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 get a unique 16-digit number, expiration date, and CVV code, but no physical card arrives in the mail. You use it to pay online, in apps, or through digital wallets. Most major card issuers now offer them at no extra cost to existing cardholders, and some let you create one before you even receive your physical card.

The process differs slightly by issuer, but the basic path is the same: log into your card account online or through the mobile app, find the virtual card option (often labeled "Digital Card," "Virtual Card," or "Temporary Card"), and generate a number. Most issuers create it when ready. You can then use it right away for online shopping, subscriptions, or any merchant that accepts card payments.

Virtual cards serve two main purposes: they let you shop online when ready while waiting for a physical card to arrive, and they add a layer of security by letting you create a unique number for each merchant or subscription, so a data breach at one store does not expose your main card number.

Key Takeaways

  • Virtual cards are generated when ready through your card issuer's app or website and work for online purchases the same day you create them.
  • You do not need a physical card to use a virtual card—the number alone is enough for online shopping and app payments.
  • Most issuers let you set spending limits, expiration dates, and merchant restrictions on each virtual card number you create.
  • Virtual cards are free and included with most credit card accounts; no separate request or additional fee is required.

Where to Find the Virtual Card Option in Your Account

Log into your card issuer's website or open their mobile app. Look for a menu item labeled "Cards," "Digital Wallet," "Virtual Card," or "Card Management." The exact name varies by bank—Chase calls it "Virtual Account Numbers," American Express calls it "Digital Card," and Citi calls it "Virtual Card Number." If you cannot find it in the main menu, check under "Settings" or "Account Services."

Once you locate the section, you will see an option to generate or create a new virtual card number. Click it, and the system will create a unique 16-digit number, expiration date, and three-digit security code. Some issuers show this information on screen when ready; others email it to you. Write down or screenshot the details before you close the page, because you will need them to complete your purchase.

If your issuer does not offer virtual cards through their app, call the customer service number on the back of your physical card and ask whether they support them. Not all issuers offer this feature yet, though the major ones do.

Setting Limits and Restrictions on Your Virtual Card

Most issuers let you customize each virtual card number before you use it. You can set a spending cap—for example, $100 for a subscription service or $500 for an online retailer—so that if the merchant tries to charge more, the transaction declines. You can also set an expiration date that is shorter than your physical card's expiration, so the number becomes useless after a specific date.

Some issuers let you restrict the virtual card to a single merchant, so the number works only at that store and nowhere else. This is especially useful for recurring charges like streaming services or gym memberships, because even if the merchant's database is breached, the stolen number cannot be used anywhere else.

Check your issuer's app to see which restrictions are available. Not all issuers offer all options, but the major card networks have added these controls in recent years. Set the limits that match your planned purchase before you complete checkout.

Using Your Virtual Card for Online Shopping and Subscriptions

At checkout, enter the virtual card number, expiration date, and CVV code exactly as you would a physical card. The merchant's system sees it as a standard credit card transaction and processes it the same way. The payment posts to your account under your main card, so you see one bill and one statement, not separate charges for each virtual number.

For subscriptions—streaming services, software, meal kits, or other recurring charges—create a dedicated virtual card number with a spending limit and expiration date set for a few months after your subscription starts. When the card expires or hits its limit, the subscription will decline on the next billing cycle, giving you a natural reminder to renew or cancel.

You can create as many virtual card numbers as you want. Some cardholders create one for each merchant, one for each subscription, and one for one-time purchases. There is no limit on how many you can generate, and each one is tied to your main account and credit limit.

Virtual Cards vs. Physical Cards: When to Use Each

Use a virtual card for any online purchase or app-based payment. It works when ready, requires no waiting for mail delivery, and gives you control over spending limits and expiration dates. If you are waiting for a physical card to arrive after opening a new account, a virtual card lets you start shopping when ready.

Use a physical card for in-person purchases at stores, gas stations, and restaurants. You cannot use a virtual card at a checkout counter or ATM because it has no physical form. Some issuers let you add a virtual card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, which lets you tap your phone at a store—but that is a digital wallet feature, not the virtual card number itself.

Many cardholders use both: a virtual card for online and subscriptions, and a physical card for everyday in-person spending. There is no reason to choose one or the other—they work together on the same account and the same credit limit.

Security Benefits and Fraud Protection

Virtual cards reduce your fraud risk in two ways. First, if a merchant's database is breached and your card number is stolen, the thief gets a number that either has already expired or is restricted to that one merchant, so it cannot be used elsewhere. Second, because you can create a unique number for each purchase or subscription, a breach at one store does not expose the number you use at other stores.

Your fraud protection does not change—your card issuer's zero-liability policy covers unauthorized charges on a virtual card the same way it covers a physical card. If you spot a fraudulent charge, report it to your issuer and they will investigate and reverse it. Virtual cards straightforward reduce the chance that your number gets stolen in the first place.

Virtual cards are not a replacement for strong passwords and two-factor authentication on your merchant accounts. Use them together: a unique virtual card number for each merchant, plus a strong password and two-factor authentication on that merchant's website.

Troubleshooting Virtual Card Problems

If a virtual card number is declined at checkout, check that you entered the number, expiration date, and CVV correctly. Verify that the spending limit you set has not been reached and that the card has not expired. If the merchant requires a billing address, make sure you enter the address on file with your card issuer, not a shipping address.

If your issuer's app is not showing the virtual card option, try logging out and back in, or close the app and reopen it. If the option still does not appear, your issuer may not support virtual cards, or the feature may be limited to certain card types. Call customer service to confirm.

If you lose track of which virtual card number you used for which merchant, log into your card account and check the transaction history. Each charge will show the last four digits of the virtual card number used, and you can match it back to your records. If you created the number through your issuer's app, the app usually keeps a list of active virtual cards and which merchants they are linked to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a physical card to get a virtual card?

No. Most issuers let you create a virtual card as soon as your account is open, even before a physical card is mailed to you. This is one of the main reasons people request virtual cards—to start shopping online when ready after opening an account.

Can I use a virtual card at an ATM or in a store?

No, virtual cards work only for online purchases, app payments, and digital wallets. For in-person shopping and ATM withdrawals, you need a physical card. Some issuers let you add a virtual card to Apple Pay or Google Pay, which you can then use to tap at a store, but that is a digital wallet feature, not the virtual card number itself.

What happens if I lose my virtual card number?

You cannot lose a virtual card the way you lose a physical card, because it exists only in your account. If you forget the number, log into your issuer's app and view it again. If you are worried about security, you can delete the virtual card number and create a new one at any time.

Can I use the same virtual card number for multiple merchants?

Yes, but most security experts recommend creating a separate virtual card number for each merchant or subscription. This way, if one merchant is breached, the stolen number cannot be used at other stores. However, you can reuse a virtual card number if you want—it works like a physical card and will be accepted anywhere that accepts credit cards online.

Is there a fee for virtual cards?

No. Virtual cards are free and included with most credit card accounts. Your issuer does not charge extra to create or use them. You pay interest only on balances you carry, just as you would with a physical card.