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What is PayPal Plus? Rewards, Points and Membership Explained
PayPal Plus, also known as PayPal+, is PayPal’s UK rewards programme that lets eligible members earn and redeem points whenever they pay with PayPal. The programme launched in the UK in November 2025 and is free to join for eligible personal PayPal account holders.¹
This guide explains how PayPal Plus works, how points are earned, what rewards are available, and what to know about international payments and currency conversion.
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What is PayPal Plus?
PayPal Plus rewards members for making payments through PayPal online, in stores, and when sending money internationally. Once you opt into the programme through the PayPal app, points are earned automatically on eligible transactions.¹
How to earn PayPal Plus points
PayPal currently offers the following earning rates:
| Payment method | Points earned |
| PayPal Debit Card (online and in-store) | 10 points per £10 spent* |
| PayPal checkout (balance, credit card, Pay in 3, third-party card) | 1 point per £10 spent |
| Sending money abroad | 1 point per £10 sent |
*The 10x earn rate for the PayPal Debit Card is currently guaranteed through 2026 and may change afterwards.¹
Another thing to know with PayPal Plus is that points can be earned alongside rewards offered by your payment card. If you use a rewards credit card through PayPal checkout, you may be able to earn PayPal Plus points in addition to your card's own rewards programme.¹
How much are PayPal Plus points worth?
Points can be redeemed directly at PayPal checkout with participating merchants. At the Blue tier, 1,000 points currently have a redemption value of £10. Higher membership tiers increase the value of points when redeemed at checkout.¹
Eligible transactions and exclusions
PayPal states that points can be earned on most purchases made through PayPal, including online shopping, subscriptions, recurring payments, and eligible international purchases.¹
Some categories are excluded from rewards earning, including pawn shops, dating services, and gambling transactions. Points are also not earned on ATM withdrawals or balance transfers.¹
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PayPal Plus membership tiers and benefits
PayPal Plus currently operates with three membership tiers: Blue, Gold and Black. Your membership tier affects how much your points are worth when redeemed through PayPal checkout, along with access to additional rewards and perks.¹
Blue and Gold tier requirements
All members begin at the Blue tier. To qualify for Gold status, members must earn 25,000 points within a calendar year.¹
Gold members receive a 20% increase in point redemption value, along with access to additional offers and spending credits. At the Gold tier, 1,000 points currently have a redemption value of £12.¹
Black tier benefits
To qualify for Black tier, members must earn 50,000 points within a calendar year.¹
Black members receive a 30% increase in point redemption value and access to additional rewards and support benefits. At the Black tier, 1,000 points currently have a redemption value of £13.¹
PayPal also states that Gold and Black members may receive enhanced grocery, dining, and food delivery redemption rates, where 1,000 points may be worth up to £15.¹
Monthly spending credits
Gold and Black members may receive additional monthly perks.
| Benefit | Gold tier | Black tier |
| Subscription cashback | Up to £12.50/month (£150/year) | Up to £16.66/month (£200/year) |
| Checkout Fridays bonus | 1,000 bonus points/month | 2,000 bonus points/month |
Eligible subscriptions may include weekly, monthly, or annual subscriptions processed through PayPal.¹
Costs and eligibility for UK users
Here's what you need to know about costs and eligibility:
Joining fees and account requirements
PayPal Plus is currently free to join. To qualify, you need an eligible UK personal PayPal account and access to the PayPal app. Business accounts are not currently eligible for the programme.¹
Do PayPal Plus points expire?
Points expire only after three consecutive years without any earning or redemption activity.¹ Tier qualification currently runs on a calendar-year basis.
Managing your membership
The PayPal app allows members to view their points balance, track tier progress, review rewards history, and access available offers and promotions. Members who opt out of the programme may lose access to accumulated points and membership benefits.¹
Reward rates, eligibility rules, membership tiers, and programme benefits may change over time. Always check PayPal’s official website or app for the latest PayPal Plus terms and conditions.
International payments and currency conversion
PayPal Plus focuses on rewards and cashback-style incentives. If you regularly send money internationally or pay in foreign currencies, it can also be useful to understand how exchange rates and international transfer fees work.
Domestic rewards vs international transfers
PayPal Plus rewards spending activity and may appeal to people who already use PayPal regularly for online shopping, subscriptions, and recurring payments.
However, when sending money internationally through PayPal, currency conversion fees and exchange rate markups may apply.²
PayPal currency conversion fees and exchange rates
PayPal may apply currency conversion fees and exchange rate margins on international transactions. This means the exchange rate used may differ from the mid-market exchange rate shown on currency comparison tools.²
For people who regularly send money internationally or manage multiple currencies, comparing exchange rates and transfer fees across providers can help reduce the overall cost of moving money abroad.
Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate for currency conversion. With a Wise account, you can hold money in 40+ currencies, send international transfers, and receive payments in multiple currencies.
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Comparing options for international payments
PayPal Plus is a free UK loyalty programme that rewards eligible PayPal members through points, tier benefits, and promotional offers.
Members can earn points on eligible spending, unlock higher reward tiers, and redeem points through PayPal checkout.
For people who regularly send money internationally or manage multiple currencies, it may also be worth comparing exchange rates and international transfer fees across providers.
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FAQs
Is PayPal Plus free to join?
Yes. PayPal Plus is currently free to join for eligible UK personal PayPal account holders.¹
How many points equal one pound?
At the Blue tier, 1,000 points currently have a redemption value of £10. Gold and Black tier members receive enhanced redemption rates.¹
Do PayPal Plus points expire?
Points expire after three consecutive years without earning or redemption activity.¹
Can I use points at any shop?
Points can be redeemed through PayPal checkout with participating merchants that accept PayPal payments.¹
Is PayPal Plus worth it?
Whether PayPal Plus is worth it depends on how often you use PayPal and whether you can take advantage of the available rewards and membership benefits. People who regularly pay through PayPal may be able to earn more value from the programme.¹
Can you use PayPal Plus abroad?
Yes. Eligible international purchases and money transfers can earn points, although currency conversion fees and exchange rate markups may still apply.²
Sources used:
- PayPal UK Help Centre – What is PayPal+?
- PayPal+ Loyalty Programme - PayPal UK
- PayPal Newsroom – PayPal relaunches in the UK with PayPal+
Sources last checked 22-June-2026
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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