The PayPal Cashback Mastercard earns 3% back on PayPal purchases and 1.5% back everywhere else, with no annual fee. Issued by Synchrony Bank. Here is the full review for 2026.
PayPal Cashback Mastercard at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Synchrony Bank |
| Network | Mastercard |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Cashback at PayPal | 3% |
| Cashback everywhere else | 1.5% |
| Cashback on PayPal Extras | Additional offers available |
| APR | ~19.99%–29.99% (variable) |
| Intro APR | None |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% |
| Recommended credit score | 670+ |
| Redemption | Auto-deposit to PayPal balance |
Cashback Calculation Examples
3% at PayPal category:
- PayPal.com checkout, PayPal-integrated merchants (eBay, Poshmark, etc.)
- PayPal in-person QR payments
On $2,000/month PayPal purchases:
$2,000 × 3% = $60/month → $720/year
On $2,000/month everywhere else:
$2,000 × 1.5% = $30/month → $360/year
Comparing the PayPal Card to Competitors
| Card | At PayPal | Elsewhere | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal Cashback Mastercard | 3% | 1.5% | $0 |
| Venmo Credit Card | 3% (top category) | 1%+ | $0 |
| Citi Double Cash | 2% | 2% | $0 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 1.5% | 1.5% | $0 |
The PayPal card is best if you frequently check out through PayPal. If you rarely use PayPal for purchases, a 2% flat-rate card like Citi Double Cash may earn more overall.
How to Apply
- Go to paypal.com → Products → PayPal Credit Cards
- Click Apply Now for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard
- Provide your Social Security number, income, and address
- Synchrony Bank runs a hard credit inquiry
- Decisions are usually instant online
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- No annual fee
- 3% at PayPal is one of the best rates for PayPal-heavy shoppers
- Automatic cashback redemption — no thresholds, no portals
- Accepted anywhere Mastercard is accepted
Cons:
- 3% rate requires PayPal checkout — not a general purchase card
- No intro APR
- No travel perks or transfer partners
- 3% foreign transaction fee (avoid abroad)
- Foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international use
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