What a virtual card can and cannot do
A virtual card is a number that exists only in digital form—no plastic, no magnetic stripe. It has an expiration date, a CVV, and a billing address, just like a physical card. But it is tied to a funding source: usually a bank account, a prepaid account, or a credit line that backs it.
You cannot transfer money directly from a virtual card to a bank account the way you would transfer between two checking accounts. A virtual card is a spending tool, not a storage account. The money behind it lives somewhere else—in the account that funded the card in the first place.
What you can do depends on what type of virtual card you have and what account backs it. The path forward is different for each one.
Key Takeaways
- Virtual cards are spending tools, not accounts, so you cannot transfer their balance directly to a bank account.
- If your virtual card is backed by a bank account you control, the money is already in that account and you can spend it from there instead.
- If your virtual card is a prepaid or gift card, you may be able to request a refund to the original payment method or link it to a payment app that lets you move funds.
- Some virtual card providers let you withdraw remaining balances to a linked bank account, but the process and fees vary widely.
- Unused balances on gift cards and some prepaid cards may be lost if the card expires or the issuer closes, so check your provider's policy.
Virtual cards backed by your own bank account
Many banks and payment apps issue virtual card numbers that draw directly from a checking or savings account you already own. Examples include virtual cards from Chase, Bank of America, Wise, and some fintech apps.
In this case, the money is already in your bank account. The virtual card number is just another way to spend it. You do not need to transfer anything—you can straightforward use your debit card, write a check, or initiate a bank transfer from the account itself. The virtual card number is optional.
If you want to stop using the virtual card, you can delete it from your app or request a new number. The account balance stays where it is.
Prepaid and gift cards with remaining balances
If your virtual card is a prepaid card or a gift card, the balance sits on the card itself, not in a bank account you control. Moving that money requires a different approach.
Some prepaid card issuers allow you to request a refund of the remaining balance. This typically goes back to the original payment method—if someone loaded the card with a credit card, the refund goes back to that credit card. If you loaded it with a bank transfer, the refund may go back to that bank account. Check your card issuer's website or call their customer service number to ask whether refunds are available and what the timeline is.
Gift cards rarely offer refunds, but some prepaid cards do. Read the terms on your card's website or app before assuming a refund is possible.
Using a payment app to move prepaid card balances
Some payment apps—including PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and others—let you link a prepaid or gift card and then transfer the balance to a linked bank account. The process varies by app and by card type.
To try this route, open the payment app, add your virtual card as a payment method, and look for an option to transfer funds or cash out. Not all cards work with all apps, and some apps charge a fee for transfers. You may also hit a daily or monthly limit on how much you can move.
This method works best for smaller balances. For larger amounts, contact the card issuer directly to ask about a refund or withdrawal option.
Virtual cards issued by your employer or a service provider
Some employers issue virtual corporate cards for business expenses. Some services—like meal delivery platforms or freelance payment processors—issue virtual cards as a way to pay out funds. These cards are usually not meant to be transferred; they are meant to be spent on the service itself or on approved purchases.
If you have an unused balance on a corporate card, contact your employer's finance or HR department. If you have a balance on a service provider's card, check the terms or contact their support team. Some will refund unused balances; others will not.
Fees and timing to expect
If a refund or transfer is available, the timeline depends on the method. A refund to the original payment method usually takes 3 to 10 business days. A transfer through a payment app may be when ready, next-business-day, or take several days depending on the app and your bank.
Some card issuers charge a fee to refund or withdraw a balance—typically $5 to $15. Others do not. Ask before you request a transfer so you know what will be deducted.
If your card has expired or the issuer has closed the account, the balance may be forfeited. Check your card's expiration date and the issuer's policy on inactive accounts before waiting too long.
What to do if your card issuer will not refund the balance
If the card issuer refuses to refund or transfer your balance, your options are limited. You can spend the remaining balance on purchases the card is designed for—if it is a gift card, use it at that retailer; if it is a prepaid card, use it for everyday purchases.
If the card is truly unusable and the issuer will not help, you may be able to file a dispute with your credit card company or bank if you originally funded the card with a credit card or bank transfer. Explain that you requested a refund and were denied. Your bank or card issuer may be able to recover the funds, though this is not may provide.
Keep records of your request and the issuer's response. If the balance is small, it may not be worth the effort to dispute, but larger amounts are worth pursuing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a virtual card balance to someone else's bank account?
No. You cannot transfer a virtual card balance to another person's account. You can spend the balance yourself or, if the issuer allows, request a refund to the original payment method. Some payment apps let you send money to another person, but that is a separate transaction, not a card transfer.
What happens to my virtual card balance if the card expires?
If the card is backed by your own bank account, the money stays in that account—the card number straightforward stops working. If the card is a prepaid or gift card, the balance may be forfeited when the card expires. Check your issuer's policy on expired cards before the expiration date passes.
Do I lose money if I close the app that issued my virtual card?
If the virtual card is backed by a bank account you own, closing the app does not affect the account or the money in it. If the card is a prepaid card issued by the app, closing the app may make the card unusable. Contact the issuer before deleting the app to confirm what happens to your balance.
Can I use a virtual card to withdraw cash from an ATM?
Some virtual cards can be used at ATMs if they are linked to a debit account or if the issuer supports ATM withdrawals. Others cannot. Check your card issuer's website or app to see whether ATM access is available. If it is, you can withdraw cash and then deposit it into your bank account, though this is slower than a direct transfer.
What if my virtual card was issued by a third-party service I no longer use?
Contact the service's customer support and ask about your remaining balance. Some services will refund unused balances if you request it; others will not. Ask whether the balance will expire if you do not use it, and get the answer in writing if possible.