American Express Virtual Credit Card—Features, Eligibility, and Setup
The rising frequency of payment card fraud is one of the major factors causing an increased interest in and need for virtual cards. These cards are an effective solution against cybercriminals, masking your real financial information during online transactions and protecting it from getting stolen in case of a breach on a merchant's server.
Nowadays, many banks and fintech companies provide virtual card services. One such example is American Express®, a renowned online-only bank that allows its eligible cardholders to generate and use virtual cards with their Google accounts[1].
In this article, you can learn about the American Express virtual credit card and find out:
- What it is
- How to use it
- Who qualifies for it
- How to apply
The provided information is valid as of September 2023. Visit the official American Express website or contact the bank directly for the latest updates.
What Is the Amex Virtual Card Number?
The American Express virtual credit card, which the company named the Amex virtual card number, is a digital payment solution that substitutes the user’s physical card, ensuring their real financial information is never shared with merchants[1].
The user can acquire an Amex virtual card number by connecting the eligible Amex card to their Google account[1]. They can then use the virtual card to shop wherever Amex cards are accepted[1]. Currently, users can shop with the virtual card number:
- From their desktop or mobile device via Google Chrome[1]
- In Android apps, where available[1]
The Amex virtual card number is suitable for one-time purchases only and shouldn’t be used for recurring payments[1]. Purchases made with the virtual card will appear on the user’s bank statements the same way as transactions made with their standard credit card[1].
The virtual card number lets users enjoy most benefits that regular Amex credit cards provide, such as Membership Rewards® points, Amex Offers discounts or bonuses, and security features[1]. However, the virtual card is not eligible for use with the Membership Rewards® Pay with Points at Checkout feature[1].
Amex Virtual Card Number vs. Instant Card Number vs. vPayment
It is important to note that Amex offers two additional features similar to the virtual card number—the Instant Card Number and vPayment. Although they share some common traits, these payment options have distinct use cases. To avoid confusion, understand the differences between these two services:
How To Use the Amex Virtual Card Number
To pay with an Amex virtual credit card number, the user should:
- Log into their Google account[1]
- Use Google Chrome (on desktop or mobile) or one of the select Android apps to shop[1]
- Choose the Amex virtual card number as the payment option from the drop-down menu at checkout[1]
Chrome will auto-complete all the required card details for every transaction[1]. The user only needs to confirm the action and enter the one-time verification code sent to their mobile phone via text[1].
For card settings, the user should visit the Manage Digital Wallets page on Amex’s website and sign in[1]. There, they can suspend, resume, or delete the virtual card[1]. After deleting the card, the user can generate a new one[1].
To disable the feature altogether, the user needs to unenroll the physical card by turning it off in Chrome’s payment settings[1].
Who’s Eligible for the Amex Virtual Card Number?
The Amex virtual card number feature is available for most credit cards issued by a U.S. banking subsidiary of American Express. However, the card must be valid and not associated with debt[1].
Ineligible cards include:
- Prepaid cards, such as American Express Serve® Cards or gift cards[1]
- vPayment card numbers, i.e., single-use virtual account numbers[1]
- Buyer-Initiated Payment and Business Travel Account programs[1]
If their card was issued by a licensed third-party financial institution, the cardholder can check their eligibility by contacting the issuer via the phone number printed on the back of the card[1].
Customers who have multiple eligible credit cards can choose to enroll them all for the virtual card service[1]. In that case, all virtual cards will be associated with the same Google account—the one the user was logged into at the time of creating the virtual cards[1].
How To Get the Amex Virtual Card Number
The following table will explain the three methods for obtaining the Amex virtual credit card:
For those who already own a qualifying American Express credit card, the Amex virtual account number is a valuable asset. Those who don’t or seek more flexibility and customization when it comes to their virtual cards may want to consider an independent provider like Privacy.
Privacy lets users connect an existing debit card or bank account to create virtual cards. The provider is compatible with most U.S. financial institutions and adheres to the same robust security standards as any reliable bank.
Privacy Virtual Cards—A Safer and Simpler Way To Shop
Ever since its launch nearly a decade ago, Privacy has built a reputation as one of the leading virtual card providers, which is best demonstrated by its BBB® accreditation, excellent Trustpilot reviews, and sheer number of users (currently over 250,000).
