How to Use a Virtual Card for In-Store Payments
Seamlessly use your virtual card for secure in-store payments. Learn how to prepare, transact, and manage acceptance at physical stores.
A virtual card provides unique payment credentials (card number, expiration date, security code) for specific transactions. While primarily for online security, these digital instruments also facilitate in-store payments, extending their security and control benefits to physical retail.
Preparing for In-Store Use
Before using a virtual card in-store, integrate it with a mobile wallet application on a compatible device. Popular options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay securely store these digital credentials. To add a virtual card, navigate to the wallet app, select ‘add new card,’ and manually input its number, expiration date, and security code. This links the virtual card to the mobile wallet for contactless use.
Properly configure your mobile device for contactless payments. Most modern smartphones and smartwatches support Near Field Communication (NFC) for tap-to-pay. Verify NFC is enabled in device settings and your mobile wallet is the default payment app. Some wallets require additional authentication, like fingerprint or facial recognition, during setup for enhanced security. This prepares the virtual card for physical transactions.
Completing a Purchase
Once integrated and configured, completing a purchase with a virtual card is streamlined. At the point of sale, activate your mobile wallet, often by double-pressing a side button or opening the app. Select the virtual card for the transaction. This selection typically requires quick authentication via biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition) or a passcode, adding security to each payment.
After selecting and authenticating the card, hold your mobile device near the payment terminal’s contactless reader. NFC technology facilitates secure data exchange, and the terminal processes the transaction. A visual or auditory cue, like a checkmark or beep, usually indicates successful payment. In some retail settings, such as self-checkout kiosks or specific merchant apps, QR code scanning may also be an option for secure payment transmission.
Addressing Limited Acceptance
Despite growing contactless payment systems, some retail locations lack compatible terminals, challenging direct virtual card use via mobile wallets. In these instances, the primary NFC-based method for in-store virtual card purchases is unavailable. This means consumers cannot simply tap their device to complete the transaction.
If direct contactless payment isn’t an option, alternative methods may allow virtual card use, though convenience or security may shift. For example, you could use virtual card details for an online order with in-store pickup. If a merchant allows manual entry for specific transactions, you might verbally provide the virtual card number and details. However, this diminishes the security advantages of virtual cards, which are designed to keep the primary card number hidden.