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The PayPal Cashback Mastercard® has undergone revamps that include changes to its rewards structure. See our review of the card for the most up-to-date information.
If you’re a PayPal member, a new cash-back rewards card may tickle your wallet. PayPal members can now apply for a 2% flat-rate cash-back card that has few restrictions and a $0 annual fee.
The PayPal Cashback Mastercard®, issued by Synchrony Bank, offers 2% cash back on all purchases with no limit on the amount of cash you can earn and no expiration date on the rewards. Cardholders can redeem their cash directly to their PayPal account at any time; there’s no minimum redemption amount.
Another PayPal rewards card — the PayPal Extras Mastercard® — has been around for a while. But despite its tiered rewards, this card's drawbacks are high redemption minimums and low point valuation. For example, you need 6,000 points to redeem for $50, which is the minimum for cash-back redemption. That means a point is worth 0.83 cents. The industry standard is 1 point for 1 cent.
The PayPal Cashback Mastercard®, however, has fewer barriers to earning cash back, with no category limitations and no limit on your earnings. It has the standard protections of a Mastercard: extended warranty, purchase protection for 60 days and identity theft resolution assistance. Also, when cardholders charge PayPal purchases to the card, they automatically get PayPal Purchase Protection.
In addition to 2% cash back, there occasionally may be bonus rewards available at a higher cash-back rate, according to the card's terms.
How does it compare vs. the competition?
How does this card stack up with the best cash-back cards? It’s mighty good.
Among similar cash-back cards with no annual fee, the Citi Double Cash® Card lets you earn 1% cash back on every dollar you spend, then an additional 1% cash back for every dollar you pay off.
The Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card pays 2% on every purchase, with no limits or caps, but to get that rate, rewards must be deposited into a qualifying Fidelity account.
The Discover it® Cash Back and the Chase Freedom® pay higher cash-back rewards, but only in certain categories that have quarterly spending caps. And you have to remember to activate categories quarterly.
The high flat rate on all your shopping and easy redemption make the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® very attractive. Because this card is available only for PayPal members, other people may consider opening a PayPal account to apply for it.
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