What is a virtual dollar card?
A virtual card is an electric credit or debit card. It has card all the features of a regular credit or debit card, but the only difference is that it is not physical. It is an online account like regular bank account with virtual card that allow you access to your bank accounts and make transactions in the same way as a physical debit or credit card without carrying the card around like ATM Card. Some virtual cards offer rewards known as cashback deals, on your daily spending in paying for goods and services.
Importance of Virtual Cards in Nigeria
It is difficult to make some international online transactions such as paying for ads on Google, Facebook, Twitter, buying on Amazon, on Google, Apple Store, Spotify, or even subscribing to Netflix, using your normal bank debits
Maximum daily international transactions spending with Nigerian commercial banks cards is pegged at $20. This makes it practically impossible to transact business internationally. The introduction of virtual cards has undoubtedly veritable alternative to Nigerians who engage in international business.
Flutterwave, Largest Africa’s payments tech company, last week announced the suspension of its virtual card service, Barter card. The company said the suspension followed an update from its card partner, which will cause the card service to be unavailable for an extended period of time. This has boxed many Nigerians who rely on Barter Card for their dollar transactions to a corner.
Other virtual dollar card services available in Nigeria
Here are 5 other virtual cards in Nigeria:
- PSTNET
- Chipper Cash
- Wallets Africa
- Minty Bank
- Fundall
- ALAT Virtual Dollar Card
Chipper Cash
Chipper cash card is a pre-funded and reloadable virtual visa card that can be used to make payments online. It works in the manner your local bank visa card works online. Chipper Card can be used for online purchases anywhere Visa cards are accepted. You can as well use it to book flights, subscribe to Netflix, or buy anything online easily from your Chipper cash wallet.
Chipper Cash has two types of wallets/accounts: tier 1 and tier 2.
Tier 1 wallet has limited features and capabilities while tier 2 allows you to access more features of the app. Chipper Cash offers 5% cash back on all purchases.
Wallets Africa
Wallets Africa is a Nigerian Fintech startup that offers virtual and physical naira and dollar cards.
This card saves from the risk of physical cards theft especially as a traveller.
Travellers who don’t want carry cash or physical card while travelling, can use this 100% theft risk-free digital wallet. All you need to provide is your email address at checkout, and your billing information will remain private as well. The only disadvantages are that using this card, you will be charged $1 monthly fee, a $0.75 fee on every foreign transaction, and a 2% fee to load it from an external account.
Minty Bank
Minty Bank is a Nigerian Fintech startup. The Mintyn Bank Virtual Dollar Card provides numerous benefits to individuals, freelancers, entrepreneurs, merchants who do business online. With Mintyn’s Virtual Dollar Card, shoppers can pay for international services like Amazon, Apple Music, Netflix, eBay, WordPress, and many more.
To enjoy the many benefits which Mintyn’s Virtual Dollar Card offers, all a customer needs to do is download the Mintyn app, create account and activate a personal Virtual dollar card in minutes.
Fundall
Fundall, a Nigerian digital bank that provides a wide range of financial services to private and business customers, from a bank account and budget planning to saving pots and loans, recently launched a virtual dollar card enable individuals and businesses make payments online without barriers.
The Fundall offers its first virtual card for free, with a minimum load of $5.
ALAT Virtual Dollar Card
ALAT is a digital banking product powered by Wema Bank. ALAT by Wema offers a complete banking package, with bank account, physical debit card, savings, loans, and it is one of the best virtual dollar cards in Nigeria. Once down the app, set up your account and fund it, you can credit your card straight from your naira balance for up to $20,000 and change the dollars back into naira if you need to. The disadvantages are that you can’t use it on money transfer websites, and it is not compatible with 3D Secure.