Afterpay is a popular buy now, pay later service that allows shoppers to split purchases into 4 interest-free payments over 6 weeks. One of the newest features is the Afterpay card, a physical and virtual card that lets you use your Afterpay account to pay in stores, not just online. But can you use the Afterpay card anywhere, or are there restrictions on where it can be used?
Quick Answer
The Afterpay card can be used at any store that accepts Visa debit cards for payment. This includes most retailers, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and other brick-and-mortar merchants. As long as the business accepts Visa debit, you can use your Afterpay card there.
More Details
The Afterpay card is a prepaid debit card, so it functions similarly to any other Visa debit card. There are no restrictions on the types of stores or specific merchants where you can use the card. Here are some examples of places you can use your Afterpay card for in-store purchases:
- Clothing and shoe stores
- Department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom
- Electronics retailers like Best Buy
- Home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot
- Office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot
- Drug stores like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Gas stations
- Restaurants, cafes, fast food chains
- Movie theaters
- Music and entertainment venues
Essentially if the store accepts regular debit cards and has a card reader, you can tap or insert your Afterpay card and use your available Afterpay balance to make a purchase. There are over 1 million merchants in the United States that accept Visa debit cards, so your options for using the Afterpay card in-store are extensive.
Afterpay Card Use Limits
While you can use the Afterpay card at any retailer that accepts Visa debit cards, there are some transaction limits to be aware of:
- The maximum amount you can load onto your Afterpay card is $2000.
- The daily spending limit is $1000 per day.
- You can make up to 10 transactions per day.
As long as your purchase amount stays within these limits, you should have no issues using your Afterpay card. The limits are quite generous compared to other prepaid debit cards.
International Use
For now, the Afterpay card can only be used for purchases within the United States. It does not currently work for international transactions. So if you are traveling overseas, the Afterpay card would not be a payment option.
However, Afterpay has indicated they plan to expand the card for international use in the future. But there is no set timeline yet for when that may happen.
Online Purchases
In addition to in-store purchases, you can also use your virtual Afterpay card number to shop online anywhere that accepts Visa debit cards. This includes all the major online retailers like:
- Amazon
- Walmart
- Target
- Best Buy
- Nike
- Macy’s
- Nordstrom
- Lowe’s
- Home Depot
- Wayfair
- Bloomingdale’s
Plus thousands of other online stores big and small. As long as the merchant has an option to pay with a Visa debit card online, you can enter your Afterpay virtual card details and pay directly from your Afterpay balance.
Afterpay In-Store Checkout Process
Using your Afterpay card at a store checkout is easy and works just like any other debit card transaction:
- When it’s time to pay, swipe or insert your Afterpay card into the payment terminal.
- Select “Credit” even though it’s a debit card.
- Enter your ZIP code if prompted.
- Take your receipt once the payment is approved.
The amount of your purchase will automatically be deducted from your available Afterpay balance. Just like using the card online, make sure your purchase amount does not exceed your daily limit or available balance to avoid any problems.
Getting an Afterpay Card
To start using an Afterpay card in stores, you first need to request one through the Afterpay app or website. Here is how to get an Afterpay debit card:
- Open the Afterpay app and log into your account.
- Tap on the profile icon in the top left corner.
- Scroll down and tap “Get My Card”.
- Enter your mailing address.
- Accept the card terms and conditions.
- Your physical Afterpay card will arrive within 7-10 business days.
- You can immediately use the virtual card number shown in the app for online purchases.
Be sure to activate your physical card as soon as you receive it in the mail. Also take note of your daily spending limits and only spend what you can afford to repay every 2 weeks. As long as you use your Afterpay card responsibly, it provides a convenient way to access your available Afterpay balance for in-store purchases anywhere Visa debit is accepted.
Afterpay In-Store Purchases Without the Card
If you do not have an Afterpay card yet, you may be wondering if you can still make in-store purchases using Afterpay without the physical card. Unfortunately, the Afterpay card is currently the only way to use Afterpay in brick-and-mortar stores.
