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To change the payment method PayPal generally uses for future eligible payments, open Wallet, select a linked payment source, and choose Set as preferred. For one checkout, choose a source before paying; for a subscription or other recurring merchant agreement, change the method for that merchant separately. A payment method cannot be changed after a payment has been sent.
Which PayPal payment method do you want to change?
| What you mean | Where to change it | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred method for future eligible payments | Wallet | Future payments, subject to the options available for each transaction |
| Source for one purchase | Payment-method selector at checkout | That purchase, before you complete payment |
| Source for a subscription or recurring merchant payment | Automatic-payment or subscription settings for that merchant | Future charges under that merchant agreement |
These settings are separate. Changing your general preferred method does not necessarily change a subscription’s payment source, and a method assigned to a merchant can take priority for that merchant.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Visa Physical Gift Card $200 (plus $6.95 Purchase Fee) | $206.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Visa Virtual eGift Card | $206.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
MasterCard Physical Gift Card – $200 (plus $6.95 Purchase Fee) | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
|
Visa Virtual eGift Card | $105.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Visa Virtual eGift Card | $54.95 | Buy on Amazon |
Change your general preferred payment method
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Link the bank account or card to your PayPal account if it is not already there.
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Open Wallet.
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Select the payment method you want to use.
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Choose Set as preferred.
PayPal’s US help page lists bank accounts, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express; PayPal balance is an option for accounts with a balance feature. The sources shown can vary by account and transaction. See PayPal’s list of payment methods.
#1 Best Overall
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Choose a method for one checkout
At checkout, open the payment-method selector and choose an available source before completing the purchase. The seller or third-party site may limit which methods appear, so a source linked to your PayPal account may not be offered for every transaction. PayPal explains this variability in its About Payment Methods page.
Change the method for a subscription or automatic payment
PayPal uses “automatic payment” for a merchant arrangement that may also be called a subscription, billing agreement, or recurring payment. Update the setting for the specific merchant rather than relying on the general preference.
Rank #2
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
On the PayPal website
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Open Settings > Payments > Subscriptions and saved businesses. Depending on the label in your account, this area may appear as Automatic Payments.
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Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Select the merchant whose recurring payment you want to update.
Rank #3
MasterCard Physical Gift Card – $200 (plus $6.95 Purchase Fee)- Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- Double check if the URL/website is genuine before entering card details online. Do not provide any gift card details (example: claim code) to someone you do not know or trust. There are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- If you believe that your Card has been lost or stolen, notify Mastercard immediately by calling 1-833-791-7288. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Mastercard Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted, including online. Your Amazon.com Balance cannot be used to purchase Mastercard gift cards.
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Choose the option to change its payment method.
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Select or link a card or bank account, then save the change.
In the PayPal app
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Open Accounts > Subscriptions and saved businesses.
Rank #4
Visa Virtual eGift Card- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
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Select the relevant merchant and follow the option to update its payment method.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Menu wording can vary. PayPal’s instructions are on its automatic payments help page. Most automatic payments allow a specific payment method, which is prioritized for that merchant even if your general preferred method is different.
Best Value
- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
What if the payment was already sent?
You cannot switch the payment method after sending a payment, even if PayPal shows it as pending. PayPal’s guidance is to request a refund and, if the refund is received, send the payment again using the correct method. See PayPal’s payment-method guidance.
Check which source PayPal actually used
If a selected method is unavailable or does not have enough funds, PayPal may use backup funding for the full payment or the remaining balance. For automatic payments, PayPal says backup funding used for the remaining amount will be visible after payment. Review the payment details and transaction record to confirm the source used; the backup method may not always be shown before you complete a payment.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
