Paying in cash may feel like a relic of the past as digital payments become increasingly more mainstream. Eighty-nine percent of US consumers used some form of digital payment in 2022, defined as any browser-based or in-app online purchase, in-store digital wallet payments and peer-to-peer payments, according to the Digital Payments Consumer Survey from McKinsey & Company. And as digital payments become more prevalent, data breaches and credit card fraud reports also tick up.
In 2022, 44% of credit card users experienced at least two fraudulent charges, according to the 2023 Credit Card Fraud Report from Security.org. One way to protect yourself is by using a virtual credit card, which offers an additional layer of protection by disguising your personal information with a randomly generated 16-digit number. You can generate a virtual credit card number directly from your credit card account, with some issuers, or through apps and browser extensions. And many newer cards are innovating on virtual card technology, making virtual cards more accessible and flexible.
Here are our picks for the best virtual credit cards.
X1 Card
- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- None
- APR
- 15.50% – 27.75% Variable
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
2x – 10x 2X points on every purchase regardless of category; 3X points every time you spend $1,000 in a month; 4X, 5X and even 10X points for every friend who gets a card; Up to 10X points at leading online stores such as Apple, Nike and Sephora when you shop in the X1 App
The X1 Card offers a unique setup with regard to virtual credit cards. You’ll need to download an app for account management since there’s no account access via web browser. Through that app, you can generate one-time use virtual cards like the other cards featured in this list. You also have the opportunity to set auto-expiration dates for virtual credit cards, which can come in handy for automatically canceling free trials or for giving a card number to a trusted individual like a family member or caregiver for a set period of time. You can have multiple virtual credit cards active at one time.
See our full review of the X1 Card for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 15.50% – 27.75% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 2% of the amount of each transfer.
The X1 Card offers a unique setup with regard to virtual credit cards. You’ll need to download an app for account management since there’s no account access via web browser. Through that app, you can generate one-time use virtual cards like the other cards featured in this list. You also have the opportunity to set auto-expiration dates for virtual credit cards, which can come in handy for automatically canceling free trials or for giving a card number to a trusted individual like a family member or caregiver for a set period of time. You can have multiple virtual credit cards active at one time.
See our full review of the X1 Card for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 15.50% – 27.75% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 2% of the amount of each transfer.
- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 17.99% – 28.74% (Variable)
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
N/A This card doesn’t offer cash back, miles, or points
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card not only offers virtual account numbers on your account’s home page, it also boasts a 0% introductory APR period. With account approval, you can enjoy 12 months of 0% introductory APR on purchases from the date of the account opening and a whopping 21 months of 0% introductory APR on balance transfers (though a 5% or $5 balance transfer fee applies -- whichever is greater). After the intro period, the APR is 17.99% to 28.74% variable. Balance transfers must be completed within four months of the account opening.
See our full review of the Citi Diamond Preferred Card for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 12 months on Purchases
- Regular APR
- 17.99% – 28.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card not only offers virtual account numbers on your account’s home page, it also boasts a 0% introductory APR period. With account approval, you can enjoy 12 months of 0% introductory APR on purchases from the date of the account opening and a whopping 21 months of 0% introductory APR on balance transfers (though a 5% or $5 balance transfer fee applies -- whichever is greater). After the intro period, the APR is 17.99% to 28.74% variable. Balance transfers must be completed within four months of the account opening.
See our full review of the Citi Diamond Preferred Card for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 12 months on Purchases
- Regular APR
- 17.99% – 28.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
2% Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
The Citi® Double Cash Card is a good option for a virtual credit card if you’re looking to maximize your purchasing cash-back and want to avoid the hassle of decoding point systems. While its cash-back rate is generally competitive with the Apple Card, this card may be more suitable for someone who doesn’t have Apple products or is less technologically inclined. To access virtual credit cards for the Citi Double Cash Card, you must select “Other Services” on your account homepage, then navigate to “Virtual Account Numbers.”
