You can pay some credit card bills through PayPal, but not all cards work, and the process depends on which card issuer you use
PayPal lets you send money to people and businesses, including credit card issuers. The question is whether your specific card issuer accepts PayPal payments. Major issuers like Chase, American Express, Bank of America, and Discover do accept PayPal transfers to your account. Smaller regional banks and some store cards may not. Before you try, log into your card issuer's website or call the customer service number on the back of your card to confirm they take PayPal payments.
The payment itself is straightforward once you know your issuer accepts it: you link your PayPal account to your card issuer's payment portal, enter the amount, and authorize the transfer. The money moves from your PayPal balance or linked bank account to your credit card account. Processing typically takes one to three business days, though some issuers offer faster options.
Key Takeaways
- Most major credit card issuers accept PayPal payments, but you must confirm with your specific card issuer before attempting a transfer.
- You can only pay from your PayPal balance or a bank account linked to PayPal—you cannot use a credit card stored in PayPal to pay another credit card bill.
- Payments typically process in one to three business days, so plan ahead if your bill is due soon.
- Paying a credit card with PayPal does not earn you rewards on the payment itself, and some issuers may charge a fee for using PayPal.
How to pay through your card issuer's website
Log into your credit card account on your issuer's website or app. Look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay My Bill" button—this is usually on the account dashboard or under a "Payments" tab. Select PayPal as your payment method from the list of options. You will be directed to PayPal to authorize the transfer.
On PayPal's authorization screen, confirm the amount and the receiving account (your credit card issuer). If you have not linked a funding source to PayPal yet, you will need to add one—either your PayPal balance or a bank account. Once you authorize, the payment is submitted. Your card issuer will send you a confirmation, usually by email, with a reference number.
What happens if your issuer does not accept PayPal
If your card issuer does not offer PayPal as a payment method, you have other options. You can transfer money from PayPal to your linked bank account, then use that bank account to pay your credit card bill through your issuer's normal payment portal. This takes longer—typically two to four business days total—but accomplishes the same result.
Alternatively, you can use PayPal's "Send Money" feature to send funds to someone else, but you cannot send money directly to a credit card account number. You would need the account holder's email or phone number associated with their PayPal account, which is not practical for paying a credit card company.
Fees and rewards considerations
PayPal itself does not charge a fee when you transfer money from your PayPal balance or linked bank account to pay a bill. However, some credit card issuers charge a convenience fee—typically 1 to 3 percent of the payment amount—for using third-party payment services like PayPal. Check your issuer's payment page before you confirm; the fee will be shown before you authorize the transfer.
Paying your credit card bill through PayPal does not earn you rewards points, cash back, or miles on the payment itself. The payment is treated as a transfer of funds, not a purchase. If you are trying to earn rewards, paying your bill directly with a debit card or bank account (without going through PayPal) will not earn rewards either—only purchases earn rewards on most cards.
Timing and when to use this method
Use PayPal to pay your credit card bill when you have money sitting in your PayPal account that you want to move out, or when PayPal is the fastest way to access funds you need to send. Because processing takes one to three business days, do not wait until your due date to initiate the payment. If your bill is due in two days, use your card issuer's standard payment method instead—direct bank transfer or debit card payment—which often posts the same day.
If you receive money through PayPal regularly (from selling items, freelance work, or transfers from others), paying your credit card directly from PayPal can be a convenient way to move that money without withdrawing it to your bank account first. Just make sure you initiate the payment early enough that it clears before your due date.
Linking your PayPal account to your card issuer
Most card issuers do not require you to pre-link your PayPal account. Instead, when you select PayPal as a payment method, you are redirected to PayPal to authorize that specific transaction. You log into PayPal, confirm the amount and recipient, and approve the payment. This is a one-time authorization for that transaction.
If your issuer does offer a way to save PayPal as a payment method for future use, you can usually do this through your account settings. This saves time on repeat payments but is not required. You can always choose PayPal at the payment screen without having saved it beforehand.
What to do if a PayPal payment fails
If your PayPal payment to your credit card does not go through, PayPal will show you an error message explaining why. Common reasons include insufficient funds in your PayPal balance, a problem with your linked bank account, or a temporary issue with the connection between PayPal and your card issuer. Check your PayPal account balance and make sure your linked bank account is active and in good standing.
If the payment was rejected by your card issuer, contact your issuer's customer service to ask whether they accept PayPal payments. Some issuers may have temporarily disabled PayPal as a payment method, or there may be a system issue on their end. Your issuer can tell you whether to try again or use a different payment method. If you were charged a fee for the failed attempt, ask whether it can be reversed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my credit card with a credit card through PayPal?
No. You cannot use a credit card stored in PayPal to pay another credit card bill. You can only pay from your PayPal balance or a bank account linked to PayPal. Paying one credit card with another credit card is generally not possible through any payment service.
Will paying my credit card through PayPal hurt my credit score?
No. A payment made through PayPal is recorded the same way as any other payment to your credit card issuer. As long as the payment posts before your due date, it counts as on-time and does not affect your credit score negatively. Late payments hurt your score, not the method you use to pay.
How long does it take for a PayPal payment to show up on my credit card account?
Most payments process in one to three business days. Some card issuers offer expedited processing that posts the same day, but this is less common. Check your issuer's payment page to see what processing times they offer. Do not assume same-day posting unless your issuer explicitly states it.
Is it safe to pay my credit card through PayPal?
Yes. PayPal uses encryption and fraud protection for transfers. Your credit card issuer also verifies the transaction. The main risk is the same as any online payment: make sure you are on the correct website (your card issuer's official site, not a phishing link) before entering payment information.
What if I accidentally overpay my credit card through PayPal?
If you send more than you owe, your credit card account will show a credit balance. You can use that credit toward future purchases, or contact your card issuer to request a refund to your original PayPal account or bank account. Refunds typically take five to ten business days.