Virtual credit card apps and browser extensions for 2022

Click to pay

For Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover cardholders

Click To Pay is a joint venture launched by Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover designed to serve as a unifying service to provide more secure online transactions. It is a virtual card solution that supports cards issued by many different credit companies including all partner companies supporting the project. This means it replaces individual virtual card services including Visa Checkout, Mastercard’s Masterpass, and American Express’ Express Checkout.

To sign up for Click To Pay, you need to go through your card issuer and sign up for the service. Once your card is eligible for the virtual card feature, you will be able to use it at any online retailer that offers the Click To Pay option at checkout. If you are buying online, you should be able to select the Click To Pay option and simply log into your account. Click To Pay takes care of the rest by generating a temporary card to complete the transaction. While Click To Pay doesn’t offer a lot of control and isn’t available at all retailers, several big box stores and other notable sellers have adopted it as an option.

American Express Go ™

For Amex cardholders

American Express offers a virtual credit card service to its cardholders through a service called American Express Go. Originally designed for businesses to provide corporate card access to employees, American Express Go allows you to generate a card. virtual credit card for any American Express account. You can also set spending limits and custom deadlines for how long the card can remain active through the portal.

The virtual card can be loaded into digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, allowing you to use your phone to pay at businesses in person that accept these payment methods. Unlike most virtual cards, American Express also offers the option of obtaining a physical version of your virtual card. This will always contain the temporary 15-digit number generated so that your main account is protected and can be useful when making payments while traveling.

Cost: There is a one-time fee of $ 2 for creating your virtual card and a fee of $ 5 for using your card in a digital wallet or for creating a physical card.

Capital One Eno

For Capital One cardholders

Capital One Eno is Capital One’s virtual credit card service, available to any Capital One credit card holder. To use Capital One Eno, which is the name of the company’s virtual assistant, you need to log into your Capital One account and install the Eno extension in your web browser. Eno is compatible with Edge, Chrome and Firefox. Once installed, the wizard will automatically appear at the checkout and offer to generate a virtual card for you.

If you prefer not to install Eno in your web browser, you can generate virtual cards through the Capital One mobile app or the Capital One website, which you can then use by copying the card information and using it at home. checkout. You cannot use Eno or any Capital One virtual card at in-person merchants – only at online retailers. But the Eno extension makes the process of using virtual cards as easy and convenient as possible, especially since Eno keeps track of the virtual cards used for specific online merchants.

Citibank Virtual Account Numbers

For certain Citi cardholders

Citi’s solution to the virtual credit card is the Citi Virtual Account Numbers feature, which is available to many Citibank cardholders. Users can register for the Virtual Account Numbers feature online and then access the Virtual Card Generator either online through the Citi web portal or through an application available for Windows computers. The service will generate a 16-digit card with a CVV and an expiration date that you can set. Every transaction you make with a Citi Virtual Card will appear on your regular monthly bank statement with the corresponding virtual account number so you can easily track each transaction.

One of the advantages of Citi Virtual Account Numbers is that you are not limited to online use. The number can be used to make purchases over the phone or to make reservations just like you would with a physical card. Citibank does not disclose which cardholders are eligible to use the Citi Virtual Account Numbers feature, so you may not be eligible. But you can sign up for the feature online to find out if it’s available to you.

Masterpass by Mastercard ™

For holders of Mastercard, Visa, Amex and Discover cards

Masterpass is Mastercard’s take on the virtual card service, although it’s actually closer to a digital wallet. Like other options, Masterpass generates a temporary card number for you to make purchases. What is different is that you can use Masterpass with cards from card issuers other than Mastercard. This means that it will generate a virtual card for you even if you are using an American Express, Discover, or Visa card, among other options. The virtual card is available through the Masterpass app, which you can get on Android or through the banking partner apps that support Masterpass.

Because Masterpass works like a digital wallet, you can make in-person purchases at a number of participating retailers that support checkout service. You will also earn rewards for using the service which is an added incentive.

Note: Mastercard is phasing out Masterpass functionality in favor of a solution called Click To Pay (see above).