What Is a Virtual Card – and Why Media Buyers Need One Now

Digital marketing has completely changed how businesses connect with their audience, making it easier to run campaigns across multiple platforms. But managing payments for all those campaigns can still be messy and time-consuming. That’s why more advertisers are turning to virtual cards. They simplify budgeting by letting you create separate cards for each campaign or platform, so you always know where the money’s going. At the same time, they keep your finances secure and flexible, no matter where you advertise.

What is a virtual card?

A virtual card is basically a digital version of a regular debit card, but it only exists online. There’s no plastic involved. Instead, it generates unique card details for each transaction, which means you can shop or make payments online without ever pulling a physical card from your wallet. These cards are directly linked to your business account, giving you a secure way to manage online payments and purchases.

In many cases, virtual cards work just like prepaid cards. However, some providers also offer credit-based options. Behind the scenes, each card is issued and managed by an electronic money institution that follows strict financial regulations, so you’re getting the same level of trust and security you’d expect from a traditional bank.

For a closer look at how virtual cards are built and processed, see How Virtual Cards Work.

One of the most useful things about virtual cards is the ability to create multiple cards from a single account. Each one can have its own spending limit and purpose, which makes tracking and managing money much easier. That’s why they’ve become especially popular with e-commerce companies and marketing teams. They offer a flexible, fast way to handle expenses without all the paperwork and delays that come with standard corporate credit solutions. Since the cards can be created instantly, they’re useful for situations where you need to pay on short notice, like launching a new campaign or testing a new platform. 

How do virtual cards work for advertisers?

For advertisers, virtual cards offer a smarter way to manage payments across platforms like Google Ads, Facebook, and more. When you create a card, you get unique details you can use straight away. Many teams set up different cards for each campaign or client to keep things organised and easy to track.

It starts with loading money into your virtual card account. From there, you can create as many cards as you need, each with its own spending limit based on the campaign budget. This setup gives you clear control over where the money goes and helps avoid mix-ups between different ad accounts.

Virtual cards are accepted by most online platforms, so adding them to your ad accounts is as simple as entering any other payment method. What makes them different is the added security and flexibility they offer. Payments are processed instantly, so campaigns can launch without hold-ups. Many providers support multiple currencies, so managing international ad campaigns becomes more straightforward and less of a hassle.

Types of virtual cards for media buying

If you’re involved in media buying, there are a few different types of virtual cards you can choose from. 

Single-use virtual cards create new card details for every transaction. They’re great for security since the card info becomes useless after one payment, but they’re not ideal for campaigns that need recurring payments. These work well for one-time purchases or when you’re testing a new ad platform and don’t want to risk your main card.

Multi-use virtual cards let you make several payments with the same card details until you hit the set spending limit. They’re a good fit for ongoing campaigns where you need a stable payment method that doesn’t change every time.

Dedicated cards are like having permanent virtual cards linked to specific campaigns or team members. They bring the same convenience as traditional company cards, but with the added financial control and safety that virtual cards offer.

Prepaid cards need to be topped up before you can use them. Since you can only spend what’s been loaded, they’re a simple way to keep your spending in check. Smaller businesses often go for this option because it keeps budgets tight and easy to follow.

Which type you choose really depends on how your business is set up, what your advertising goals look like, and how much risk you’re comfortable with. Bigger companies often mix and match different types of cards to stay flexible while still keeping everything secure and well-organised.

Google Ads, Facebook Ads or TikTok Ads

Each ad platform handles payments a bit differently, so it helps to know how virtual cards fit into the picture. Getting this right can save you a lot of time and prevent issues that might slow down your campaigns.

Google Ads

Google Ads has no trouble accepting virtual cards, as long as you’re using a reliable provider. Payments run smoothly thanks to their automated system, which means you won’t need to step in every time a charge goes through.

A lot of advertisers set up separate virtual cards for each campaign or client. This makes tracking spend easier and helps keep specific budgets clearly separated. Google charges your card automatically based on your daily ad budget, so you don’t have to manage payments manually.

What really stands out is the ability to set a spending cap on each virtual card. If something goes wrong with a campaign or you suddenly get a spike in traffic, the card limit keeps your main account safe from surprise charges. It’s a handy safety net, especially for agencies managing a few clients at once.

Virtual cards also simplify switching between different Google Ads accounts. You can just assign a specific card to each one and skip the manual updates every time you switch projects.

For a full comparison of providers that work well with Google Ads, see The Best Virtual Cards for Google and Facebook Ads in 2025.

