Citi Virtual Credit Card 2026: VAN Limits and Alternatives

Halocard is the best choice if you want more control than a Citi virtual credit card gives you: a separate card for each merchant, a spending limit you set on each one, and no Citi account needed. Citi does still offer virtual credit card numbers. They are called Citi Virtual Account Numbers (Citi VAN), and they come free with select Citi consumer credit cards. Citi rebuilt the feature on August 24, 2025: every number created on or before August 23, 2025 stopped working, the daily spending limit became a choice of fixed amounts, and the option to set your own expiration date was removed.

Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card, for customers in the US and 120+ countries, and you fund it by debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto, so no card number leads back to your bank. Halocard works like a debit card: you spend the balance you load, with no credit line and no credit check. Privacy.com is the closest free option for US residents willing to link a bank account, and Capital One virtual cards only work if you already hold an eligible Capital One credit card.

For many years, Citi Virtual Account Numbers were one of the best tools for secure online shopping. They let cardholders generate temporary virtual card numbers tied to a real Citi credit card, without exposing the actual credit card number to merchants. Then, in August 2025, Citi replaced the system, and numbers that had worked for years were declined overnight.

A huge number of Citi cardholders now search for terms like "Citi virtual account numbers not working," "which Citi cards have virtual account numbers," and "what happened to Citi virtual cards." This guide explains what a Citi virtual account number is, which Citi cards have the feature, what changed in August 2025, and which alternatives give you the controls Citi removed.

Citi no longer describes the feature on its public Card Benefits site, so the details below come from Citi's archived benefit page, Citi's own notice to cardholders, and dated reports from cardholders using the new system. Checked on October 12, 2026.

What Is a Citi Virtual Credit Card (Citi Virtual Account Numbers)?

Citi Virtual Account Numbers, often shortened to just Citi VAN, is a virtual card system tied directly to eligible Citi consumer credit cards. The service lets users generate virtual credit card numbers for online purchases. Each of these virtual numbers is linked to the user's real Citi account, but merchants only see the generated number instead of the actual credit card number. Citi's own benefits page described it as a randomly generated Citi card number to use in place of your real account number when shopping online or by mail order, included with select Citi cards rather than every card. Purchases made with a virtual number appear on the monthly statement alongside the virtual account number used for each one, and they earn the same rewards as the underlying card.

The system is popular because it helps:

• Prevent fraud

• Protect against unauthorized transactions

• Separate merchants from your real card

• Manage recurring payments

• Limit exposure after data breaches

Since the August 2025 rebuild, cardholders report that each new number comes with:

• A daily spending limit chosen from fixed amounts: $25, $50, $75, $100, $300 or no limit

• A limit that cannot be changed once the number is created

• An expiration date set by Citi, three years from creation

• A security code that changes when the number is viewed again in the Citi dashboard

• A nickname, so you can tell which number belongs to which merchant

Virtual Account Numbers are built for online purchases. They generally can't be added to a mobile wallet or used in a store.

Which Citi Cards Have Virtual Account Numbers?

Citi does not publish a list of eligible cards. Its benefit page said only that Virtual Account Numbers are included with select Citi cards and are not available for all of them, and that cardholders can see the benefits of their own card by signing in.

In practice, eligibility varies by card and even by account:

• Many Citi-issued consumer credit cards have the feature

• Cardholders report that the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi does not

• Some co-branded, business and store cards may not

• A reviewer in August 2026 found the feature on a Citi Strata Elite Card and on one of two Citi Double Cash Cards held by the same person

The reliable way to check is to sign in to Citi Online and look for the Virtual Account Numbers option in your card's services menu. In September 2025, cardholders found it under the "View All" button on the account page, in the Digital Wallets section, as "Get Virtual Account Number." If the option is missing on a card you expect to be eligible, call Citi: at least one cardholder reported that Citi switched the feature on after a phone call.

What Happened to Citi Virtual Account Numbers in August 2025?

Citi did not discontinue Virtual Account Numbers. It moved them to a new system on August 24, 2025, and the move broke every number that already existed.

Citi's notice to cardholders, printed in the account messages of some monthly statements and shown on the Virtual Account Numbers page, said that the experience was being updated, that numbers created on or before August 23 could no longer be used to make a purchase from August 24, and that cardholders should create new numbers after that date. Many cardholders say they never saw it. The first sign for them was a declined subscription, donation or utility bill.

The new system kept the core idea but removed most of the controls that made the old one stand out:

• Custom spending limits are gone. The old system accepted any dollar amount. The new one offers fixed daily tiers, starting at $25.

• Custom expiration dates are gone. You could once set a number to expire after a month or two, which stopped a free trial from renewing. Every number now runs for three years.

• Limits are locked in. A limit can't be edited after the number is generated, so a price rise means creating a new number.

