PayPal+ Rewards: How It Actually Works
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PayPal has quietly launched a loyalty scheme in the UK called PayPal+, and if you pair it with the free PayPal Debit Card, it effectively works like a cashback card.
Step 1 — Join PayPal+ (Free)
Open the PayPal app → tap PayPal+ → opt in.
Anyone with a standard personal PayPal account can join.
*At the moment it looks like this will only be available to select customers - feel free to check!
Step 2 — Order the PayPal Debit Card (Free)
This is a real physical Mastercard linked to your PayPal balance.
FREE to order
FREE to use in the UK
No monthly fees
Works anywhere Mastercard is accepted (in-store + online)
You can use it just like your normal bank card.
How the Rewards Work
Once you're in PayPal+, you earn points when you spend with the PayPal Debit Card.
Base Earn Rate (This is the important bit)
| Where You Use It | Earn Rate | Works Out As |
|---|---|---|
| In-store (any card terminal) | 10 points per £10 spent | ≈ 1% cashback |
| Online via PayPal Checkout (balance covers full amount) | 10 points per £10 spent | ≈ 1% cashback |
| Online via PayPal Checkout (balance does NOT cover full amount) | 1 point per £10 on backup funding | ≈ 0.1% cashback on that portion |
How Much Are Points Actually Worth?
This is where tiers come in.
| PayPal+ Tier | Value of 10,000 Points | Effective Cashback |
|---|---|---|
| Blue (everyone starts here) | £100 | 1% cashback |
| Gold | £120 | 1.2% cashback |
| Black | £130 | 1.3% cashback |
| Gold/Black on Groceries & Dining | £150 | 1.5% cashback |
So:
Most people get 1%
Heavy PayPal users can climb to 1.2%–1.3%
Food shops & restaurants can hit 1.5% at higher tiers
Example
Spend £200 in Tesco using the PayPal Debit Card:
Blue Tier → ~£2 back
Gold Tier → ~£2.40 back
Black Tier → ~£2.60 back
Gold/Black Grocery Boost → ~£3 back
Stack this with store loyalty points and you’re getting points on points on points.
The Key Advantages
✅ Free card
✅ Works anywhere Mastercard is accepted
✅ No credit check / no new bank account needed
✅ Stacks with supermarket loyalty & restaurant reward apps
✅ Earns cashback even for small everyday spending
Things to Know
You won’t earn on gambling, dating sites, pawn shops etc (standard MCC exclusions).
Points expire only if you don’t earn or redeem for 3 years.
There is no cap on how many points you can earn.
