Does Expedia Accept PayPal? Payment Methods Explained

Planning your dream vacation? Browsing flights and hotels on Expedia? Great! But before hitting that magical “book now” button, you might be wondering—can you use PayPal to pay for your trip?

Let’s dive into how Expedia processes payments, what methods are accepted, and how PayPal fits into the mix. Whether you’re team credit card or team digital wallet, we’ve got answers for you!

TL;DR

Yes, Expedia does accept PayPal—but not on every booking. It depends on who the service provider is and how the booking is processed. Alongside PayPal, Expedia accepts a good list of other payment options. Always double-check at checkout to see what’s available for your specific reservation!

So… Does Expedia Accept PayPal?

Yes, but there’s a catch! Expedia supports PayPal as a payment method, but only for certain bookings. This usually includes hotel reservations that are labeled as “Pay now” on the website.

It’s important to know that Expedia works both as a travel agency and as a marketplace. That means:

• Some bookings are handled directly by Expedia.
• Others are handled by third-party travel suppliers.

PayPal is generally available when you’re paying Expedia directly. If the third-party supplier handles the transaction, you might not see PayPal on the checkout screen.

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How to Use PayPal on Expedia

Let’s break it down step by step. Here’s how you can use PayPal to pay on Expedia:

1. Visit Expedia.com and choose your travel options (flight, hotel, car rental, etc.).
2. Filter your hotel results to show “Pay now” options—these are more likely to offer PayPal at checkout.
3. Select your accommodation or package.
4. Proceed to checkout, and look under the payment options section.
5. If available, choose PayPal and log into your PayPal account to complete the payment.

Pro tip: If you don’t see PayPal listed, it means it’s not supported for that particular booking.

Other Payment Methods Expedia Accepts

Expedia is flexible! Here’s a quick look at the other payment options you can use:

• Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
• Debit cards: As long as they carry a credit card logo
• PayPal: Available on eligible bookings
• Expedia Rewards Points: If you’re part of Expedia Rewards—you can redeem them at checkout
• Gift Cards: Usually not accepted unless otherwise noted
• Buy Now, Pay Later: Some bookings allow the use of services like Affirm or Klarna for split payments

When Does PayPal NOT Work on Expedia?

While Expedia loves PayPal, there are times when it just won’t fly:

• If the hotel or flight is being handled by a third-party travel supplier
• If the reservation is marked as “Pay at hotel” or “Pay later”
• When booking through the mobile app in some countries
• Group or multi-city bookings

Remember: if PayPal is NOT shown as an option at checkout, then you can’t use it for that transaction. Sad, but true!

Benefits of Using PayPal on Expedia

Not sure why you’d use PayPal instead of your regular credit card? Here’s why it can be awesome:

• Extra security: You don’t need to enter your card details on Expedia.
• Fast checkout: Especially if you already have your accounts linked and verified.
• Split payments: If you’ve connected multiple cards or bank accounts to PayPal.
• Buyer protection: PayPal’s dispute resolution can be helpful if something goes wrong.

Helpful Tips for Paying Smoothly

Want a seamless checkout experience? Here are a few key tips to keep things hassle-free:

• Always double-check your booking summary before paying.
• Look for the “Pay now” label instead of “Pay later”—this improves your chances of using PayPal.
• Clear your browser cache if PayPal is not showing up (technology is weird sometimes!).
• Make sure your PayPal account is verified and linked to a working funding source.

What About the Expedia App?

Love making plans from your phone? Then you might wonder—can you use PayPal on the Expedia app?

Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, nope.

Here’s how it works:

• PayPal availability on the mobile app varies by region.
• In the U.S., you can often use PayPal within the mobile app for eligible bookings.
• Outside the U.S., the option might be missing even for “Pay now” hotels.

If PayPal is a must for you, try using Expedia’s desktop website instead of the mobile app for better chances.

Can You Get A Refund If You Book With PayPal?

Yep, you can! If you cancel a refundable booking, Expedia will return your money to your PayPal account—just like with credit cards.

Here are a couple of notes:

• Refunds usually take 5 to 7 business days.
• Check your booking’s cancellation policy to make sure you’re eligible for a refund.
• Partial refunds (like canceling one night of a stay) also go through PayPal if that was your original method.

Can You Mix Payment Methods?

Unfortunately, Expedia doesn’t allow split payments between PayPal and credit cards on the same transaction. It’s an either-or situation.

However, remember that you can use multiple funding sources inside PayPal. So you can technically fund the payment from different sources within PayPal itself, like:

• Your PayPal balance
• A linked debit/credit card
• Bank transfer

Final Thoughts

Expedia makes it easy to pay for your next trip however you like. Whether it’s a sunny hotel on a beach or a flight to visit grandma—PayPal is a handy, safe payment method for many types of bookings.

Just remember that PayPal is only available for certain “Pay now” bookings, and you should always check the checkout screen to confirm. If it’s not there, you’ll need to choose another method—or book something else that does accept it!

So go ahead, plan that getaway. Pay with confidence. And maybe—just maybe—use those points for an upgrade!