Prepaid virtual card for online payments
A prepaid virtual card is a card number you use online, loaded with a set amount instead of linked to your bank account. On Onlineselling you issue one from your balance, which you can fund with a card or with crypto through Cryptomus, and spend what you loaded wherever the card is accepted.
- Fund with card or crypto
- Spend only what you load
- Card details on your order page
- Keep your main card private
Virtual cards available now
Live from the Virtual cards section: card types open right now, with their details and starting fee.
Virtual cards: coming soon
What people use a prepaid virtual card for
Subscriptions and trials
Load only what a subscription needs, so a forgotten renewal can’t take more than you planned.
Keeping your main card private
Pay smaller or one-off online shops without saving your bank card on yet another website.
Separate work spending
Keep software, tools or ad spend for a project on its own card, so it’s easy to track.
Spending crypto online
Fund your balance with crypto, issue a card and pay at online stores that accept cards.
How a prepaid virtual card works on Onlineselling
Top up your balance
Add funds with a card or crypto through Cryptomus (USDT, BTC, ETH and more).
Issue a card
Choose a card in Virtual cards. The card fee is charged when the card is issued.
Load funds
Move the amount you want to spend onto the card.
Pay online
Use the card number, expiry date and security code from your order page at checkout.
Prepaid virtual card vs gift card vs your bank card
| Prepaid virtual card | Gift card | Your bank card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it works | Online merchants that accept the card | One brand’s store | Almost everywhere |
| Spending limit | What you load | The card’s value | Your account balance or credit limit |
| If the details leak | Only what’s loaded is at risk | Only the card’s value | Your account, until you block the card |
| Best for | Subscriptions, one-off shops, separate spending | Presents and one store | Everyday spending |
Fees and rules
| Topic | How it works |
|---|---|
| Card fee | Charged when the card is issued; not refundable |
| Money loaded on a card | Spent by using the card, so load only what you plan to spend |
| Where it works | Online merchants that accept the card; some merchants decline prepaid cards |
| Card details | Shown on your order page |
Using a virtual card for a subscription
Load enough for the first payment and a renewal
Some services place a small temporary check on the card when you add it, so leave a little headroom.
Add the card to the service
Enter the details from your order page in the service’s billing settings.
Set a reminder before renewal
A reminder a few days before the renewal date gives you time to decide.
Top up or let it lapse
Load the card to keep the subscription, or leave it empty and the renewal simply won’t go through.
Why a virtual card payment gets declined
Most declines have simple causes. Some merchants refuse prepaid cards on purpose, especially for subscriptions, car rentals and hotel deposits, where they may need to charge more later.
Others decline when the balance on the card doesn’t cover the total after currency conversion or fees, or when the billing details entered don’t match what the merchant expects.
If a merchant keeps declining, it may simply not accept prepaid cards. A gift card for that brand can be an alternative.
Good habits with virtual cards
A prepaid card limits what can go wrong, and a few habits limit it further.
- Use separate cards for separate purposes, such as one for subscriptions and one for one-off shops.
- Load only what you plan to spend in the near future.
- Never share the full card details in chat or by email.
- Remove the card from services you’ve stopped using.
Prepaid virtual cards: FAQ
What is a prepaid virtual card?
A card number for online payments that is loaded with a set amount in advance instead of being linked to a bank account. You can only spend what’s on it.
Can I use a virtual card for subscriptions?
Often yes, where the merchant accepts prepaid cards. Keep enough on the card for each renewal. Some subscription services decline prepaid cards.
Why was my virtual card declined?
Common reasons are a merchant that refuses prepaid cards, a balance that doesn’t cover the total after conversion, or billing details that don’t match. See the checklist on this page.
Can I buy a virtual card with crypto?
Yes. Top up your Onlineselling balance with crypto through Cryptomus, then issue the card from your balance.
Is the card fee refundable?
No. The card fee is charged when the card is issued and can’t be refunded.
Can I move money from the card back to my balance?
Money loaded on a card is spent through the card, so load only what you plan to use.
Is a prepaid virtual card a credit card?
No. There’s no credit line: you can only spend the amount loaded on the card.
Pay online without your main card
Fund your balance with a card or crypto, issue a virtual card and spend only what you load.
Use virtual cards only for your own lawful purchases, in line with each merchant’s terms and our Terms of Service.