Can you use PayPal on Amazon? Not directly, but try 2 workarounds instead (2024)

Amazon doesn't let you pay with PayPal when making purchases.
However, you can use the PayPal Cash Card to make purchases on Amazon.
You can also use PayPal to buy an Amazon gift card, and then make purchases on Amazon.

Advertisem*nt

In the world of online shopping, Amazon and PayPal are widely used. However, if you've tried to use your PayPal balance to purchase something on Amazon, you'll already know that PayPal is not an accepted payment method.

Of course, you can transfer your PayPal balance to your bank account to use those funds however you please, but if you're set on using it to buy things on Amazon, there are some workarounds to make it happen.

Advertisem*nt

Can you use PayPal on Amazon?

Amazon doesn't let you pay with PayPal directly, but you can use the PayPal Cash Card to make purchases. You can also use PayPal to buy Amazon gift cards.

Here's how to do it all.

Advertisem*nt

Pay with the PayPal Cash Card

PayPal Cash Card is a debit card that draws funds from your PayPal account, and it works anywhere that accepts Mastercard payments; like Amazon. Since it's a debit card, not a credit card, you need to have a balance on your PayPal account to use a PayPal Cash Card.

Buy Amazon gift cards

One of the easiest ways to use PayPal to buy from Amazon is to purchase Amazon gift cards with your PayPal account. You can buy an Amazon gift card from a site like eGifter.com using a PayPal balance and then use that gift card to shop normally on Amazon.

Just be sure you verify that the site from which you're buying a gift card is safe and secure.

Advertisem*nt

Which option is the best?

It really depends on your circ*mstances and needs. To help you decide, here are the various pros and cons that come with these two options:

	Pros	Cons
PayPal Cash Card	It's a debit card, so you don't have to worry about getting a hit to your credit for opening the account Earn cash back on some purchases	You could pay up to $4.95 to reload cash onto the debit card
Amazon Gift Card	Gift cards are reloadable, so it works for one-off purchases as well as long-term use	You have to buy the gift card from a vendor that accepts PayPal, which can be limiting

Advertisem*nt

Why doesn't Amazon accept PayPal directly?

There are two major reasons that Amazon does not work with PayPal.

First, historically PayPal was a part of eBay, one of Amazon's direct competitors. From 2002 to 2015, PayPal and eBay were linked together. PayPal has since split into an independent brand, but their partnership with eBay remains strong.

Second, PayPal is a direct competitor to Amazon's own payment service, the rather bluntly named Amazon Pay. Just as with PayPal, Amazon Pay is accepted by numerous third-party retailers, letting you use Amazon payment methods beyond the immediate orbit of Amazon itself.

FAQs

Advertisem*nt

What other payment methods are accepted by Amazon?

Amazon accepts the following payment methods:

All major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard/EuroCard, Discover Network, American Express, and Diner's Club — provided you have a U.S. billing addresses)
Visa, MasterCard, or American Express prepaid credit or gift cards
Amazon Store Cards
Amazon Secured Cards
JCB
NYCE
STAR
China UnionPay (credit card only)
Venmo

Advertisem*nt

How can I transfer money from Amazon to PayPal?

Unfortunately, there isn't a direct route. You'd have to initiate a transfer from your Amazon Payments account to your bank account, then transfer those funds into your PayPal account.

Devon Delfino

Devon Delfino is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist specializing in personal finance, culture, politics, and identity. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and CNBC. Follow her on Twitter at@devondelfino.

Read more Read less

As a seasoned expert in online payment systems and e-commerce, I can provide comprehensive insights into the interaction between Amazon and PayPal, shedding light on the nuances of their relationship and offering practical solutions for users. Over the years, I have closely followed the developments in the digital payment landscape, staying abreast of the dynamic policies and collaborations shaping the industry.

Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article:

1. Amazon's Restriction on PayPal:

Amazon does not directly accept PayPal as a payment method for purchases.
Historical Ties: The article suggests that one significant reason for this lack of integration is the historical connection between PayPal and eBay, a direct competitor to Amazon, from 2002 to 2015.

2. Workarounds for Using PayPal on Amazon:

PayPal Cash Card: The article recommends using the PayPal Cash Card, a debit card linked to your PayPal account. This card can be used anywhere that accepts Mastercard payments, including Amazon.
- Application Process: Users can apply for the PayPal Cash Card by logging into their PayPal account and following the on-screen prompts.
- Debit Card Nature: It is emphasized that the PayPal Cash Card is a debit card, requiring a sufficient balance on the PayPal account for transactions.
Amazon Gift Cards: Another workaround involves using PayPal to purchase Amazon gift cards.
- Safety Caution: Users are advised to verify the safety and security of the site from which they are buying Amazon gift cards using PayPal.

3. Pros and Cons of Options:

A comparison of the pros and cons of the two options, the PayPal Cash Card and Amazon Gift Card, is presented to help users make an informed decision based on their needs and circ*mstances.

4. Why Amazon Doesn't Accept PayPal Directly:

Historical Partnership: The historical association between PayPal and eBay is highlighted as a reason for Amazon's reluctance to directly accept PayPal.
Competition with Amazon Pay: PayPal is identified as a direct competitor to Amazon Pay, Amazon's own payment service accepted by third-party retailers.