Without the actual Afterpay card, you cannot tap and pay at checkout with your Afterpay account. The app on its own does not allow you to make in-person purchases. So the card is required if you want access to your Afterpay balance for real-world retail transactions.
Why Get the Afterpay Card?
Here are some of the top benefits of using the Afterpay card for in-store shopping:
- Use your available balance anywhere – The card gives you flexibility to shop in-store at thousands of retailers, not just online.
- Budgeting – The card helps you stick to a budget and not overspend. You can only use your available Afterpay funds.
- Avoid fees – When used responsibly, the card allows fee-free purchases with Afterpay.
- Build credit – Afterpay reports on-time payments to credit bureaus, helping you establish credit.
- Rewards – You earn points for purchases that can be redeemed for discounts.
Overall, the Afterpay card provides convenience, flexibility, and responsible spending habits. As long as you make your payments on time every 2 weeks, it is a great payment option for both online and in-store purchases.
Afterpay Card Considerations
While the Afterpay card offers many benefits, there are also some factors to keep in mind:
- You need an existing Afterpay account to get a card.
- Late fees apply if you miss scheduled payments.
- The card can only be used where Visa debit is accepted.
- There are daily and per transaction limits.
- You still need to budget and only spend what you can repay every 2 weeks.
As long as you use the card responsibly and make your payments on time, the Afterpay card provides a convenient way to spread out payments over 6 weeks. But like any credit, it should be used carefully according to your budget.
Afterpay Card vs Credit Cards
How does the Afterpay card compare to a regular credit card?
Here is a brief comparison between the Afterpay card and traditional credit cards:
Afterpay Card | Credit Card |
---|---|
Must be repaid every 2 weeks | Monthly payment minimums |
No interest | Potentially high interest rates |
Short 6 week payment terms | Can carry a balance for months or years |
Limits based on order value | Pre-set credit limits and borrowing power |
Reports payment history to credit bureaus | Reports full payment history and credit utilization |
Access only to available account balance | Revolving credit line |
The Afterpay card does not offer a line of revolving credit. You can only access the funds you have available in your account, so it encourages responsible spending. Traditional credit cards have higher risks, interest charges, and longer repayment terms in exchange for revolving credit access and borrowing power.
Afterpay vs Other Buy Now, Pay Later Services
Afterpay is not the only buy now, pay later service. Some popular alternatives include:
- Affirm – 0% APR financing. Must be repaid in set monthly installments.
- Klarna – Pay in 4 interest-free installments or pay outright within 30 days.
- Splitit – Full amount divided into monthly interest-free installments on your current credit card.
- Sezzle – Divide purchases into 4 installments over 6 weeks. 25% merchant fee.
- Zip – Offers various financing plans. Approval required based on credit score.
Afterpay stands out for its extremely short 2 week payment terms, no hard credit inquiry, and no interest ever. However, each service has its own pros and cons to compare.
Afterpay Card vs Affirm Card
Both Afterpay and Affirm now offer physical and virtual debit card options. Here is how they compare:
- Afterpay charges no interest ever, while Affirm charges 0% APR but interest accrues if not paid in full.
- Afterpay repayments come every 2 weeks. Affirm offers set monthly payment plans.
- Afterpay has a soft credit check while Affirm does a hard credit inquiry.
- Afterpay limits based on order value. Affirm limits based on a maximum credit line.
- The Affirm card can be used internationally, while the Afterpay card currently cannot.
For shoppers who want the shortest payment terms, Afterpay is likely the better card choice. But Affirm offers more flexibility and the ability to finance larger purchases.
Conclusion
The Afterpay card allows you to use your available Afterpay balance to shop in-store anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. While transaction and daily spending limits apply, there are no restrictions on specific stores or merchants. The card provides convenient access to your Afterpay funds at thousands of retailers worldwide. It also promotes responsible spending habits and on-time repayments every 2 weeks.
However, the card still requires planning your purchases within your actual Afterpay balance. Missed payments will result in fees. When used properly according to your budget, the Afterpay card can be an effective way to spread out costs over 6 weeks with no interest charges.