# Why doesn't the Paypal screen accept either of my credit cards?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-paypal-screen-accept-either-of-my-credit-cards/582306>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [May 18, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-paypal-screen-accept-either-of-my-credit-cards/582306 "2011-05-18T12:48:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-paypal-screen-accept-either-of-my-credit-cards/582306/1 "2011-05-18T12:48:01Z")

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I just attempted to pay for another two years of subscription to the SDMB. I entered one of my credit card numbers to pay for it as a Paypal guest. It didn’t accept it. I entered the other credit card number. It didn’t accept it either. Yes, I’m sure I entered the numbers correctly. Yes, I’m sure the credit cards are in good standing. What happened?

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**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-paypal-screen-accept-either-of-my-credit-cards/582306/2 "2011-05-18T13:11:45Z")

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You’d probably get a better answer if you asked Paypal.

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**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-paypal-screen-accept-either-of-my-credit-cards/582306/3 "2011-05-18T13:30:13Z")

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How do I ask Paypal?

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**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-paypal-screen-accept-either-of-my-credit-cards/582306/4 "2011-05-18T14:13:32Z")

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First, are either of your cards linked to PayPal? Have they been linked in the past?

This has been a problem previously.

> [@](#):
>
> One issue that may crop up for some:
> 
> If they try to use a credit card that has at any point in time previously been linked to a PayPal account, they will not be able to use it in the way you are stating, because PayPal will insist they log in to use that card. I have had this happen myself (using PayPal to pay for eBay purchases as well as checking it on this site as well). Their options in that case are either to use another card, or to log in/contact PayPal to delink the card.

Secondly, are you going to the right “gate?”

You have two ways to pay – either through your existing PayPal account or as a “guest” using a debit or credit card. The “Log in to my PayPal account” box is huge. The “Pay with your debit or credit card” box is small. They both operate differently.

Both these issues have been problems in the past.

Hope this resolves things for you. If not please write me off the board and we’ll look at the situation privately.