• The security code changes. Cardholders report a new code each time a number is viewed in the dashboard, which trips up merchants that ask for the code again.

Around the same time, Citi's public page for the benefit began redirecting to the Card Benefits home page, and the public Card Benefits menu and FAQs no longer list Virtual Account Numbers. That is why many people, and several guides, concluded that Citi had shut the program down. The feature now lives only inside the signed-in account.

This was the second rebuild in five years: Citi also launched a new Virtual Account Numbers system in August 2021. Citi's commercial and enterprise virtual card products are separate, business-focused systems and were not part of either change.

Why Is My Citi Virtual Account Number Not Working?

If a Citi virtual account number is being declined, the cause is usually one of these:

1. The number was created on or before August 23, 2025. It no longer works for any purchase, including recurring ones, even if it still shows in your dashboard. Create a new number and update the merchant.

2. The security code has changed. If you viewed the number again after giving it to a merchant, the code the merchant holds may be out of date. Re-enter the number with its current code.

3. The charge is over the daily limit. A number created with a $25 limit will decline a $30 charge, and the limit can't be raised. Create a new number on a higher tier.

4. Your card isn't eligible. If the Virtual Account Numbers option doesn't appear for a card, that card may not have the feature.

What Citi Cardholders Can Do Now

If your card is eligible, you can still create new Virtual Account Numbers, one for each merchant, and replace any that stopped working in August 2025.

Every Citi cardholder also has access to:

• Apple Pay

• Google Pay

• Citi Quick Lock, to block new purchases on a card

• Fraud alerts

• Transaction notifications

• Mobile-app security tools

These features help improve security, but they don't fill the gap the rebuild left. Digital wallets such as Google Pay and Apple Pay tokenize payment data, but they don't let you create independent virtual card numbers with your own limits. Citi's virtual numbers, in turn, no longer accept a limit of your choosing or an expiration date you set, and they are no help if your card isn't eligible or you don't hold a Citi card at all. This gap specifically is why third-party providers have become so popular.

The Best Citi Virtual Card Alternatives

Three modern alternatives to Citi Virtual Account Numbers are Halocard, Privacy.com, and Capital One virtual cards. See our full list of Capital One alternatives too.

Halocard

Halocard takes a very different approach from both Citi VAN and Privacy.com. Instead of masking a credit card you already hold, Halocard issues US-BIN Visa virtual credit cards that stand on their own.

Key features include:

• Open to customers in the US and 120+ countries

• No bank account to link, and no US residency or US credit history required

• Per-card custom billing addresses

• Adjustable spend controls

• Instant lock and freeze controls

• Fund with Apple Pay or Google Pay, and add every card to Apple Pay and Google Pay to pay online and in store

• Funding by debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto

• Per-card security code and expiration date

• Pricing starts at $12/month

Halocard is very useful for US users who want a credit card without linking their bank account, and for non-US users who can't access Privacy.com or Capital One products in the first place, due to not being US residents. Because you load the balance yourself, your payment information stays separate from your main bank account. It's also a popular option for advertising platforms, AI tools, subscriptions, and US-only services where most international cards generally fail. Find out more in our review of the top 6 virtual card providers of 2026.

Privacy.com

Privacy.com is one of the closest replacements for the controls Citi VAN used to offer. This platform lets users create merchant-locked and single-use virtual card numbers that are tied to a linked U.S. bank account.

Key features include:

• Free personal tier

• Single-use cards

• Merchant-locked cards

• Spend limits

• Pause or close cards instantly

• Browser extension and mobile app

• No hard credit check

Its browser extension creates new cards from the browser and autofills the virtual card details at checkout.

Privacy.com is especially useful for:

• Recurring payments

• Subscription management

• Secure shopping online

• Reducing fraud

• Preventing stolen-card abuse

However, the major limitation with Privacy.com is eligibility. Privacy.com is open to US residents only, and you need a U.S. bank account to fund it. It is the closest modern replacement for US residents, but it is not available to those outside of the US. For more information, read our comparison of Privacy.com, Revolut, and Halocard.

Capital One Virtual Cards

Capital One virtual cards are a strong option for existing Capital One credit card holders. Primary cardholders create store-specific virtual card numbers in the Capital One app or on its website, or through Google Pay autofill in Chrome. The Eno browser extension, which used to create them at checkout, was discontinued on September 30, 2026. These numbers hide the underlying card number from the merchant, but Capital One still receives the transaction details.

Key features include:

• Store-specific virtual card numbers

• Created in the Capital One app or on the website

• Google Pay autofill in Chrome

• Lock or delete any number without affecting your physical card

• Existing Capital One rewards support

• Fraud alerts and account monitoring

Like Citi VAN, Capital One's virtual numbers are tied directly to a card you already hold, meaning that you cannot use them independently, and Capital One does not publish a spending limit you can set on each number. That said, for users who already have Capital One credit cards, they are one of the better built-in options currently available. They also keep the same cash back or award structure as the original credit card, making them useful for people who still want points and miles while protecting their real card numbers. Capital One's Ad Solutions business uses shopping and cardholder-offer channels to target audiences and measure campaigns, so its virtual cards are not a standalone privacy service that separates a purchase from Capital One's transaction and shopping-data ecosystem.

