What a virtual credit card is and how to get one
A virtual credit card is a card number generated by your bank or credit card issuer that exists only in digital form — no plastic arrives in the mail. You receive a unique 16-digit number, expiration date, and CVV code that you can use to make purchases online or through a mobile app. The number is tied to your actual credit account but is separate from your physical card number, so if the virtual number is compromised, your main account stays protected.
Getting one is straightforward: you log into your bank's or credit card issuer's app or website, find the virtual card feature (often called "digital wallet," "temporary card," or "virtual card"), and generate a new number. Most issuers let you create multiple numbers, set spending limits on each one, and delete them when you're done using them. The process takes minutes and costs nothing.
Virtual cards work with any online merchant that accepts credit cards. Some issuers also let you use them in physical stores through your phone's digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay). The card is linked to your existing credit line, so purchases count toward your credit limit and your payment history just as a physical card would.
Key Takeaways
- Virtual card numbers are generated when ready through your bank or credit card issuer's app or website, with no process or waiting period.
- Each virtual number can have its own spending limit, expiration date, and merchant restrictions, giving you control over how much risk each number carries.
- Virtual cards use your existing credit line and payment terms — they are not a separate account, just a different way to access the same credit.
- You can create, use, and delete virtual numbers as often as you want, making them useful for one-time purchases, recurring subscriptions, or high-risk merchants.
Which banks and card issuers offer virtual cards
Major credit card issuers and banks have added virtual card features in recent years, though not all offer them yet. Citi, Capital One, Bank of America, Chase, American Express, and Discover all have virtual card options for their cardholders. Credit unions and smaller regional banks vary — some offer them, others do not.
The feature is usually free and included with your existing card. You do not need to open a new account or pay an annual fee. If your current issuer does not offer virtual cards, you can check their website or call customer service to confirm, or you can open an account with an issuer that does if virtual cards are important to your spending habits.
Some digital wallet apps and fintech companies (like Privacy, Revolut, or Wise) also generate virtual card numbers, though these often work differently — they may require a separate account, have their own fees, or link to a prepaid balance rather than a credit line. If you want virtual cards tied to your existing credit card, stick with your bank or card issuer's own feature.
How to find and turn on the virtual card feature
Log into your bank or credit card issuer's mobile app or website. Look for a section called "Cards," "Digital Wallet," "Virtual Cards," "Card Controls," or "Security." The exact name varies by issuer. Once you find it, you should see an option to generate a new virtual card number.
Click or tap to create a new number. The issuer will ask you to name it (for example, "Online Shopping" or "Subscription Services") so you can track which number you used where. Some issuers let you set a spending limit, an expiration date, and merchant restrictions (for example, "only for grocery stores" or "only for this one website"). These controls are optional but useful if you want to limit the damage if a number is stolen.
Once you confirm, you receive a 16-digit number, expiration date, and CVV code when ready. Write these down or copy them into a password manager. You can now use this number anywhere you would use a physical credit card number online. If you want to use it in a physical store, add it to your phone's digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) and pay with your phone.
When virtual cards are most useful
Virtual cards work best for one-time purchases from merchants you do not fully trust or have never used before. If you are buying from a new website, a marketplace seller, or an international retailer, a virtual card number protects your main card number from being stored or stolen. If the merchant is hacked or sells your data, only that virtual number is exposed.
They are also practical for recurring subscriptions — streaming services, software trials, gym memberships, or apps that charge monthly. Create a virtual number just for that subscription, set it to expire at a specific date, and the charge will fail automatically when you no longer want the service. No need to contact the company to cancel.
Virtual cards can also help you track spending by category. Create one number for groceries, another for entertainment, another for work expenses. When you review your statement, you can see at a glance which virtual number was used for what, making budgeting and expense tracking easier. Some people use them to set strict spending limits on categories where they tend to overspend.
What happens if a virtual card number is compromised
If a virtual card number is stolen or used fraudulently, contact your bank or card issuer when ready, just as you would with a physical card. The issuer will investigate the charge, reverse it if it is fraudulent, and issue you a new virtual number. Your main credit card account and physical card number remain safe because they are separate.
This is the main security advantage of virtual cards. A thief who steals your virtual number cannot use it to access your main account, cannot charge your physical card, and cannot see your real card number. You can also delete a virtual number when ready if you suspect it has been compromised, without waiting for a replacement card to arrive in the mail.
Virtual cards do not protect you from fraud on your main account itself — if someone gains access to your online banking login or your physical card, they can still cause damage. But for the specific risk of a card number being stolen during an online transaction, virtual cards add a real layer of protection.
Virtual cards versus other security tools
Virtual cards are one way to protect your card number online. Other tools include one-time-use card numbers (some issuers offer these as an alternative), digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay (which hide your real card number from merchants), and fraud monitoring (which alerts you to suspicious charges). These are not mutually exclusive — you can use virtual cards and a digital wallet together.
Virtual cards give you the most control because you can set limits, expiration dates, and merchant restrictions on each number. Digital wallets are faster at checkout but do not let you customize limits the same way. One-time-use numbers are similar to virtual cards but usually expire after one transaction instead of letting you reuse them.
If your issuer offers virtual cards, they are worth using for high-risk purchases or subscriptions. They cost nothing and take seconds to set up. If your issuer does not offer them, a digital wallet provides similar protection for online and in-store purchases.
Limits and things to know before you start
Virtual card numbers are tied to your credit line, so they count toward your credit limit just like a physical card. If you create ten virtual numbers and charge $500 on each, you have used $5,000 of your available credit, even though you only have one physical card. Keep this in mind if you are close to your limit.
Virtual cards also appear on your credit statement. You will see charges from each virtual number listed separately or grouped together depending on your issuer's system. This is normal and does not affect your credit score — the issuer knows they are all part of the same account.
Some merchants do not accept virtual card numbers, though this is rare. Subscription services, airlines, and hotels occasionally reject them because they cannot verify the card in person or because their systems are older. If a virtual number is declined, use your physical card number instead. You can also contact the merchant's customer service to ask if they accept virtual cards.
Virtual cards do not work for cash withdrawals at ATMs. You cannot use a virtual number to get cash — only to make purchases. If you need cash, use your physical card or debit card at an ATM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay a fee to create a virtual card?
No. Virtual cards are a free feature included with most credit card accounts. Your bank or issuer does not charge you to generate a number, and there is no monthly fee for using them. You only pay interest if you carry a balance, just as you would with your physical card.
Can I use a virtual card to pay bills or transfer money?
Virtual cards work for online purchases and in-store payments through digital wallets, but not for bill pay or bank transfers. If you need to pay a utility bill or send money to another person, use your bank's bill pay feature or a transfer service — not a virtual card number.
What if I forget which virtual number I used for a subscription?
Your credit card statement will show each charge separately or grouped by virtual card name, depending on your issuer. You can also log into your card issuer's app and see all your active virtual numbers and their transaction history. If you named each one clearly (for example, "Netflix Virtual Card"), you can match the charge to the number.
Can I use a virtual card if I have bad credit or no credit history?
Virtual cards are a feature of your existing credit card account, so you need to be approved for a credit card first. The credit card approval process depends on your credit score, income, and credit history — not on whether you want to use virtual cards. Once you have a credit card, virtual cards are available to you at no extra cost.
Do virtual cards help build credit?
Yes, in the same way a physical card does. Charges on a virtual card are reported to the credit bureaus as part of your credit card account. Using a virtual card responsibly — keeping your balance low, paying on time — helps build credit history just like using a physical card would.