What a virtual credit card is and why you might use one
A virtual credit card is a temporary card number tied to your real credit account. Instead of using your actual card details online, you generate a new number that works only once or for a single merchant, then expires or stops working. The charge still hits your real account, but the merchant never sees your real card number.
The main reason to use one is security. If a website gets hacked or a merchant stores your number poorly, a thief has a number that either doesn't work anymore or works only at that one store. Your actual card number stays hidden. Some people also use virtual cards to control spending — you can set a spending limit on the temporary number, or generate a new number each month so you know exactly which subscription is charging you.
Virtual cards are not the same as digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, which store your real card number on your phone. They are also not the same as prepaid cards, which hold their own money. A virtual card is a mask for your real credit card.
Key Takeaways
- Most major credit card issuers now offer virtual card numbers at no extra cost if you already have their card.
- You generate a new number through your card issuer's app or website, usually in under a minute.
- Virtual numbers typically expire after one transaction, one month, or one year depending on the card issuer and how you set it up.
- Some card issuers let you set a spending limit on the virtual number, which can help you control how much a merchant can charge.
- Virtual cards work only for online purchases and some digital services — you cannot use them in a physical store.
Which card issuers offer virtual numbers for free
Most large banks and credit card companies now include virtual card numbers at no cost. Chase offers virtual card numbers through its Chase Freedom and other credit cards via the Chase app. American Express cardholders can generate virtual numbers through their online account or the Amex app. Discover cardholders can create virtual numbers through the Discover app. Capital One offers virtual numbers called Eno through its website and app.
Smaller issuers and regional banks vary. Some offer virtual numbers, others do not. If you already have a credit card, the fastest way to find out is to log into your card issuer's app or website and look for a section called "Virtual Card," "Card Controls," "Card Numbers," or "Eno" (Capital One's name for the feature). If you do not see it, call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask whether virtual numbers are available.
You do not need a separate account or a new card to use virtual numbers. If your card issuer offers them, the feature is already included with your existing card at no monthly fee.
How to generate and use a virtual card number
The process is nearly identical across all card issuers. Open your card issuer's app or log into their website. Find the virtual card or card controls section. Click the button to generate a new number. The app will show you a temporary card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back of a card). Copy or screenshot these details.
Use this number exactly as you would a real card number when checking out online. Enter the virtual number in the card number field, the expiration date, and the CVV. The transaction will process normally and the charge will appear on your real account statement under your real card's last four digits, not the virtual number.
After the transaction completes or the number expires, that virtual number stops working. If you try to use it again, it will be declined. You can generate a new number for your next purchase, or reuse the same number if your card issuer allows it and you trust the merchant.
Spending limits and controls you can set
Some card issuers let you set a spending cap on a virtual number before you generate it. For example, you might create a virtual number with a $50 limit for a free trial subscription, so even if the company tries to charge you more later, the transaction will be declined at $50. This is useful for services you plan to cancel but want to protect against accidental overcharges.
Not all issuers offer spending limits on virtual numbers. Chase and Capital One do; American Express and Discover have more limited controls. Check your card issuer's app to see what options are available. If spending limits are important to you and your current card does not offer them, it may be worth opening a card from an issuer that does.
When virtual cards do not work
Virtual card numbers work for most online purchases, digital subscriptions, and services like food delivery or ride-sharing apps. They do not work in physical stores, gas pumps, or ATMs — you need your real card for those. Some merchants also reject virtual numbers because their payment system is old or they require a billing address that exactly matches the card issuer's records, which virtual numbers sometimes do not.
Subscription services and recurring charges are where virtual cards cause the most friction. If you generate a virtual number for a monthly subscription and that number expires after one month, the merchant will not be able to charge you the next month and your service may be suspended. Some card issuers offer virtual numbers that stay active for a full year specifically to avoid this problem. Before you use a virtual number for a subscription, check whether your card issuer's virtual numbers renew or expire, and whether the merchant will accept a replacement number if the first one stops working.
Virtual cards versus other security tools
Virtual cards are one layer of protection, but they are not a complete security solution. They protect your real card number from being stolen during a transaction, but they do not protect you from phishing scams (where you are tricked into entering your information), fraud after you have already been charged, or identity theft that uses other personal information.
Other tools work alongside virtual cards. A strong, unique password for each online account prevents hackers from accessing your account even if they have your card number. Two-factor authentication (a code sent to your phone when you log in) adds another barrier. Checking your credit report once a year through AnnualCreditReport.com (the official free service) lets you spot accounts opened in your name that you did not create. Virtual cards are most useful when combined with these other habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay a fee to use virtual card numbers?
No. All major credit card issuers that offer virtual numbers include them at no extra cost. There is no monthly fee, no per-transaction fee, and no setup fee. If a website or app claims to charge you for virtual card numbers, it is not a legitimate card issuer service.
Can I use a virtual card number more than once?
It depends on your card issuer and how you set it up. Some virtual numbers expire after one use. Others stay active for a set period (usually one month or one year) and can be used multiple times at the same merchant. Check your card issuer's app to see the expiration rules for the number you generated.
What happens if a merchant charges me twice using the same virtual number?
The charge will go through both times just like it would with a real card. Virtual numbers do not prevent duplicate charges — they only hide your real card number. If you are charged twice by mistake, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer the same way you would with any other transaction, and they will investigate and refund you if the charge was unauthorized.
Can I get a virtual card number if I do not have a credit card yet?
No. Virtual card numbers are a feature of an existing credit card account. You have to open a credit card with an issuer that offers virtual numbers first. Once your account is open and active, you can generate virtual numbers at no additional cost.
Will using a virtual card number hurt my credit score?
No. Virtual card numbers are tied to your real credit account, so the transaction reports to your credit history the same way a regular card purchase does. Using virtual numbers does not change how the charge is reported or affect your credit score in any way.