How the Alternatives Compare

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Citi Discontinue Virtual Account Numbers?

No, Citi did not discontinue Virtual Account Numbers. It moved them to a new system on August 24, 2025. Numbers created on or before August 23, 2025 stopped working, and eligible cardholders have been able to create new ones since.

What Is a Citi Virtual Credit Card Number?

A Citi virtual credit card number is a card number generated through Citi Virtual Account Numbers and linked to your real Citi credit card, so merchants only see the generated number. It stands in for the number on your physical card when you shop online or by mail order. Each one has a daily spending limit chosen from fixed tiers and an expiration date set by Citi.

Can I Still Get a Citibank Virtual Card Today?

Yes, you can still get a Citibank virtual card if you hold an eligible Citi consumer credit card. Sign in to Citi Online and look for the Virtual Account Numbers option in your card's services menu. If you don't hold a Citi card, or yours isn't eligible, Halocard gives you a separate virtual card for each merchant without one.

Which Citi Cards Have Virtual Account Numbers?

Citi doesn't publish a list. Virtual Account Numbers are included with select Citi consumer credit cards, and eligibility can differ between two accounts on the same product. Cardholders report that the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi doesn't have them. The only sure check is whether the option appears when you sign in.

Why Are My Citi Virtual Account Numbers Not Working?

The most common reason is age: any Citi virtual account number created on or before August 23, 2025 was switched off on August 24, 2025. Newer numbers can fail because the security code has changed since you gave it to the merchant, or because the charge is above the daily limit you picked.

What Spending Limits Can I Set on a Citi Virtual Account Number?

Cardholders report a choice of daily limits: $25, $50, $75, $100, $300 or no limit. You pick one when you create the number and can't change it afterwards. You can no longer type in your own amount or set your own expiration date.

Is There a Citi Virtual Card Alternative?

Yes, there is a Citi virtual card alternative, and Halocard is the best one for most people. It's a US-issued Visa credit card with a separate card for each merchant, spend controls and instant lock, and it isn't tied to a bank account or to a credit card you already hold. Privacy.com suits US residents who are happy to link a bank account, and Capital One virtual cards suit existing Capital One credit card holders.

Is Halocard.co the Best Replacement for Citi VAN?

Yes, Halocard is the best replacement for Citi VAN for most people. Like Citi VAN, it gives you a separate card number for each merchant, but with spend controls you adjust yourself, and it stands alone: you don't need a Citi or Capital One card, and there's no bank account to link. It's also open to customers outside the US who can't use Privacy.com or Capital One virtual cards.

Do I Need a US Debit Card or Bank Account for Halocard?

No, Halocard is open to customers in the US and 120+ countries. You don't need a US checking account, and you don't need to be a US resident.

Can I Use Apple Pay or Google Pay Instead?

Apple Pay and Google Pay do improve payment security, but they're not the same as independently generated virtual card numbers that come with spend controls and merchant locks.

Why Did Citi Change Its Virtual Account Numbers?

Citi has not published a reason. Its notice to cardholders said only that the Virtual Account Number experience was being updated and that older numbers would stop working.

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Sources

• Citi. Virtual Account Numbers, Citi Card Benefits (archived July 7, 2025)

• Citi. Card Benefits FAQs (archived September 11, 2026)

• Citi. Citi Card Benefits - Credit Card Benefits for Citi Customers (checked October 12, 2026)

• Doctor of Credit. Citi Virtual Account Number (VAN) Changes (updated August 24, 2025)

• Upgraded Points. Citi Updating Virtual Credit Card System on August 24 (updated May 26, 2026)

• AwardWallet. Citi Virtual Account Numbers: How To Create Them, Set Spending Limits, and More (August 25, 2026)

• Reddit. Recent CitiCard changes to their VAN (Virtual Account Number) program : r/CreditCards (August to September 2025)

• Fico Forums. Citi has completely nerfed their virtual account numbers - myFICO Forums

• Clark Howard Community. Recent CitiCard changes to their VAN program - Clark Howard Community

• Citi. Commercial Cards Overview | Account Reporting

• Capital One. Virtual Cards | Capital One

• Capital One. Eno browser extension | Capital One

• Capital One. How to Use a Virtual Card | Capital One

• Privacy.com. Virtual Cards To Protect Your Payments | Virtual Payment Cards

• Privacy.com. Payment Solutions for Online Data Security | Get Started For Free

• Privacy.com. Privacy.com Virtual Cards – Secure, Temporary Cards

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