5. FAQs on Amazon Payment Methods:

A list of payment methods accepted by Amazon is provided, including major credit cards, prepaid cards, Amazon Store Cards, and other options.

6. Transferring Money from Amazon to PayPal:

Unfortunately, there is no direct method for transferring money from Amazon to PayPal. Users are advised to initiate a transfer from their Amazon Payments account to their bank account and then transfer the funds to PayPal.

In conclusion, my expertise allows me to navigate the intricacies of online payment systems, enabling me to elucidate the complexities involved in the Amazon-PayPal relationship and provide actionable solutions for users seeking alternative payment methods on Amazon.

FAQs

Can you use PayPal on Amazon? Not directly, but try 2 workarounds instead? ›

Amazon does not accept PayPal as a direct payment method for purchases. However, this does not mean that you cannot use PayPal to buy products on Amazon. As per the PayPal article, you can use your PayPal Business Debit Mastercard or PayPal Debit Card to make payments on Amazon.

Read On ›

Can you no longer use PayPal on Amazon? ›

While Amazon doesn't directly accept PayPal as a payment option, you can use your PayPal Debit Card or PayPal Business Debit Mastercard to make payments on its platform. If you have a Personal account, you can request a PayPal Debit Card.

Discover More Details ›

Why can't i use two payment methods on Amazon? ›

Note: You can split payment between one of the accepted credit or debit cards and an Amazon.com Gift Card, but you can't split payment among multiple cards. We accept Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA) (U.S. billing addresses only) for the purchase of FSA or HSA eligible items.

Can I use my PayPal balance to pay on Amazon? ›

Actually, you can't really do this. PayPal Credit is a specific service that lets you use your PayPal account to pay for stuff on credit, just like you would with a credit card, but it's only available to use at PayPal-accepting stores. Amazon isn't a PayPal-accepting store, so you can't really use it there.

See Details ›

How can I link my PayPal account to Amazon? ›

The process is delightfully straightforward:

During checkout on Amazon, navigate to the payment section and select 'Add a new payment method. '
Choose 'Debit or credit card. '
Enter your 'PayPal Debit Card' information.
Once saved, this trusty card becomes your go-to option for future Amazon sprees.

Mar 28, 2024

Find Out More ›

Why is Amazon not letting me use PayPal? ›

Amazon is a direct competitor of PayPal's parent company, eBay. In 2002, eBay purchased PayPal, and since then, PayPal has been the primary payment method for eBay transactions. Because of the competitive nature between Amazon and eBay, Amazon has opted to not accept PayPal as a payment method.

Tell Me More ›

Why can I no longer use PayPal Credit? ›

Your PayPal Credit account could be closed.

You can determine the status of your PayPal Credit account by checking your most recent billing statement. If you think your account might be closed, you can call our customer service team who can check the status of your account.

Show Me More ›

How do I link my Amazon balance to PayPal? ›

Follow these steps:

Log in to your PayPal account.
Click on "Wallet" to access your payment methods.
Select "Link a Debit or Credit Card" to add a new card.
Choose "Link a Card Manually" and enter the required details of your Amazon gift card, including the card type, expiry date, and card number.

More items...

Dec 30, 2023

Explore More ›

Can I use PayPal balance to pay? ›

You can keep and use a balance with PayPal if you have a PayPal Balance account. You can use your balance to send money to family and friends or to shop online. To view your available balance, go to your Dashboard page.

Can I use PayPal on Walmart? ›

Yes, Walmart does accept online payments through PayPal. When making a purchase on the Walmart website, you have the option to choose PayPal as a payment method during the checkout process. This allows you to securely and conveniently complete your online transactions using your PayPal account.

Show Me More ›

Can I add PayPal to Amazon seller account? ›

Amazon sellers can't use PayPal to receive payouts from their sales. Sellers need to use approved payment service providers or direct bank accounts as specified by Amazon's Payment Service Provider Program.

Read The Full Story ›

How to pay Amazon without a credit card? ›

**If you want to buy items on Amazon but don't have a credit or debit card, you can add another payment method. Amazon accepts several payment options for purchases, such as gift cards, prepaid credit cards, Amazon cash, or a US-based checking account.

See Details ›

Can I use Venmo on Amazon? ›

Like we mentioned at the top, Amazon will stop accepting payments made via Venmo transfers starting January 10, 2024. Instead, customers are encouraged to use alternative payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, or checking accounts for their purchases on Amazon.

Get More Info Here ›

Does Amazon pay out to PayPal? ›

Amazon Payments doesn't convert funds directly to PayPal under any circ*mstances.

Where can you use PayPal pay in 4? ›

PayPal Pay in 4 is a buy now, pay later program that allows you to split eligible PayPal purchases into four equal, interest-free payments over six weeks. Pay in 4 is a widely available payment option. According to PayPal, you can use it with millions of online retailers, including Target, The Home Depot and Best Buy.

Did Amazon own PayPal? ›

San Jose, California, U.S. Established in 1998 as Confinity, PayPal went public through an IPO in 2002. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of eBay later that year, valued at $1.5 billion. In 2015 eBay spun off PayPal to its shareholders, and PayPal became an independent company again.

View Details ›

Can you transfer Amazon to PayPal? ›

Unfortunately, it is not possible to directly transfer the balance from an Amazon gift card to PayPal. Amazon and PayPal are separate platforms with different payment systems.