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What is an American Express Virtual Card?
Halocard is the better alternative to American Express virtual cards: a separate card for each merchant, in any browser, with no Amex card needed. An American Express virtual card is a free feature for US American Express credit cards, which Amex calls the Amex Virtual Card Number. You save your card in a Google account, and Chrome fills in a virtual number with a dynamic security code at checkout, so the merchant never sees your physical card number. It works in Google Chrome on desktop or Android, and some Android apps, gives you one number per card, earns your card's usual rewards, and shares recent purchases with Google. Business Card holders can create unlimited virtual cards with their own limits.
Pros
- Pros: Free on an eligible Amex card
- Pros: Hides your physical card number
- Pros: Keeps your rewards and Amex Offers
- Pros: Unlimited cards with limits on Business Cards
- Pros: 24/7 chat and phone support
Cons
- Cons: Needs an eligible US Amex credit card
- Cons: Chrome on desktop or Android only
- Cons: One number per card, no per-card limits
- Cons: Purchase data shared with Google
- Cons: Fails where Amex isn't accepted
How much does an American Express virtual card cost?
- The virtual card feature
- Free
- Eligible card annual fee
- $0 to $895
- Business virtual cards
- Free, unlimited
What fees apply?
- Purchases in USD
- No fee
- Foreign transactions
- 2.7% on many cards
- Travel cards
- Often no FX fee
How does Halocard compare to Amex Virtual Cards?
Halocard is the best alternative to American Express virtual cards. It is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with 3 to 60 cards at once depending on your plan.
Better choice | Amex Virtual Cards | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Advantage: Standalone virtual cards, no other card needed | A virtual number for an Amex card you hold |
| Eligibility | Advantage: For residents of the US and 120+ countries | Holders of a US Amex credit card |
| USD bank account | Advantage: Your own US account and routing number | None |
| Where you can use it | Advantage: Any browser, app or phone wallet | Google Chrome on desktop or Android, and some Android apps |
| Controls | Advantage: Limits, lock and billing address on each card | None on consumer numbers; limits on business cards |
| Data sharing | Advantage: No Google account needed | Purchase data shared with Google |
| Fees | Advantage: From $12 a month; 1.5% + $0.30 on non-USD | Free on cards from $0 to $895 a year |
| Rewards | Advantage: Monthly referral rewards | Advantage: Your card's usual rewards |
| Support | Advantage: Chat, email, and phone on every plan | Chat and phone, 24/7 |
| Trust and transparency | Advantage: A regulated US company and card issuer | Advantage: A public US company with its own bank |
Why Halocard is the better alternative to Amex Virtual Cards
A card for every merchant
Hold up to 60 cards on Elite, each with its own limit, billing address and cardholder name.
Any browser, any wallet
Use your cards in any browser and in Apple Pay and Google Pay, not just Chrome.
Nothing shared with Google
No Google account needed to use your cards. Halocard never sells your data to third parties.
Amex Virtual Cards FAQ
Does American Express offer virtual cards?
Yes, in three forms. Consumer cardholders can enrol an eligible US card for an Amex Virtual Card Number that works in Google Chrome and some Android apps. Business Card holders can create virtual cards with their own spending limits and active dates. Approved companies can use vPayment to issue a single-use number for each payment. All require an existing Amex account.
Do American Express virtual cards work in Safari or on an iPhone?
Amex lists Google Chrome on desktop or Android, and some Android apps. For a virtual card that works in any browser and in Apple Pay and Google Pay, use Halocard.
Do I still earn rewards with an American Express virtual card?
Yes. Purchases made with the consumer American Express virtual card earn the same rewards and Amex Offers as your underlying card, though the number can't be used with Pay with Points at checkout. Halocard does not offer a rewards programme.
Does Amex share my purchases with Google?
Yes. To use the Virtual Card Number you store your card in your Google account, and Amex says it shares recent purchases made with the virtual number and the enrolled card with Google. Halocard needs no Google account.
How many virtual cards can an Amex Business Card create?
Amex says there is no limit, at no fee, on most US Business Cards; only the Basic Card Member can create them, and they can't be added to phone wallets. Halocard's business plans hold 30 to 500 cards, each in Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Can I use an American Express virtual card outside the US?
Only if you hold a US-issued Amex credit card. Cardholders whose Amex is issued in another country generally can't enrol. Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries. Outside the US? You don't need an SSN, a US address or a US bank account.
Is American Express trustworthy?
Yes. American Express was founded in 1850 and is one of the largest card issuers in the world, with a strong dispute process. Its Trustpilot rating is 1.3/5 from 5,464 reviews, mostly about disputes, credit limit cuts and account decisions.
What is the best alternative to American Express virtual cards?
Halocard. Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with a separate card for each merchant and no other card to qualify for.See all comparisons
Disclaimer
Based on public information as of October 2026 (see Sources on our Halocard vs American Express comparison); American Express's products, fees and terms may change, so check before you decide. Halocard publishes this page and makes one of the products compared, so verdicts and ticks are our opinion. American Express and its product names are trademarks of their owner, used only to identify its products; Halocard is not affiliated with or endorsed by American Express. Not financial, legal or tax advice.