What a Virtual Credit Card Is and How to Request One
A virtual credit card is a card number that exists only in digital form — you cannot hold it in your wallet or swipe it in a store. Instead, you use the number online or through a mobile app to make purchases. Most virtual cards are linked to an existing credit card account or bank account, and your card issuer generates a unique number for each transaction or for a set period of time.
To get a virtual card, you log into your credit card issuer's website or mobile app, navigate to the virtual card or digital wallet section, and request a new card number. The process takes minutes. Some issuers generate the number when ready; others send it to you by email within a few hours. You do not need to explore separately or wait for a physical card to arrive in the mail.
Not every credit card issuer offers virtual cards, so your first step is to check whether your bank or card company has this feature. If it does, the option usually appears in your account dashboard under a heading like "Digital Cards," "Virtual Cards," or "Card Management."
Key Takeaways
- Virtual card numbers are generated through your existing credit card issuer's app or website, usually within minutes.
- Each virtual card number can be set to expire after one transaction, after a set date, or after a spending limit is reached.
- Virtual cards work for online purchases and some mobile payment apps, but not for in-store transactions or ATM withdrawals.
- Not all credit card issuers offer virtual cards, so you will need to check your issuer's website or call customer service to confirm availability.
Which Credit Card Issuers Offer Virtual Cards
Major issuers including Citi, Bank of America, Capital One, and Discover have rolled out virtual card programs in recent years. Smaller regional banks and credit unions may or may not offer them. The feature is more common among larger issuers, but availability varies by card type — you might have access through one card but not another from the same bank.
If you do not see a virtual card option in your account, contact your card issuer's customer service line. Ask specifically whether the feature is available for your card type and account. Some issuers restrict virtual cards to certain cardholders or certain card products, so the answer depends on your specific situation.
If your current issuer does not offer virtual cards and you want this feature, you can open a new account with an issuer that does. This means a hard inquiry on your credit report and a new account on your credit history, so weigh whether the feature is worth that impact before you switch.
How to Generate a Virtual Card Number
Log into your credit card issuer's website or open their mobile app. Look for a section labeled "Digital Cards," "Virtual Cards," "Card Management," or "Digital Wallet." Click or tap the option to create a new virtual card.
You will usually see a form asking you to set parameters for the card. These might include:
- An expiration date (some cards expire after one transaction, others after 30 or 90 days)
- A spending limit (the maximum amount the card can be charged)
- A merchant category or specific merchant name (some issuers let you restrict the card to one store or category)
- A card nickname (so you can track which virtual card is for which purpose)
Fill in the fields, then submit. The issuer will generate a card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code). Write these down or save them in a password manager when ready — you may not be able to view them again once you close the screen.
Where You Can Use a Virtual Card
Virtual cards work for online purchases at any merchant that accepts your underlying credit card brand (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover). You enter the virtual card number, expiration date, and CVV just as you would a physical card number.
Some mobile payment apps, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, also accept virtual card numbers. You can add the virtual card to your phone's digital wallet and use it for contactless payments at merchants that accept mobile payments.
Virtual cards do not work for in-store purchases where you need to physically present a card, and they cannot be used at ATMs to withdraw cash. If you need to make a purchase in person, you will need your physical card or a mobile payment option linked to your physical card.
Setting Spending Limits and Expiration Dates
One of the main reasons people use virtual cards is to control spending and reduce fraud risk. When you generate a virtual card, you can set a maximum amount the card will accept. If a merchant tries to charge more than your limit, the transaction will be declined.
You can also set an expiration date. Some issuers let you choose a date weeks or months away; others let you set the card to expire after a single transaction. A card that expires after one use is useful for a one-time purchase from a merchant you do not trust or do not plan to use again. A card that expires in 30 days works well for a recurring subscription you want to cancel later without having to update your payment method.
Once the card expires or the spending limit is reached, the card number becomes inactive. You cannot reactivate it — you have to generate a new virtual card number if you need to make another purchase.
Virtual Cards and Fraud Protection
Virtual cards reduce your fraud risk because the number is not your actual credit card number. If a merchant is hacked or a website stores your payment information insecurely, the thief gets a virtual card number that either has already expired or has a spending limit too low to be useful.
Your fraud protection depends on your credit card issuer's policy, not on the fact that the card is virtual. Most major issuers offer zero liability for unauthorized charges, meaning you are not responsible for fraudulent transactions whether they are made with your physical card or a virtual card number. Check your card's terms to confirm your issuer's fraud policy.
If a virtual card number is used fraudulently, report it to your issuer the same way you would report fraud on your physical card — by calling the number on the back of your physical card or through your online account. The issuer will investigate and reverse the charge if it was not authorized by you.
Troubleshooting Virtual Card Problems
If a virtual card number is declined, the most common reasons are: the card has expired, the spending limit has been reached, the merchant does not accept the card brand, or you entered the number incorrectly. Check the card's expiration date and spending limit first. If both are valid, try entering the number again, paying close attention to each digit.
If a merchant says they cannot process the virtual card number, it may be because they do not accept that card brand, or because their system does not recognize virtual cards. Some older payment systems reject virtual numbers. In that case, you will need to use your physical card or a different payment method.
If you cannot find the virtual card option in your account, your issuer may not offer the feature for your card type, or the feature may not be available in your state or region. Call customer service to confirm. If the feature is available but you cannot locate it, a representative can walk you through the steps or generate a card for you over the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a virtual card for recurring charges like subscriptions?
Yes, but only if you set the expiration date far enough in the future. If you set a card to expire in 30 days and your subscription renews on day 45, the charge will be declined. You can generate a new virtual card number before the old one expires and update your subscription, or use a virtual card with a longer expiration date.
Do virtual cards affect my credit score?
No. A virtual card is just a different number linked to your existing credit card account. Your credit utilization, payment history, and credit score are based on your underlying account, not on how many virtual card numbers you generate.
What happens if I lose my phone or device?
Virtual card numbers are stored in your credit card issuer's system, not on your phone. If you lose your device, you can log into your account from another device and view or deactivate your virtual cards. The numbers themselves remain find because they are not stored on the lost device.
Can I request a virtual card if I have a secured credit card?
It depends on your issuer. Some issuers offer virtual cards on secured cards; others do not. Contact your issuer to ask whether the feature is available for your account.
Is there a fee to generate a virtual card?
Most issuers do not charge a fee to generate virtual card numbers. The feature is included as part of your credit card account at no extra cost. Check your card's terms or contact customer service to confirm there are no fees for your specific card.