How to Pay Your Credit Card Bill Using PayPal
PayPal lets you pay most credit card bills directly from your PayPal account, but not all card issuers accept it
You can use PayPal to send money to your credit card issuer if that issuer has set up to receive PayPal payments. The process is straightforward: you log into PayPal, choose "Send Money," enter your card issuer's details, and the payment moves from your PayPal balance or linked bank account to your credit card account. The payment typically arrives within one to three business days.
Not every credit card company accepts PayPal payments, though. Major issuers like Chase, Capital One, Discover, and American Express do accept them. Smaller regional banks and some store cards may not. Before you try, check your card issuer's website or call their customer service line to confirm they take PayPal payments—attempting a payment to an issuer that does not accept them will fail and may trigger a fee.
PayPal itself does not charge a fee for sending money to a business account (which is what your card issuer uses), but your card issuer might charge a fee for receiving a third-party payment. Check your cardholder agreement or call to ask before you send the payment.
Key Takeaways
- PayPal payments to credit card issuers usually take one to three business days to post, so plan ahead if your payment is due soon.
- Your card issuer must accept PayPal payments for this to work—confirm this before attempting a payment.
- PayPal does not charge you a fee, but your card issuer may charge a fee for accepting a third-party payment.
- You can pay from your PayPal balance, a linked bank account, or a debit card attached to your PayPal account.
- Paying through PayPal does not change how the payment affects your credit report—it posts as a regular payment once it arrives.
How to send a credit card payment through PayPal
Log into your PayPal account on the website or app. Click "Send Money" (or "Transfer Money" depending on your version). Enter your credit card issuer's business name or mailing address in the recipient field. PayPal will search for the business account; select the correct one from the results.
Enter the amount you want to send. Choose your funding source—PayPal balance, linked bank account, or linked debit card. Review the details, including the issuer's address and the amount, then confirm the payment. PayPal will show you a confirmation number; save or screenshot this for your records.
The payment will leave your PayPal account immediately, but it may take one to three business days to appear in your credit card account. During this time, the money is in transit. Do not make another payment to the same card during this window unless you want to overpay.
When PayPal payments make sense and when they do not
PayPal payments work well if you already use PayPal regularly and have a balance or linked bank account there. You avoid logging into your card issuer's website, and the payment is documented in your PayPal transaction history. If you are managing multiple cards or accounts, having one payment method can reduce the number of logins you need.
PayPal payments are slower than paying directly through your card issuer's website or app, which usually posts the same day or next business day. If your payment is due in two days, paying through PayPal risks missing the deadline. Direct payment through your issuer is also more straightforward—there is no middle step and no risk that the issuer does not accept PayPal.
If your card issuer charges a fee for third-party payments, that fee eats into any convenience you gain. Call your issuer before you set up PayPal payments to ask whether they charge for this service.
What happens if your PayPal payment fails
A payment can fail if your PayPal account does not have enough balance, your linked bank account has insufficient funds, or your card issuer does not actually accept PayPal payments. PayPal will notify you by email and in your account that the payment failed. The money stays in your PayPal account (or is not withdrawn from your bank account), so you have not lost it.
If the payment failed because your issuer does not accept PayPal, you will need to pay through another method—your issuer's website, phone, or mail. If it failed because of insufficient funds, add money to your PayPal account or choose a different funding source and try again.
A failed payment does not hurt your credit, but a late payment to your card does. If your payment was due soon and PayPal fails, pay immediately through your card issuer's direct channels to avoid a late fee and credit report damage.
Fees and costs to watch for
PayPal does not charge you a fee to send money to a business account, which includes credit card issuers. However, your credit card issuer may charge a fee for accepting a payment from a third party like PayPal. This fee is typically a flat amount (often $1 to $5) or a small percentage of the payment.
Some card issuers do not charge this fee at all. Others charge it only for certain payment methods. Call your issuer's customer service number (on the back of your card) and ask: "Do you charge a fee if I pay my bill through PayPal?" Get a clear yes or no before you send the payment.
If your PayPal account is not fully verified or you are using a debit card as your funding source, PayPal may charge a small fee for the transaction itself, though this is rare for payments to businesses. Check your PayPal account settings or the payment confirmation screen to see whether any fee applies before you confirm.
Alternatives to PayPal for paying your credit card bill
Your card issuer's website or mobile app is the fastest and most direct way to pay. Log in, enter the amount and due date, and the payment posts the same day or next business day. There is no middleman, no delay, and usually no fee.
Automatic payments (also called autopay) let you set a fixed amount to pay on a set date each month. You authorize your issuer to withdraw the payment directly from your bank account. This removes the risk of forgetting a payment and can help you avoid late fees. You can usually choose to pay the full balance, the minimum, or a fixed amount.
Paying by phone or mail is slower but works if you do not have online access. Call the number on your card to pay by phone with a debit card or bank account. Mailing a check takes five to seven business days, so send it well before your due date.
How PayPal payments affect your credit report
A payment sent through PayPal is treated the same as any other payment once it reaches your credit card account. Your card issuer reports the payment to the credit bureaus as a regular on-time or late payment based on when it posts to your account, not when you sent it through PayPal.
If your payment is due on the 15th and you send it through PayPal on the 14th, but it does not post until the 17th, your issuer will report it as late. This is why timing matters with PayPal—the one- to three-day delay can push you past your due date. Check your issuer's due date and send the payment early enough to account for the delay.
Paying on time (before the due date) helps your credit score. Paying late (after the due date) hurts it. The payment method does not matter—only whether it arrives by the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use PayPal Credit to pay my credit card bill?
No. PayPal Credit is a separate line of credit that PayPal offers. You cannot use it to pay another credit card. You can only pay a credit card bill using your PayPal balance, a linked bank account, or a linked debit card.
Does PayPal charge a fee to pay my credit card?
PayPal does not charge you a fee. Your credit card issuer may charge a fee for accepting a third-party payment, typically $1 to $5. Call your issuer to ask whether they charge this fee before you send a payment.
How long does a PayPal payment take to reach my credit card account?
One to three business days. This delay means you should send the payment early if it is due soon. If your due date is in two days, paying through your card issuer's website is safer because it posts the same day or next business day.
What if I send a PayPal payment and my issuer does not accept it?
PayPal will notify you that the payment failed, and the money will stay in your PayPal account. You will need to pay your card through another method—your issuer's website, phone, or mail. If your payment was due soon, pay immediately to avoid a late fee.
Does paying through PayPal hurt my credit score?
No, as long as the payment arrives before your due date. Your credit score is affected by whether you pay on time, not by which method you use. If the PayPal delay causes you to miss your due date, that late payment will hurt your score.