If you’re not a fan of cash transactions, you likely rely on your mobile devices to pay, shop, and receive payment. One of the most commonly used platforms is PayPal. If you’re an avid user and want to build your credit, you may want to apply for a PayPal credit card.
But when applying for new credit lines, your credit score always comes into play. You wouldn’t want to apply only to end up with a negative credit mark.
To help you make a well-informed decision, we reviewed official PayPal sources and reviews and feedback from users via independent sites.
We also found a unique tip to improve your credit score so you're more likely to get approved for PayPal credit. Make sure to read until the end so you won't miss any crucial steps that can help you secure a PayPal credit.
What credit score range do you need for PayPal credit?
Issued by Synchrony Bank, PayPal Credit allows you to purchase from millions of stores that recognize PayPal.
You can also choose installment payment plans when making a purchase, which is helpful when investing in more expensive goods, such as furniture or appliances. Users approved for PayPal Credit start with a minimum of $250 credit limit, but it can go as high as $20,000.
When making a purchase, you have to repay your balance monthly. You can make minimum payments at the end of each month and pay the rest when you can. You can also pay your balance in full at any time.
PayPal Credit works like many other credit cards, and your accounts will have a variable APR of 23.99% on standard purchases and cash advances.
Now that we have that sorted, what credit score range do you need to get approved for PayPal credit?
PayPal Credit doesn’t explicitly state its credit requirements, but based on our research, users claim that you need a score of at least 670 to get approved. Applicants with 700 or higher have the biggest chances of getting approved.
It’s also worth remembering that it looks into factors other than your credit score. Credit qualifications include the following elements:
- Total income after taxes
- Employment status
- Full credit history
We’ve found users reporting that they were approved because of their high income and average credit score. Similarly, those with lower incomes but outstanding credit scores are also eligible.
PayPal Credit mostly declines applicants with poor credit and limited credit histories. It does a hard pull on your credit, mostly from TransUnion.
How do you get accepted for PayPal Credit?
There’s no use sugarcoating it—regardless of how good your credit score is, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get approved.
Although your credit score plays an integral role in the verification process, PayPal also considers other factors, including income and existing debt.
Thankfully, you can get the results in a matter of seconds once you finish your application on the website.
What is the pre-qualification for PayPal Credit?
Unlike other credit card companies, PayPal credit doesn’t offer online pre-qualification tools.
However, if you’re an active PayPal user, you may receive an invitation to apply for PayPal credit via email. These offers exist for users with good purchase histories and positive account activity, but do note that you still need to undergo credit checks.
How can you apply for PayPal credit?
PayPal Credit is available to all PayPal users, and you only need to visit the website to apply.
Here, you’ll have to provide details like your birthday, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and after-tax income. After that, your credit will undergo a hard pull process.
What are the odds that PayPal Credit will approve your application?
As previously mentioned, PayPal doesn’t explicitly state its minimum credit requirements, but you have strong odds if you have a good credit score of 700 and above. Your chances will also vary depending on your employment status and income level.
Generally, credit lenders like PayPal want to see a strong credit history of on-time payments.
You may also want to lower your credit utilization, which is the amount of credit you use up. If you use too much of your credit, PayPal may view it as a sign that you may struggle to pay back.
If you’re wondering why you can’t get approved for PayPal Credit, it’s likely because you haven’t met the above criteria. You’ll receive an email if it denies your application, which may contain the reason for the denial.
You can reapply for PayPal Credit after 35 days.
Benefits and features of the PayPal Credit Card
If you’re wondering what you can get if you apply for a PayPal Credit Card, here are some of its benefits and features:
1. A reliable credit-building method
PayPal Credit started reporting to all three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax) in 2019, which can be helpful for those who want to build credit.
If you always pay on time, PayPal Credit can build your credit history and improve your score. However, it can also lower your score if you pay late or close your account with existing debt. It’ll report late payments to Experian.