See our full review of the Citi Double Cash Card for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
The Citi® Double Cash Card is a good option for a virtual credit card if you’re looking to maximize your purchasing cash-back and want to avoid the hassle of decoding point systems. While its cash-back rate is generally competitive with the Apple Card, this card may be more suitable for someone who doesn’t have Apple products or is less technologically inclined. To access virtual credit cards for the Citi Double Cash Card, you must select “Other Services” on your account homepage, then navigate to “Virtual Account Numbers.”
See our full review of the Citi Double Cash Card for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
- Intro Offer
-
60,000 points Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Annual fee
- $95
- APR
- 20.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1x – 3x Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels; Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets; Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
While the Citi Premier® Card has an annual fee of $95 -- unlike our other picks, which have no annual fee -- its rewards and perks make up for the extra cost. For example, the sign-on bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months after the account opens (an equivalent value of $600 in gift cards or travel rewards when redeemed at thankyou.com) is competitive, putting this card at the top of our picks for best welcome bonus credit cards. This card offers purchase protection, and you can access virtual account numbers right through your account home page.
For more details on all of this card’s benefits, check out our full review of the Citi Premier Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 20.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
While the Citi Premier® Card has an annual fee of $95 -- unlike our other picks, which have no annual fee -- its rewards and perks make up for the extra cost. For example, the sign-on bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months after the account opens (an equivalent value of $600 in gift cards or travel rewards when redeemed at thankyou.com) is competitive, putting this card at the top of our picks for best welcome bonus credit cards. This card offers purchase protection, and you can access virtual account numbers right through your account home page.
For more details on all of this card’s benefits, check out our full review of the Citi Premier Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 20.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
- Intro Offer
-
20,000 miles Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 19.74% – 29.74% (Variable)
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
1.25x – 5x Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options; Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day.
Capital One offers virtual credit card numbers through its web browser extension Eno. Eno masks your credit card number by generating a virtual card number for each merchant. You can manage your virtual card numbers in the Capital One mobile app. The no-annual-fee Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card* offers a simple rewards structure for travelers looking for a straightforward travel card. You earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and unlimited 1.25x miles on everything else.
The Eno browser extension is available for certain Capital One customers. If you aren’t currently eligible to connect to Eno, there are plans to roll out access to additional customers over time, as stated on Capital One’s website.
See our full review of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card for more information.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.74% – 29.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3%
Capital One offers virtual credit card numbers through its web browser extension Eno. Eno masks your credit card number by generating a virtual card number for each merchant. You can manage your virtual card numbers in the Capital One mobile app. The no-annual-fee Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card* offers a simple rewards structure for travelers looking for a straightforward travel card. You earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and unlimited 1.25x miles on everything else.
The Eno browser extension is available for certain Capital One customers. If you aren’t currently eligible to connect to Eno, there are plans to roll out access to additional customers over time, as stated on Capital One’s website.
See our full review of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card for more information.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.74% – 29.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3%
- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 15.24% to 26.24% (Variable)
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- N/A
- Rewards rate
-
2% – 3% Apple Card gives you unlimited 3% Daily Cash back on everything you buy at Apple; With every purchase you make using your Apple Card with Apple Pay, you get 2% Daily Cash back
The Apple Card* is unique by design and how it operates within the Apple ecosystem. With the Apple Card, you technically have three credit card numbers built into one. One card number is for your Apple Wallet, one is for your physical card (if you request one) and another is considered your virtual credit card -- which you can use for online or in-person transactions where Apple Pay isn’t accepted. And, if your virtual credit card number is ever compromised, you can request and receive a free replacement number instantly without interrupting the use of your account via Apple Wallet or the physical card.
For more details on this card’s benefits, check out our full review of the Apple Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 15.24% to 26.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
The Apple Card* is unique by design and how it operates within the Apple ecosystem. With the Apple Card, you technically have three credit card numbers built into one. One card number is for your Apple Wallet, one is for your physical card (if you request one) and another is considered your virtual credit card -- which you can use for online or in-person transactions where Apple Pay isn’t accepted. And, if your virtual credit card number is ever compromised, you can request and receive a free replacement number instantly without interrupting the use of your account via Apple Wallet or the physical card.
