Analysis of three different virtual credit card models
Top up each virtual card separately
Some card issuers call it a “recharge card” or “prepaid value card”. It is a separate method of transferring funds to recharge each virtual card, that is, each card requires a separate deposit amount, and the balance within each virtual card is independent. The downside is that if the balance on the card is not fully spent, some surplus funds may be wasted, but it is true that it is currently the mainstream virtual card recharge model.
Virtual card with a shared balance
In other words, all virtual cards issued use a common platform account balance. The biggest advantage of this model is that there is no need to recharge each card separately, which minimizes corporate capital consumption. It is particularly suitable for users in the batch procurement business. However, there are relatively few virtual card service providers that use this recharge model.
Fixed balance virtual card
Common gift cards and prepaid cards are like this. That is, after the card is opened, the balance on the card is fixed, and the balance cannot be increased. Once the funds are used up, a new virtual card needs to be created, which has certain limitations. Currently, very few virtual card service providers use this model.