In some cases, you may need to download a specific app for the virtual credit card. Depending on your card issuer, you’ll be able to generate a temporary card through either their online portal or app. In some cases, like with many Citi credit cards, you can request a virtual card by logging into your account online, either via the web or your card issuer’s app, and looking for the Virtual Credit Card or Virtual Card Numbers settings option. You’ll need to have a physical card from the credit company before you can request a virtual card. Most major card issuers - barring Chase and Discover - now offer some form of a virtual card. Virtual cards haven’t fully rolled out across all major card brands, which means your favorite credit card might not offer this feature. Most hotels request a physical card when you arrive, so using a virtual card may require extra verification, such as calling your bank. If you use a virtual card to book a hotel room, it may be hard to reconcile your payment method when you check in. If you’re shopping in store, you won’t be able to use your virtual card unless the point-of-sale system accepts digital wallet checkout options. Pros and cons of virtual credit cardsĬan’t always use them at a store. These temporary cards typically last for a short period of time - usually just 24 hours, though some providers may maintain a temporary card for up to one year. It’s the card number that a merchant sees when you complete a transaction with them. What is a temporary card?Ī temporary card is what’s generated each time you create a new virtual card or change the virtual card number that you are using to make a purchase. That said, virtual cards can only be used for online purchases, some over-the-phone transactions, and (if you add your virtual card to Apple Pay or Google Pay) at qualifying physical stores that accept those Apple or Google payment platforms. You can create new card numbers for different stores, change your card number on the fly, set spending limits and even lock or delete a card number without having it affect your actual account. Virtual cards provide much more flexibility. They’re generally - but not always - intended for one-time use, so even if a company you’ve done business with falls victim to a data breach and your card number is retrieved, your actual account won’t be compromised. Virtual cards can generate a unique card number for each transaction you make, protecting your real account number. What’s different about a virtual card, though, is that it doesn’t have the same security limitations as a physical card. You’ve likely been asked to read your card number over the phone or enter it when shopping online, so you already have an idea of how this works. ![]() ![]() The easiest way to think of a virtual credit card may be to simply imagine your credit card without its physical form, reduced to a 16-digit primary account number.
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