Accounts Payable & Receivable › Payment Runs
What is a virtual card and why do companies use it for payments?
IntermediateAnswer
A virtual card is a single-use or vendor-specific card number generated for a payment, combining card-payment rebates with tight control (fixed amount, one vendor). It reduces fraud exposure versus a physical card, provides rich remittance data, and can extend float, while suppliers must accept card payments (and their fees).
Real-world example AP pays approved invoices with virtual cards to earn rebates and limit each number to the exact invoice amount.