How to Use the Revolut Virtual Card: Our Step-by-Step Guide

The Revolut virtual card is a convenient digital payment card that can be used to make online purchases. Unlike physical plastic or metal cards, virtual cards are generated using a unique card number, expiration date, and security code. The virtual card details are saved and used across online devices, allowing for secure and convenient online transactions.

In this article, we will explore what the Revolut virtual card is, how it works, what the benefits are, and how to get one yourself!

How the Revolut Virtual Card Works

Revolut virtual cards work the same as physical cards in terms of transaction processing. When you use a virtual card to make a purchase, the card details are transmitted securely to the merchant's server, and the transaction is processed like any other payment.

Virtual cards offer an added layer of security since they exist only in a digital form, as opposed to physical cards that can be lost or stolen. It's important to note that virtual cards differ from the cards uploaded to mobile wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. The latter are usually physical cards that have been uploaded electronically, while Revolut's virtual cards are issued digitally and have never been physically shipped to you.

Benefits of the Revolut Virtual Card

Virtual cards offer several benefits over traditional payment methods, including:

• Enhanced Security: Virtual cards are more secure than physical cards because they do not exist physically and cannot be lost or stolen. Moreover, they use advanced security protocols like two-factor authentication to prevent fraudulent activities.
• Convenience: Virtual cards can be generated easily and used for online transactions without the need to carry a physical card. You can even use them on multiple devices, making online payments more convenient and hassle-free.
• Control: With virtual cards, you can set limits on spending, define expiration dates, and revoke them at any time, providing better control over your spending.

How to Use a Virtual Card

One of the key benefits of subscribing to Revolut's premium membership is the ability to obtain a virtual card on your app. By using a virtual card, you can conveniently manage all of your online shopping in one central location without the concern of losing your physical card.

You’ll see your virtual card in the app alongside the details of your physical card. Use the virtual card as you would with any online payment. Enter the 16-digit card number, along with the expiry date and the CVV number.

How to Get a Revolut Virtual Card

To get a Revolut virtual card, you must first register for Revolut Premium. Once you have successfully completed the premium subscription process, follow these steps to acquire a virtual card:

1. Navigate to the ‘Cards’ tab;
2. Click the ‘+’ symbol and choose ‘Virtual’;
3. Select ‘Get Virtual’ to finish the process.

By following these simple steps, you will be able to obtain your very own virtual card and enjoy the added security that comes with it. You can even link your card to Apple Pay or Google Pay if needed. Just input your card details and access it from your smartphone’s mobile wallet.

Revolut Virtual Card Alternatives

While we think Revolut is a top-tier fintech platform with one of the best Premium plans available, you will have many other great alternatives to the Revolut virtual card.

The Wise Multi-Currency Account is an excellent product available in the US, the UK, the EU, Oceania, Japan, and several other countries. Chime is a great alternative in the United States while Starling Bank is one of the best neobanks in the UK. N26 is our choice for the best neobank in Europe.

Wise Multi-Currency Account

Wise offers a multi-currency account, which comes with a debit MasterCard. Its main feature is that it allows you to hold money in more than 50 currencies and gives you account details for 10 of them, including USD, EUR or GBP (though note that you will have to pay a small fee actually to exchange money).

Account: Multi-Currency Account

Monthly fee: $0

Overdraft: No

Virtual card: Available

Interest (APY on balance or savings): 0%

FSCS-insured: No (but partners with FSCS-insured Barclays UK)

More info: See our Wise Account review or visit their website.

Chime

Chime® is probably the best-known mobile finance app in the United States, which is lauded for its well-rounded and easy-to-use services. Open to those with a social security number, Chime provides you with a current account (the Chime Current Account) and a savings account (the Chime High Yield Savings Account) that yields 2.00% APY³. Even get access to an interest-free credit builder called the Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card². Chime connects you to a network of over 55,000 ATMs for fee-free withdrawals and no international transaction fees — a great choice for travel abroad¹.

Account: Chime Checking Account

Monthly fee: $0

Overdraft: Yes

Virtual card: Available

Interest (APY on balance or savings): 2.00%

FDIC-insured: Yes (through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank, N.A.)

More info: See our Chime review or visit their website.

Starling Bank

Starling Bank is a fully-authorised bank in the UK that's well known for its fee-free current account. In fact, because this account is completely free and gives you access to an impressively complete range of financial services (including overdraft, loans, joint account, youth card, pensions, Euro balance, interest, etc.), we think Starling offers the best free bank account in the UK — one we recommend as a complete replacement for an account at a high-street bank.

Account name: Personal Account

Potential costs: £20 per CHAPS transfer in the UK, 0.4% + £5.50 for international SWIFT transfers, £5 for a replacement debit card.

Virtual card: Available

Noteworthy features: Saving Spaces, pension scheme, youth card, interest, overdraft.

More info: See our full Starling Bank review.

N26

N26 is arguable the best online bank in all of Europe. Although N26 is currently opening accounts for German, Austrian, and Spanish citizens only in 2022, customers can begin making bank deposits as soon as they open an account on their smartphone. You will get a debit card shipped to your house, which gives you fee-free ATM withdrawals across Europe (international withdrawals cost 1.5%) and zero international card transaction fees. N26 gives you an IBAN and integrates with Wise to give you low-fee international money transfers. Its budgeting tools and savings pots are beloved by customers too.

Account: Standard

Monthly fee: $0

Overdraft: Yes

Virtual card: Available

Interest (APY on balance or savings): varies by partner bank

GDPS-insured: Yes

More info: See our N26 review or visit their website.

Revolut's Virtual Card in a Nutshell

The virtual cards offered by Revolut are convenient and secure ways to make online purchases. They offer enhanced security features and can be easily managed.

All the alternatives to Revolut mentioned in this article also offer virtual cards, which you can conveniently activate from your smartphone. Starling Bank is perhaps the best choice in the UK while Chime® is one of the top online accounts in the US. N26 is a powerhouse for residents in EU/EEA countries while the Wise Multi-Currency Account is available in countries around the globe.

Whether you're an avid online shopper or just looking for a safer way to make online transactions, virtual cards are definitely worth considering.