Credit card fraud More than 13 million Americans are affected in 2021, and virtual credit cards are a viable solution.
In general, virtual credit cards – or virtual account numbers – are one-time use credit card details to help hide your identity when shopping online. Virtual credit card numbers can be generated directly from your credit card account with and through some products apps and browser extensions with others. Some newer cards even innovate in virtual card capabilities, so the technology will become more accessible and flexible over time.
Those below best credit cards which offers virtual cards directly through your account as an included bonus.
Best cash back card with virtual account numbers
Entry OfferThere is no
APR15.49% – 25.49% (Variable)
Intro Purchase APRThere is no
Recommended credit Great, Great
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an extra 1% when you pay for those purchases.
Annual fee$0
Intro Balance Transfer APR0% entry for 18 months on Balance Transfers
Balance Transfer APR15.49% – 25.49% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee There is an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum $5) of each transfer made within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% (minimum $5) of each transfer applies if completed 4 months after account opening.
Late payment fee Up to $41
Foreign transaction fees 3%
Penalty APR Up to 29.99% (Variable)
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an extra 1% when you pay for those purchases.
Our check
The Citi® Double Cash Card is a good choice for a virtual credit card if you want to maximize cash back and avoid the hassle of deciphering point systems. While the cash back rate is generally competitive with the Apple Card, this card may be better suited for those who don’t own Apple products or are less technologically inclined. To access virtual credit cards for the Citi Double Cash Card, you must select “Other Services” on your account home page, then navigate to “Virtual Account Numbers.”
Check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash Card for more details.
Long introductory APR offer with virtual account numbers
Entry OfferThere is no
APR15.24% – 25.24% (Variable)
Intro Purchase APR0% on purchases for 12 months
Recommended credit Great, Great
Award ratesThere is no
Annual fee$0
Intro Balance Transfer APR0% on balance transfers for 21 months
Balance Transfer APR15.24% – 25.24% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee A balance transfer fee of 5% applies to each balance transfer with this offer; $5 minimum.
Late payment fee Up to $41
Foreign transaction fees 3%
Penalty APR Up to 29.99% (Variable)
Our check
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card not only offers virtual account numbers from your online account home page, it also has a 0% introductory APR. With account approval, you can enjoy 12 months of 0% introductory APR on purchases and 21 months of 0% introductory APR on balance transfers from the account opening date (though subject to a prorated 5% or $5 balance transfer fee, whichever). is larger). After the introductory period, the APR is variable from 15.24% to 25.24%. Balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening.
For more information, see our full review of the Citi Diamond Preferred Card.
Best travel card with virtual card capability
Entry OfferFor a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
APR17.49% – 25.49% (Variable)
Intro Purchase APRThere is no
Recommended credit Great, Great
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 3 Points for every $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual fee95 dollars
Balance Transfer APR17.49% – 25.49% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee A balance transfer fee of 5% applies to each balance transfer with this offer; $5 minimum.
Late payment fee Up to $41
Foreign transaction fees 0%
Penalty APR Up to 29.99% (Variable)
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 3 Points for every $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Our check
While the Citi Premier® Card has an annual fee of $95 – unlike our other options, which don’t have an annual fee – its rewards and benefits make up for the extra cost. For example, after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening, the 80,000-point sign-up bonus (equivalent to $800 in gift cards when redeemed at thykyou.com) is highly competitive and puts this card on top. Our picks for the best welcome bonus credit cards. This card offers purchase protection and you can access virtual account numbers directly through your account home page. Check out our full review of the Citi Premier Card for more information on all the benefits of this card.
Instant virtual credit card
Entry OfferThere is no
APR10.99% to 21.99% (Variable)
Intro Purchase APRThere is no
Recommended credit There is no
- The Apple Card gives you unlimited 3% Daily Cash back on everything you buy from Apple
- With Apple Pay, you get 2% Daily Cash back on every purchase you make using your Apple Card
Annual fee$0
- The Apple Card gives you unlimited 3% Daily Cash back on everything you buy from Apple
- With Apple Pay, you get 2% Daily Cash back on every purchase you make using your Apple Card
Our check
Apple Card is unique in its design as having three credit card numbers in one. One is the card number used by the secure Apple Wallet, one is for your physical card (in case you request one), and the other is considered your virtual credit card – it can be used for online transactions or in-store transactions. person transactions where the merchant does not accept Apple Pay. Best of all, if this virtual credit card number is stolen, you can instantly request and receive a free replacement number through Apple Wallet or a physical card without having to suspend your account.
For multiple and temporary authorized users
Entry OfferThere is no
APR14.25% – 21.25% Variable
Intro Purchase APRThere is no
Recommended credit Excellent/Good Credit
- Earn 2x points per dollar spent
- Earn 3x points per dollar spent all year when you spend $15,000+ in a year
- 4X points for 30 days for every friend you invite who gets the card
Annual feeNone
Balance Transfer APR14.25% – 21.25% Variable
Balance Transfer Fee 2% of each transfer amount.
Penalty APR None
- Earn 2x points per dollar spent
- Earn 3x points per dollar spent all year when you spend $15,000+ in a year
- 4X points for 30 days for every friend you invite who gets the card
Our check
X1 Card* offers a unique setup when it comes to virtual credit cards, even though it’s moving slowly on the waiting list. Because there is no account access through a web browser, you must download an account management program. With that app, you can create disposable virtual cards like the other cards on this list. You also have the ability to set automatic expiration dates for virtual credit cards, which can be useful for automatically canceling free trials or assigning a card number to a trusted person, such as a family member or caregiver, within a certain period of time. More than one virtual credit card can be active at the same time.
See our full X1 Card review for more details.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best virtual credit cards?
For the simplicity of being able to create a virtual account number anywhere you have internet access, the best virtual credit cards are the ones you can get directly from your online credit card account without having to download annoying extensions or extra software. These include Apple Card, Citi Double Cash Card, Citi Premier Card, Citi Diamond Preferred Card and 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.
What is a virtual credit card?
A virtual credit card or virtual account number is a temporary credit card number used to make secure purchases online or over the phone. This means you don’t have to reveal your actual account information, protecting against potential identity theft. The virtual account number is randomly generated and expires after a certain period of time to prevent it from being misappropriated in the future.
My credit card does not offer virtual account numbers. How can I shop safely online?
There are several issuer programs and browser extensions that allow you to create a virtual credit card for accounts without built-in functionality. They initially require an extra step (downloading an app or extension) to use, and limit you to purchasing hardware specifically. you have installed the program. As an example, the Click to Pay account allows Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover cardholders to choose to apply for a virtual credit card at checkout.
Our methodology
CNET reviews credit cards by comprehensively comparing them across criteria designed for each key category, including cash back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We consider the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles — recognizing that everyone’s financial situation is different — and the intended function of the card.
for cash-back credit cards, for example, key factors include annual fee, “welcome bonus” and cash back rate (or rates if they differ by spending category). For rewards and miles cards, we calculate and weigh the net cash value of the card’s respective benefits. And with balance transfer credit cardswe analyze features such as the length of the initial 0% APR period and balance transfer fees, but also consider secondary factors such as standard APR and the length of time you have to make a balance transfer after opening the account.
*All information about Apple Card and X1 Card was independently collected by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective, independent assessments of our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It is not 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.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective, independent assessments of our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It is not 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.