One of the less known features about Citi and Citi credit cards is that it’s possible to create something known as a virtual account number or VAN for short. A virtual account number is a temporary virtual credit card number that is linked to your actual credit card number.
Typically these VAN’s are useful in a few different situations:
- You want to make a purchase from a merchant and you’re unsure about their payment security
- You want to enroll in a free trial/paid trial but are worried it will be difficult/impossible to cancel
In both of these situations you could use a VAN to make your purchase, after the purchase is made you can cancel that VAN. That way if the merchant does have their data compromised, the attackers will end up with a credit card number that no longer works. Similarly if you sign up for a free trial and you can’t cancel, instead you just cancel the VAN and they are unable to continually charge you.
It’s also possible to limit how much can be spent on the virtual card and how long the card is active for. This could be useful if you wanted to give a dependent a virtual card with a preset spending limit. Below is a video that explains how Citi’s virtual credit card numbers work.
Have you used Citi’s VAN feature before? What are your thoughts on it? How could it be improved? Let me know in the comments. If there is interest I’ll do similar posts on other little known card benefits.
Obviously you’ll be unable to provide this proof. Reader Bobbie has ran into troubles using a VAN for bus tickets and concert tickets in the past for example.
View Comments (20)
I just got charged $10 after a free trial on a virtual card with a $1 limit. Am I misunderstanding how this should work? I have used it in the past like this and charges above the limit have been declined. What am I missing? Citi chat is useless.
Is this available on Citi Costco card?
This feature only works with certain Citi cards, not all of them. Check the benefit description for your card.
Just a comment. I have been using vitual accounts for years and it has been fantastic. I use them on anything that I believe may have a sneaky renewal or could overcharge me somehow. Last week, Citi changed my card from an Aadvantage Visa to an Aavantage Mastercard. My virtual account now doesn't work. I tried everything but it comes down to the new account does not have that "feature". So,not all accounts work.
Does anyone know if the Citi Diamond Preferred Card and the ThankYou Preferred have the VAN option?
Great tip thanks for the post
One caveat - don't use when you have to provide proof of credit card when picking up tickets etc. I used a VAN a few months ago to purchase bus tickets for Prague to Nuremberg. When transaction was completed site said I needed to show credit card along with tickets to get on bus. When I tried to explain to ticket taker on bus that it was a virtual number she didn't understand and almost wouldn't let us on. She finally gave up when a long line formed behind. Also had problem in Las Vegas picking up prepaid tickets to a show.
I used ShopSafe in the past and when it was in doubt if I would need the actual card, I printed out a screenshot of the card I could show along with the virtual card explanation. Never had it refused
Very good point, Bobbie. I've added a warning to the post to make this clear.
Good for paying those gym memberships with sneaky fees.
Pretty sure this doesn't apply to Citi Hilton cards.
back in the day we used it for MS with multiple accounts. Theoretically you have 10 Visa cards but all are racking up spend on the 1 you need! :)
Think Venmo, AP, Serve, Visabuxx...