AMERICAN EXPRESS® VIRTUAL CARD NUMBER
Frequently Asked Questions
1. About Amex Virtual Card Number
2. Getting Started
3. Using an Amex Virtual Card Number
4. Managing an Amex Virtual Card Number
An Amex virtual card number is a fast and secure way to shop using Google Chrome browser on desktop or Android mobile devices, and where available, in Android apps. When you enroll your eligible Card for an Amex virtual card number:
- We'll replace your physical Card number with a digital version. This means that your physical Card number will never be shared with merchants and,
- Each time you pay using your Amex virtual card number, we will dynamically populate the 4-digit code required at checkout.
You can use your Amex virtual card number when you shop using Google Chrome browser on desktop or Android mobile devices, and where available, in Android apps, wherever American Express payments are accepted.
At this time, you cannot use your American Express virtual card number with Membership Rewards® Pay with Points at Checkout. If you wish to use Membership Rewards® Pay with Points at Checkout, you can use your American Express Card number. Please note that your virtual card number is not eligible to receive payments from your external financial institutions towards your American Express Card account. If sending payments from your external financial institution, please send to your Card account number and not your virtual card number.
An eligible Card is any American Express U.S. Credit Card that is valid and in good standing and is issued to you by a U.S. banking subsidiary of American Express.
Eligible Cards do not include:
- American Express Prepaid Cards, such as American Express Gift Cards and American Express Serve® Cards.
- Single-use virtual account numbers, such as vPayment from American Express.
- Buyer-Initiated Payment and Business Travel Account programs.
- Virtual account numbers associated with your American Express Card.
- Accounts associated with certain American Express Corporate Cards
If you have a valid American Express Card issued by a licensed third-party, please check with your Card issuer if you are eligible to participate by calling the number on the back of your Card.
Yes. When you enroll for an Amex virtual card number, you will first need to save and store your Card details in your Google account. For more information, please refer to the Amex virtual card number Terms of Use.
We will share with Google your recent purchase information made with your Amex virtual card number and your enrolled Card which has been stored to your Google account.
Your virtual card number provides an added layer of security for your Card. When you use your Amex virtual card number for a purchase, your physical Card details are never shared with the merchant. Additionally, Amex provides a dynamic security code each time you make a purchase.
There are three ways to enroll an eligible Card for an Amex virtual card number:
1. By using the “Add Card to Google Pay” process on americanexpress.com. Follow the steps below:
- Log in to americanexpress.com with your User ID and password.
- Select “Account Services,” then “Card Management,” and finally, “Manage Digital Wallets & Payment Features” or navigate to americanexpress.com/managedigitalwallets.
- In the banner at the top of the page where it says “Add Card to Google Pay”, tap or click the “Add Card” button and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the enrollment with Google Pay and Amex virtual card number.
2. By using Google Chrome browser at checkout on desktop or Android mobile devices, and where available, in Android apps: If you’ve already added a Card to your Google account, at checkout simply complete any purchase using your Card and you will be prompted to enroll for a virtual card number. If you don’t have a Card added to your Google account, you’ll be prompted to save your Card to Google Autofill. Once your Card is saved, you’ll see a prompt to enroll for a virtual card number.
3. By using Google Chrome browser settings on desktop or Android mobile devices. Follow the steps below:
- Log in to your Google account.
- Select the payment settings tab in your Google account.
Tap or click on the three dots for the Card you want to enroll and select the prompt to add or turn on the virtual card. If you don’t have an eligible Card on file as a payment method, you can always add one.
Please know that this enrollment option will only appear for Cards that are eligible for an Amex virtual card number. For more information on eligible Cards, please see the “Which Cards are eligible for Amex virtual card numbers?” FAQ above.
For security purposes, we may ask you to enter a one-time verification code to confirm your identity. This code is a unique series of numbers and/or letters that you will receive via text. When prompted, enter that code into the appropriate field. You’ll need to have a mobile number on file with us and a working internet and/or data connection to receive a one-time verification code.
Your one-time verification code may expire if you aren’t able to enter it within 10 minutes. If that happens, you can request another code.
If you are unable to get a one-time verification code, please contact us by calling the number on the back of your Card.
Yes, you can enroll multiple eligible Cards for an Amex virtual card number. Each Card you enroll will be associated with the Google account that you are logged into at the time of enrollment and will available for use for on Google Chrome browsers on desktop or Android mobile devices, and where available, in Android app.
To use your Amex virtual card number, you must use Google Chrome browser on desktop or Android mobile devices, and where it is available, in Android apps, and be logged into your Google account. At checkout, select your Amex virtual card number from the payment options drop-down and Google Chrome will automatically populate your payment information. From there, continue with the checkout process to complete your purchase. Please keep in mind that we may need to text you a one-time verification code at checkout to confirm your identity.
Your Amex virtual card number purchases will be displayed as your regular Amex Card purchases.
You can use your Amex virtual card number for any one-time online or in-app purchases made when you are using Google Chrome browser on desktop or Android mobile devices, and where available, in Android apps.
At this time, you cannot use your American Express virtual card number with Membership Rewards® Pay with Points at Checkout. If you wish to use Membership Rewards® Pay with Points at Checkout, you can use your American Express Card number.
Yes, you’ll receive all of the same rewards, security and benefits of your eligible American Express Card when you use your Amex virtual card number. Please visit your Card account on the American Express website or in the American Express App to see your individual Card benefits.
Yes. If you enroll your eligible Card in an Amex Offer, any qualifying purchases made with your Amex virtual card number will be eligible for the offer. To learn more about enrolling in eligible offers, please visit amexoffers.com.
If you are having difficulty with your Google account, please visit the Google Help Center.
You can suspend, resume, or delete your Amex virtual card number by going to americanexpress.com/managedigitalwallets and logging into your online account. Please keep in mind that deleting your Amex virtual card number in your online account will not unenroll you in this feature. To unenroll your Card in the feature, follow these steps:
Via computer
1. Log into your Google account.
2. Select the payments settings tab in your Google account.
3. Click on the three dots for the Card you want to remove and select the prompt to turn off the virtual card.
4. On the last screen, click “Yes” to confirm unenrollment.
When you unenroll from your Amex virtual card number in Google Chrome settings, it will no longer appear as a payment option in your Google account.
Via mobile device
1. On your Android mobile device, open the Chrome app and log in to your Google account.
2. To the right of the address bar, tap the three dots to access the payments settings tab.
3. Click on the three dots for the Card you want to remove and select the prompt to turn off the virtual card.
No. When you delete your virtual card number, it doesn’t impact your enrollment status, it only deletes the old virtual card number that was uniquely yours. You will continue to see your virtual card appear as a payment option in Chrome Autofill, and when you choose to use it, we will generate a new virtual card number for you.
If your replacement Card number changes, once you receive your new Card in the mail, you’ll need to add it as a new payment method to your Google account and enroll for a new Amex virtual card number. You’ll also need to delete your old Card on file which will delete the associated Amex virtual card number.
If the only change to your replacement Card is the expiration date, no updates are needed, and your enrollment status won’t change.
You can delete your Amex virtual card number by going to americanexpress.com/managedigitalwallets and logging into your online account or by contacting us. You can also delete your Amex virtual card number in your Google account settings.
You can chat with us on americanexpress.com or in the American Express® App. You can also call us at the number on the back of your Card. We’re here for you 24/7.