PayPal started as a simple way to send money online, but today it works more like a full financial toolkit. In addition to digital payments, PayPal offers several cards that let you spend your money online, in stores, and even withdraw cash from ATMs.
If you’re new to banking or just want an easy way to manage spending, PayPal’s card options can be useful. However, each card works very differently, so it’s important to understand what you’re signing up for.
Below is a beginner-friendly breakdown of PayPal’s credit, debit, and prepaid cards and who each one is best for.
PayPal Credit Cards
PayPal offers two traditional credit cards. These cards let you borrow money and pay it back later, just like a standard Visa or Mastercard issued by a bank.
PayPal Extras Mastercard
The PayPal Extras Mastercard is a rewards credit card issued through Synchrony Bank. To get approved, you’ll need to apply and pass a credit check. PayPal will review your credit history and ask about your income, similar to other credit card applications.
The main appeal of this card is its points-based rewards program. Depending on what you buy, you can earn between one and three points for every dollar spent. Those points can later be exchanged for things like gift cards, travel credits, or cash added to your PayPal balance.
There’s no annual fee, which is a plus. However, if you don’t pay your balance in full each month, interest charges can add up quickly just like with any credit card.
Simple tip: This card works best if you pay it off every month and avoid carrying a balance.
PayPal Cashback Mastercard
The PayPal Cashback Mastercard is another credit card backed by Synchrony Bank, and you must have a PayPal account to apply. Approval is based on your credit profile.
Instead of points, this card offers straightforward rewards: you earn 2% cash back on every purchase, no matter where you shop. There are no spending categories to track and no minimum amount required to redeem rewards. Cash back is deposited directly into your PayPal account.
There’s also no annual fee, which makes this card appealing for people who want simple, predictable rewards.
Important note: You can only have one PayPal credit card. PayPal does not allow customers to hold both the Extras Mastercard and the Cashback Mastercard at the same time.
PayPal Prepaid Mastercard
The PayPal Prepaid Mastercard is not a credit card. It’s a prepaid debit card, meaning you must add money to it before you can spend anything.
This type of card is often used by people who want tight control over spending. Since you can only spend the money you load, there’s no risk of debt or overdraft fees.
You manage the card using a mobile app. While the card doesn’t automatically pull money from your PayPal balance, you can manually transfer funds from PayPal to the prepaid card. You can also reload cash at participating retail locations, though fees may apply.
PayPal offers optional rewards programs and referral bonuses with this card, but they’re not guaranteed and depend on promotions.
Almost anyone can qualify even if you have no credit history or poor credit. However, identity verification is still required. You’ll need to provide personal information such as your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number.
One thing to watch out for: If your PayPal account is ever limited or frozen, online access to your prepaid card can also be blocked. This can be risky for people who rely heavily on PayPal for business transactions.
Fees to know about
Prepaid cards come with more fees than other PayPal cards. These may include:
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A purchase price for the card itself
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A required minimum initial load
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A monthly maintenance fee of $4.95
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ATM withdrawal and balance-check fees
These costs can add up, so this card is best for short-term use or strict budgeting not long-term everyday spending.
PayPal Cash Mastercard (Debit Card)
The PayPal Cash Mastercard works most like a traditional bank debit card. Instead of preloading money, you spend directly from your PayPal Cash Plus account balance.
To qualify, you must open a Cash Plus account and complete identity verification. No credit check is required because this is not a credit card.
You can use the card anywhere Mastercard is accepted, as long as you have enough money in your PayPal account. If your balance is $0, the transaction will simply be declined no overdrafts.
Unlike the prepaid card, there’s no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement. However, certain actions still come with fees, such as:
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Adding cash using the PayPal app
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Withdrawing money from ATMs
This card is a solid option for people who receive payments through PayPal and want easy access to their funds without moving money to a bank first.
Which PayPal Card Is Right for You?
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Want rewards and can manage credit responsibly? A PayPal credit card may be a good fit.
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Need spending control and no credit check? The prepaid card may help but watch the fees.
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Use PayPal like a checking account? The PayPal Cash Mastercard is usually the simplest and cheapest option.
Before choosing, think about how you plan to use the card and how comfortable you are with fees, credit, and budgeting. The best PayPal card is the one that matches your financial habits not just the one with the most features.
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