Compare virtual debit cards

Debit cards give you convenient access to funds in your transaction account. But now, these cards have evolved so that you do not even need the physical card to be able to access these funds. These are called virtual debit cards.

There are a number of benefits to using a virtual debit card. In this guide we will take you through exactly what virtual debit cards are, how they work and how to decide whether they are right for you.

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HSBC Everyday Global Account

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$0

ATM withdrawal fee

• Google Pay, Apple Pay
• Monthly fees: $0
• No international transaction fees
• Up to 10 currencies

HSBC Everyday Global Account

Special offer: $100 cash bonus for new HSBC customers. Earn 2% cashback on tap and pay purchases (T&C's apply).

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Special offer: $100 cash bonus for new HSBC customers. Earn 2% cashback on tap and pay purchases (T&C's apply).

• Apple Pay debit cards
• Android Pay debit cards
• Digital banks with digital wallets

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Name	Product	Card access	ATM Withdrawal Fee	Fee Free Deposit p.m.	Monthly account fee
HSBC Everyday Global Account Finder Award		Visa	$0	$0	$0	Special offer: $100 cash bonus for new HSBC customers. Earn 2% cashback on tap and pay purchases (T&C's apply). Enjoy no minimum ongoing balance or transaction requirements and the flexibility to hold up to 10 currencies. Apple Pay and Google Pay available.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
NAB Classic Banking		Visa	$0	$0	$0	Enjoy convenient, unlimited access to your money. $0 monthly account fee. Tap and pay with your NAB Visa Debit card or your phone using Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay or NAB Pay for Android. Temporarily block your card at the touch of a button if you lose it.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
MyState Bank Glide Account		Visa	$0	$0	$0	Simplify your everyday banking with these sleek digital features. $0 monthly account fee. Choose the way you pay with access to Google, Samsung and Apple Pay plus Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay. Send and receive money in less than 60 seconds with PayID.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Suncorp Everyday Options Account		Visa	$0	$0	$0	Link up to 9 interest-earning sub accounts. $0 monthly account keeping fees. Earn interest on your linked sub accounts to help you save for individual goals, with no account fees to pay. Make contactless payments using Google Pay and Apple Pay.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Great Southern Bank Everyday Account		Visa	$0	$0	$0	Enjoy flexible payment options and access to a wide network of ATMs. $0 monthly account fee. Access to Google, Samsung and Apple Pay. Enjoy fee-free cash withdrawals from 10,000+ ATMs across Australia.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Great Southern Bank Everyday Snap Account		Visa	$0	$0	$0	Refund of international ATM withdrawal fees and international card transaction fees (conditions apply). $0 monthly account fee. Unlimited fee-free everyday transactions. Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay available. Savings Top Up tool automatically transfers to linked savings account.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Data updated regularly

We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.

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Name	Product	Card access	ATM Withdrawal Fee	Fee Free Deposit p.m.	Monthly account fee
NAB Classic Banking		Visa	$0	$0	$0	Enjoy convenient, unlimited access to your money. $0 monthly account fee. Tap and pay with your NAB Visa Debit card or your phone using Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay or NAB Pay for Android. Temporarily block your card at the touch of a button if you lose it.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
MyState Bank Glide Account		Visa	$0	$0	$0	Simplify your everyday banking with these sleek digital features. $0 monthly account fee. Choose the way you pay with access to Google, Samsung and Apple Pay plus Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay. Send and receive money in less than 60 seconds with PayID.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bank of Queensland Day2Day Plus Account		Visa	$0	$0	$0	An everyday transaction account with a linked Visa debit card.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Name	Product	Payment Options	Supported Currencies	Suited to
Up Everyday Account		Apple Pay,Google Pay,Fitbit Pay,Garmin Pay,Samsung Pay	AUD	Students,Travelling,A transaction account,Large ATM withdrawals,Android users	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
86 400 Pay Account		Apple Pay,Google Pay,Fitbit Pay,Garmin Pay,Samsung Pay	AUD		More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
86 400 Save Account			AUD		More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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What is a virtual debit card?

There are a couple of different types of virtual debit cards, but they are all essentially digital versions of a plastic debit card. The first type of virtual debit card is just a number that you use to securely shop online, and it is usually linked to a prepaid account. These card numbers remain active for certain periods of time or can only be used for certain websites, so they are more secure than using a single debit card for all of your online shopping.

The second type of virtual debit card is a digital version of your debit card that exists in a digital wallet, such as Apple Pay, Android Pay or an Internet bank app. You access the virtual debit card from your digital wallet and pay using contactless payment technology just like you would with your physical card.

What are the benefits of a virtual debit card?

Using a virtual debit card has a number of advantages, including the following:

Secure online shopping

If you are using a virtual debit card that generates a random card number, this will help keep your funds secure when shopping online.

Convenience

You won't need to bring a physical debit card with you to complete transactions in-store. You can do this all on your smartphone.

No waiting for card delivery

You won't need to wait for a card to be delivered when you sign up for a new account or if your card expires. With the new digital banks, some give you a virtual debit card, which you can use before your physical card is even delivered, as soon as you get an account.

Single- or multi-use

There are single- and multi-use virtual debit cards available to suit your online payment needs.

Multi-currency cards available

Some providers also offer multi-currency prepaid debit cards, allowing you to save on currency conversion fees when buying from overseas retailers.

Prepaid

Virtual debit cards can be prepaid, giving you the freedom to load them up with the funds you want to spend rather than running up a debt with a credit card provider.

What are the drawbacks to a virtual debit card?

Keep in mind virtual debit cards may not suit everyone. Here are some points to consider before signing up:

• Prepaid virtual debit cards will have card limits. If you choose a prepaid card, it will have limits on the amount of funds you can hold on the card. Consider if these limits are too restrictive for you.
• You can't spend more than $100 per transaction in-store. In-store transactions will be contactless payments, which are limited to $100 per transaction.
• Prepaid cards aren't guaranteed by the government. If you choose a prepaid card, any funds you load onto it aren't guaranteed by the government. This is not the case with debit cards, where deposits up to $250,000 are guaranteed.

How do I use a virtual debit card?

This depends on the type of virtual debit card you choose. If you opt for a virtual debit card that can be loaded into a digital wallet, you will need to have a transaction account that offers this option. You can find some in the table above. Once you have opened the account and have the physical card, you can download your chosen digital wallet and add the card to it to start spending your funds. The bank may also be able to give you a virtual debit card in your bank app before it sends you the physical card.

If you choose a virtual card for online shopping, just sign up online and follow the online process. You should receive your card number once the process is completed, which you can use to start spending. You may be able to link this card to a PayPal account or bank account or you may need to load funds to the virtual card account itself.

Have more questions about virtual debit cards?

• What is a mobile wallet?

  A mobile wallet allows you to carry your debit and credit card information in digital form on your smartphone. Also known as digital wallets, mobile wallets allow you to purchase items online and in-store using your mobile device.

• Can you transfer money from PayPal to Google Wallet?

  To transfer funds from your PayPal account to your Google Wallet, you will first need to withdraw money from your PayPal account into your linked bank account. You can then add the debit card linked to your bank account as a payment method in Google Wallet, allowing you to access the funds you have just transferred out of your PayPal account.

• How do I transfer money from PayPal to my prepaid card?

  Australian customers cannot withdraw money from a PayPal account to a prepaid debit card.

• Is every bank available on Android Pay and Apple Pay?

  No, you can find a list of Australian banks available on Android Pay and Apple Pay here.

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