What Stores Accept Venmo & How You Can Pay
Unlock Venmo's full payment potential. Learn where you can use it directly and how its associated cards let you spend almost anywhere.
Venmo, a mobile payment service, gained popularity for splitting costs and sending money between friends and family. It has since expanded, allowing users to make purchases directly with businesses in physical stores and online. Venmo is now a versatile payment option for daily spending.
Using Venmo for In-Person Payments
Paying with Venmo at a retail location involves scanning a Quick Response (QR) code. Merchants display a Venmo QR code at their checkout counters, which customers scan using the Venmo app. The process requires opening the Venmo app, selecting “Scan,” and pointing the phone’s camera at the code. After scanning, the user confirms the purchase amount and selects their funding source to complete the transaction.
Alternatively, some businesses scan a QR code presented by the customer from their Venmo app, known as the “Show to Pay” feature. This method offers a streamlined, contactless payment experience, eliminating physical cards or cash. Businesses like CVS, Foot Locker, and Walgreens have integrated this Venmo payment option. This allows for quick, secure transactions and easy tracking.
Using Venmo for Online Purchases
Venmo functions as a payment method for online shopping on websites and mobile applications. When checking out online, users find Venmo listed as a payment option. Selecting Venmo redirects the user to their app or a secure web page to authorize the payment. This authentication step ensures transaction security before returning the user to the merchant’s site.
Online retailers and app-based services accept Venmo as a payment method. Examples include Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber, and Hulu, as well as various clothing and general merchandise stores. For seamless experience, users may need to enable “web mobile purchases” or “connect browsers” within their Venmo app settings. Users can leverage their Venmo balance or linked funding sources for digital goods and services.
Expanding Venmo’s Reach with Cards
Beyond direct app-to-business payments, Venmo expands its usability through associated debit and credit cards. The Venmo Debit Card, operating on the Mastercard network, links to the user’s Venmo balance. This allows the balance to be spent anywhere Mastercard is accepted in the U.S., including in-person and online purchases. The debit card allows Venmo funds to be spent like a traditional bank debit card.
The Venmo Credit Card operates on the Visa network, offering even broader acceptance. This card can be used anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted globally, providing a versatile spending tool that integrates seamlessly with the Venmo app. Users can manage their credit card activity, pay their bill using their Venmo balance, and earn cashback rewards directly within the application. These cards allow individuals to leverage their Venmo account for purchases at virtually any establishment, even those that do not directly accept Venmo through its app.