Using PayPal At Amazon: What To Know in 2024
Amazon and PayPal. Two names almost synonymous with online shopping. But not synonymous, because it's still called "online shopping", and not "Amazon and PayPal". No matter how much they'd like that. One good reason it's not called "Amazon and PayPal" is because that might leave you with the impression — the misguided impression — that Amazon and PayPal happily work together, allowing you to shop to your heart's content across Amazon's offerings, and then pay for them safely and securely via PayPal. But no: using PayPal at Amazon, while possible with a few pesky asterisks attached, is not quite that simple. All will be explained in good time. Or at least in time. Below.
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Can I Use PayPal at Amazon?
What you're actually asking here is "Does Amazon provide PayPal as a payment method at checkout?" And the answer to that is, unfortunately, no. That's just a brute fact: despite their being dual titans of online commerce, never the twain shall meet, or something. (It's worth noting that from 2002 through 2015, PayPal was owned by eBay, although we're sure that has nothing to do with Amazon not offering it.) Similarly, as of early 2024, you can no longer link your Venmo account (a PayPal company) to pay for your Amazon orders.
But if instead you ask "Is there any way to use my PayPal account to pay for my Amazon orders?" the answer gets a lot more complicated, but also broadly more positive. This is because there are, in fact, a couple of indirect ways to accomplish this. Namely, a PayPal debit or credit card, or Amazon gift cards purchased elsewhere via PayPal. Or something a little less subtle.
PayPal Cards
There are three options to pick from here, so let's go one by one.
The simplest choice is a PayPal debit card, which works anywhere Mastercard debit is accepted, including the good ship Amazon. It uses funds from your PayPal balance, so you'll need to keep that topped up. No credit check is required, no domestic transaction fees apply, and you can link the card to your phone's mobile wallet, and earn points for cashback on eligible purchases. The downsides include top-up fees, and fees for using out-of-network ATMs.
You can use this anywhere Mastercard credit cards are accepted (importantly: Amazon). You'll earn 3% cash back when you checkout with PayPal, although Amazon will get the lower rate of 2%, which applies when you checkout any other way using this card. The card has no annual fees attached, and can also be added to your mobile wallet. But obviously, opening up a new line of credit might be a step too far for your needs. (Or indeed, not available to you. We feel you.)
Apply for this card online, and once your information is verified, it'll arrive within 7 to 10 days. It's once more accepted anywhere Mastercard is welcome, but this does come with a $4.95 monthly fee. You can top it up via direct deposit, in-person at over 130,000 locations throughout the US, or via PayPal directly.
Amazon Gift Cards
Amazon, to the surprise of no one, also accepts Amazon gift cards as payment. So you can order one at — for example — Best Buy, in denominations of $25, $50, $100, or $200, pay for that with PayPal, and then promptly spend that gift card on whatever you originally wanted to buy at Amazon. It's roundabout, but also reasonably easy, and keeps those precious credit card deets safe.
Transferring Funds from PayPal to Your Bank
This method is perhaps the most brute force we've seen so far. If you just want to use the funds that are in your PayPal balance to pay for your Amazon order, but don't mind not using PayPal directly, then one approach could be to slide those funds from PayPal back into your bank account, and use the credit or debit card linked to that account to pay for your Amazon purchase. To do this:
- Go to Wallet in your PayPal account.
- Click "Transfer Money".
- Click "Transfer to your bank".
From here, you can either choose "in minutes", which will be subject to a fee, or "in 1 to 3 days", which won't be subject to that fee. If you're living in 1998, you can request PayPal cut you a check instead during the same process.
Other Ways to Pay at Amazon
But let's assume, completely hypothetically, that all of this seems like a lot of work to pay for what was supposed to be an impulse buy of some guitar picks with funny pictures on them. What options are available natively at Amazon's checkout? We're glad you asked. Direct from the metaphorical horse's mouth:
- Visa (including the Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card)
- Amazon Store Card
- Amazon Secured Card
- MasterCard/EuroCard
- Discover Network
- American Express
- Checking Account
- JCB
- China UnionPay (credit card only)
- Visa, MasterCard, or American Express prepaid credit or gift cards
Those are all pretty self explanatory, but we'll point you in the right direction to learn more about Amazon's own store cards. Being approved for an Amazon store card means you'll also get an Amazon gift card worth at least $10, and Prime members will get 5% back on all Amazon purchases made using the card.
Setting up your credit or debit card at Amazon will also allow you to use Amazon Pay at any vendor that supports it. This runs your purchase through Amazon's system, rather than the vendor's own, so you don't need to enter your payment details with the other vendor. Amazon Pay purchases are also covered by Amazon's payment protection.
You can of course also stock up on Amazon gift cards, whether paid for using PayPal or not, and use those to fund your Amazon shopping. You won't find them discounted very often, so don't expect to save much, if any, money using this method, but it's a good way of turning a few bills in your pocket into an Amazon purchase.
Using Apple Pay at Amazon
If you want to use Apple Pay instead of entering your credit card details, that's simple enough to accomplish at Amazon. If your Apple Pay account is set up, simply shop using the Amazon app and, if the vendor accepts it, you should see the Apple Pay option at checkout. Alternatively, you can use your Apple Card. You can set this up in the Wallet app, then copy the card number from that app, and take it over to Amazon. There you can head into they Payments section of your Amazon account, and add the Apple Card. This lets you use it as a regular credit card on all Amazon purchases.
Does Amazon Have a Pay in 4 Option?
You can also pay for your Amazon order using Affirm. Available on purchases of $50 or more, this lets you split your order into monthly payment plans, starting with three or six month plans for $50 orders, and extending up to 48 months for orders of $1,500 or more. Rates are between 10% and 36% APR. You can make the payments in the Affirm app or at affirm.com; or, better yet, set up automatic payments.
Affirm is also your gateway to choosing the 0% APR "Pay in 4" option, which lets you pay in four installments, one every two weeks. This method has no interest or fees attached, and no impact on your credit score, and can also be set up with automatic payments.
Amazon Shopping FAQs
How To Save the Most at Amazon?
If you shop at Amazon frequently, it's almost certainly worth your money becoming a Prime member. You'll get access to exclusive Prime discounts and that's even outside of Amazon's big events like Prime Day that are for members only. Apart from that, you'll enjoy free shipping on orders that wouldn't otherwise meet the threshold for free shipping. Plus, there's a host of other benefits too. Other savings measures include Amazon's Subscribe and Save program, which can offer up to a 15% discount on repeat deliveries of everyday essentials. You can also partake in Amazon's Warehouse Deals and Outlet sections, where open-box and clearance items are sold at reduced prices.
There's lots of ways to stay on top of the best deals at Amazon but chief amongst them is checking out DealNews' own Amazon corner. Here you'll find all the latest and greatest Amazon deals, including the best of the best that have been bestowed with our prestigious Staff Picks tag. Ooooh!
How Does Shopping Compare Online vs In-Store?
Well, it doesn't really. No seriously, there's literally no comparison since shopping in-store at Amazon isn't an option. (Amazon Go stores don't count. Away with your technicalities.) This is an online only operation, which is to say that of all the normal benefits of online shopping and none of the normal drawbacks of in-store shopping are at play here. Lucky you.
What Else Should I Consider When Shopping at Amazon?
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