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Does Netspend Work With PayPal?

By
Andriy Blokhin
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Andriy Blokhin has 5+ years of professional experience in public accounting, personal investing, and as a senior auditor with Ernst & Young.
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Updated July 31, 2023
Reviewed by
Chip Stapleton
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Reviewed by Chip Stapleton
Full Bio
Chip Stapleton is a Series 7 and Series 66 license holder, CFA Level 1 exam holder, and currently holds a Life, Accident, and Health License in Indiana. He has 8 years experience in finance, from financial planning and wealth management to corporate finance and FP&A.
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There are 325 million active PayPal account holders who use the service online, through the app, or on their mobile devices. To simplify use, PayPal also has partnered with different payment companies around the world, including Netspend.

A PayPal account can be linked to a Netspend account and its prepaid card, and vice versa. PayPal allows Netspend customers to add money to their PayPal cards at Netspend Reload Network locations nationwide. Find out more about Netspend and how the process works with PayPal.

Key Takeaways

  • Prepaid Netspend accounts work with PayPal by linking both accounts.
  • Netspend users can reload their accounts either online or at more than 100,000 Netspend Reload Network locations nationwide.
  • PayPal doesn't charge Netspend customers fees.
  • Funds added to Netspend accounts are typically available within two to three business days.

What Is Netspend?

Netspend is a U.S. corporation that offers prepaid debit Visa and MasterCards to about 68 million consumers across the country. Users can use their cards anywhere Visa and MasterCard is accepted, pay bills, and transfer funds to others using their cards.

Netspend also offers gift cards that can't be replenished and travel cards that can be reloaded for a certain number of times. Existing customers can also open savings accounts in conjunction with the Netspend prepaid debit cards.

Users can reload their Netspend debit cards with cash, which generally costs a $3.95 fee. Reloading can also be done with funds from bank accounts and other financial service providers, such as PayPal, with which it established a partnership in 2011. Netspend prepaid cardholders can also have their paychecks, tax refunds, and other benefits such as Social Security deposited directly to their Netspend accounts.

Netspend and Paypal

While PayPal also offers its own line of MasterCard prepaid cards, it cooperates closely with other debit card providers like Netspend.

PayPal allows its customers to replenish their prepaid card balances at more than 100,000 Netspend Reload Network locations nationwide. Netspend reload locations are typically available at participating grocery stores, gas stations, check-cashing stores, and MoneyGram, and Western Union locations.

PayPal customers can replenish their prepaid card balances at Netspend Reload Network locations nationwide.

Likewise, Netspend cardholders can use PayPal to replenish their cards. This requires the user to link both accounts. To link the card, you must log on to the PayPal website, click the wallet tab, and click on the "link a card or bank" tab. After that, click on the "link a debit or credit card tab," fill in your card information, and click the link card button. PayPal may require verification to confirm the card.

In this case, PayPal doesn't charge NetSpend customers fees, and funds added to Netspend accounts are typically available within two to three business days.

PayPal also has special offers and cash-back rewards on its prepaid MasterCard cards that are sponsored by Netspend. PayPal sends reward offers based on their prepaid cardholders' shopping habits.

What Prepaid Cards Work With PayPal?

Anywhere in the U.S. where PayPal is accepted you can use prepaid gift cards that have a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover logo on them. These can include Netspend gift cards. PayPal says this policy doesn't apply to merchant-specific gift cards, which don't have a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover logo.

How Can I Transfer Money to Netspend Using My PayPal Account?

PayPal users can transfer funds from their PayPal account to their Netspend card account. To do so, log in to your Paypal account and go to "Send and Request" in the top navigation bar and then "Send to Bank Account." Enter the amount that you will be sending and then select "Debit Card Deposit." Enter the verification details that PayPal requests (name, address, date of birth) and select from where you would like to transfer funds onto your Netspend Card (such as from a credit card, debit card, or your bank account). Fees do apply and vary, depending on which options you choose.

Does PayPal Charge a Fee When Netspend Customers Use It?

PayPal doesn't charge Netspend customers fees for use.

Netspend and PayPal

Investopedia / Yurle Villegas

The Bottom Line

Prepaid Netspend accounts work with PayPal when the two accounts are linked. Netspend users can reload their accounts using PayPal online or at one of the more than 100,000 Netspend Reload Network locations nationwide. PayPal doesn't charge Netspend customers fees when they transact with PayPal.

Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.

  1. PayPal. "Who We Are."

  2. Netspend. "About Netspend."

  3. Kroger. "Netspend Gift Cards in Home Department."

  4. Netspend. "Frequently Asked Questions."

  5. PayPal. "Use Your Prepaid Gift Cards Wherever PayPal Is Accepted."

  6. Netspend. "Six Ways To Transfer Money to Netspend."

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