How to Use Virtual Card at Store for Online and In-Store Shopping

Using a virtual card at a store is a convenient way to make purchases both online and in-store. This type of card is linked to your bank account and can be used for transactions.

To get started, you'll need to register for a virtual card through your bank's app or website, as explained in the "How to Get a Virtual Card" section. This process typically takes just a few minutes.

The virtual card can be used for in-store purchases by entering the card number at checkout, as shown in the "Using Virtual Card for In-Store Purchases" section. You'll also need to enter the card's expiration date and security code.

Using a virtual card in stores is a convenient option, but it's essential to know the basics. You can use virtual Visa cards only in stores that allow contactless payments, given the card is compatible with digital wallets like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay.

Some stores may have limited acceptance of digital wallets, making it more difficult to pay with a virtual Visa card in-store. For example, you'll need to try adding your virtual Visa card to Walmart's Walmart Pay app to use it there.

To pay with a virtual card in stores, you'll need to follow a two-step process: load the card onto a phone-based digital wallet and use the phone to complete the payment. This process is similar to making a regular contactless payment.

You can use a virtual Visa card in stores that allow contactless payments, as long as the card is compatible with digital wallets like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay.

Some stores may have limited acceptance of digital wallets, so you might need to try adding your virtual Visa card to the retailer's app, like Walmart Pay.

The process of paying with a virtual Visa card in stores is a two-step process: loading the card onto a phone-based digital wallet and using the phone to complete the payment.

Here's what you need to do:

Some stores may also offer the option to manually enter your card credentials, making it easier to use digital cards in-store.

You can use a virtual Visa card in person, either by keying in the details at checkout or by adding it to your digital wallet for contactless payments.

If you have a Capital One credit card, you can generate virtual cards with the Eno browser extension, which will save the card for future transactions with that merchant.

Each virtual card generated by Eno is merchant-specific, meaning it can only be used at one merchant.

Using a virtual card in stores is a convenient and secure way to make purchases. You can use a virtual card to pay for goods and services online, in-store, or through mobile apps.

A virtual card is a digital representation of a credit or debit card number, expiration date, and security code. This information is stored on your mobile device or in a digital wallet.

Virtual cards can be used anywhere that accepts contactless payments or online transactions. You can also use them to make purchases on websites and in mobile apps.

One of the benefits of using a virtual card is that it can help you stay organized and keep track of your spending. You can easily monitor your transactions and stay within your budget.

If you're looking for a reliable virtual card provider, you have a few options to consider. Many banks and card companies offer virtual cards to eligible customers, often through their online or mobile banking channels.

Some popular virtual card issuers include Capital One, Citi, and American Express, which offer virtual credit card numbers. You can also look into independent virtual card providers, which are often bank-agnostic and offer more flexibility.

Here are some of the most prominent virtual card providers to consider:

The global market size for virtual cards was $11.7 billion in 2022, and it's expected to hit $65 billion by 2030.

A virtual Visa card is an electronically generated card that uses the Visa network. It contains the typical credentials associated with a payment card, such as a 16-digit card number, expiration date, and security code (CVV/CVC).

These credentials are linked to the user's bank account, credit card, or debit card as a funding source. This allows users to make online transactions without exposing their actual financial information.

The main purpose of a virtual Visa card is to shield your actual financial information from security breaches. If a website encounters a security breach, hackers may find your virtual card credentials, but not your source financial data.

Many banks and card companies offer virtual Visa cards to eligible customers as part of their financial services. You typically need to have an account or physical card at the bank to apply for a virtual card.

Independent virtual card providers are usually bank-agnostic and allow you to request a virtual card regardless of the bank you have an account in.

If you're looking for increased control and flexibility, choosing an independent virtual card service can be a great option.

If you're looking for reliable virtual card providers, you're in luck because some major credit card issuers offer this service. Capital One, Citi, and American Express are three prominent U.S. issuers that offer virtual card numbers.

Capital One is one of the issuers that offers virtual credit card numbers, and their service is quite useful for making online purchases or subscribing to services without exposing your actual card information.

Citi is another issuer that offers virtual card numbers, which can be used for online transactions or to make purchases at physical stores without the need for a physical card.

American Express is also a well-known issuer that offers virtual card numbers, making it a great option for those who want to use a virtual card for their online transactions.

These issuers have made it easier for people to manage their finances and keep their card information secure.

You can set spending limits on Privacy Cards to prevent accidental overspending. This feature ensures that no purchase can go over the designated limit.

With Merchant-Locked Cards, you can use the card multiple times but only at one specific merchant. This provides an extra layer of security in case of a data breach.

You can also set up Category-Locked Cards, which work similarly to Merchant-Locked Cards but lock to a merchant category instead.

Here are the three types of Privacy Cards and their security features:

If you suspect your card has been compromised, you can instantly close it without affecting your real card or bank account. This feature is also useful for blocking accidental subscription charges while canceling the service.

You can set up Merchant-Locked Cards, which lock to the first merchant they're used at, providing additional protection in case a hacker breaches a vendor's website.

Merchant-Locked Cards are a great option for regular customers of a specific store, as they can be used multiple times at that merchant without any issues.

Category-Locked Cards work similarly, but instead of locking to one merchant, they lock to a merchant category, blocking transactions from outside vendors.

Single-Use Cards are another option, allowing you to generate a card that closes shortly after the first transaction, rendering it useless to a potential hacker.

Here are the three types of Privacy Cards in a quick rundown:

Setting spending limits on your Privacy Cards is a great way to take control of your finances. You can designate a specific limit, ensuring no purchase goes over that amount.

This feature is especially useful for sharing your Privacy Cards with family members, allowing you to allocate a budget while still maintaining control over the card settings.

To set a spending limit, simply follow the prompts in your account settings.

If you suspect your card has been compromised, you can instantly close it to prevent further unauthorized charges.

Using a virtual card at a store can offer numerous benefits, including added security and convenience. A virtual card number essentially works as a mask for your physical card number, so you never have to share your real credit information online.

One of the main advantages of virtual credit cards is that they provide an extra layer of security. Since they're not physical, you can't lose them, and no one can physically steal them. You can also set them to expire as soon as you make a purchase or deactivate them at any time if you suspect they've been compromised.

Virtual cards also offer more control over spending and limits. You can assign specific spending limits to any virtual card you open, or you can even apply a different card to each vendor or retailer you make purchases through.

Here are some key benefits of using virtual cards:

It's also worth noting that virtual credit cards can be easily cancelled if they're compromised, and you can track your purchases with virtual credit card numbers.

To set up a virtual card, you can load it onto a phone-based digital wallet like Google Pay or Apple Pay. Some virtual cards can also be loaded onto Google Pay and Apple Pay, allowing for in-store and in-app purchases.

To load a virtual card onto a digital wallet, the card should be visible in your wallet app, along with the other loaded cards. You can then use the phone to complete the payment at contactless terminals.

Some stores may offer users the option to manually enter their card credentials, making it easier to use digital cards in-store. You can share your virtual card credentials with the cashier to make the payment.

If you have an eligible Capital One credit card, you can start using virtual cards by downloading the Eno browser extension, shopping online on Google Chrome or in Android apps using Google Pay, or accessing your virtual card through the Capital One Mobile app.

Virtual cards from Capital One offer added security, as your actual card number is not shared with the merchant when you use a virtual card number to check out online. This means stores—and potential fraudsters—don’t see your actual card number.

Here are some benefits of using virtual cards from Capital One: