Virtual business credit cards: 5 smart options

Losing a credit card. Digging for old receipts. Accidentally going over budget. If you travel for business, you’ve probably dealt with challenges like these. Traditional corporate credit cards just weren’t built for today’s digital-first workplace.

But virtual business credit cards are. We’ll show you why they make spending smarter, safer, and more flexible and give you tips for finding the best virtual cards on the market.

What’s a virtual business credit card?

A virtual business credit card is a digital credit card for business use. Unlike the traditional physical card, virtual cards exist only online. You get a unique 16-digit card number, CVV, and expiration date just like you would with a regular credit card, but instead of carrying it in your pocket, the numbers are stored in a digital wallet.

This type of card is beneficial for managing corporate travel expenses, vendor payments, business subscriptions, and day-to-day employee spending. Far more flexible than plastic, virtual cards can be issued to multiple team members, with preset spending limits, real-time transaction tracking, and—when needed—instant deactivation.

The benefits of using a virtual business credit card

Here’s how virtual cards make managing company purchases and employee expenses faster, easier, and more secure. Here’s a look at the key benefits.

More security for transactions

Because you can generate virtual cards for specific purchases or vendors, they’re much safer than traditional cards. If a card number is stolen or overcharged, you can deactivate it with the click of a button. And when you need to replace a credit card, there’s no waiting around for one to arrive in the mail.

Streamlined expense tracking 

Every transaction made with the virtual card is logged in real time, which makes it easy to manage spending across your team or company. Some virtual card platforms even auto-categorize expenses and sync with your organization’s accounting tools.

Simplified reimbursements and reporting

No more digging through emails and wallets for receipts—virtual cards automatically log transactions in real time, making it easy to match charges to receipts to simplify expense reporting and cut down on reimbursement delays.

Integration with travel management systems

Seamless integration with travel management tools and apps means every booking, budget update, and billing detail flows into one central system, helping finance teams spend less time chasing data and more time optimizing spend.

Better control over employee spending

You can issue individual cards to employees or departments, each with custom spending limits, expiration dates, and merchant restrictions. This not only prevents accidental overspending but also gives managers real-time visibility and control over every dollar spent. 

Easy subscription and vendor payment management

Virtual cards are ideal for managing recurring expenses like software subscriptions or vendor invoices. You can assign a unique card to each vendor—if something changes, it’s easy to instantly cancel or replace the card without disrupting other charges or compromising security.

Virtual vs. physical business cards: When to use each

While virtual cards offer flexibility and enhanced control, there are still situations where a physical card may be more practical. Knowing when to use each helps your team stay efficient and secure.

Use a virtual card when:

• Booking travel like hotels, flights, or rental cars online
• Paying vendors or contractors, especially for one-time or recurring invoices
• Managing subscriptions for software, cloud services, or other tools
• Issuing short-term cards for freelancers, new hires, or project-based expenses
• Handling urgent purchases or quickly replacing compromised credit cards

Use a physical card when:

• Paying in person at restaurants, taxis, gas stations, or shops that don’t support digital cards
• Traveling to areas with limited internet access or without mobile wallet compatibility
• Making purchases from vendors that require card swiping or chip insertion
• Covering emergencies where virtual access may be delayed

Using a combination of virtual and physical cards gives you the flexibility to manage any kind of spend with the control you need to keep every dollar accountable.

5 virtual business credit cards

Here are five strong options for virtual business cards, each offering unique features suited for different types of organizations.

Tipalti Card

The Tipalti Card streamlines vendor payments and spend management by integrating with global payout systems. It supports real-time expense tracking and offers cash back on every transaction, making it ideal for companies working with international vendors.

Intergiro

Intergiro offers customizable virtual and physical corporate cards with support for multi-currency transactions, spending controls, and real-time tracking. Businesses can issue unlimited cards, set individual spending limits, and manage expenses efficiently—perfect for startups and digital-first teams operating across borders.

Airbase

Airbase combines virtual cards, spend approvals, and accounting automation into a single platform. It offers customizable spending limits, expiration dates, and merchant restrictions, providing mid-sized to larger businesses with tighter control and visibility. Airbase is a great option for companies scaling up their finance operations.

American Express Business Platinum Card

Known for travel perks and strong customer service, this credit card offers virtual card options through its online portal. The Amex Business Platinum Card is best suited for established companies with frequent travel needs, combining rewards with the flexibility of a digital card.

Ramp

Ramp focuses on automation and savings, providing unlimited virtual cards with built-in controls and real-time insights into company spending. Its platform is designed for tech-savvy teams aiming to reduce waste and enhance transparency, offering features like automated expense management and vendor tracking.

How to request a virtual business credit card

Setting up virtual cards for your business is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide.

1. Choose a provider

Look for a virtual credit card company that matches your business size, travel needs, and integration requirements. Consider factors like user limits, security features, reporting tools, and compatibility with your existing systems.

2. Set up a business account

Most platforms will ask for basic business details, including the company’s legal name, address, and bank account information. You’ll also need to provide the name and contact information of an authorized representative—usually an owner or senior manager—for identity verification.

3. Define user access and spending limits

Decide who on your team will get a virtual card and assign limits based on roles, departments, or purchase types. Many platforms let you set spending caps, expiration dates, and merchant restrictions for added control.

4. Generate the virtual card

After setting permissions, you can create a virtual card instantly. Once the number is generated, your card is ready for immediate use on online purchases, business travel bookings, or vendor payments.

5. Track and manage expenses

Use your provider’s dashboard to monitor transactions in real time, flag unusual activity, and download detailed reports. This will help you stay on budget and make month-end reconciliation easy.

Manage your business travel with Engine

Virtual credit cards are changing how companies manage payments, but they’re just one part of the travel equation. If you want to simplify your entire business travel experience, try Engine. We make it easy to book hotels, flights, and car rentals in one place without juggling tabs or chasing down receipts. 

Ready to simplify your travel and spending? With the help of Engine and your new virtual corporate card, you’ll spend less time worrying about admin—and more time getting things done.

FAQs

Can virtual business credit cards be used internationally?

Yes, most virtual card providers allow international use, but it’s important to confirm that your credit card supports multi-currency transactions for vendors or employees who are located overseas.

How do I cancel a virtual card that’s no longer needed?

Most providers allow you to instantly deactivate or delete a virtual card through your online dashboard. This is useful for ending subscriptions or stopping charges from a vendor you no longer work with.

Will I still need to keep physical receipts?

Not necessarily. Many platforms allow users to upload digital receipts directly to the platform, and some even auto-match them to transactions, simplifying audits and expense reports.

Can I set expiration dates for virtual cards?

Yes, you can often set custom expiration dates or time limits on virtual credit cards, which is especially helpful for short-term projects or one-time purchases.