What Payment Methods Are Accepted on Whatnot?

Before taking part in an auction or making a Buy It Now purchase, you must add a valid payment method to your Whatnot account. This step is essential because if you win an auction, payment is usually charged automatically.

The good news is that Whatnot supports several payment methods, including bank cards, digital wallets, and some buy now, pay later options. However, the available methods may vary depending on your country, device, and local services.

In this guide, I explain which payment methods are accepted on Whatnot, how to add or change them, and what to do if your payment is declined.

 

Which Payment Methods Does Whatnot Accept?

Whatnot accepts several payment methods so buyers can quickly pay for purchases, whether during a livestream or through Buy It Now.

Currently, the main supported payment methods include:

• Credit and debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and other supported cards depending on the country;
• PayPal;
• Apple Pay on iPhone and iPad;
• Google Pay on Android devices;
• Venmo, mainly available in the United States;
• Wero, in some European countries;
• Affirm or Klarna for installment payments when this option is available.

This list may change over time. Depending on your country or device, some payment methods may not be available.

Can You Pay With Whatnot Referral Credit?

Yes. If you have received Whatnot credit through the referral program or a promotional offer, it is automatically applied to your purchase before your saved payment method is charged.

However, this credit generally covers only the price of the items. Shipping costs, possible taxes, and other fees still need to be paid using your saved payment method.

Therefore, even if you have enough credit to get an item for free, you still need to add a bank card, PayPal account, or another valid payment method to cover shipping when necessary.

For example, if you receive €25 of Whatnot credit and buy an item for €22 with €4.50 shipping, your credit will cover the €22 item price. The €4.50 shipping fee will be charged to your saved payment method.

Why Should You Add a Payment Method Before a Livestream?

I strongly recommend adding your payment method before joining a live sale.

Unlike many e-commerce platforms, Whatnot auctions take place in real time. If you win an item, payment is automatically processed shortly after the auction ends.

If you do not have a valid payment method saved, or if your card is declined, your order may be cancelled and your account could be affected. It is therefore better to check your payment details before you start buying.

How Do You Add a Payment Method on Whatnot?

Adding a payment method only takes a few seconds from the mobile app.

1. Open Whatnot.
2. Tap Account.
3. Select Payments & Shipping.
4. Tap Add Payment Method.
5. Choose your payment method.
6. Add a new card or connect your PayPal account or digital wallet.

Good to know: when you add a new payment method, it automatically becomes your default payment method for future purchases.

Can You Change Your Payment Method During a Livestream?

Yes. If you want to use another bank card or payment service, you do not need to leave the livestream. From the live sale:

1. open the Wallet icon;
2. tap Payment;
3. select another payment method or add a new one.

This is particularly useful if your card is about to expire or if you prefer to pay through PayPal.

How Do You Change the Payment Method for a Buy It Now Purchase?

When making a Buy It Now purchase, you can also change your payment method before confirming your order. Simply:

1. tap Buy Now;
2. open the Payment section;
3. tap the pencil icon;
4. choose another saved payment method.

You can also add a new bank card directly at this stage.

How Do You Remove a Payment Method?

If you have several payment methods saved on your account, you can remove the ones you no longer use. To do this:

1. open Account;
2. go to Payments & Shipping;
3. open the payment method management section;
4. select the payment method you want to remove.

For PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Venmo, Whatnot may redirect you to the relevant service to manage or remove the linked account.

Keep in mind that you must have at least one active payment method if you want to continue buying on the platform.

Why Was My Payment Declined on Whatnot?

A declined payment is not necessarily caused by Whatnot. In most cases, the issue comes from your bank or from the payment details saved on your account.

The most common reasons include:

• an expired bank card;
• a payment limit being reached;
• incorrect banking details;
• a transaction being blocked by your bank;
• a payment method that is no longer valid;
• a digital wallet that requires new authentication.

If the problem continues, update your payment method or try another card. You can also contact your bank to check whether a security block is preventing the transaction.

FAQ

Can You Pay With PayPal on Whatnot?

Yes. Whatnot accepts PayPal in countries where this option is available. You simply need to link your account in the payment settings.

Does Whatnot Accept Apple Pay and Google Pay?

Yes. Apple Pay is available on iOS devices and Google Pay on Android devices when these services are supported in your country.

Can You Pay in Installments on Whatnot?

Yes. Some users may be able to pay in installments through Klarna or Affirm. Availability depends on your country and account eligibility.

Which Payment Method Is Used by Default?

The most recently added payment method automatically becomes the default option for future purchases. You can change it at any time in your account settings.

Are the Same Payment Methods Available in Every Country?

No. Available payment methods vary depending on your location, device, and the services available in your region. This means options such as Venmo, Wero, or installment payments may not appear on your account.