A virtual credit card is a digital version of a physical credit card and acts as a temporary card number that is linked to your actual credit card or bank account. Since the card number is unique to a specific transaction or a short period of time, the risk of fraud or misuse is reduced if the information is compromised. Several banks and financial institutions offer virtual credit cards through their apps or online banking services, and they can be generated in seconds.
The virtual credit card can be used for online shopping and anywhere contactless payments are accepted. It is convenient wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted.
You use a virtual Visa or Mastercard via computer, tablet, smartphone or smartwatch. To use a virtual credit card you must log in to a secure online banking solution. From here, the layout may be slightly different.
In Bank Norwegian, you will find your virtual card under the option "my cards". You click on the relevant card, and the credit card number and other necessary payment information required for an online transaction is generated.
You usually have the opportunity to enter amount limits and validity periods for the transactions the card will be used for. After the information has been used once, it will be useless. Both for you and for others.
Fees and interest are charged to the original credit card and the account it is linked to. You will receive a monthly invoice as for a regular credit card.
If you want a credit card on the same day, virtual cards are for you. You don't have to wait for the physical card to be sent to you by mail, which is used by most providers. This can easily take 10-15 days. A virtual card is ready to use the moment it is granted by the bank. You can immediately log in and make your first payment.
Since there is no physical card to be found or carried, virtual cards are convenient where multiple people are intended to use it. Anyone with access to the account can also order using the card. However, only one person can be the account holder and be responsible for paying the credit card invoice when it arrives.
The multi-user feature has meant that virtual credit cards are marketed specifically towards companies with many employees. That is, where there is more than one person responsible for the company's purchases. Such cards are typically used for purchasing office equipment and supplies, airline tickets, hotel stays and, not least, for advertising on Google, social media and elsewhere. For larger companies, it may be appropriate to have one virtual card linked to each department.
In addition to simpler orders, there will be fewer invoices to keep track of. All purchases are reflected in the monthly bill on the credit card, which goes directly into the company's financial system.
You cannot use virtual credit cards at payment terminals in stores or other locations. An alternative to this could be contactless payment with Google Pay, Samsung Pay or Apple Pay.
Here you bring your card information with you on your smartphone or smartwatch. The code is scanned directly from the device and the payment is made. Be aware not all phones are compatible with digital wallets.
Jan Yngve er en dyktig journalist som spesialiserer seg på personlig økonomi, spesielt kredittkortindustrien. Han har en mastergrad i økonomi og ledelse og har jobbet som journalist i flere år. På Kredittkort360.com er kredittkortfordeler hans spesialitet. I tillegg er han ansvarlig for alle guidene våre.
Favorittkort: TF Bank Mastercard