How to use virtual card contactless?

Asked by: Dr. Lilian DuBuque PhD  |  Last update: June 1, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (39 votes)

To use a virtual card for contactless payments, add the virtual card details to a mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) on your smartphone or wearable device. Once added, unlock your device and hold it near the contactless terminal (look for the wavy Wi-Fi symbol) to pay.

How to use a virtual card for contactless payment?

Simply add your virtual card details to your digital wallet and you're ready to pay online or in-store via NFC. It's important to remember that you can only use virtual cards in-store if you're paying somewhere that accepts contactless payments.

Can I use a virtual card for Tap to Pay?

Yes, you can tap with a virtual card by adding it to a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, then using your phone to tap the contactless reader at checkout, which uses the card's details securely without needing the physical card. Alternatively, some virtual cards allow manual entry of the card number, expiration, and CVV directly at the terminal.
 

How do I use my virtual card to pay?

When you check out on a website or make an in-app purchase:

  1. Choose the virtual card from your payment method options.
  2. Let Chrome or Android fill in the payment info automatically. You may be asked to verify your identity with a code, fingerprint, or other method.
  3. Check out as usual.

How do I use my virtual card at the physical store?

You can use a virtual credit card in-store by adding it to a digital wallet (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) for tap-to-pay, or by manually entering the virtual card number, expiration, and CVV at the terminal if the merchant allows it, though adding it to your phone's wallet is usually easier and more secure for contactless payments. 

how to use revolut virtual card contactless

23 related questions found

How to Pay at a restaurant with a virtual card?

Virtual credit cards can be used for online, in-app, over-the-phone, or in-person transactions. For in-person payments, you can either key in the virtual card details at checkout or, if your issuer supports it, add the virtual card to your digital wallet, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Can I use my virtual card at a grocery store?

In most cases, it isn't possible to use a virtual card at a store, as these cards are intended for online use. Depending on the issuer and retailer, you may be able to enter your virtual card number at the card reader. But because this won't always be an option, it may be a good idea to rely on other payment methods.

Are virtual cards tied to my physical card?

A virtual credit card is a card number that's tied to your traditional credit card account but isn't the same as the number on your physical card. This helps protect you from credit card fraud.

Can I Pay with a virtual card in store?

Yes, you can use a virtual card in stores, primarily by adding it to a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay for contactless tap-to-pay, or sometimes by manually entering the card number at the reader if the retailer supports it, though they're generally designed for online use and may not work for swiping or inserting like physical cards. 

Can you tap using a virtual card?

Yes, you can tap with a virtual card by adding it to a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, then using your phone to tap the contactless reader at checkout, which uses the card's details securely without needing the physical card. Alternatively, some virtual cards allow manual entry of the card number, expiration, and CVV directly at the terminal.
 

Can I use a virtual card at a contactless ATM?

Yes, if the bank accepts contactless payments at ATMs, you can simply tap your card near the contactless symbol. However, some banks require you to use their mobile app, or to add your card to a digital wallet first.

Can I use my phone for contactless payment?

You have two ways to pay contactless in a shop: Unlock your phone and hold it near the reader: You can tap the terminal when your phone is unlocked, even when the Google Wallet app is not open. If prompted, use your Android screen lock to verify the payment.

Can I tap a virtual card?

Yes, you can tap with a virtual card by adding it to a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, then using your phone to tap the contactless reader at checkout, which uses the card's details securely without needing the physical card. Alternatively, some virtual cards allow manual entry of the card number, expiration, and CVV directly at the terminal.
 

What is the disadvantage of contactless payment?

Because contactless payments require neither PIN nor signature authorisation, lost or stolen contactless cards can be used to make fraudulent transactions.

Which side of my card do I use for contactless?

You make a contactless payment by tapping the part of your card with the contactless indicator on or near the part of the merchant's card reader or point-of-sale device emblazoned with the contactless symbol. With a mobile wallet, you simply open the wallet app and tap the phone as you would the card.

What is the 15 3 credit card trick?

The 15/3 credit card payment method is a strategy to improve your credit score by making two payments monthly: one around 15 days before the statement closing date and another about 3 days before the due date, aiming to lower your reported balance and credit utilization ratio before the issuer reports to bureaus. While paying down balances helps, experts note there's nothing magical about the 15 and 3-day marks, suggesting focusing on your statement's credit reporting date for better results. 

Do virtual cards have a PIN?

Virtual Visa cards do not have PINs.

If you're being prompted for a PIN, make sure you are choosing “credit” at checkout and that you are not trying to make a cash back transaction. To set up a PIN for your Physical Visa card, please visit our Physical Visa activation page and have your card ready.

How do I use a virtual card at checkout?

To use a virtual card at checkout, especially online, select it as the payment method and let your browser autofill the details, or manually enter the unique card number, expiration, and CVV generated by your bank; for in-store use, you typically add it to a digital wallet (like Apple Pay/Google Pay) and tap to pay at the contactless reader, if supported. 

Can I use my virtual card at a gas station?

You generally can't use a standard virtual card directly at a gas pump because they're designed for online use, but you can use them by adding them to a digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Wallet) for tap-to-pay, linking them to specific gas station apps (like Shell), or generating a single-use virtual card within a "Buy Now, Pay Later" app for in-store payment. Direct entry at the pump usually fails, so digital wallet or app integration is the best bet for contactless fueling. 

How to use a virtual card in a physical store?

You can use a virtual credit card in-store by adding it to a digital wallet (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) for tap-to-pay, or by manually entering the virtual card number, expiration, and CVV at the terminal if the merchant allows it, though adding it to your phone's wallet is usually easier and more secure for contactless payments. 

What is the 2 3 4 rule for credit cards?

The 2/3/4 rule is a guideline, primarily used by Bank of America, that limits how many new credit cards you can get: no more than 2 in 30 days, 3 in 12 months, and 4 in 24 months, helping to prevent over-application and manage hard inquiries on your credit report. While not universal, it's a useful benchmark for responsible card application, though other banks have different rules (like Chase's 5/24 rule). 

How to use a virtual card at a hotel?

At check-in:

Advise the hotel staff at check-in that the virtual card details will have been sent to them at the time of booking in a Third Party Virtual Credit Card Authorisation Form. If the hotel staff cannot locate this form, you can use the Conferma app or contact your TMC to request a resend.

What is the 30/30/30/10 rule for restaurants?

The 30/30/30/10 rule for restaurants is a budget guideline allocating revenue: 30% for food costs, 30% for labor, 30% for overhead, and the final 10% for profit. It helps operators manage expenses and maintain profitability, though achieving these targets can be challenging due to rising costs and evolving customer demands, with many restaurants currently falling short, averaging lower profits.