Understanding how to get a virtual Credit Card is essential for those seeking both enhanced security and greater flexibility for online payments. This guide covers the steps, provider types, application process, common fees, and practical use cases based on the latest verified information.
Who This Card Is For
Individuals looking to protect their actual card details when making online purchases.
Frequent online shoppers who want increased control over spending and card limits.
Small businesses and startups needing quick-issue cards for employees or expense management.
Tech-savvy users seeking integration with digital wallets and fast onboarding processes.
Anyone managing subscription services and wanting to minimize risk from merchant data breaches.
Crypto users who wish to convert and spend digital assets seamlessly through a linked virtual card product.
Key Facts (At-a-Glance)
Item
Details
Annual Fee
Varies by issuer; many offer $0 annual fee, but premium products may charge (sample/illustrative)
APR
Same as physical credit cards issued by the provider, often “varies by applicant/issuer”
Rewards
Some providers offer cashback (up to 2% sample/illustrative, especially for business/corporate cards); others may not provide rewards
Eligibility & Application
Applicants usually must pass basic KYC (Know Your Customer), provide personal/business info, and hold an eligible main/physical card or account
Credit Limit Policy
Usually mirrors underlying physical credit card or account; spending controlled directly via app or portal
Foreign Transaction Fees
Applies for some providers; verify for each issuer before use abroad (sample/illustrative 2-3%)
Installment Plans
Not common with most virtual credit cards; typically offered by the main issuer, not the virtual card itself
Penalty/Late Fees
Follow the terms of the underlying credit account; typically “sample/illustrative” flat fees if payment is missed
Pros
Instant issuance—often ready to use minutes after approval without waiting for a physical card.
Enhanced online security—unique card numbers reduce the risk of fraud or exposure of your main card.
Easy controls—users can set spending caps, freeze/unfreeze cards, and manage permissions via online or mobile apps.
Can be generated on demand (unlimited virtual cards for businesses per official Slash page).
Eligible for contactless, mobile wallet, and online payments where major card networks (Visa/Mastercard) are accepted.
Some providers (e.g., RedotPay) allow users to spend cryptocurrency as easily as fiat with virtual card options (“crypto card”).
Cons
May require an underlying credit card or verified account with the provider before a virtual card is issued.
Limited acceptance for in-person/in-store transactions unless linked to a mobile wallet.
Rewards, perks, or protections can be more limited than with premium physical cards.
Some virtual cards are single-use or expire quickly to boost security, which can cause inconvenience for recurring payments.
Not all issuers support crypto loading or advanced spend controls—offerings vary widely by provider.
Fees, Rates & How Costs Accrue
Standard APR applies; this is often identical to physical card APR for purchases, and ranges by credit profile (“sample/illustrative” 18–25% variable APR in U.S.).
If annual fees exist, they will be visible during the application; many mainstream options are fee-free but specialty/rewards cards may charge a sample/illustrative $25–$100/year.
Foreign transaction fees, if any, generally match the underlying card agreement (typically up to 3% illustrative—always check the card’s official fee schedule).
Late or penalty fees also follow the provider’s primary credit card or account T&Cs.
Interest accrues on unpaid balances, compounding monthly; paying in full within the statement grace period avoids interest entirely.
Rewards: Earning & Redeeming
Some virtual cards offer cashback on certain spend categories—up to 2% in select programs (see Slash’s official details) or as dictated by the card’s issuing bank.
Rewards can typically be redeemed as statement credits, deposited to a linked account, or (on crypto cards) as cryptocurrency.
Terms, eligible categories, and redemption thresholds may change; always confirm on the official provider portal prior to spending or redeeming.
Some virtual cards (especially business/corporate accounts) enable rewards tracking, spend analytics, and policy enforcement at the card level.
User Feedback & Real-World Experiences
Users often highlight instant setup, easy spend controls, and improved safety when shopping online or on apps.
Corporate users appreciate the ability to generate unlimited cards and assign controls for staff, minimizing out-of-policy expenses.
For crypto virtual cards, users like the frictionless conversion and spend capability, but may note occasional acceptance gaps for niche merchants.
Common complaints include difficulty linking cards to certain mobile wallets, merchant refusal due to card type, or issues with recurring billing for cards that expire quickly.
Experience varies by issuer; some have streamlined apps with extensive controls, while others lack advanced features or U.S. regulatory coverage.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Notable Alternatives
Physical credit cards with virtual card capability integrated into their online portals (e.g., Capital One Eno, Citi Virtual Account Numbers).
Bank-issued virtual debit cards for checking accounts (safer for direct spending control, but with no credit line or rewards).
Standalone virtual prepaid cards—funded directly and disconnected from a credit line, ideal for spend isolation or global use.
Crypto cards that allow both virtual and physical card issuance, such as those from RedotPay.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature
Virtual Credit Card
Bank-Issued Virtual Debit Card
Physical Credit Card
Annual Fee
Often $0; can be higher for premium (sample/illustrative)
Typically $0
$0–$95+ (sample/illustrative)
APR (Purchase)
Varies by applicant/issuer (sample/illustrative 18–25%)
N/A
Varies by applicant/issuer
Rewards
Available with select providers (up to 2% cashback sample/illustrative)
Check eligibility requirements on the official issuer’s site. Typically, you must have an active banking or credit card account (see UBS official process for example).
Complete the application online or via the bank’s mobile platform. Provide required identification (personal for consumers, company for business/corporate cards) and assent to KYC/AML procedures.
If an existing customer, log in to your secure online account, navigate to “Cards” and select the option to generate a virtual card (per UBS: “Products > Cards > Virtual card”).
Review and accept terms, including fees and usage restrictions. Set your desired card controls or limits if supported.
For crypto virtual cards, create or link a wallet, pass platform-specific checks, and transfer assets as required for spending.
How to Maximize Value
Always tailor your virtual card limits and expiry to the purchase—use single-use cards for risky/new vendors, and longer-term cards for recurring services.
Enable spend controls and real-time alerts in your issuer’s app to catch unauthorized activity instantly.
Regularly audit which services are linked to active virtual cards, cancelling or changing numbers as needed to prevent unauthorized recurrences.
For business/corporate accounts, assign individual cards per team member and set role-based spending permissions to reduce fraud and unapproved charges.
Crypto cardholders should monitor conversion rates/fees and time conversions strategically.
Make payments in full by the due date to avoid interest if your virtual card is linked to a credit line with an APR.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I get a virtual credit card after applying?
Most providers offer instant or near-instant issuance via online banking or app access.
In some cases, eligibility checks or KYC documentation may take 1–2 business days.
Is a virtual credit card safer than a regular credit card?
Virtual cards shield your primary card number from merchants, reducing direct exposure to fraud.
Spend controls and expiration features add barriers for unauthorized use if a virtual number is compromised.
Can I use a virtual credit card for all types of purchases?
They’re supported anywhere standard credit card numbers are accepted online or via mobile wallets.
Some in-person payments may not work unless the card is added to a digital wallet with NFC capability.
Recurring billing may need a card with a longer or unlimited expiry period.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Virtual credit cards provide strong security, instant issuance, and flexible spend controls, making them well-suited for online shoppers, businesses, and privacy-focused users.
Consider alternatives for in-person spending or if you need expanded benefits and perks.
Always verify current terms, eligibility, and fee disclosures on the relevant official issuer website before applying or using a virtual credit card.