For more details on this card’s benefits, check out our full review of the Apple Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 15.24% to 26.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
What are virtual credit cards and how do they work?
A virtual credit card is a digital credit card that replaces the 16-digit code printed on the front of your physical credit card. It’s generally intended for one-time use -- though some can be reused -- and prevents a retailer from storing your credit card information. Virtual cards are meant to limit digital fraud by reducing the risk of your credit card information being stolen.
Virtual card numbers aren’t the same as digital wallets. Virtual card numbers protect your personal card information when shopping online, but digital wallets -- like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Wallet -- store things like credit card data, boarding passes and concert tickets. However, when you use the card stored in your phone’s digital wallet, a 16-digit number, also known as a token, replaces your credit card number so the receiving merchant can’t see your card’s information.
Even if your issuer doesn’t offer virtual credit cards, you may still be able to add your credit card to a digital wallet for an extra layer of security when shopping online or in person at participating retailers.
Pros and cons of using a virtual credit card
Pros
Your personal information is protected
Easy to generate from your card issuer’s app or browser extension
May be more convenient when shopping online
Cons
Not all issuers offer virtual credit cards
Virtual credit card transactions are limited to online transactions (but you can use your digital wallet at participating merchants)
How to attain a virtual credit card number from your issuer
Not every issuer offers virtual credit card numbers, but you might have access to a virtual credit card number with an existing credit card. The process varies from issuer to issuer, but here’s how to get a virtual card number with a few of the major issuers:
- Capital One: You can access a virtual number through the issuer’s Eno virtual assistant browser extension. Virtual numbers may not be available for all Capital One cards.
- Citi: You can find your virtual number on your account page after you enroll in the service. Virtual numbers may not be available for all Citi cards.
- American Express: You can use a virtual card number through Google Chrome by connecting an eligible Amex card. According to American Express, it’ll generate a new four-digit CVV needed at checkout.
- Chase: Chase doesn’t currently offer virtual card numbers.
- Discover: Discover doesn’t currently offer virtual card numbers.
How to use a virtual credit card
You use a virtual card as you would normally when shopping online or over the phone. Rather than using the 16-digit code on your physical card, you use the code generated by your card issuer.
The bottom line
Virtual credit card numbers can provide an added layer of security at checkout while remaining convenient. By masking your actual card information when shopping online, you can do that shopping without wondering if your information will ever be compromised. However, there are limitations to virtual credit cards that restrict how far the protection can stretch, because you can’t use virtual numbers during in-person transactions.
FAQs
For the sake of the simplicity of generating a virtual account number anywhere you have internet access, the best virtual credit cards are ones you can get directly from your online credit card account without downloading pesky extensions or additional apps. Those include Apple Card, Citi Double Cash Card, Citi Premier Card, Citi Diamond Preferred Card and the X1 Card.
Other credit card issuers may offer additional apps or browser extensions. For example, Capital One has the Eno web extension for its cards.
No, using a virtual credit card instead of a physical one won’t impact your credit score more than usual. If you use your virtual credit card responsibly and always pay off your balance in time and in full, your credit will be in good shape. Plus, to generate a virtual credit card, you’ll need to have the physical card. Applying for credit cards will result in a hard credit check which may drop your credit score -- temporarily -- by a few points.
Several issuer apps and browser extensions enable virtual credit card generation for accounts without built-in features. They require an extra step (downloading the app or extension) to use initially, and restrict you to making purchases specifically on hardware you’ve installed the program on. For example, a Click to Pay account allows Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover cardholders to apply for a virtual credit card at checkout.
Our methodology
CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles -- with the understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different -- and the designated function of a card.
For cash-back credit cards, for example, key factors include the annual fee, the “welcome bonus” and the cash-back rate (or rates, if they differ by spending category). For rewards and miles cards, we calculate and weigh the net monetary value of a card’s respective perks. And with balance transfer credit cards, we analyze specs such as the duration of the introductory 0% APR period and the balance transfer fee, while acknowledging secondary factors such as the standard APR and the length of time you have to make a balance transfer after you open the account.
*All information about the Apple Card and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