Facebook Ads

Facebook Ads also works well with virtual cards from most major providers. There may be a few restrictions depending on your location or account history, but in general, it’s a smooth process.

Using separate cards for each Facebook ad account or business page helps keep everything tidy, especially if you’re running ads for multiple clients or campaigns. You can track spend per client without mixing things up.

The billing system automatically charges your card based on your campaign settings and how your ads perform. It works much like a regular card but with better control. You can cap each card’s spending, which adds an extra layer of safety on top of Facebook’s own budget tools.

If you’re managing a few ad accounts, having different cards in place for each one makes life easier. You won’t need to dig through mixed-up transactions or figure out which campaign spent what.

TikTok Ads

TikTok Ads is still growing, but it already supports virtual card payments from most recognised providers. Depending on where you’re based and the kind of account you have, support might vary a bit, but for most users, it’s reliable.

You can choose between manual or automatic payments, which helps whether you’re paying upfront or prefer letting the system handle it as you go. That flexibility fits well with how many businesses approach TikTok ads – testing things out before going bigger.

Virtual cards work nicely with TikTok’s setup, since you can assign different cards to separate campaigns or ad groups. This gives you better control over how much is being spent and where it’s going.

If you’re exploring TikTok as a new channel, virtual cards offer a low-risk way to try it out. You can put clear limits in place from the start and avoid overspending while you figure out what works.

Pros and cons of the payment methods for advertisers

Choosing how to pay for your ads affects how smoothly you can run campaigns and manage your budget. Each payment method has its strengths and weak points, depending on how your business is set up.

Corporate credit cards are easy to use and accepted worldwide. But they don’t give you much control when it comes to separating spend by campaign or team. Sharing one card across multiple users can also raise security concerns, and tracking who spent what quickly becomes a headache.

Bank transfers are secure and let you stay in full control of your account. The problem is, they’re slow and manual. That doesn’t work well in digital advertising, where you often need to act fast. Waiting for payments to clear can stall your campaigns and make you miss good opportunities.

Virtual cards bring together the best of both worlds. You can create them instantly, set individual limits, and assign each one to a specific task, team member, or client. They’re safer to share, easier to track, and built for online use. On the flip side, you might run into some extra fees depending on the provider, and there’s a bit of a learning curve if your team hasn’t used them before.

Some smaller online advertising platforms still don’t accept virtual cards, which can be a problem. And while some providers charge monthly fees or take a cut per transaction, many businesses find that the control and visibility they get in return are worth it.

Overall, virtual cards are one of the most flexible and reliable payment tools out there for advertisers. For companies running campaigns regularly, the benefits tend to outweigh the downsides.

Benefits of using virtual cards for media buying

Virtual cards help media buying teams deal with common day-to-day challenges. Alongside simple payment processing, they offer stronger security, clearer control over budgets, and smoother financial management.

• Stronger security

Virtual cards are much safer than traditional cards. Each one comes with its own unique details, and if something ever looks off, you can deactivate it right away. You don’t have to worry about sharing the same card across the team or storing payment info on different platforms.

• Better budget control

You can set spending limits on every card you create. That means you can assign a fixed amount to a campaign, a team member, or a client and know exactly what’s being spent. No more surprises, and no risk of going over the marketing budget.

• Easier money management

Each virtual card has its own transaction history, which makes it simple to see where the money’s going. When it’s time to check campaign performance or report on spending, everything’s clear and easy to pull together. It takes a lot of the pain out of financial tracking and reporting.

• More flexibility

Since you can create virtual cards instantly, you don’t need to wait around when a new campaign kicks off or something changes at the last minute. You can generate a card on the spot and get moving without delays or extra approvals.

For examples beyond advertising, see Top Use Cases for Virtual Cards in Business.

How to choose virtual cards

Picking the right virtual card setup depends on your advertising needs, company size, and how your team works. A few key points can help you find the best provider and card type for your media buying.

1. Look at your spending habits.

Think about how much you spend on ads each month, how many campaigns you run, and how often you make payments. If you’re managing a high volume of transactions, you’ll want a provider that can handle the load without delays or hidden fees. Smaller teams may focus more on keeping costs low than having every advanced feature.

2. Check platform compatibility

Make sure the provider works smoothly with the platforms you use most. Some have better payment success rates with specific ad platforms, which can help avoid declined transactions and billing issues.

3. Compare fees

Take a close look at transaction fees, monthly charges, and any extras. Some providers offer free basic plans, while others charge more for added features. Choose what makes sense based on how often and how much you’ll be using the cards.

4. Consider security and compliance

Look into what security features are included, like spending alerts and fraud protection. If you’re dealing with sensitive client data or working in a regulated space, strong compliance and protection are especially important.

