How to add loyalty cards to your PayPal app

Loyalty cards can be great for scoring discounts, tracking purchases, and the like, but they're no friend to your already overstuffed wallet. That's why many smartphone owners have turned to apps like CardStar and Key Ring, which allow you to manage loyalty cards in digital form.

Now PayPal does, too. The newly updated app (version 5.5, if you're keeping score) lets you add loyalty cards to your account. If you're not already using one of the aforementioned card-management apps, or just feel like consolidating into a single app, here's how to use PayPal's new feature. (Note that it's currently available only in the iOS version, but it stands to reason the Android app will receive the same update soon.)

Step 1: Making sure you've updated to the latest version (via the App Store), fire up the app and sign in to your PayPal account.

Step 2: Tap the Wallet icon.

Step 3: Tap the plus sign in the top-right corner, then tap Loyalty Card.

Step 4: Scroll through the listings, or use the search tool to zero in on the one you want.

Step 5: Once you've chosen a store or business, you'll immediately have the option to scan the bar code on your existing loyalty card. If you've misplaced the card but still have the number, you can type that in manually.

And that's it! Now you can remove that card from your wallet. The next time you need it, just whip out your phone, run PayPal, and flash the onscreen bar code.