You can use your virtual card for online purchases by entering the card details at checkout, or in physical stores by adding it to a mobile wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay for contactless payments, but it won't work for all transactions, especially cash-like activities or some recurring bills. Virtual cards are great for security, often generating unique numbers for each purchase, and function anywhere major card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) are accepted, though some merchant categories (like gambling or firearms) are often restricted.
Some merchants where the card is accepted include:
Convenient and easy to use
Once added you can manage your virtual card on the app since all your card details are viewable. Virtual cards are easy to load for online purchases on Takealot, Amazon, and many more, and can be used for online subscriptions such as Uber, Netflix and more.
You can use your virtual debit card in most places around the world that accept online or contactless payments with Visa and Mastercard.
Virtual Visa® Prepaid Card
You can use your card for online purchases everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Or if you prefer, add your card to your mobile wallet to shop in-stores that accept mobile wallet.
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.
For example, if you want to use a virtual Visa card at Walmart, you'll have to try adding it to the retailer's Walmart Pay app. Target, on the other hand, accepts all major digital wallets for in-store purchases.
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.
Virtual Visa® Prepaid Card
You can use your card for online purchases everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Or if you prefer, add your card to your mobile wallet to shop in-stores that accept mobile wallet.
To use a virtual card in a store, first add it to your digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) by entering the details, then use your phone's tap-to-pay (NFC) at checkout; alternatively, some merchants allow manually typing the virtual card number and security code into the POS terminal. The most common method is linking to a digital wallet for secure tap-to-pay at modern terminals that support it, providing enhanced security over traditional cards.
Your virtual card may decline if you don't have enough balance, the merchant doesn't accept your card, your card is inactive, or you are using the wrong billing address.
Once they're in your Virtual Wallet, and the funds are there, you can either:
You can use your virtual card number online wherever Visa is accepted.
Yes, you can use a virtual card at an ATM, but only if it's added to a digital wallet (like Apple Pay, Google Pay) and the ATM supports contactless/cardless transactions (NFC or QR code); traditional virtual cards are for online use, not in-person, but digital wallets bridge that gap at compatible ATMs, requiring your phone to be charged and your bank to support the feature.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Shell eGift Cards are a convenient way to pay for gas right from your mobile device! You can purchase them online or through the Shell App. Recipients of Shell eGift Cards can use the card by following the simple instructions received in the email that was delivered to their inbox.
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.
Hold your phone over the QR code on the register to pay. Walmart Pay can use credit, debit or gift cards saved to your Walmart account. You should hear a chime & see a confirmation. We'll send a notification to your device when your e-receipt is ready—there are no paper receipts with Walmart Pay.
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.