What a Visa virtual credit card is
A Visa virtual credit card is a temporary card number that works like a regular Visa card online, but exists only in your digital wallet or account — not as a physical piece of plastic. When you make a purchase, the merchant sees the virtual number, not your actual card number. Once you're done using it, you can delete it or let it expire.
The real card number stays private. This means if a website gets hacked or a merchant mishandles your information, the stolen number is useless because it's not connected to your actual account. You control when each virtual number stops working, so you're not locked into a long-term relationship with a merchant you don't trust.
Virtual cards are issued by your bank or credit card company as a feature of your existing account. You don't open a separate account or get a new credit line. The charges still post to your regular statement, and the credit limit is the same one you already have.
Key Takeaways
- Virtual card numbers are temporary and tied to your real card, so a data breach at a merchant doesn't expose your actual account number.
- You generate a new virtual number through your bank's app or website each time you want to shop somewhere new or untrusted.
- Virtual cards work for online purchases but not in physical stores, and some subscription services won't accept them.
- The main trade-off is convenience: you spend a few extra seconds creating each number, but you gain control over which merchants see which numbers.
How to get and use a virtual card number
The process depends on which bank or card issuer you use. Major issuers like Chase, Bank of America, Citi, and American Express all offer virtual card features, though they may call them by different names — Chase calls theirs "Chase Virtual Card," while American Express uses "Virtual Card Numbers."
To generate a virtual number, you log into your bank's mobile app or website, find the virtual card section, and click a button to create a new number. The app shows you the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). You then use these details to check out online, just as you would with a physical card. Some banks let you set a spending limit for each virtual number, so if you're buying from a new retailer, you can cap the charge at exactly what you plan to spend.
After the purchase, you can delete the number when ready or keep it active if you plan to return to that merchant. Many people create a new number for each new website they shop on, but reuse the same number for trusted retailers like Amazon or your utility company.
When virtual cards protect you most
Virtual cards are most useful when you're shopping on a website you've never used before, especially smaller retailers or international sites. If the site turns out to be fraudulent or gets breached, the thief has a number that's already expired or that you can when ready deactivate. Your real card number and bank account stay untouched.
They're also helpful for free trials that require a credit card. You can create a virtual number with a low spending limit, and if the company tries to charge you after the trial ends, the charge will be declined. This prevents accidental recurring charges that you'd otherwise have to dispute.
For recurring subscriptions you plan to keep — streaming services, gym memberships, insurance — virtual cards are less critical, since you'll want the number to stay active. But some people still use them for the added layer of tracking: you can see exactly which merchant is charging you each month, and if you cancel the subscription, you can delete that virtual number to prevent any future charges.
Limitations and where virtual cards don't work
Virtual cards only work for online purchases. You cannot use them at a physical store, gas pump, or ATM. If a merchant requires a physical card for verification — such as hotels that hold a deposit or rental car companies — you'll need to use your actual card.
Some subscription services and payment platforms don't accept virtual card numbers. This is rare but does happen. If a virtual number is declined, you'll need to use your physical card or contact the merchant to ask if they support virtual numbers.
Virtual cards also don't help if you give out your real card number by mistake, or if a scammer tricks you into paying them directly. They only protect against data breaches at the merchant's end. If you voluntarily hand over your information to a fraudster, a virtual card won't stop the charge.
Virtual cards versus other security tools
Virtual cards are one option among several ways to protect your card number online. Tokenization — used by Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay — replaces your card number with a unique token each time you pay. The difference is that tokenization happens automatically at checkout, while virtual cards require you to generate a number beforehand.
Another option is a one-time-use card number offered by some banks, which works similarly to a virtual card but may have different spending limits or expiration rules. Some banks also let you pause or freeze your physical card while keeping virtual numbers active, which is useful if you lose your wallet.
Virtual cards are not a substitute for monitoring your statements or disputing fraudulent charges. They reduce the risk of your number being stolen in the first place, but they don't replace the fraud protection that federal law already gives you on credit cards.
Which banks and card issuers offer virtual cards
Chase offers virtual cards to most personal credit card holders through their mobile app. Bank of America has a similar feature called "find Shopping." Citi offers virtual account numbers on select cards. American Express provides virtual card numbers to most cardholders.
Discover, Capital One, and several smaller banks also offer virtual card features, though the names and exact features vary. If you're not sure whether your card issuer supports virtual cards, log into your account online or call the number on the back of your card and ask.
Some fintech companies and digital banking platforms offer virtual cards as their main feature, rather than as an add-on to a physical card. These work the same way but may have different rules around spending limits, expiration, and how many virtual numbers you can create at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a virtual card number more than once?
Yes. You can reuse the same virtual number for repeat purchases from the same merchant, or you can delete it and create a new one each time. It's entirely up to you. Many people reuse numbers for trusted retailers and create new ones for one-time purchases or unfamiliar websites.
What happens if I delete a virtual card number after I've used it?
The charge you already made will still go through and appear on your statement. Deleting the number only prevents future charges. If you delete a number before a pending charge posts, that charge may be declined, which could trigger a dispute with the merchant.
Do virtual cards affect my credit score?
No. Virtual card numbers are just temporary versions of your existing card, so they don't create a new account or credit line. Your credit score is based on your actual card's payment history, credit utilization, and other factors — not on how many virtual numbers you create.
Can I set a spending limit on a virtual card number?
Many banks allow you to set a spending limit when you create a virtual number, but not all do. Check your bank's app to see if this option is available. If it is, you can cap the number at exactly what you plan to spend, so any charge above that amount will be declined.
What if a merchant won't accept my virtual card number?
This is uncommon but does happen with some subscription services and international retailers. If a virtual number is declined, you'll need to use your physical card instead. You can contact the merchant to ask if they support virtual numbers, or try a different payment method.