You must have experienced this frustrating scenario before.
As a freelancer who relies on virtual cards to pay for tools, pay for ads placement, pay for subscriptions for your apps like Canva, Grammerly, Ahref, ChatGPT, etc We have all had a share of the frustration that comes with “transaction declined.” It’s worse when you have a tight deadline and all your virtual cards keep failing.
If you don’t want to experience this ever again, here are five(5) reasons your virtual card will decline in 2025, and how to avoid these traps:
- Insufficient Funds
If your card doesn’t have enough cash to cover the payment, your transaction will be declined. Virtual cards are prepaid, so if you’re trying to spend $50 on a Google Ads campaign but only loaded $30, it’s a no-go.
To avoid this, always check your balance before every transaction. Most platforms, like VitalSwap, let you see funds in real-time.
- Incorrect Card Details
If you mistyped your card number, CVV, or expiry date at checkout. Virtual cards generate unique credentials, and one wrong digit—like entering “123” instead of “132” for the CV will trigger a decline.
To avoid this, always double-check details before hitting “pay.” To make it easier, if you have the VitalSwap virtual card, you can copy-paste the card info from your VitalSwap app to avoid errors. You can also use autofill features in secure browsers or apps to reduce manual entry mistakes.
- Platform Restrictions
If the platform you’re paying doesn’t accept your virtual card’s network (e.g., Visa, Mastercard) or flags it as “credit” instead of “debit, your transaction will be declined. Some global tools like Shopify or Zoom often have strict payment rules, especially for non-US cards. Virtual cards, despite their flexibility, can hit these walls.
To avoid this, always confirm if the platform accepts your card type before buying. VitalSwap’s USD-based cards work on most platforms, but always check.
- Suspicious Activity Flags
If the card issuer or merchant thinks your transaction looks fishy—maybe it’s a big purchase, an international site, or multiple tries in a row, your transaction will be declined. Virtual cards are secure, but any trace of fraud can block legit payments.
To avoid this, you can always notify your card provider about large or international purchases. With VitalSwap, you can reach support at [email protected] to pre-clear transactions.
- Expired or Locked Card
If your virtual card’s past its expiry date, or it has been paused/frozen, either by you for security or by the provider for policy reasons (e.g., too many declined attempts), you’ll face declined transaction
To avoid this, always check your card’s status before paying. VitalSwap’s app shows expiry dates and lock settings clearly.
In conclusion, virtual card decline can be avoided if you can practice all the steps listed above, then you’ll never have to experience “transaction declined” again.
Still looking for a virtual card that can give you peace of mind so you can easily shop on all your favourite online stores and pay for all your subscriptions? Go get VitalSwap’s virtual dollar card, it is USD-based, globally accepted, and built to keep all your transactions smooth and easy. Sign up on vitalswap today!