2. Zero-interest deals
If you make purchases above $99, you can get zero interest if you pay in full within six months. However, you'll have to pay interest if the purchase isn’t fully paid within that time frame.
3. Convenient mobile app
Another excellent benefit of PayPal Credit is that you can manage it within the PayPal app, available on Android and iOS.
You can pay conveniently anytime and anywhere as long as you have a secure internet connection.
4. Purchase protection
Online shopping is popular nowadays, but it has its risks, such as not getting the products you expect.
Fortunately, PayPal Credit has purchase protection, which refunds the total purchase price and shipping costs if the item doesn’t arrive or match the product description.
5. Digital credit line
PayPal Credit doesn’t have a physical card, which means you can’t use it when shopping at most brick-and-mortar stores. However, it’s a reusable digital credit line that you can conveniently use for online purchases.
6. Credit limit increases
Does PayPal give credit increases? Yes—it reviews your credit line regularly and may notify you if you’re eligible for a credit increase. This can be helpful because it lowers your credit utilization and improves your purchasing power.
PayPal Credit Card user reviews
Although PayPal Credit seems like a convenient credit card option, it’s best to know what real users have to say about it.
We checked independent websites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and found that many users aren’t happy with its services. It has a bad customer rating of 1.6 over 5 stars on Trustpilot and 1.05 over 5 on BBB.
Here are the benefits and disadvantages of PayPal Credit:
PROS
- You can use PayPal Credit anywhere that accepts PayPal. Many websites and some brick-and-mortar stores have PayPal as a possible payment method.
- The approval process is fast and only takes a few seconds.
- You can use PayPal Credit as soon as you get the approval; most traditional credit cards require you to wait for them to arrive by mail.
- PayPal Credit reports to the major credit checking bureaus, so you can use it to build your credit history.
CONS
- PayPal Credit does hard pulls and can negatively affect your credit score when you apply.
- PayPal Credit has a low credit limit; many users only have credit limits from $250 to a few thousand dollars.
- It has a higher APR compared to some traditional credit cards.
- PayPal Credit has a relatively high minimum score requirement.
- Many users say the app is confusing and contains bugs.
How to improve your credit score to qualify for PayPal Credit
Because PayPal checks your credit score, it’s best to know how to improve it. Here are a few tips you can follow to boost your credit score before you apply for PayPal Credit:
Always pay your bills on time
One of the most vital factors that affect your credit score is your payment history. If you miss payments by at least 30 days regularly, it can negatively impact your score.
It’s crucial to build a history of on-time payments to improve your score and meet the credit requirements of PayPal Credit. You may set up automatic payments or set reminders to help you pay your credit lines on time.
Diversify your credit mix
You may take on new credit line types to help diversify your credit mix. Adding a credit type that you don’t have currently can help raise your credit score and lower your credit utilization, which credit lenders like PayPal Credit will take as a good sign.
Pro tip: You may want to get loans if you only have credit cards in your payment history and vice versa. However, you must ensure that the lenders report to the credit bureaus—and as always, you have to pay on time.
Alternative credit card options
If you think PayPal isn’t right for you, we highly recommend that you check out these alternatives:
Avant Credit Card: If you’re working with poor credit, Avant only charges you an annual fee of $59 with no required deposit. Although you don’t earn rewards since it’s an unsecured card, you can increase your credit limit once your records show good payment patterns.
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: If you want to invest in a secured card, Capital One offers one that allows you to put a security deposit according to what you can afford, be it at $49, $99, or $200. You’ll also be automatically considered for a higher credit line after six months of good records.
Conclusion
Your credit score plays a vital role in not just PayPal Credit Card applications but your overall financial journey.
PayPal Credit requires you to have good credit (scores of 670 and above), but it’s important to remember that while PayPal Credit considers your credit score when reviewing applications, other factors like your income and existing debt records will come into play.
If you want to build credit, consider other credit cards and loans that you can pay on time.
Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.
