PayPal accepts credit card payments, but not the way most people think
PayPal does not have a direct feature that lets you send money to a credit card company through PayPal's standard payment tools. What you can do instead is use PayPal to pay a bill if your credit card issuer (like Chase, Capital One, or American Express) has set up a bill payment option in their own system. Alternatively, you can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, then use that bank account to pay your credit card bill online or by phone.
The confusion usually comes from mixing up two different things: paying with a credit card (using your card as the payment method) versus paying to a credit card company (sending money to settle your balance). PayPal lets you do the first; the second requires a different path.
Key Takeaways
- You cannot send money directly from PayPal to a credit card company's payment portal—you must go through your bank account as the middle step.
- If your credit card issuer offers bill pay through their own website or app, you can link your PayPal bank transfer as the funding source.
- The fastest route is to transfer money from PayPal to your linked bank account, then pay your credit card bill using that bank account through your card issuer's website.
- PayPal transfers to your bank account take one to three business days; plan ahead if your credit card payment is due soon.
Transfer money from PayPal to your bank account first
To pay a credit card bill using PayPal funds, you must first move the money out of PayPal and into a bank account you control. Log into PayPal, go to your Wallet, and select "Transfer Money." Choose "Transfer to your bank" and enter the amount you need. PayPal will ask which bank account to send it to—select the one linked to your PayPal account.
The transfer takes one to three business days to arrive, depending on your bank. If your credit card payment is due in two days, this method will not work in time. PayPal also charges no fee for standard transfers to your bank account, but the wait is the trade-off for that.
Once the money lands in your bank account, you can then log into your credit card issuer's website or app and make a payment using that bank account as the source. This is a standard bill pay option that every major credit card company offers.
Use your credit card issuer's bill pay if they offer it
Some credit card companies let you set up bill pay through their own website or mobile app. If yours does, you can link your bank account (the one you transferred PayPal money into) as a payment source. This gives you more control over the payment date and amount.
To learn about your card issuer offers this, log into your account online and look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Your Bill" section. Most issuers display it prominently on the account dashboard. If you see an option to add a bank account as a payment method, you can use the bank account that received your PayPal transfer.
The advantage here is that you can schedule the payment for a specific date, and the issuer will pull the money from your bank account on that day. This is useful if you want to time the payment with when you receive income or when your PayPal transfer arrives.
Pay directly through your bank's bill pay service
If your bank offers bill pay (most do), you can use that system to send money from your bank account directly to your credit card company. After you transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, log into your bank's website or app and look for "Bill Pay" or "Pay Bills."
Add your credit card company as a payee. You will need the credit card company's mailing address, which you can find on your statement or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. Enter the amount and the date you want the payment sent, then confirm.
Bank bill pay typically takes three to five business days for the payment to reach your credit card company, so plan accordingly. There is usually no fee for this service if you are a customer of the bank.
Timing matters when you are working with transfers
The biggest risk when paying a credit card bill through PayPal funds is the delay. PayPal transfers take one to three business days, and then your credit card company may take another three to five days to post the payment. If your due date is in four days, this chain of events will not finish in time, and you will be late.
Credit card issuers typically report late payments to credit bureaus if you are 30 days past due, but even a single late payment can trigger a penalty interest rate on your card. To avoid this, transfer the money from PayPal as soon as you know you need to make a payment, not the day before it is due.
If you are in a situation where you regularly need to pay your credit card from PayPal, consider setting up a standing transfer each month to your bank account on a fixed date. This removes the guesswork and ensures the money is there when you need it.
What to do if you need to pay right now
If your credit card payment is due today or tomorrow and you only have PayPal funds, you have limited options. PayPal's instant transfer feature (available in some regions) can move money to your bank account in minutes, but it charges a fee—usually around 1% of the transfer amount, with a minimum fee of $0.25.
To use instant transfer, go to your PayPal Wallet, select "Transfer Money," and choose "Instant Transfer to Your Bank Account." PayPal will show you the fee before you confirm. The money should arrive within minutes, though it may take up to 30 minutes depending on your bank.
Once the money is in your bank account, call your credit card company's customer service line (the number is on the back of your card) and ask to make a payment over the phone using your bank account. This is faster than logging into their website and can be posted the same day if you call before their cutoff time, which is usually 8 p.m. Eastern.
Avoid using a credit card to fund your PayPal account
You might think you could add your credit card to PayPal and then transfer that balance somewhere else, but this does not help you pay the card. When you add a credit card to PayPal, you are giving PayPal permission to charge that card when you make purchases or send money. You are not moving money from the card; you are creating a new debt on top of the existing one.
If you use your credit card to load money into PayPal and then try to pay the card with that same PayPal balance, you are just moving the debt around without actually paying it down. The credit card company still sees the full balance owed, and you may end up paying interest on both the original charge and the new PayPal transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my credit card directly from PayPal without transferring to my bank first?
No. PayPal does not have a direct payment feature for credit card companies. You must transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, then use that bank account to pay your credit card through your card issuer's website, their phone line, or your bank's bill pay service.
How long does it take for a PayPal transfer to reach my bank account?
Standard transfers take one to three business days. Instant transfers (available in some regions) arrive within minutes but charge a fee of around 1% of the amount transferred. Weekends and holidays may add extra time to standard transfers.
Will paying my credit card this way hurt my credit score?
No. As long as the payment reaches your credit card company before the due date, it counts as an on-time payment regardless of which method you used to send the money. Late payments are what damage your score, not the payment method itself.
What if my PayPal transfer fails or gets rejected?
PayPal will notify you by email if a transfer fails. Common reasons include insufficient funds in your PayPal account, a problem with your linked bank account, or a hold on your account. Contact PayPal support to find out why the transfer was rejected, and try again once the issue is resolved. In the meantime, contact your credit card company to ask about a grace period if your payment is due soon.
Is there a fee for transferring money from PayPal to my bank account?
Standard transfers are free. Instant transfers charge a fee (usually around 1% with a minimum of $0.25). Your bank may also charge a fee for receiving the transfer, though most do not. Check your bank's fee schedule if you are unsure.