A virtual card is a unique credit card number that's generated on-demand. It’s linked to your physical card and can be used online or over the phone with a merchant.

A virtual card is not a prepaid debit card and works similarly to a regular credit card. When you make a purchase with a virtual card, it will show up as a transaction on your credit card statement just like any other charge.

Virtual cards let you make purchases without exposing your physical card number. In the event of a fraud event on your physical card, your virtual card numbers will remain active—keeping your business running.

Virtual cards are an extension of your existing credit card account. You aren't opening a new account when you create virtual cards.

No. Once a virtual card has been deleted, it can't be used for new purchases. Some transactions may still be processed to a deleted virtual card, like returns and credits.

Currently, only the primary cardholder can create virtual cards.

Apple Pay and other digital wallets have similar functionality to Capital One's virtual cards since they also create unique 16-digit numbers that are linked to your physical credit card number. You may be able to load your Capital One Business credit card into these digital wallets as a more secure way to make purchases in person as well.

Capital One Business limits customers to 20 new virtual cards over a 24 hour period.