all, PayPal used to be a part of eBay, a company that directly competes with Amazon. PayPal and eBay were connected from 2002 to 2015. Although PayPal later became a distinct company, its relationship with eBay is still solid.
Secondly, it directly competes with Amazon Pay which is the company’s payment service. Like PayPal, Amazon Pay has got recognition by a wide range of independent retailers, allowing you to use Amazon payment options outside of Amazon’s sphere of influence.
Available Options for Using PayPal On Amazon
There are some workarounds if you enjoy shopping on Amazon but have had trouble using PayPal to pay for your purchases. Here are some options for you to consider.
Use PayPal Cash Card
You can make purchases using your PayPal balance with the PayPal Cash Card once you have loaded the card. If a retailer supports Mastercard payments, you can use this card to make purchases there as well as online.
- When you enroll for the PayPal Cash Card, the standard PayPal account is upgraded to a Cash Plus account, which also has a few more benefits.
You just need to enter your PayPal Cash Card number like you would do with either a credit or debit card. Then buy the product on Amazon and pay with your PayPal balance for shopping.
Do It With a PayPal Key
Acquiring PayPal Key is even simpler than getting a PayPal Cash Card. This is because you will not have to wait for the plastic card to arrive in the mail.PayPal Key is an online-useable virtual card number that will be sent to you if the merchant agrees to the Mastercard.
- But unfortunately, not all PayPal account owners have access to PayPal Key yet.
If the PayPal Key button does not appear after signing into your account, you are not eligible. In case you are eligible for the Key, you can use your virtual card information, which includes the card number, expiry date, and pin code, to purchase items on Amazon after signing up.
Use PayPal Credit Cards As An Alternative
Two co-branded credit cards are available from PayPal called the PayPal Extras Mastercard and the PayPal Cashback Mastercard. These exclusive deals are only available to PayPal users and function just like a regular credit card.
They work for both in-person and online purchases. However, in this case, you will not be paying for your transactions with money from your PayPal account.
Get Amazon Gift Cards
Buy Amazon gift cards from a store that accepts PayPal and then add the value of the gift card to your Amazon account. It will work the same way as using PayPal to make purchases! Let’s look at it through an example.
- Go to BestBuy.com and use your PayPal credit to buy an Amazon gift card.
- Then select “pick up in-store” to receive the card the same day.
- You can then use the gift card to purchase whatever you want on Amazon.com.
You might be interested in reading: How To Transfer Money From Gift Card To PayPal?
Venmo
Both Amazon’s website and app accept Venmo as a form of payment. Even though PayPal owns Venmo, there is no way to transfer money directly from your PayPal account to your Venmo account.
You can connect two services to the same checking account and transfer money from one provider to the other using the account.
You might be interested in reading: How To Borrow Money From PayPal?
Which Option Should You Choose?
While there are ways of using PayPal to make purchases on Amazon using any of the aforementioned methods, PayPal Key might be the best option if you do have access to it. We have listed some pros and cons for other methods as well to let you decide better!
PayPal Key
Given that it merely involves a few clicks and lets you pay using your PayPal balance almost any place, this might be the most practical alternative option.
Pros
- You receive a virtual card number to use in place of your PayPal balance.
- No credit application is necessary.
Cons
- PayPal Key eligibility is not for everyone yet.
PayPal Credit Card
You’re just getting a new credit card; you’re not paying using your PayPal balance.
Pros
You can get cash back on Amazon or other shopping, all thanks to the card’s rewards offer.
Cons
- It might not be the best choice for everyone to open a new line of credit.
- Other reward cards might better fit your spending habits.
- You’re not using your PayPal balance to make a purchase.
PayPal Cash Card
Brick-and-mortar stores like Amazon or others do not normally accept PayPal as a form of payment. PayPal Cash Card gets funds from your PayPal account when used as a debit card in this situation.
Pros
- Applying for and using a PayPal Cash Card is quick and simple.
- No credit history is required.
Cons
PayPal charges fees for both cash deposits and withdrawals from non-networked ATMs.
The Bottom Line
PayPal is not one of the payment option that Amazon accepts at the checkout. However, there are a few indirect methods you can use if you wish to buy things with your PayPal account.
You can bypass the no-PayPal-on-Amazon rule by using Cash Card, PayPal Key, or PayPal credit card, and buy gift cards with your PayPal account. Although Venmo is a service owned by PayPal, it is accepted as payment at Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I use PayPal on Amazon?
PayPal was part of eBay at one point. Since eBay is a direct competitor to Amazon, the later did not integrate PayPal as part of payment option list.
Can you use PayPal credit on Amazon?
You can not use PayPal on Amazon directly but it is possible to use PayPal credit cards or transfer money from PayPal to Amazon gift cards for payments.
Jamie Johnson is very enthusiastic Kansas City – based freelance writer, and her core expertise are finance and insurance. She has been endorsed on several personal finance, insurance & business website to share her thoughts. Her publications can be found on famous sites like Bankrate, The Balance, Business Insider, Chamber of Commerce and many others.
From many years, she served more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2000 articles related to personal finance, credit building, mortgages, and personal and student loans.
