Audience: Admin | Primary Card Holder
Virtual Cards seamlessly integrate spend management, purchases, and travel — enabling greater efficiency and transparency. Organizations can better manage and reconcile expenses by issuing virtual Cards to employees and guests traveling for business.
What are virtual Cards?
Virtual Cards, also known as digital or virtual payment Cards, are a modern payment solution that exists only in a digital format. They are not physical cards like your traditional credit or debit card.
How do virtual Cards work?
Virtual Cards work by generating a unique set of card details, including a card number, expiration date, and security code, typically for a single transaction or for a limited time.
How do virtual Cards differ from physical cards?
| Feature | Virtual Card | Physical Card |
|---|
| Form | Digital Card details including Card number, expiration date, and CVV code. No physical presence required. | Tangible plastic or metal card issued by your financial institution with embossed or printed card details. |
| Security | Enhanced protection through tokenization—employees receive unique virtual Card numbers instead of actual account details. Compatible with digital wallets for secure contactless payments. Cards can be instantly frozen or deleted if compromised. | Physical cards can be lost or stollen. They can most of the time be locked via mobile app. |
| Issuance Time | Generated instantly within seconds, making them perfect for urgent purchases and last-minute business transactions. | Requires physical production and secure delivery via mail. Typical issuance time ranges from 5-10 business days, plus activation time. |
| Expense Control | Granular control with customizable spend limits, merchant category restrictions, and real-time spending visibility. Ideal for budget management and preventing overspending. | Standard credit limits set by the issuing bank, with traditional monthly statement tracking. Control primarily through credit limit adjustments and transaction monitoring. |
Next Step: Now that you understand virtual Cards. Let's walk through common use cases for virtual Cards.
