Home » Buy Now, Pay Later Amazon: How I Actually Use It

Buy Now, Pay Later Amazon: How I Actually Use It

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Bryce Welker

Edited by  Bryce Welker  

Published on November 21, 2025.

5 min. read

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As a millennial mom who lives on Prime Day deals, late-night browsing, and “just adding to cart to think about it,” I love Amazon—but I don’t always want to put big orders on my credit card and rack up interest.

And clearly, I’m not alone. Prime Day has brought in over $12 billion (yes—billion with a B) in recent years, which means a lot of us are out here convincing ourselves that buying an air fryer, a yoga mat, and six-pack of storage bins at 2 a.m. is “basically saving money.”

That’s where BNPL comes in.

It’s one of my favorite ways to shop on Amazon without draining my bank account all at once. Amazon doesn’t always make it obvious, but you can split purchases into smaller payments through built-in options or services like Sezzle, or by creating a virtual card yourself. I’ve done both, especially during Black Friday or when I want a cart full of essentials today without the credit card guilt tomorrow.

Key Takeaways

  • BNPL Works on Amazon: You can use buy now, pay later on Amazon through built-in options or by using third-party apps like Sezzle.
  • Sezzle Doesn’t Always Appear at Checkout: Even if you don’t see Sezzle as a payment option on Amazon, you can still use it by shopping through the Sezzle app or creating a virtual card.
  • Prime Day + BNPL = My Secret Weapon: I use BNPL for bigger shopping moments like Prime Day, birthdays, and holiday prep so I don’t drain my bank account all at once.
  • Virtual Cards Make It Possible: If BNPL doesn’t show up at checkout, you can still pay with a Sezzle virtual card—just enter the amount, copy the card info, and paste it into Amazon.
  • Interest-Free When Paid on Time: Most BNPL payments are split into four installments, interest-free—as long as you make your payments on time.
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Save $5 on Your First Amazon Purchase via Sezzle App

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Can You Use Buy Now, Pay Later on Amazon?

Yes, Amazon supports pay-later loans through a few different payment options:

  • Affirm (shows up on eligible purchases, usually over $50)
  • Amazon Pay Later (available to select customers based on credit history)
  • Sezzle, Klarna, Afterpay—not shown directly at checkout, but still usable with a virtual card or through their apps

Amazon doesn’t promote buy now, pay later options heavily, but nearly any purchase can be split into payments with the right BNPL method, even on exclusive deals. Of course, this is subject to eligibility through BNPL credit approval, and often requires a down payment using your debit card or bank account.

Amazon pay with sezzle

How I Personally Use BNPL on Amazon

Here’s the honest truth—BNPL is one of my favorite ways to shop on Amazon, especially during:

✔ Prime Day deals
✔ Black Friday + Cyber Monday
✔ When birthdays and holidays all hit at once
✔ When I have a long list of household or kid essentials but don’t want credit card interest

Most of the time, only Affirm pops up at checkout for me. But I love using Sezzle for convenience, so here’s an example of what I do:

Using the Sezzle App to Buy on Amazon (Automatic Method)

Amazon is a featured retailer inside the Sezzle app. I’ll dig into a lengthier example afterwards, but if you want to know what the “easy way” looks like, I just:

  1. Open Sezzle → Search “Amazon”
  2. Shop normally through the Amazon site inside Sezzle
  3. Check out using Sezzle Pay in 4 for payoff

Using a Sezzle Virtual Card (Manual Method)

Sometimes Amazon doesn’t show Sezzle or any pay-in-4 option at checkout, but that doesn’t stop me. I still use Sezzle by creating a virtual card inside the app and checking out on Amazon, just like I’m using a regular debit or credit card.

I started doing this after one very real moment: my Amazon account was still logged in on my phone, but I couldn’t remember my password to sign in through Sezzle. I didn’t want to abandon my cart or put it all on my credit card and rack up interest. So instead, I pulled up Sezzle, made a virtual card, and used that to finish my order. It took an extra minute, but it let me split everything into four payments with no interest—so totally worth it.

  1. Add items to your Amazon cart.
  2. Open the Sezzle app → tap Virtual Card
  3. Enter your purchase total → create card
  4. Copy the card number, expiration date, and three-digit code
  5. Paste into Amazon under Payment Method
  6. Place your order and make your first payment
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Save $10 on Your First Amazon Purchase via Sezzle App

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Pros and Things to Know

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What You Can Buy on Amazon with Buy Now, Pay Later

One of the reasons I love using Sezzle or other BNPL options on Amazon is that it works for almost anything—from everyday essentials to big-ticket items I normally wouldn’t want to swipe a credit card for. And yes, it’s perfect for those “my cart total is way higher than I expected” moments.

Here are some of the best categories you can use BNPL for.

Electronics & Tech Upgrades

Laptops, iPads, noise-canceling headphones, gaming consoles, and even calculators for test prep. These are perfect for BNPL because they’re pricier, and paying in four feels way easier than a $600 charge all at once.

  • Tablets and laptops (link: electronics BNPL guide)
  • Gaming consoles and accessories
  • Headphones, mics, webcams for remote work or school

Furniture & Home Upgrades

Amazon has everything from mattresses to bookshelves—and Sezzle makes those bigger purchases feel more manageable, especially when you’re redecorating a room or moving.

  • Mattresses, bed frames, and sofas
  • Desks, bookshelves, and home office furniture
  • Kitchen appliances like air fryers, espresso machines, and stand mixers
Amazon BNPL

Christmas Gifts & Holiday Shopping

This is one of my favorite times to use Sezzle. Instead of maxing out one credit card in December, I spread it out over a month or two and actually enjoy gift shopping.

  • Toys for kids (link: toys + BNPL article)
  • Beauty gift sets, perfume, self-care bundles
  • Personalized or custom gifts, stocking stuffers
  • Decor and holiday hosting essentials

Toys, Games, and Kids’ Stuff

Amazon is basically the ultimate toy aisle—and yes, you can use Sezzle or Affirm for birthday gifts, holiday toys, or random “because they had a good day at school” surprises.

  • LEGO sets, Barbie, Squishmallows, Play-Doh kits
  • STEM toys, art kits, craft supplies
  • Board games and Nintendo Switch games

Everyday Essentials & Last-Minute Needs

Even if it’s not a “big expense,” sometimes it’s just more convenient to break it up, and BNPL can help with those daily must-haves.

  • Diapers, wipes, formula, or baby items
  • Bulk snacks, household restocks
  • New school supplies, uniforms, and backpacks
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Save $15 on Your First Amazon Purchase via Sezzle App

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Final Thoughts

Using buy now, pay later on Amazon isn’t just a budgeting hack—it’s one of the most practical ways I shop, especially when life, sales, and expenses all show up at once. Whether it’s Prime Day, Christmas shopping, or just restocking the house, splitting a purchase into four smaller payments helps me stay in control without swiping a high-interest credit card.

And even though Amazon only shows a few BNPL options at checkout, Sezzle gives you a workaround with its virtual card or in-app Amazon shopping—so you’re not limited by what Amazon displays. I’ve used it when I forgot my Amazon login, when my total was higher than expected, and when I just didn’t want to pay everything up front. It works, it’s flexible, and when handled responsibly, it makes big orders feel a lot less overwhelming.

So if you’ve ever abandoned your Amazon cart because the total scared you, or you just like stretching your budget a little further, BNPL with Sezzle is a solid option you’ll want to keep in your back pocket.

FAQs

Can you use buy now, pay later on Amazon?

Yes, you can use buy now, pay later on Amazon through Affirm, Amazon Pay Later, or third-party apps like Sezzle by using a virtual card.

Does Sezzle work on Amazon even if it’s not at checkout?

Yes—Sezzle works on Amazon by shopping through the app or using a virtual card, even if it doesn’t show at checkout.

Do BNPL payments on Amazon affect your credit score?

Most Amazon BNPL options only use a soft credit check, so buy now, pay later on Amazon does not affect your credit score unless you miss payments.

Is there interest when using BNPL on Amazon?

No, most BNPL plans like Pay in 4 are interest-free when paid on time, but longer-term monthly plans may include a small finance charge.

Can I still use BNPL if I already checked out of Amazon?

No, you must select a payment option before placing your order, but you can cancel the order and try again with BNPL if it hasn’t shipped.

Mary Elizabeth Dean is a former teacher and MBA with a background as a serial entrepreneur. She writes about careers, education, and personal finance, helping readers make smart, informed decisions about work and money.

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