About Payment Methods

PayPal allows you to make payments using a variety of methods including: PayPal balance, bank account, PayPal branded debit and credit cards, PayPal Credit, debit card, and credit card. Because your protection against undelivered or defective goods will vary with each method, you should review this page to understand how you can select a payment method and how protection differs depending on your payment method. This page does not address unauthorized transactions. For information on your protection against unauthorized transactions, please see the Error Resolution section of the PayPal User Agreement. Selecting a preferred payment method You can choose any of the payment methods in your PayPal account as your preferred payment method. You can select a preferred payment method in your account preferences on www.paypal.com or in the PayPal app. You can set separate preferred payment methods for online transactions and in-store transactions. If you have chosen an online preferred payment method, it will be shown as the primary method of payment when making a purchase or sending money via goods and services. If you have chosen an in-store preferred payment method and do not have any money in your PayPal balance, your preferred payment method will be used for your purchase. If you do have a PayPal balance, your PayPal balance will be used first and your preferred payment method will be used for any remaining amount due. There may be times when your preferred payment method cannot be used, for example, if you select a credit card that has expired. Also, the availability of certain payment methods may be limited based on that particular seller or the third party website you are using to complete the transaction. If no preferred payment method, it’s still your choice If you have not selected a preferred payment method, or your preferred payment method is unavailable, we will show you multiple available payment methods, including the payment method you used most often or most recently, at the time of transaction. You can also click on the “Manage” link to see all of your available payment methods, or add a new one, and select the one of your choosing during the transaction. Sending money to friends and family When you send money to friends and family using your PayPal balance or your bank account, we waive all fees, so we always show you these payment options first, if available, even if you have a set a preferred payment method for your online purchases. Remember, you always have the choice to select any payment method in your account by clicking the “Change” link on the Send Money page. We will always show you if there is a fee and how much the fee is before you send money.