Why You Should Use Virtual Cards to Pay for Subscriptions
If you have subscriptions to services like Netflix and Uber Eats, or just like to sign up for free trials that require you to enter a credit card, you should consider using virtual cards as your primary payment method.
Unlike your physical credit cards, virtual cards generate unique account numbers that can be used for transactions, meaning your actual card number is protected. You can have different card numbers for each online store or subscription service, as well as set spending limits and expiration dates, and block or delete virtual cards without affecting your actual payment account.
(Note that this is different from paying with a digital wallet—Apple Pay or Google Pay—which uses your real card number for transactions.)
The biggest benefits of using a virtual card
Using a virtual card for your subscriptions makes it easier to cancel subscriptions or terminate your account, which can save you money. For example, if you sign up for a free trial with a one-time use virtual card or a card that you can deactivate, it doesn’t matter if you forget to cancel it before the trial ends – the transaction won’t go through.
Likewise, deactivating your virtual card is an easy way to cancel your current subscriptions, as the service won’t be able to charge you in the future (though it’s also better to complete the official cancellation process directly with the subscription service).
Of course, if you want to keep your subscription, a virtual card has its advantages too. Your reusable virtual card number will remain valid even if the physical card associated with your account has to be replaced due to theft, loss, or expiration, so you never miss a minute of your performance or a single meal delivery.
Another obvious advantage of a virtual card: security. If your information becomes part of a hack or leak, your real card number will be protected. Additionally, if your virtual card is for one-time use only, no one will be able to make purchases on your account.
How to get a virtual credit card
Many credit card issuers allow you to sign up for a virtual card using your physical card. You may need to add your card to your digital wallet and place your order using a browser extension or app that can generate a one-time card number or receive a unique code to enter at checkout. American Express, Capital One, Citi, Mastercard and Visa support virtual cards.
Alternatively, services like Privacy.com and password managers like 1Password (through a partnership with Privacy.com ) offer the ability to create and pay for virtual cards.