The difference between a virtual card and receiving a customer's card details can be confusing, particularly when you don't use both these features. 

You can use the information below to work out if you have a customer's card details or a virtual card. 

Receiving a customer's card details is the most common of the two. You'll have a limited number of times to view the card details, and the card holder's name will be the name of the guest.

If these are the card details you have, then you'll need to use our Advance Booking feature to take a payment.

Some online travel agents (OTAs) such as Booking.com and Expedia have added a new feature for some businesses where they take payment from your customers and then send you a single-use card for that amount. This is a virtual card. You'll be able to view the card details an unlimited number of times, and the card holder's name will be the name of the OTA.

An example from Booking.com looks like this: 

You can read how to charge a virtual card through Tab in this article.