Finally, think about how easy the platform is to use. A clean interface and solid customer support can make all the difference, especially if your team is new to virtual cards.

Choosing the best virtual card provider for advertisements

There are plenty of virtual card providers out there, each with their own strengths. The key is finding one that fits your advertising goals and works well with how your business operates.

• Check integration options.Choose a provider that connects easily with your current tools – whether that’s your finance system, ad platforms, or both. Some offer APIs or built-in integrations that let you automate card creation and track marketing expenses without extra admin work.
• Look into customer support.Ad payments are time-sensitive, so good support really matters. Find out how quickly providers respond to issues, especially during busy campaign periods, and whether support is available when you need it most.
• Think about scalability.As your campaigns grow, your needs will change. Make sure the provider can scale with you – that includes creating more cards, handling more transactions, and working in new regions or currencies.
• Review reporting tools.Detailed reporting helps you track spending, spot areas to cut costs, and prepare financial updates. Some providers also offer analytics that can feed into your wider reporting tools or dashboards.

The right provider should offer a mix of strong features, fair pricing, and the flexibility to support how you run and grow your ad campaigns.

The 5 top virtual card providers for media buying

These providers are commonly used by advertisers and stand out for their useful features, reliable performance, and focus on media buying needs.

1. Wallester

Wallester is one of the most popular choices for teams running ads across Google, Facebook, TikTok, and other major platforms. You can issue virtual cards instantly, track spending in real time, and set limits for full control. The platform is easy to use and doesn’t bury you in extra fees. It’s a solid option whether you’re working solo or managing a bigger team, with helpful support and detailed analytics to keep you on top of your budget.

2. Capital One

Capital One brings more of a traditional banking feel, which works well for larger companies that already have accounts with them. Their virtual cards handle big ad budgets with no problem and come with tools for tracking and managing expenses across departments. If your business has strict compliance rules or needs to report spending in detail, this setup will feel familiar and reliable. It also integrates smoothly with most ad platforms and accounting systems.

3. Bankera

Bankera is built for digital businesses and offers a simple way to issue virtual cards that work across European markets. It’s a good pick for teams that need flexibility but still want a link to traditional banking features. Pricing is competitive, the setup is quick, and you can keep an eye on spending without much effort. If you’re based in the EU or deal with clients there, Bankera’s local compliance and regulations are an added bonus.

4. PSTNET

PSTNET is made with advertisers in mind. It’s used a lot by media buyers and affiliate marketers because it offers fast card creation, flexible limits, and clear insights into every transaction. Their cards perform well on major ad platforms, and the system is designed for speed and control. If you’re managing several campaigns at once or working across different regions, PSTNET makes it easier to stay organised without slowing you down.

5. ADVcash

ADVcash focuses on international advertising needs. It supports multiple currencies and offers strong exchange rates, which is helpful if you’re running campaigns in different markets. Their cards work across a wide range of platforms, and the account tools give you a lot of freedom to manage your setup. If your business is global or growing into new regions, ADVcash offers the kind of flexibility that makes cross-border payments a bit less of a headache.

How to get your virtual card for advertising: easy steps to follow

Getting your first virtual card for ad spend is usually quick. Most providers have made the process simple, so you can start running campaigns without delay. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Pick the right provider
Start by choosing a provider that fits your needs. Think about what platforms you’re advertising on, how much you plan to spend, and what kind of features matter most to you – like spending limits, reporting tools, or currency support. It’s worth checking out a few options and reading some reviews before you decide.

Step 2: Sign up
Head to the provider’s website and fill out the sign-up form. You’ll need to share some basic details about your business, along with your contact info. Most platforms also ask for a few documents to meet financial regulations – nothing too complicated, just standard verification stuff.

Step 3: Verify your account
Once you’ve registered, you’ll go through a quick verification process. That might involve confirming your email, uploading an ID, or verifying your phone number. Some providers do this instantly, while others might take a few hours or up to a day.

Step 4: Add funds
Next, top up your account. Most platforms let you add money by bank transfer, debit card, or other common methods. Choose whatever works best for your setup and how you manage cash flow.

And that’s it. As soon as your account is funded, you can generate your first virtual card and start using it for your ad campaigns. In most cases, the whole setup takes less than a day and you’re ready to take full control of your marketing spend.

Setting up my virtual card for Google Ads

Using a virtual card with Google Ads is pretty straightforward, but a few small steps can help you avoid any payment hiccups. Here’s how to get everything set up properly.

