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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Virtual credit cards: What are they? And when, how and why to use them.
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
September 27, 2020 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Virtual credit cards allow you to make online purchases without sharing your actual card number, enhancing security.
If a virtual card number is compromised, you can cancel it without needing to replace your physical card.
Not all card providers offer virtual credit card numbers, and their use is generally limited to online or card-not-present transactions.
There are specific scenarios, such as in-person pickups or some travel bookings, where using a virtual card may cause complications.
What to consider
Virtual card numbers are typically available only for select accounts and may require specific browser extensions or online tools to generate.
Refunds for purchases made with a virtual card number may be complicated if the virtual number is no longer active, potentially resulting in store credit instead of a direct refund.
Some merchants or transaction types may require the original card used for purchase, limiting the practicality of virtual cards in those cases.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of how different virtual card systems work and practical tips for choosing and using them effectively.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you're making a purchase online, you may wonder whether your credit card information is secure. After all, even if the merchant is trustworthy, a hacker could steal credit card information collected by the merchant. And, although most credit cards offer zero liability protection, it's still a hassle to cancel a card number and start over with a new one.
But, using virtual credit cards for online purchases can keep your credit card information secure. So, today I'll discuss everything you need to know about virtual credit cards.
A virtual credit card allows you to shop online without giving your actual credit card number to merchants. Instead, you'll provide the merchant a virtual credit card number linked to your credit card account.
You might wonder why this matters. Well, if a virtual number is used for a purchase and then stolen or compromised, you can cancel the virtual card number. So, by using a virtual number, you decrease the chances that someone will steal your actual card number. You want to avoid compromising your actual credit card number because then you'll have to get a new account number and be sent a new physical card.
You can use a virtual card number when shopping online. (Photo by 10'000 Hours/Getty Images)
Only some credit card issuers offer virtual credit card numbers. But, two of the most prominent issuers in the U.S. that offer virtual card numbers are Capital One and Citi.
Capital One credit cards
You can get a virtual credit card number for Capital One credit cards by using the Eno assistant. To use a virtual credit card number when making online purchases, install the Eno browser extension and register your Capital One credit cards. I installed the browser extension and registered my Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card in under 60 seconds.
Then, Eno will offer to generate a virtual card number when you're ready to make an online purchase. If you want to use a virtual card number, click "Get Virtual Number" and then fill in your billing address and shipping address. Once Eno creates a virtual number for a specific merchant, Capital One ties that number to that merchant. As such, the number won't be useable at other merchants.
Some Citi credit cards also offer virtual credit card numbers. It's unclear which Citi cards offer this feature, but I was able to get a virtual credit card number on the following Citi credit cards:
The information for the Citi Prestige, AT&T Access Card and Citi Dividend has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
To do so, I logged into my Citi online account online, selected any eligible card account and clicked on "Virtual Account Number" under the card name. You'll then need to accept terms, click "Generate," select the Citi account you wish you use and answer security questions. You can set time and dollar limits for each Citi virtual account number.
But, not all Citi cards offer virtual credit card numbers. Specifically, I wasn't able to get a virtual account number on the following Citi cards:
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
The information for the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Virtual credit card numbers provide additional security to your existing credit card accounts. In particular, if a virtual credit card number is compromised, you can easily cancel the virtual number and keep your actual card number the same. Plus, in some cases, each virtual card number is tied to a specific merchant. So, even if your number is stolen, it may not be readily useable by the person stealing your number.
It's also easy to track your purchases with virtual credit card numbers. Virtual credit card purchases will show up on your monthly statement along with purchases made using your actual credit card number, mobile wallet or a physical card. For Citi cards, each transaction made with a virtual account number will show that number on your monthly statement. Meanwhile, for Capital One cards, you can manage your virtual card numbers from an online dashboard.
There are a few cases where you may regret using a virtual credit card number. (Photo by Luis Alvarez/Getty Images)
There are some downsides to virtual credit cards. First off, not all credit card issuers offer virtual credit card numbers. And, generally, you'll only be able to use virtual credit card numbers for online or card-not-present transactions. But, even if you can use a virtual credit card number, there are some cases where you shouldn't.
First off, you won't want to use a virtual credit card for pick-up orders, will-call tickets or select travel purchases. In particular, you won't want to use a virtual credit card number when you may need to swipe or show the card you used to make the purchase. Although this isn't usually an issue at most U.S. hotels and airlines, I have needed to show the credit card I used to purchase a flight when checking in for a flight overseas.
Likewise, you may only be able to use a virtual credit card number for purchases made on a desktop computer. For example, Capital One requires that you use the Eno browser extension.
Finally, if you need to return an item, the merchant will return the money paid to your credit card. But, the merchant will usually only be willing to refund money to the credit card number used to make the purchase. So, if your virtual credit card number isn't still active, you may have to settle for store credit.
If you like the idea of using virtual credit card numbers for some purchases, you may be wondering which card is best. After getting virtual credit card numbers with Citi and Capital One, I'd recommend a Capital One card. It's easy to install the Eno browser extension and generate virtual numbers when making online purchases.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the best everyday spending cards. You'll earn 2x Capital One miles on all purchases, which equates to a 3.4% return based on TPG's valuations. The Capital One Venture Card is currently offering 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. If you're looking for a new card that offers virtual credit card numbers, the Capital One Venture Card is a compelling option.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
