Have you ever wished you could quickly access money sent to your PayPal account? Or easily use your PayPal balance in stores and online like a credit or debit card?
Well my friend, getting your own PayPal debit card makes all of this possible so you can fully utilize your PayPal funds anytime.
I‘ll walk you through exactly how I got my PayPal debit card linked to my account in just a few quick steps. By the end, you‘ll have all the details needed to apply for your own card.
But first, let‘s take a quick look at the history behind PayPal card offerings and their growing popularity over the years…
A Brief History of PayPal Cards
PayPal cards have been around since early 2000s, not long after PayPal itself launched in 1998.
The original PayPal cards were prepaid cards that allowed users to spend money they received via PayPal online and offline.
Over the years, PayPal continued improving its card offerings to provide more flexibility and ease of use.
When PayPal became part of eBay in 2002, card adoption grew rapidly. And when the companies split in 2015, PayPal kept innovating on digital payments and card capabilities.
Fast forward to today:
- 50+ million PayPal cards in circulation globally
- Card spending totals $102 billion+ per year
- Cards now available in over 200 countries
So in just 20+ years, PayPal cards have become one of the most widely used payment cards worldwide!
And based on the growth trends, adoption will likely continue rising in coming years as more people realize the benefits of linking a card directly to their PayPal funds.
Why Should You Get a PayPal Card?
Here are some of the biggest reasons to consider applying for your own PayPal debit or credit card:
Easier access to money sent to your PayPal account
Instead of needing to transfer funds from PayPal to your bank, you can immediately use money received in your PayPal balance with your card for purchases and payments.
More flexibility in how you utilize PayPal funds
You gain the power to seamlessly utilize money in your PayPal account both online and in brick-and-mortar stores with your card‘s Mastercard backing.
Ability to withdraw cash from ATMs
Need physical cash? No problem! Just head to an ATM to withdraw money directly from your PayPal balance using your debit card.
Earn cash back rewards on card purchases
All purchases with your PayPal debit card come with 1% unlimited cash back automatically credited to your PayPal account. It adds up quickly!
No credit checks or annual fees
PayPal personal debit cards are completely free to obtain and use with no annual costs whatsoever. Plus there are no credit inquiries when applying.
As you can see, getting your own PayPal-branded debit or credit card unlocks a lot of useful features and perks!
Next I‘ll outline everything you need to know about eligibility requirements and the application process…
PayPal Card Eligibility and Application Requirements
Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, let‘s quickly cover who qualifies for a personal PayPal card and what‘s needed to apply:
Eligibility Criteria
- PayPal account holder in good standing
- Based in the United States
- At least 18 years old
- Pass identity verification
What You‘ll Need to Apply
- Legal name
- Contact information
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
That covers the basics! As long as you meet the requirements and have 10 minutes free, you can easily get approved for your own PayPal card.
Now let‘s get started with how to apply in 5 simple steps…
Step 1: Log In to Your PayPal Account
First things first, head over to PayPal.com and log into your account:
Once you‘ve successfully logged in, hover over your profile icon in the top right and click on Wallet from the dropdown menu.
This brings you to your PayPal account dashboard with an overview of your Balance, linked Cards, Bank accounts etc.
Step 2: Click “Link Card” to Apply
From your Wallet overview page, click on the Link Card button to add a new debit card to your PayPal account:
This will open up a secure credit card application page to link a PayPal debit card.
Note: If you don‘t see the Link Card option, there may be eligibility issues with your account preventing you from applying. Double check you meet all the requirements outlined earlier.
Step 3: Submit Your Card Application
On the application page, enter your personal details like:
- Full legal name
- Contact information
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
Triple check everything is filled correctly before submitting your form.
Most fields auto-populate from your PayPal account details, so it‘s a very quick process!
Once submitted, you‘ll see a confirmation your PayPal card application is now being processed.
Step 4: Activate Card Upon Delivery
Within 7-10 business days, your new PayPal debit card will arrive in the mail!
When it shows up, you‘ll need to activate your card before first use:
- Go to PayPal Card Activation
- Enter your card details like expiration date
- Click Activate My Card to finish
Follow any activation instructions that accompany your new card. Once complete, your card will be ready for purchases!
Step 5: Set Up Card Features & Begin Using!
With your shiny new PayPal debit card activated and ready, here are a few things I recommend doing next:
- Set up online account access at cashplus.paypal.com to view statements, transaction history and configure notifications
- Enable cash back rewards so all card purchases start passively earning 1% cashback
- Download Paypal app to manage card digitally and track spending
- Use for purchases online and in-store! Start tapping into your PayPal funds from anywhere
And that‘s everything on how to get your own PayPal debit card in just 5 quick steps!
I‘ve had my PayPal card for 2 years now and use it all the time for easy access to money I receive via PayPal invoices, client payments etc.
The unlimited 1% cash back is just icing on the cake! Over time it really starts to add up.
If you have any other questions on signing up for a PayPal card or managing your account, drop them in the comments section below!