1. Get your virtual card ready.Start by generating a new virtual card just for Google Ads. Set a spending limit that matches your campaign budget, and keep the card number, expiry date, and security code somewhere safe. If your provider offers spending alerts, switch those on – they’re useful for tracking ad spend in real time.
2. Add it to your Google Ads account.Log into Google Ads and go to the billing section. Choose “Add payment method” and enter the card details exactly as they appear. Make sure everything’s correct before saving.
3. Adjust your billing settings.You can choose how Google charges your card – either automatically when you hit a set spending amount or manually, where you pay in advance. Pick whatever works best for your budget and the way you run campaigns.
4. Do a quick test.Before launching a full campaign, it’s a good idea to run a small payment through the new card. That way, you can confirm everything works and avoid surprises once your ads go live.

Keep an eye on both your card balance and your Google Ads spending. Regular checks and alerts can help you stay in control and avoid disruptions to your campaigns.

👉 Learn more about setting up virtual cards with Wallester Business

Best practices for managing media buying with a virtual card

To get the most out of virtual cards, it helps to keep things organised and stay on top of your spending. A few simple habits can make a big difference when it comes to avoiding issues and keeping your ad campaigns running smoothly.

• Use separate cards for each campaign or client

Set up different virtual cards for different campaigns, clients, or team members. This keeps everything clear and makes it much easier to track where the money’s going. It also helps avoid mix-ups when you’re managing multiple advertising accounts at once. If your team is growing, it’s worth keeping a simple record of who’s using which card.

• Set smart spending limits

Every card should have a spending limit that matches the campaign budget. That way, you don’t overspend by accident. If a campaign is performing well or needs more funding, you can always adjust the limit – just make sure there’s a quick approval process in place if more than one person is managing payments.

• Check transactions regularly

Make it a habit to review your card activity every day, even if it only takes a minute. Most platforms will send you alerts or let you view all the recent charges in real time. If you notice anything off, deal with it right away to avoid bigger problems later.

• Keep enough funds on hand

Make sure your cards always have enough money available, especially during busy campaign periods. Some platforms let you set up auto top-ups or alerts when balances run low, which helps you avoid missed payments. Don’t forget to plan ahead for weekends or holidays when manual top-ups might not be possible.

Troubleshooting common issues with virtual cards in ads campaigns

Even with the best setup, virtual cards can sometimes run into problems — and when you’re running ad campaigns, any delay can be a headache. Knowing what to look out for and how to fix it can save you time and keep things running smoothly.

Card declined? Start with the basics
One of the most common issues is a declined payment. This usually comes down to a low balance, a spending limit that’s been hit, or a temporary glitch between your provider and the ad platform. First, check your balance and card limit. If everything looks fine, give it a few minutes and try again, or contact support to see if there’s a platform-side issue.

Payment method not working with the platform?
Sometimes, an ad platform might reject your card even if all the details are correct. This can happen during system updates or if the platform flags your card as unusual for any reason. If that happens, reach out to both your virtual card provider and the ad platform to figure out what’s going on. It’s a good idea to have a backup payment method ready just in case.

Running international ads? Watch for currency issues
If you’re targeting other countries, you might run into trouble with currency conversions or regional restrictions. Double-check that your virtual card provider supports the currencies and locations you’re working with. Not all providers handle international payments the same way, so this can vary a lot.

Experiencing delays? Keep an eye on it
Payment delays can happen occasionally and may affect your campaign start times or billing cycles. It helps to monitor the status of your payments, especially when launching something important. In most cases, delays clear up within a day, but it’s good to leave yourself a bit of a buffer.

Consider Wallester virtual cards for media buying

If you’re running ad campaigns and want more control over how you manage payments, Wallester is a strong option to look at. Their platform is built with media buying in mind and covers most of the common challenges teams face when handling advertising spend.

Wallester’s virtual cards work well on all the big platforms – including Google Ads, Facebook, and TikTok – and you can generate new cards instantly. That’s especially useful when a campaign pops up last-minute or you need to adjust your setup on the fly.

The pricing is clear and competitive, with no hidden fees sneaking into your budget. Their support team knows how digital ads work and can help quickly if something goes wrong, which is a big plus when campaigns are live.

👉Get started with Wallester Business today

You also get detailed spending controls and real-time tracking, so you can see exactly where the money’s going. This is great for agencies managing several clients or any business running multiple campaigns at once.

Security is another area where Wallester does well. The platform includes solid fraud protection and meets all the necessary financial compliance standards. For teams that need a reliable, secure, and easy-to-manage payment setup, Wallester is definitely worth considering.