Why Isn‘t PayPal Pay in 4 Showing Up For Me In 2024?
PayPal‘s popular "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) service called Pay in 4 allows you to split purchases into 4 interest-free payments over 6 weeks. However, many PayPal users are still finding that Pay in 4 is not showing up at checkout in 2024. This comprehensive guide examines the key reasons you may not see Pay in 4 yet, along with expert tips to troubleshoot access.
The Explosive Growth of BNPL
Before diving into PayPal‘s specific Pay in 4 program, it‘s helpful to understand the broader BNPL industry trends. According to Worldpay data, BNPL payment volume is projected to grow 78% globally in 2024 to reach $332 billion. PayPal CEO Dan Schulman noted they are seeing "tremendous growth" in merchant and consumer adoption of Pay in 4 specifically. However, the service is still rolling out state-by-state since initially launching in 2020.
State Availability for PayPal Pay in 4
One of the primary reasons you may not see Pay in 4 is limited state availability. As of February 2023, PayPal‘s own site indicates Pay in 4 is available in the following locations:
- 47 U.S. states + Washington D.C.
- EXCLUDED: Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Wisconsin
PayPal has been slowly expanding state-by-state over the past 2 years. While they initially projected nationwide availability in the U.S. by the end of 2022, that has not yet happened as of early 2023.
In PayPal‘s Q3 2022 earnings call, Schulman reaffirmed their commitment to rolling out to all U.S. states but did not provide an updated timeline. He stated "We‘re working state by state to make sure that we‘re compliant in all aspects." Based on the current pace of state expansion, nationwide availability may not happen until late 2023 or 2024.
PayPal Account Standing
Assuming Pay in 4 is available in your state, the next eligibility requirement is having a PayPal account in good standing. According to PayPal‘s website, this includes:
- A history of successfully paying off purchases on time – Late or missed PayPal Credit payments will hurt your eligibility
- No account violations – Issues like chargebacks or disputes can restrict access to Pay in 4
- Verified identity – You must fully verify your account with details like SSN, birthdate, and linked bank accounts
Unfortunately PayPal does not publish the exact criteria used to determine a "good standing" account. But generally it means you are trusted to responsibly make payments on time.
New PayPal users with limited history may not have access immediately. Long-time users with many on-time payments are more likely to see Pay in 4 enabled.
PayPal Pay in 4 Transaction Limits
Pay in 4 is currently only presented as a payment option for transaction amounts between $30 to $1,500. Any total outside of that range will not trigger Pay in 4 at checkout.
According to PayPal‘s 2021 Q4 earnings results, the average Pay in 4 transaction value is approximately $750. So you‘re more likely to see it appear for mid-range purchases, rather than very small or large totals.
Excluded Merchants
PayPal allows merchants to opt into accepting Pay in 4 payments. So even if a merchant accepts regular PayPal, they may not offer Pay in 4 specifically. Common merchant exclusions include:
- Utility companies
- Insurance providers
- Government entities
- Non-profits
- Crowdfunding platforms
This means that even if Pay in 4 is available in your state and you have a qualified account, you still may not see it when checking out with excluded merchant types.
PayPal Pay in 4 vs Other BNPL Options
PayPal Pay in 4 is not the only BNPL choice consumers have today. Major providers include:
| Provider | Purchase Amount | Payback Term | Usage Fees | Late Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal Pay in 4 | $30-$1,500 | 4 interest-free payments over 6 weeks | None | Up to $20 per missed payment |
| Affirm | $50-$17,500+ | 3, 6 or 12 months | None | Up to $15 per missed payment |
| Afterpay | Up to $1,500 | 4 interest-free payments over 6 weeks | None | Up to $7 per missed payment |
| Klarna | Up to $2,000 | Pay in 4 equal installments or finance with APR | None | Up to $7 per missed payment |
The biggest difference to note is that Affirm offers longer 3, 6 or 12 month installment loan terms on higher ticket purchases, while Pay in 4, Afterpay and Klarna focus on 4 biweekly payments.
Troubleshooting and Solutions
If Pay in 4 is available in your state but you aren‘t seeing it when you checkout, here are some troubleshooting steps:
Update your PayPal app – Make sure you have installed the latest version which enables Pay in 4.
Use desktop site – Sometimes Pay in 4 only shows on paypal.com not the mobile app.
Apply for approval – Go to Profile > Money > Pay in 4 in account settings to request access.
Contact support – Reach out to PayPal‘s customer service for personalized help troubleshooting.
Try different merchant – Switch to a merchant known to support Pay in 4 like Walmart or Target if your normal retailer is possibly excluded.
Use a different BNPL provider – Consider alternative installment financing from Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna or others.
Wait for wider availability – Check back routinely as PayPal continues expanding state availability through 2023.
PayPal Says Nationwide Rollout Coming
In conclusion, while Pay in 4 is not available to every PayPal user yet, significant growth is still expected in 2024. When asked about the pace of expansion on their Q3 2022 earnings call, PayPal CEO Dan Schulman reiterated:
"Pay in 4 is now live in 47 states across the U.S. and we remain committed to a nationwide rollout. We‘re working state by state to make sure that we‘re absolutely compliant in all aspects…we‘re seeing tremendous merchant and consumer adoption."
So nationwide access likely will continue gradually expanding this year. With the tips above, you can troubleshoot why you may not see Pay in 4 currently and find the right BNPL option for your purchases in the meantime.
