The Best Virtual Credit Cards in 2026
What Is a Virtual Credit Card?
A virtual credit card is a digital version of a traditional credit card. It is stored in a mobile app or digital wallet and is primarily used for secure online purchases and contactless payments via smartphones. The card has no physical form, making it easy and convenient to make payments without using a physical card.
How Does a Virtual Credit Card Work?
A virtual card functions like a standard payment card but without a physical component; it exists only digitally. Virtual cards contain standard card details such as a 16-digit card number, a 3-digit CVV code, and an expiry date. All necessary information is available directly in the bank's app. To use the card, simply open the app on your mobile phone, select the card details, and make payments digitally without needing a physical card.
The card number on the virtual card is the same as on your physical card, along with the cardholder's name, the card's expiry date, and the security code (CVV).
Make Online Shopping Smoother with Virtual Credit Cards
When shopping online, you can easily find all your credit card details within your bank's app or online banking service:
- Log in to online banking or open your bank's app.
- Tap "Show card" in the main menu to view your card.
- Tap "Show card details" to view the card number, expiry date, and CVV.
- Use these details to fill in the payment information at the online store where you wish to shop.
Virtual Cards and Digital Payment Services
Virtual credit cards are primarily designed for online shopping and cannot be used directly in physical stores. For in-store purchases, you can use either a physical card or contactless payment options that allow you to store information from both physical and virtual cards on devices such as mobile phones and smartwatches, using payment services like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Overview of Various Digital Payment Services
- Apple Pay: Available to users of Apple devices such as iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac. Add a payment card that supports Apple Pay to the Wallet app to make digital payments in stores, online, and within apps where this payment method is accepted.
- Google Pay: Available to Android users with NFC-enabled (Near Field Communication) devices. Download the Google Pay app, add your card, and use it for quick and easy payments in stores, online, and in apps.
- Samsung Pay: For owners of Samsung devices that support this technology. Open the Samsung Pay app and add a supported credit or debit card.
- Garmin Pay: Available to users with compatible Garmin smartwatches. Add a supported payment card to the Garmin Connect Mobile app to make quick and easy payments without needing your phone or wallet.
- Trumf Pay: Sign up as a Trumf member and activate Trumf Pay via the Trumf app or website. Use the service to earn bonus points on contactless purchases in both physical stores and online shops across Norway.
- Vipps: A Norwegian digital payment app that enables fast money transfers and payments in stores and online. Download the Vipps app and link it to a Norwegian bank card and mobile number.
Overview of Cards That Support the Various Contactless Payment Services
Benefits of Virtual Cards
- Ideal for online shopping: Virtual credit cards are specifically designed for seamless and flexible online transactions, as no physical card is required.
- Simple and convenient use: Since virtual cards are digitally generated, they can be quickly and easily added to your digital wallet or mobile app. This enables transactions to be completed in seconds without the need to carry a physical card.
- Immediate access to funds: Card details can be used immediately upon bank approval. In other words, you do not have to wait for a physical card to be mailed to you, making them highly convenient for immediate online purchases.
- Cannot be lost: Virtual credit cards cannot be physically lost, eliminating the risk of the card being misplaced or stolen.
- Multiple users per card: Virtual credit cards can be set up for use by multiple people, making them ideal for businesses or families where several individuals need access to payment methods.
Disadvantages of Virtual Cards
- Limited use in physical stores: Virtual credit cards are primarily designed for online or telephone transactions. They cannot be used directly in physical stores without being integrated into a mobile payment service such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or similar.
- Cannot be used for cash withdrawals: You cannot use a virtual credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM, which can be a disadvantage in situations where cash is required.
- Reliance on technology: Using virtual credit cards requires access to online banking or a mobile app. Technical issues or a lack of internet connection can therefore prevent access to and use of the card.
- Identification limitations: Virtual credit cards cannot be used as a form of identification when picking up goods ordered online.
A Credit Card on the Same Day?
Technically, it is impossible to get a physical credit card on the same day. Once your credit card application is approved, it usually takes a few business days to receive the physical card by mail.
But how long does it take to get a virtual credit card? Since a virtual credit card is a digital version of a card, you generally do not have to wait long. Access to a virtual credit card can be almost immediate after you sign the credit card agreement. If you have an account with a bank or financial institution that offers virtual credit cards, you can often create and access a virtual card via the bank’s online banking platform or mobile app within minutes. This makes virtual credit cards a very fast and convenient solution for online purchases and other digital payments when you need a credit card on the same day.
Streamline Business Finances with Virtual Credit Cards
Virtual cards are ideal corporate cards for situations where multiple employees need access to payment methods, as there is no physical card that must be handled by only one person at a time. The multi-user functionality allows companies to issue cards to employees for specific purchases or projects, providing better control and oversight of expenses. This applies to everything from booking business travel and office supplies to paying for digital advertising. With virtual cards, all transactions are consolidated onto a single invoice. This simplifies the process of tracking expenses and makes it easier for companies to gain a comprehensive overview of their finances.
Do Virtual Bank Cards Exist?
Bank cards—also known as debit cards—are also available as virtual cards. Much like virtual credit cards, a virtual bank card is a digital version of a physical bank card. Virtual bank cards can easily be added to various digital wallets, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. When this is done, the bank cards are transformed into virtual cards. A virtual bank card allows the user to conduct online transactions without needing a physical card.
Curve and Revolut are two card issuers that offer virtual debit cards. These cards combine the flexibility of a virtual card with the functionality of traditional debit cards, allowing users to link them directly to their bank accounts for easy access and use.
Two Types of Virtual Bank Cards
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Digital single-use cards—also known as virtual single-use cards—offer a unique security feature: the card details are updated for every transaction. This means that a new card number, expiration date, and/or CVV code is generated each time you make a purchase. This makes it very difficult for fraudsters to misuse the card information, as the details change immediately after use.
Such cards are particularly useful in situations with a higher risk of fraud, such as when shopping at new or lesser-known online stores. They are also ideal for subscription services where you want to avoid unwanted renewals or additional charges, since the card cannot be charged more than once. By using digital single-use cards, you can shop online with greater peace of mind and control.
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Digital multi-use cards function as direct replicas of physical cards, with card details—including the card number, expiry date, and CVV code—remaining unchanged. These cards are stored in digital wallets or mobile banking apps, allowing users to easily make both one-off and recurring payments online, as well as in physical stores that support contactless technology. Digital multi-use cards are particularly useful when you want to minimize the risk of losing your card or having it stolen, as a digital card cannot be lost. They are also ideal for those who shop regularly at established online stores or use digital payment services like Apple Pay or Google Pay for contactless in-store payments.
Questions and Answers
What is a virtual credit card?
How do I get a virtual credit card?
Are virtual credit cards safe to use?
Can I use a virtual credit card in a physical store?
Can I get cashback or points with a virtual credit card?
