PayPal Credit allows you to make purchases in-store using your PayPal Credit account. This can be a convenient way to pay if you don’t have your physical credit card with you or want to take advantage of PayPal Credit offers like no payments for 6 months.
What is PayPal Credit?
PayPal Credit (formerly known as Bill Me Later) is a credit account offered by PayPal that allows you to make purchases and then pay for them over time. When you sign up for PayPal Credit, you are approved for a revolving line of credit that can be used anywhere PayPal is accepted, either online or in stores.
Some key features of PayPal Credit include:
- No annual fee
- Credit line between $250 – $5,000
- 6 months special financing on purchases over $99 (no interest if paid in full in 6 months)
- Option to spread payments over 6, 12, 18 or 24 months for a fixed fee
- Can be used anywhere PayPal is accepted – online, in-app, and in stores
PayPal Credit allows you to make purchases with flexibility and convenience. You don’t need to pull out your wallet or enter credit card information. Just log into your PayPal or PayPal OneTouch app at checkout to pay.
How to apply for PayPal Credit
Applying for PayPal Credit is quick and easy:
- Go to https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-credit and click “Apply Now”
- Provide some basic personal information like your name, address and date of birth
- Agree to the credit terms and conditions
- Submit your application and wait for approval – you will get a response in seconds
If approved, you can start using your PayPal Credit account immediately for purchases online or in the PayPal app. Using it in stores takes a few more steps which we’ll cover next.
How to use PayPal Credit in-store
To use your PayPal Credit account to make in-store purchases, you will need to set up and use either the PayPal app or PayPal Business Debit Mastercard.
Option 1: PayPal App
The PayPal app allows you to check into stores and pay using your PayPal Credit account. Here’s how:
- Download the PayPal app on your iOS or Android device
- Log into the app using your PayPal username and password
- When you are in a store ready to checkout, open the app and tap “Check In” to see if the store accepts PayPal
- Select PayPal Credit as your payment method
- A QR code will display that the cashier can scan to process your payment through PayPal
- Enter your phone PIN or use biometrics like Touch ID for authorization and you’re done!
This provides a quick, seamless way to pay with your PayPal Credit in-stores. You don’t need to use or carry your physical credit card.
Option 2: PayPal Business Debit Mastercard
You can also apply for the PayPal Business Debit Mastercard which is linked directly to your PayPal Credit account balance. Here is how it works:
- Order a PayPal Business Debit Mastercard inside your PayPal account wallet
- When approved and received, activate the card
- Make purchases in-store by dipping, tapping or swiping the card just like any other Mastercard
- Your PayPal Credit account will be charged the purchase amount
The PayPal Business Debit acts just like a standard debit card, except it debits your PayPal Credit balance rather than a bank account. It can be more convenient than using your phone, but is an optional step.
PayPal Credit in-store purchase limits
When using PayPal Credit in-store, you will be subject to transaction limits. These are primarily for fraud protection purposes.
| Limit Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum purchase amount | $10,000 |
| Daily purchase limit | $10,000 |
| Rolling 30 day purchase limit | $20,000 |
Keep in mind this is the maximum for in-store purchases only. Your total credit limit may be lower, based on your approved credit amount.
Tips for using PayPal Credit in-stores
To get the most out of using your PayPal Credit account for in-store shopping, keep these tips in mind:
- Check your available credit – Before shopping, log into your PayPal account or app to view your available credit. This will prevent any surprises or declines at checkout.
- Save offers in-app – Browse current PayPal Credit offers in the PayPal app and save them for easy access in-store.
- Notify PayPal of travel – If you are traveling, let PayPal know so they don’t flag unusual location activity as fraudulent.
- Bring another payment method – In case you run into the credit limit or other issues, have a backup physical card ready.
- Enable notifications – Turn on purchase notifications in the PayPal app so you can monitor account activity.
Troubleshooting PayPal Credit In-Store
In some cases, you may run into problems trying to use PayPal Credit in a store. Here is how to troubleshoot some common issues:
Declined transactions
If your PayPal Credit transaction is declined in-store, here are some possible reasons:
- You exceeded your available credit – Check your balance and pending charges
- The store has internal payment limits – Ask if they can process a lower amount
- Your account is temporarily frozen – Contact PayPal customer service
- The store’s PayPal service is down – Try another store, or different tender type
Can’t find/use Check In
If you can’t find the Check In option in your PayPal app, try these steps:
- Update to the latest version of the PayPal app
- Force quit and re-launch the app
- Enable location services for the app
- Manually enter the store name or location
- Make sure you have an active internet connection
App is frozen/glitched
A glitch in the PayPal app can cause issues checking in or paying. Try these troubleshooting tips:
- Force quit and restart the app
- Log out then back into the app
- Clear the app cache and data
- Uninstall and reinstall the app
- Use PayPal Credit through a different method like the card
Getting help with PayPal Credit
If you continue having problems using PayPal Credit in-store, here are some options to get help:
- PayPal Customer Service – Contact a PayPal agent by phone or chat for real-time support
- PayPal Community Forums – Post questions on PayPal’s community forums for help from other users
- PayPal Help Center – Consult PayPal’s FAQs and support articles for troubleshooting
- Store Employee – Ask an employee at the store you are shopping at for assistance with PayPal
Be prepared to provide identifying information like your name, email, phone number and last 4 digits of your SSN for account verification when reaching out for support.
Conclusion
Paying with PayPal Credit in-stores is a convenient option if you prefer using your PayPal account and credit over physical cards. By using the PayPal app Check In or getting the PayPal debit card, you can use your PayPal Credit anywhere that accepts PayPal.
Remember to check your available balance, watch for notifications, and enable location services in the app for the best experience. If any problems come up, don’t hesitate to reach out to PayPal customer service for quick troubleshooting and resolution.
With a few extra setup steps and some troubleshooting tips, PayPal Credit can provide flexible financing options and simplified payments for all your in-store shopping.
