Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
A virtual credit card is a randomly generated card number you can use when shopping online or over the phone. It's designed to protect your account information from being stolen in case of a data breach or an insecure internet connection. Typically, if you have a physical credit card, you can also request a virtual card number online — provided your issuer offers this feature.
CNBC Select analyzed credit cards from major issuers that provide virtual card numbers and compiled a list of the best options for various needs. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best virtual cards.)
Best virtual credit cards
- Best for groceries: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (See rates and fees)
- Best for cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card
- Best for dining: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for airport lounge access: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Best for no annual fee: Chase Freedom Unlimited® (See rates and fees)
- Best for entertainment purchases: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for groceries
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High cash-back earnings for U.S. supermarkets and streaming services
- Intro-APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee for the first year
- It's less rewarding after the first year because of the annual fee
- Bonus rewards for U.S. supermarkets are capped
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don't have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you'll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
Who's this for? If groceries make up a large chunk of your family's budget, you can stretch your dollars with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express thanks to its high cash-back rate on purchases at U.S. supermarkets.
Standout benefits: The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express lets you enroll for virtual card numbers by adding it to your Google account. Then, when shopping online using Google Chrome or an Android mobile device, you'll be able to pay with a virtual card number.
Best for travel rewards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great fit for anyone who wants to earn flexible travel rewards that can be transferred to airlines and hotels.
Standout benefits: You can use virtual card numbers through Chase's partnership with Paze. You don't need to register for the service, you simply select Paze as your payment option when shopping with a participating merchant.
Best for cash back
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best no-annual-fee cash-back cards thanks to its straightforward rewards structure.
- Balance transfers get a long intro APR
- Generous flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
- No annual fee
- Travelers face a foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR only applies to balance tranfer
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
Who's this for? The Citi Double Cash® Card is a good pick for anyone who likes simplicity. It offers an above-average return on everyday purchases without spending caps or activation requirements.
Standout benefits: Cardholders with eligible Citi cards, such as the Citi Double Cash® Card, can enroll in virtual card numbers online on the issuer's website.
Best for dining
The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
- You can earn $400+ in dining and rideshare credits every year (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Exceptionally rewarding for eligible restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Larger annual fee
- Credits are more complicated, you earn them monthly or semi-annually
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You'll know upfront exactly how much you'll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Foreign transaction fee
None
Who's this for? The American Express® Gold Card is the ultimate travel card for foodies. Besides high rewards rates on groceries and dining purchases, it offers generous statement credits that make this card almost pay for itself.
Standout benefits: In addition to instant access after approval, American Express cardholders can request virtual card numbers when shopping online through Google Chrome or Android mobile devices. To get started, you must add your Amex card to your Google account. Then, when shopping online, you'll be prompted to enroll for a virtual card number on the checkout page.
Best for airport lounge access
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium credit card with a myriad of benefits and a lower annual fee than other high-end cards with similar features.
- Annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles after every card anniversary
- Unlimited complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations
- Long list of valuable travel and shopping protections, including return protection, rental car coverage and trip delay reimbursement (Benefit(s) only available to accounts approved for the Visa Infinite card. Terms apply.)
- Limited bonus spending categories compared to other premium credit cards
- High annual fee
- High credit score requirement (excellent credit)
Highlights
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fees
$0
Who's this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is an excellent option if you travel frequently and want premium benefits. It has a simple, yet valuable, rewards system and luxury perks such as annual travel credits, airport lounge access and credits for expedited airport security.
Standout benefits: Capital One cardholders can request a virtual credit card number through Eno, the issuer's browser extension. Eno allows users to create merchant-specific virtual card numbers, as well as lock, unlock or delete them at any time.
Best for no annual fee
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus.
- Users get a high rewards rate and strong welcome bonus
- Purchases and balance transfers get long intro APR
- No annual fee
- Travelers face a foreign transaction fee
- Few rewarding ongoing benefits
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Who's this for? The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is great if you want a card with a valuable welcome bonus and great rewards rates without the hassle of an annual fee.
Standout benefits: When you use Paze to pay with an eligible merchant, you can utilize a virtual credit card number for your Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Best for entertainment purchases
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding options for earning cash back in categories such as entertainment and dining without paying an annual fee.
- One of the most rewarding cash back cards for entertainment and streaming services
- No annual fee
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- High APR
- Requires a good to excellent credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.74% - 28.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
Introductory fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 12 months that your account is open. After that, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you at any other time.
Who's this for? The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is geared toward those who like to have fun — whether that is by attending entertainment events, such as concerts and sports games, or by streaming a movie and ordering takeout.
Standout benefits: The Capital One Savor offers virtual card numbers through Eno. The tool also offers useful features like reminders before free trials end, so that you have the opportunity to cancel before you're charged.
More on our top virtual cards
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a cash-back credit card that offers 6% cash back on grocery shopping and U.S. streaming subscriptions. This rate is hard to beat, even considering the card's modest annual fee. It also offers elevated returns on U.S. gas station and transit purchases.
Rewards
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations
- 3% cash back on transit
- 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome bonus
Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees).
Notable perks
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers cardholders an up to $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal. Enrollment required.
Other perks include purchase and return protection, extended warranty and car rental insurance, among other benefits.
Cardholders can also take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a 19.49% - 28.49% variable APR applies. (See rates and fees).
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular mid-tier travel card and a great beginner credit card for those new to flexible travel rewards.
Rewards
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 5X points on Lyft rides through Sept. 30 2027
- 3X points on dining
- 3X points on select streaming services
- 3X points for online groceries
- 2X points on all other travel purchases
- 1X on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$95
Notable perks
The Sapphire Preferred comes with a solid array of travel and purchase protections, you'll be covered by trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, travel accident insurance, rental car insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, travel and emergency assistance, roadside dispatch, purchase protection and extended warranty protection.
Every year, you'll have access to up to $50 in Chase Travel Hotel credit. To take advantage of this perk, you simply need to book a hotel stay through Chase TravelSM and pay with your Sapphire Preferred card. A statement credit of up to $50 should post to your account within one or two billing cycles.
The points you earn can potentially get more value by transferring your points to one of Chase's many hotel and airline partners, such as Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, United Airlines MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG One Rewards and World of Hyatt.
Citi Double Cash® Card
The Citi Double Cash® Card is a cash-back card that earns an unlimited 2% back on all purchases. Double cash back can add up fast, especially when you consider the card has no annual fee.
Rewards
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
Cardholders receive 0% intro APR for the first 18 months on balance transfers (then a 17.49% - 27.49% variable APR). There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Other perks include Mastercard ID Theft Protection and access to Citi® Identity Theft Solutions, a service that will help you if you're a victim of identity theft. Plus, cardholders can get special access to ticket sales through Citi Entertainment.
Cashback earned with this card can be redeemed for checks, direct deposits, statement credits, gift cards and more. You can also transfer rewards to three of Citi's travel partners: Wyndham, JetBlue and Choice Privileges.
Pro tip: Although billed as a cash-back card, if you have the Citi Strata Premier® Card, you'll be able to transfer your Citi ThankYou® Rewards to any of Citi's airline and hotel partners. (see rates and fees)
American Express® Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card stands out for its generous return on dining and U.S. supermarket purchases. While the annual fee can seem high, the card's rewards and various perks help make up for it.
Rewards
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- 4X points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X for the rest of the year)
- 4X points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X for the rest of the year)
- 3X points per dollar spent on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$325 (see rates and fees)
Notable perks
With the American Express Gold Card, you can receive up to $240 in annual statement credits: up to $120 on dining ($10 in statement credits per month) for purchases made with Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder (enrollment required) and up to $120 in Uber Cash ($10 per month) for U.S. Uber Eats orders and U.S. Uber rides (you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express Gold Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account. The Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States). An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
You can also earn up to $84 per year in Dunkin' credit (up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations, enrollment required) and up to $100 in Resy statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
The card also provides *travel insurance, including a baggage insurance plan and car rental insurance. Plus, if you book a stay at one of the properties in The Hotel Collection with AmexTravel.com, you can get a $100 credit towards eligible charges* (a minimum two-night stay is required; *eligible charges vary by property.)
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
There are several options for redeeming Membership Rewards points, but you'll get the best value by transferring them to airline and hotel partners.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium credit card that earns at least 2X miles on all purchases and offers many benefits that easily make its annual fee worth it.
Rewards
- 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel portal
- 5X miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel portal
- 2X miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Annual fee
$395
Notable perks
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers up to $300 back annually in statement credits for bookings made through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth at least $100 for travel), making it easy to recoup the $395 the annual fee.
On top of that, cardholders receive an up to $120 statement credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, access to Capital One and partner airport lounges and Hertz President's Circle elite status (enrollment required)* through Dec. 31, 2024. Other perks include VIP benefits on hotel stays booked through the Premier Collection and Lifestyle Collection, cell phone insurance** and various travel insurance benefits, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay coverage, lost luggage reimbursement and car rental insurance.
Plus, there are lots of ways to redeem the rewards you earn with the Venture X, such as offsetting eligible travel purchases made in the last 90 days, booking new trips through Capital One Travel, transferring miles to partner loyalty programs or redeeming for cash or gift cards.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply
**Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great everyday credit card offering a lot of value considering it has no annual fee.
Rewards
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
- 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
When you open a Freedom Unlimited account, you can take advantage of an intro 0% APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a variable 18.24% - 27.74% APR applies. There is a balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer with a $5 minimum for transfers you complete in the first 60 days of account opening, then the transfer fee increases to 5% of the amount of each transfer ($5 minimum).
Eligible transactions you make with this card are covered by purchase protection, extended warranty protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel and emergency assistance services and rental car insurance.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card isn't just a great card for entertainment purchases — it can also be a cash-back alternative to the Amex Gold. With an unlimited 3% cash back on dining and 3% back at grocery stores, you can rack up plenty of rewards for a $0 annual fee.
Rewards
- 3% cash back on dining
- 3% at grocery stores
- 3% on entertainment
- 3% on eligible streaming services
- 1% on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has travel and shopping benefits such as travel accident insurance, extended warranties and more. Plus, the card unlocks access to exclusive events and experiences, such as presale concert tickets, through Capital One Entertainment (where you'll also earn 8% back).
Rewards can be redeemed for cash back, or you can use them to make purchases online via Amazon or PayPal.
Using a virtual credit card number is convenient and secure. Plus, you'll still earn rewards on these transactions and be covered by your card's shopping or travel protections. So you aren't losing anything when you opt for a virtual card number. However, not all card issuers offer this feature, and it's not always possible to pay with a virtual card for in-store transactions.
Pros
- Paying with a virtual card number is more secure because the merchant won't have your physical credit card number.
- It's easy to use virtual card numbers to pay at eligible merchants.
- You can still take advantage of all your card benefits when paying with a virtual credit card number.
- You'll still earn your usual rewards when paying with a virtual credit card number.
Cons
- It can be more difficult to use virtual card numbers for in-store payments if it's an option at all.
- Virtual credit card numbers are not available as a feature for all credit cards.
FAQs
How do I get a virtual credit card?
The process of getting a virtual card number varies by issuer. For instance, with Capital One, you can use virtual card numbers with Eno, while Amex requires that you go through your Google account and Citi lets you sign up online.
Who offers virtual credit cards?
Several major card issuers offer virtual card numbers, including American Express, Chase, Capital One and Citi. Other issuers, such as Discover do not currently offer virtual card numbers, but you may be able to get them through third-party services.
How do I use a virtual card at a store?
You can use a virtual card in stores that accept digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay if you have added the virtual card number to the wallet.
How do I add a virtual card to my digital wallet?
Typically, to add a virtual credit card to a digital wallet, you simply need to add a new payment method and input your virtual card details.
Do I still get rewards when using a virtual card?
You still earn the same rewards and benefits as you normally would when using a virtual card.
Can I get a virtual credit card online?
If your card issuer offers this feature, you can request a virtual credit card online.
Are virtual credit cards a good idea?
A virtual credit card can be a good idea for extra security when you shop online since it allows you to use your card without exposing the card number.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best virtual credit cards.
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Our methodology
To determine the best virtual credit cards, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.
We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
For the cards that offered a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back.
When choosing the best virtual credit cards, we only considered cards that offer virtual card number services.
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For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
