What are the benefits of a virtual credit card number?

Quick insights

• A virtual credit card number can allow you to make online purchases without sharing your physical card information with a merchant.
• Some cardmembers might use virtual numbers for convenience and security.
• You might consider using a virtual credit card number to avoid sharing your physical card information with a merchant.

Online payments are always evolving. In recent years, virtual credit card numbers have become a popular way to make online purchases. These virtual cards can allow you to shop online without sharing your physical card information with merchants. Chase does not offer virtual credit card numbers.

Here are some things to know about virtual credit card numbers and how they may benefit you.

What is a virtual credit card number?

A virtual credit card number can allow you to make online payments without sharing your actual credit card information. Just like your credit card number, it features a 16-digit card number, expiration date and three-digit security number. If your credit card issuer provides them, you’ll likely be able to request and use your virtual card almost instantly. Any transactions you make will show up on your monthly statement alongside the purchases you make with your physical card.

You may be able to set up your virtual number as a single-use or multi-use credit card. Some credit card issuers may allow you to cancel a virtual credit card number without interruption to your use of your physical credit card.

Benefits of using a virtual credit card

You may be familiar with the benefits of a credit card. For some cardmembers, there could be benefits to using virtual cards for online purchases. Here are the potential benefits.

Convenience

A virtual credit card may make it easier to shop online and save time. You can use the virtual card even if you don’t have your physical card in hand. Some apps and browser extensions may fill the virtual card number automatically at checkout and save you the time it takes to manually enter the number.

Whenever you replace your physical card, you can still use virtual card numbers to make online purchases. And if you need to cancel a virtual card, it won’t interrupt your use of the physical card.

Increased shopping security

Using your actual credit card number online may make you feel uneasy. Virtual credit cards help you avoid sharing your physical card information online, which can give you peace of mind about your online purchases. Of course, there are still risks involved with any transaction.

Canceling a virtual card may be less hassle than canceling your physical credit card. Some credit card issuers may allow you to cancel the virtual card online almost immediately without any interruption to your use of your physical card.

Potential disadvantages of virtual credit cards

Unlike physical cards, virtual credit cards aren’t widely available. They usually can’t be used for in-person transactions, and if you make a purchase online with a virtual credit card, you may need to produce your physical card to verify your identity and complete the transaction. This may be the case for hotel and car rental reservations, so a virtual credit card may not work for these transactions. Additionally, you may not be able to use temporary virtual card numbers for recurring transactions unless the credit card issuer provides multi-use virtual card numbers.

When to use a virtual credit card

You may already have a good sense of what you should use a credit card for. But when could it be a good idea to use a virtual credit card?

Some cardmembers use virtual card numbers when they want to disguise their physical credit card information. Here are just a few of the online purchases where you might use one:

• Streaming services
• Meal delivery services
• Purchases with unfamiliar sites
• Purchases with merchants you use frequently

For a single purchase with an unfamiliar merchant, you might create a single-use virtual number. For a streaming service, you may be able to create a multi-use number specifically for this monthly subscription.

In summary

Virtual credit cards allow you to make online purchases while disguising your card information from merchants. Cardmembers may enjoy that these virtual cards provide convenience and security. Chase does not offer virtual cards.