The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only. You should always obtain your own independent, tax, financial, and legal advice before making any material decision.
Want to use two different means of payment in one transaction online? Most retailers don’t allow customers to pay for a single purchase with multiple credit cards or debit cards online. But there are some strategies for splitting payments on purchases that could be used.
For instance, it might be possible to split a purchase between a gift card from the store and a second form of payment. And certain third-party payment providers that allow splitting payments may be available at checkout.
Learn potential ways to split a payment between multiple payment cards in this article, including potential pros and cons when doing so.
Most online retailers don’t allow shoppers to simply split payments between cards when checking out. They may allow shoppers to use a gift card balance and another payment method, but otherwise require a single payment method. Note that some retailers may offer the option, so be sure to review the checkout page and store policies.
A common way to use two cards for one purchase online is via payment providers such as PayPal. These providers may offer the ability to split payments when using them at checkout — meaning a shopper would need to select the payment provider and make the choice to split the payment via the provider’s checkout portal. Availability may vary depending on the purchase, retailer, and other factors.
If an online store allows split payments, shoppers might see a split payment option during checkout. They would then enter in the required information for each payment method, such as cardholder name, card number, CVV, and other relevant details.
If a store supports third-party checkout providers, shoppers may be able split payments on that platform. For example, a shopper goes to checkout and sees PayPal as an option. They can select to checkout with PayPal and be taken to the PayPal checkout portal. If available, the option to split the payment can be selected. Users can then select two linked payment options (credit card, debit card, or bank account) to split the payment between. They can then set the specific amount they want to be paid for by each card or payment option.
Some stores may only offer an option to pay for part of the online purchase with a store gift card. The shopper would need to enter gift card details (or select available gift card balance on their account, if applicable). The remainder of the purchase will then go on a different payment method entered by the shopper, such as a credit card or debit card.
There are potential advantages and disadvantages to using two cards to pay for an online purchase. Splitting a payment might be helpful if the two cards offer different rewards rates or benefits. For instance, an individual might want to split a purchase when:
For example, PayPal Cashback Mastercard offers 3% cash back1 on PayPal purchases, which may be higher than the rewards rate available on other cash back cards. However, a different card might have an exclusive cash back offer at the retailer. Splitting the purchase between the two cards could potentially maximize the cash back earnings.
A disadvantage of trying to split payments is that it’s often not an option. Buying a gift card for the retailer might bridge the gap. However, gift card purchases don’t always qualify for offers or bonus rewards. Additionally, returns will often be refunded to the same payment methods, which could leave a customer with cash that can only be used for that retailer if the purchase doesn’t work out.
No matter the payment method, be mindful of how much gets spent. With credit cards, paying the balance in full each month can help cardholders avoid accruing interest on purchases. And it may be easier to track balances and pay bills when using fewer cards.
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