With Privacy, you can generate virtual cards effortlessly and enjoy heightened security wherever you shop. Privacy Virtual Cards are issued by Mastercard® and Visa®, so they can be used with most vendors that accept these payment methods.
Besides keeping you safe, Privacy Cards streamline your shopping experience thanks to the browser extension (available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari). By downloading the extension, you can have your virtual card details autofilled at checkout and make purchases quickly and seamlessly without reaching for your wallet or manually typing in card numbers. To enjoy fast checkouts while shopping on your iPod or iPhone, take advantage of the Safari extension for iOS devices.
Privacy also has a mobile app for iOS and Android, which allows you to create, customize, and use virtual cards on the go. With push notifications, you’ll know when your card is used or declined and keep track of your account activity in real time.
One-Time and Recurring Payments
While Amex allows for only one type of virtual card, Privacy lets you create cards for different purposes:
- Single-Use Card—You can use this type of card for one-time purchases. The Single-Use card closes shortly after the first transaction, making it useless to potential hackers who may manage to steal the virtual card number from the merchant’s website. This card is especially beneficial when shopping on unfamiliar websites.
- Merchant-Locked Card—This type of card can be used multiple times, and it’s ideal for subscriptions and other recurring payments. The Merchant-Locked Card locks to the first merchant you use it at, which means potential hackers can’t use it to make purchases anywhere else.
- Category-Locked Card—You can use this type of card multiple times with different merchants, but only within a single merchant category of your choice. The Category-Locked Card can help you budget and track your spending.
Additional Card Controls
Privacy enables you to set spending limits on your cards or account and control how much merchants can debit you. Limits can also help you establish and maintain a budget.
If you suspect a merchant or subscription service may attempt to perform an unauthorized charge, you can pause or close your virtual card without affecting your real card or bank account. Privacy will block all charge attempts on the paused or closed card.
Privacy Virtual Cards—Plans and Setup
Privacy offers four plans to suit different budgets and needs. You can compare them in the table below:
To become a Privacy user, you have to be a U.S. resident over 18 and have a checking account at a U.S. bank or credit union.
If you’re interested in trying Privacy, follow these four simple steps:
- Create an account
- Fill out the information needed to verify your identity
- Add a funding source (debit card or bank account)
- Request a Privacy Virtual Card
FAQs on American Express Virtual Payment Cards
Does American Express Offer a Virtual Debit Card?
American Express only offers virtual credit card numbers. You can’t get an Amex virtual debit card or an American Express virtual card tied to Amex gift cards or the American Express Serve® Card[1].
How Can I Pay With Amex Without a Card?
If you ordered an American Express card but it still hasn’t arrived, you might still be able to pay with Amex without a card using the Instant Card Number. The card numbers will be the same as the ones on your physical card, and you can add them to select digital wallets[3].
What Can I Use My Amex Virtual Card Number For?
You can use your Amex one-time card number to make online payments when shopping with a Google Chrome browser, and to make in-app purchases in apps that support the option. Either way, the vendor has to accept American Express payments[1].
Does American Express Offer Gift Cards?
Yes, American Express offers gift cards. You can purchase physical cards and eGift cards, which function similarly to physical ones but are delivered electronically, allowing for immediate use.
You can get the Amex virtual gift card from the official American Express website or authorized third-party retailers[5].
References
[1]American Express. https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/credit-cards/features-benefits/digital-wallets/virtual-card-number/frequently-asked-questions/, sourced September 2023
[2] American Express. https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/credit-cards/features-benefits/digital-wallets/virtual-card-number/, sourced September 2023
[3] American Express. https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/digital-wallets/instant-approval-credit-card/, sourced September 2023
[4] American Express. https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/business/payments/vpayment/, sourced September 2023
[5] AmexGiftCard.com. https://www.amexgiftcard.com/frequently-asked-questions, sourced April 2025
Other Virtual Card Resources To Help Find Your Fit
Here are some guides about how virtual cards work:
Find answers to questions about virtual card offerings from specific banks and financial service providers below:
