Cards are not a homogeneous product, far from it. There are different formats on the market so that you can be subscribed at any time by users. In all cases, they are satisfied with a means of payment that serve to face payments of any kind. In this sense, the banking entities have decided to adapt this product to the real needs of their clients. Where the appearance of new technological elements is promoting constant renewal. Because the cards are no longer like the ones that were used just a few years ago. They are evolving and a sample of this trend is represented by the so-called virtual cards.
Cards have become a payment method completely universal. It is already rare for the person who does not have one of them, whatever the model: credit, debit, virtual or even other more modern or innovative formats. They are always present in your wallet until they replace physical money. Not in vain, its access has been made very simple and with very few requirements you can have one of them in your hands. Although in some cases it will be completely necessary for you to assume commissions or expenses for its management or maintenance, depending on the card contracted.
So much so that according to the latest data released by Mastercard show that 82% of Spanish users already have a credit card. credit, debit or prepaid. These figures represent an increase of just over 8% compared to the situation of a year ago. In any case, debit cards remain the preferred method of payment with almost 75% of the preferences. Followed next by credit cards that account for 5% of the market. While on the contrary, those denominated as prepaid are still a minority among the Spanish population as they did not represent more than 23% of global demand in the last year.
Latest trend: virtual cards
In any case, a trend that has risen in consumer preferences is that of virtual cards. But do you really know what they are and what they consist of? Because it basically implies a renewal in this product class and to the point of being highly accepted by younger users that use them with some frequency to the detriment of other more traditional models. In addition, credit institutions have been able to respond to this very special demand and practically all banks have a plastic of these characteristics. Is this your own case?
Because the virtual cards are not a plastic to use but on the contrary it maintains its own identity, as you will see below. It can be said that virtual cards are a payment product that does not have the physical conditions of credit or debit cards. This is one of its main general characteristics since although if they have a physical body, they do not have the same benefits as the other bank cards. Not surprisingly, they are used primarily to make payments for purchases over the Internet. Hence the enormous projection they have among new users.
Mechanism in these plastics
On the other hand, it is convenient to mention that these cards will include a number with its expiration date as if it were a credit or debit card. In this aspect there are practically no differences. Where if there are, it is that they are made with other complementary measures, such as the transaction confirmation through a PIN and in other cases by means of a confirmation through a code received by SMS. That is, they have high security to carry out operations. Beyond the services provided by this original and innovative means of payment.
Of course, one of their great contributions lies in the fact that they allow you to maintain a more rigid control of your personal finances. Among other reasons because you do not get into debt in operations by not targeting installment movements. On the other hand, virtual ones are very prone to developing any kind of buy online. From the acquisition of the latest mobile phone model to a vacation reservation. They are adapted to the latest trends in the consumer sector. This factor makes them very useful for all kinds of users, as long as they have an active relationship with new technologies.
Advantages of this payment method
One of the aspects that you should consider from now on are the benefits that a plastic of these characteristics can generate. As well, they are many and diverse in nature, as you will see from now on. Because they represent another of the most relevant differences with respect to what are the more traditional bank cards. These are some of the most notable advantages that this financial product offers.
- Its great flexibility: because it is you who decides the amounts of liquidity that you must provide to your virtual plastic. In this way, the balance or the balance of your personal accounts cannot be altered. In this sense, it bears a great similarity to debit cards.
- Payment security: it involves a system that protects you from certain unwanted situations, such as their loss or theft. With the characteristic of virtuality that is conferred on this kind of card.
- Very affordable costs: You can not forget that these plastics are the cheapest on the market. Not in vain, they are free and you will not have expenses for their maintenance management. Unlike what are the credit or debit cards that require a fixed disbursement every year.
- Very easy access: on the other hand, you will not have many impediments to subscribe them in the next few days. Only your desire to have it in your portfolio will be necessary, without having to contribute a payroll or regular income. You can formalize them in a very simple and simplified way.
Disadvantages of your hiring
On the contrary, virtual cards, and how could it be otherwise, entails a series of damages in their use and that you should know about them. So that in this way, you can assess whether or not your hiring is prudent from these very moments. Because you will have no choice but to assume the following scenarios that we expose you below.
- Your own limitations: this kind of unique cards are only valid for online purchases. If these are not your intentions, of course you will not have many benefits with them.
- You will depend on the recharges: you will not have a stable balance to make purchases. If not, on the contrary, it will depend on the recharges that you can do at all times. In this sense, it can be similar to what are the preload cards. Where it is you who decides the funds that this card should have.
- You cannot use it at ATMs: cards with these characteristics do not allow you to withdraw cash from automatic devices. Not even any kind of queries from the ATMs available to credit institutions.
Banks offer
The contracting of virtual cards is directly associated with the user's relationship with the financial institution. Under this general basis, credit institutions have decided to incorporate them into their usual offer of financial products. In this sense, Banco Santander, Bankia, BBVA, La Caixa or Banco Sabadell contemplate a model of these characteristics. They are very easy to hire and are aimed at a very well-defined user profile. Young person, closely related to new trends in consumption and very accustomed to the new means of technologies are some of the most relevant.
If you are going to hire any of these models, you should think that it will not cost you a single euro. Only the recharges that you want to make to face the purchases you need to face. On the other hand, you cannot forget that hiring processes they are usually very fast and similar to those of a traditional bank card. To the point that virtual cards you can complement them with your credit or debit cards. Its use is completely different and therefore you can have each of these cards.
Virtual cards on the market
One of the examples that clarify this user demand is represented by the so-called La Caixa cybercard which is marketed by the following characteristics: it is a virtual card that does not include a registration fee and expenses of 1% for the recharges made. In full harmony with the products designed by other financial entities.
Finally, another aspect that you should assess is that this class of banking products must have a type of relationship with the financial institution. For example, associated with a bank account of the same. Despite everything, they are also developing through the business establishments. As a strategy to build customer loyalty much more effectively.