Using a Virtual Card with a Digital Wallet

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Best of Both Worlds: Using a Virtual Card with a Digital Wallet

Written by Laura Slauson 3 minute read

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There’s a lot to love about virtual cards: real-time visibility into spend, an automatic audit trail , airtight control over employee spending, and, of course, the cash back earned with every purchase. Savvy AP teams even monetize AP by switching as many bill payments as possible onto virtual cards. In short, a virtual card is the perfect payment method — until you need to make a payment offline. We’re happy to announce that it’s now possible to add your virtual card to a digital wallet, so you can experience the benefits of a virtual card when you’re on the go. 

What is a digital wallet?

A digital wallet is an app that stores payment information so you can make payments with a mobile device. Apple Pay and Google Pay are popular digital wallets. 

Why should I add a virtual card to my digital wallet?

Security. Digital wallets can be used just like physical cards but add an extra layer of security through tokenization. Instead of passing along your card information, they create a unique numeric token to pass to the vendor. That means in the unlikely event of a compromised payment, card information remains secure.

Plus, you don’t have to worry about a card getting into the wrong hands, as a physical card could. (Of course, it’s always a good idea to have a password or other protection on your phone.)

Easy, contactless payment. No germs are exchanged when you don’t have to pass a card back and forth or touch a payment terminal. 

And, as a bonus, you don’t need to carry yet another card. It’s also a more environmentally friendly option. 

Save time and money. You can create a virtual card with a few clicks: no printing and delivery costs, no issuance fee. And the card is available instantly, instead of waiting for delivery. 

Increased control and visibility. When an employee uses a virtual card in a digital wallet, they don’t have to use their personal card on the go. Plus, virtual cards have additional control and visibility. Automated workflows ensure the correct approvers review the request and business purpose. Limits can be applied for the time period and the amount. Cards can even be vendor-specific.

How does an Airbase virtual card work in a digital wallet?

You can add an Airbase virtual card to Google Pay or Apple Pay by following the instructions in the app. You only have to set up a card once. After adding a card, you can give it a nickname in Google Pay (this functionality is not currently available with Apple Pay). Airbase doesn’t limit the number of cards that can be added to one wallet, so if you have more than one, we recommend using nicknames for each one if you can.

The virtual card will be accepted anywhere that accepts Visa contactless payment. When you make a payment from a digital wallet, you’ll receive a notification in the Airbase mobile app , and then Airbase will treat the transaction the same way as any virtual card payment.

All elements of a transaction, from the approval to the receipt, are stored in the transaction record for an automated audit trail. When Airbase corporate cards are added to a digital wallet, they send transaction data all the way through to your company’s general ledger . 

Can Airbase physical cards still be added to a virtual wallet?

Yes, it’s still possible. You can now have both virtual cards and physical cards in the same wallet, and we’ve made it easy to distinguish between them. 

Can I use a digital wallet to pay for a hotel?

A growing number of hotels now accept contactless payments. However, if your hotel doesn’t, simply log into Airbase to find the card number. 

When you create a virtual card for a hotel stay, it’s best practice to set a buffer amount in case the hotel charges a refundable deposit for incidentals. 

Adding a virtual card to a digital wallet allows you to enjoy the benefits of virtual cards when you’re on the go, no matter what kind of purchase you’re making. Learn more about our virtual cards and more by booking an Airbase demo .

What is a digital wallet?


Why should I add a virtual card to my digital wallet?


How does an Airbase virtual card work in a digital wallet?


Can Airbase physical cards still be added to a virtual wallet?


Can I use a digital wallet to pay for a hotel?

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Posted by Jack Read more Comments (15) 2025.01.09 10:58