How to use a virtual card from Capital One

You may already be familiar with the concept of virtual cards. If not, here’s what you need to know. A virtual card contains a virtual card number, which is a randomly generated token that is linked to your credit card account. You can use it to make purchases online, but your actual credit card number isn’t shared with stores, which can help protect your account.

As a Capital One customer, you may be able to use virtual cards to shop online. Eligible cardholders can generate virtual cards through Eno, your Capital One virtual assistant, the Capital One Mobile app or Google Pay™. Read on to learn more about how to use a virtual card from Capital One. 

Key takeaways

• Virtual card numbers are linked to your credit card account and replace your actual credit card number during checkout.

• Generating a virtual card from Capital One can give you the opportunity to make purchases without having your physical card on hand, easily set up recurring payments for your favorite subscription services and continue earning rewards or cash back on your purchases as you normally would.

• Eligible Capital One cardholders can access or generate virtual cards in a few ways: through the Eno browser extension, Google Pay™ and the Capital One Mobile app.

If you have an eligible Capital One credit card, you can start using virtual cards in a few ways: by downloading the Eno browser extension, shopping online on Google Chrome or in Android apps using Google Pay or accessing your virtual card through the Capital One Mobile app. Let’s take a closer look at each method.

Start by downloading the Eno browser extension onto your desktop or laptop, then sign in to the extension using your Capital One account credentials and enroll your qualifying Capital One credit card. 

Eno automatically pops up during checkout, and you can use the extension to generate a unique virtual card for each merchant that links back to your credit card account. Eno will even save the virtual card for future transactions, making it easier to complete a purchase online the next time you shop at that merchant. 

Tip: Virtual cards generated by Eno are merchant specific, meaning that each virtual card can only be used at one merchant.

Google Pay is a quick, easy and more secure way to pay online and in stores. And thanks to Capital One’s exciting collaboration with Google Pay, eligible credit cardholders can add their Capital One credit card to Google Pay to start using virtual cards. When you check out using autofill through your Chrome browser or in Android apps, you can choose to pay with a virtual card number that is linked to your Capital One credit card account.

Tip: Virtual cards with Google Pay are also merchant specific, so you won’t be able to use the same virtual card at different merchant sites.

For eligible credit cardholders, sign in to your account through the Capital One Mobile app or online. Then select Get Your Virtual Card, located on the tile showing your credit card balance, for an eligible credit card account. You may need to verify your identity first. Then you can access your virtual card details, including the virtual card number, security code and expiration date.

Tip: The virtual card you access in the Capital One Mobile app or online can be used at multiple stores online. 

Here are a few ways you can use a virtual card from Capital One online or on your mobile device: 

• To feel safer when you shop online: With virtual cards from Capital One, your credit card account gets an added layer of protection during checkout because rather than sharing your actual card number with a merchant, your virtual card number is shared instead. And if you use the Eno browser extension or autofill on Chrome or in Android apps, you don’t have to input your virtual card number manually. Instead, the virtual card number you generate is saved for faster checkout.

• To pay for your subscriptions: Did you know you can use a virtual card to pay for your subscriptions? Simply use a virtual card number when setting up a recurring charge, then enjoy uninterrupted access to your favorite streaming sites, online subscriptions and more—even if your actual credit card number changes.

• To make purchases without your physical card on hand: Virtual cards from Capital One allow you to make purchases without your physical credit card on hand. So if your card has been lost or stolen, you can still use your existing virtual cards to make online purchases or create new virtual cards for specific stores. And if you’re a new Capital One credit cardholder and have yet to receive your physical credit card in the mail, you may be able to access your virtual card through the Capital One Mobile app to start making purchases and earning cash back rewards or miles immediately.

Generally, virtual cards are designed for online payments. If you’d like to use your Capital One credit card in stores and want to utilize digital payment options, consider adding it to a compatible digital wallet. 

Virtual cards from Capital One offer convenience, flexibility and easier online shopping. Here are a few other benefits you can enjoy as well: 

• Added security: When you use a virtual card number to check out online, your actual card number is not shared with the merchant. That means stores—and potential fraudsters—don’t see your actual card number.

• The same card benefits: When you use a virtual card that’s linked to your Capital One credit card account, you will continue to enjoy the same card benefits as you normally would, such as earning cash back or miles on qualifying purchases.

• Quick checkouts: When you use the Eno browser extension to generate a virtual card number for a specific store, Eno will store the virtual card information and autopopulate it the next time you make a purchase from that merchant. Similarly, if you use a virtual card through autofill on Chrome or in Android apps, your virtual card number is autofilled for faster checkout.

Shopping with virtual cards from Capital One comes with several benefits, including flexibility, convenience and added security. And with so many ways to use a virtual card with your Capital One credit card, you can enjoy enhanced control over the way you make online purchases.