Best Buy accepts credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and gift cards for online purchases
When you check out on BestBuy.com, you'll see payment options at the bottom of your cart. The most common are Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also pay with a debit card using the same card networks, or link your PayPal account to let Best Buy charge it directly. Best Buy also accepts their own gift cards and store credit if you have a balance on your account.
The payment method you choose doesn't change how fast your order ships or how much you pay — it only changes which account the money comes from. Best Buy doesn't charge a fee for using any of these methods, though your bank or PayPal might charge you a fee depending on your account type.
Key Takeaways
- Best Buy accepts major credit and debit cards, PayPal, and Best Buy gift cards at checkout.
- Your payment is processed when ready when you place the order, not when the item ships.
- If you use a credit card, the charge appears as pending first, then settles within one to three business days.
- You can save a payment method to your Best Buy account so you don't have to enter it every time you shop.
- If your payment is declined, Best Buy will show you an error message and let you try a different card before the order goes through.
When the charge actually hits your account
Best Buy processes your payment the moment you click the final "Place Order" button, not when the item ships. This means the money leaves your account right away, even if your order doesn't arrive for a week or two.
If you pay with a credit card, you'll see the charge show up as "pending" in your credit card account within a few minutes. Pending means Best Buy has requested the money but your bank hasn't finished moving it yet. After one to three business days, the charge moves from pending to posted, and it counts toward your credit card balance.
If you pay with a debit card, the money comes out of your checking account on the same timeline. If you pay with PayPal, the charge goes to whichever payment method you have linked to PayPal — usually a bank account or card.
What happens if your payment doesn't go through
If Best Buy's system can't process your card, you'll see an error message before your order is placed. Common reasons include a wrong card number, an expired card, insufficient funds, or your bank blocking the charge because it looks unusual.
When this happens, Best Buy won't charge you. You can try the same card again, use a different card, or pay with PayPal or a gift card instead. Once you successfully place the order with a working payment method, the charge goes through when ready.
If your bank declines the charge, contact your bank to ask why — they may have flagged it as fraud, or you may not have enough money available. Your bank can tell you whether to try again or use a different card.
Saving a payment method to your Best Buy account
When you check out, Best Buy asks if you want to save this card for next time. If you click yes, the card gets stored in your Best Buy account under a nickname you choose, like "Visa" or "Debit Card."
The next time you shop, you can select the saved card from a dropdown instead of typing the number again. Your card information is encrypted, meaning Best Buy stores it in a scrambled form that hackers can't read. You can delete a saved card anytime by going to your account settings and removing it from your payment methods.
Saving a card is optional. If you prefer to enter your card information every time, you can skip this step and Best Buy won't save it.
Using Best Buy gift cards and store credit
If you have a Best Buy gift card or store credit from a return, you can enter the card number at checkout just like a credit card. The gift card balance comes off first, and if your order costs more than the card balance, Best Buy will ask you to add another payment method for the difference.
You can combine multiple gift cards in one order — just enter each card number separately. Store credit works the same way. Once you use a gift card, the remaining balance stays on that card for future purchases.
How to track your payment and order
After your order is placed, Best Buy sends you a confirmation email with your order number. You can use this number to check your order status anytime by logging into your Best Buy account or visiting the order tracking page without logging in.
The order status page shows you whether your payment went through, whether your item is being prepared to ship, and when it's expected to arrive. If there's a problem with your payment after the order is placed — for example, your card was declined when Best Buy tried to charge it again — Best Buy will email you and ask you to update your payment method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my payment method after I place an order?
If your order hasn't shipped yet, you can contact Best Buy customer service to update your payment method. Once the order ships, you can't change it. If your payment fails after you place the order, Best Buy will email you asking for a new payment method before they can ship your item.
Does Best Buy charge sales tax on top of the price shown?
Yes. The price you see on the product page doesn't include sales tax. Best Buy adds tax at checkout based on your shipping address. The total amount charged to your card includes the item price, shipping (if any), and sales tax. You'll see the full total before you place the order.
What if I see a charge from Best Buy that I don't recognize?
Check your Best Buy account order history to see if it matches an order you placed. If you don't recognize it, contact Best Buy customer service with your order number. If you believe it's fraud, contact your bank or credit card company when ready to report it and ask them to reverse the charge.
Can I pay with two different cards for one order?
No. Best Buy requires one payment method per order. If you want to split a purchase between two cards, you'll need to place two separate orders. You can use a gift card plus another card if your order costs more than the gift card balance.
How long does it take for a refund to show up after I return something?
Refunds go back to the original payment method you used. If you paid with a credit card, the refund appears as a credit on your statement within three to five business days, though your bank may take longer to post it. If you paid with PayPal or a debit card, the timeline is similar. Best Buy processes the refund when ready, but your bank controls when you see the money.