Tip: Use a virtual card for PayPal payments. Save it directly in your PayPal wallet instead of using your physical card, which is better kept for in-person, on-the-go purchases.
Pay with PayPal using a Spendesk virtual or physical card, and understand the currency, 3D Secure, and top-up rules.
For: All Spendesk cardholders on any plan.
Before you start
You need an active Spendesk card (virtual or physical).
You need a PayPal account with your credentials ready.
Have your mobile phone available for 3D Secure (3DS) verification.
Step 1: Generate a virtual card on Spendesk
Log in to Spendesk.
Click New request > Request a virtual card.
Choose a single-use card or a recurring payments card, depending on your need.
Fill in your request details.
Once approved, click Generate my card.
Step 2: Add your virtual card to your PayPal wallet
Log in to PayPal with your PayPal credentials.
Go to your PayPal wallet.
Select Add a new card.
Go back to Spendesk > Requests and copy your card's details.
Paste your card details into PayPal.
Add your billing address in PayPal. You can find it displayed under your virtual card on Spendesk.
Click Save.
Best Practice: For recurring cards, you don't need to re-enter details after saving. You can reuse the same card for future PayPal payments.
Step 3: Check the currency
Make sure your Spendesk wallet's currency matches the currency of your card's issuing entity, to avoid extra fees. Some Spendesk cards are issued as UK cards, others under a different Spendesk entity's account.
If you don't know your Spendesk wallet's currency:
Ask your Admin, or
Check the All payments tab to see the currency used in previous payments.
Step 4: Pay with PayPal and Spendesk
On the merchant's payment page:
Select PayPal as the payment method.
Choose your Spendesk card.
Validate the purchase.
4-digit verification code
If you're using PayPal for the first time, the website may ask for a 4-digit verification code. Find this code in your Spendesk account:
Go to the Payments tab.
Select the relevant payment.
Click Show Transaction Description and copy the code.
If you can't find the code, contact Spendesk Support.
Troubleshooting
Symptom: PayPal declines the transaction with a message like "Your bank refused this payment," and you're trying to top up a PayPal balance or another wallet (not paying a merchant).
Cause: You're attempting an Account Funding Transaction (AFT) — using your Spendesk card to load funds into a PayPal balance or another digital wallet. Spendesk blocks this by design, for compliance reasons. Spendesk cards are business expense cards, not general-purpose accounts, and allowing AFTs would let employees move company funds into personal accounts.
Resolution: This isn't a bug and can't be lifted. Use your Spendesk card only for regular purchases through PayPal (paying a merchant at checkout), not to fund a PayPal balance or another wallet.