Looking to make purchases online or set up recurring payments without the hassle and fees associated with a credit card? The RBC Virtual Visa Debit Card makes it possible for customers to shop online while paying with funds directly debited for their own bank account.
With so many bank debit cards and prepaid options to choose from, it’s hard to figure out which one is a good choice for you.
That’s where I come in. I’ve reviewed and researched various alternatives and have a good handle on what works and what doesn’t.
Before you make your choice, here’s what you should consider.
Online Banking
If you want to make secure online payments for purchases without a credit card, the RBC Virtual Visa Debit Card should do the trick.
- Accepted anywhere Visa is
- Links to your bank account, meaning no worries about sky-high interest charges or late fees as with credit cards
- No extra incentives like interest or cashback
- Similar to RBC’s Client Card, except you can’t use the Virtual Debit Card in stores or at ATMs
- Doesn’t help build your credit back up
What Is the RBC Virtual Visa Debit Card?
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) partnered with Visa to feature a Virtual Debit Card that lets customers safely pay for online purchases. Using the card, they can directly debit any payments from their own checking account.
This is another secure payment option for customers that do not have a credit card or don’t wish to use one for online purchases.
Do Visa Debit Cards Help Build Credit?
If you’ve struggled with credit card debt in the past and are looking to increase your credit score, the Virtual Debit Card isn’t your best bet.
While this Visa Debit card allows you to purchase items using money from your own account, meaning you won’t incur mountains of credit card debt, it doesn’t boost your credit score.
Using credit cards shows lenders you can responsibly pay back what you borrow. If you’re using a debit card where the funds come from your own bank account, you don’t have that opportunity.
Features and Benefits of a Virtual Visa Debit Card
If you’re curious whether the RBC Virtual Visa Debit Card might work for you, consider these features.
Convenience
Visa debit cards are accepted at over 44,000 Canadian online merchants, and the Virtual Debit Card is accepted anywhere Visa is accepted.
Because the card links to your bank account, there’s no need to remember to make payments or end up with late fees.
Easy to Track and Stay Out of Debt
Because credit cards aren’t linked to bank accounts, it’s much easier to make purchases and regret it later come payment due date time.
The Virtual Visa Debit Card lets you keep track of your purchases since it’s linked to your bank account. Because you’re using money already in your account to buy things, you might think twice about frivolous purchases.
Is the RBC Virtual Debit Card Safe?
The card has safety features prominent on all VISA cards. This includes Visa’s Zero Liability, address verification, Visa Secure service, and the three-digit security code (CVV2) on the back of the card.
RBC also provides 24/7 fraud monitoring, alerting you to the first signs of trouble.
Easy to Get
If you’re looking for a quick way to make online purchases and you already have an RBC account, accessing a Virtual Visa Debit Card is simple. Per RBC’s website, if you’re already an account holder, a Virtual Debit Card is already linked to your account, and you just need to contact the bank in order to receive it.
There are three ways to get in touch – either call, visit in person, or go through the mobile app.
What Is the Difference Between the RBC Virtual Visa Debit Card and the RBC Client Card?
There’s very little difference between both cards. Both are linked to your bank account and let you make purchases.
The Virtual Visa Debit Card is geared for online or telephone and mail purchases. You can also set up recurring bill payments with it.
Similarly, the RBC Client Card uses the INTERAC payment network and is accepted at most stores – in person and online.
The only difference between the two is that you can use the Client Card at physical store locations and ATMs – not true for the Virtual Visa Debit Card.
Ultimately, if you don’t want to use a credit card or don’t have one, the Virtual Visa Debit Card is a decent option, but it’s also not a necessary one if you already have a Client Card with RBC.
RBC Virtual Visa Debit Card Vs Koho
Koho is a no-fee spending account to which you can add money either from an existing bank account or through a direct deposit from your employer. From there, you can use your Koho prepaid card to make purchases. The card is reloadable and accepted anywhere VISA is.
Koho also features an app with “Savings Goals” making it easy to check out your spending habits and create a plan to better your finances.
Koho offers additional features the Virtual Visa Debit Card doesn’t, including interest on its spending and savings account and cashback when you make purchases at participating providers.
As discussed earlier, the Virtual Visa Debit Card won’t help you build your credit, but Koho can. For an additional $7/month, you can enroll in Koho’s Credit Building Service, which reports your purchasing and payment activity to major credit bureaus, helping you to improve your credit score.
The bottom line is that the Virtual Visa Debit Card can help you make secure purchases online but doesn’t offer any additional features or incentives. If you’re looking to build credit and get rewarded for your spending habits with extra perks like cashback incentives, Koho is a better fit.
See the full Koho review here.
RBC Virtual Visa Debit Card Vs Stack Mastercard
Stack is a prepaid Mastercard featuring no foreign exchange rates – perfect if you’re a frequent traveller. Stack also touts no ATM withdrawal fees.
Stack users also get cash back rewards on everyday purchases with participating providers. You can load up the card through payroll direct deposits or INTERAC e-Transfers.
If you’re looking to avoid a credit card and the interest charges associated with it, reloadable prepaid cards are a pretty solid option. They provide benefits like low to no fees and perks like cashback options.
The RBC Virtual Visa Debit Card doesn’t have those added benefits and isn’t necessary if you already have an RBC Client Card associated with your account.
Customer Reviews
While there aren’t too many reviews about the Virtual Visa Debit Card, the ones I found aren’t very favourable.
For one thing, many reviewers aren’t really sure of the need for the card. Besides linking to your bank account, some questioned the differences between the Virtual Visa and other debit cards.
Others considered the benefits for travel purposes but questioned if Visa was trying to encroach on INTERAC’s territory and slap users with more fees.
Most users saw the need for the card if they wanted to avoid credit cards or didn’t have one, but as others pointed out, there are lots of debit and prepaid cards to choose from. The Virtual Visa Card doesn’t have anything that really makes it stand out from those other options.
RBC Virtual Credit Card Alternatives
These two cards are much better in my opinion than the RBC card:
| Image | Product Title | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Free Card  |
| Get KOHO For Free | |
Best Paid/Travel Card  |
| Get KOHO Premium |
Read the full KOHO review here.
Frequently Ask Questions
1. What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a Virtual Visa Card?
Those looking to access the card must be at least 14 years old and have a deposit account and an active RBC Client Card.
2. Can I Set Up Recurring Payments?
Yes. You can set up recurring payments or a one-time payment. It’s best to make sure the merchant accepts Visa Debit first, then just use your Visa debit number, expiration date, and security code to manage payments.
3. Are There Spending Limits?
There are limits on spending and any recurring payments you set up. When you received your card, you should’ve also gotten a letter spelling these limits out in detail.
4. Is There a Monthly Fee?
Users don’t incur an annual fee with the Virtual Visa Debit. In addition, purchases or recurring payments don’t count towards the debit transaction limit associated with your personal banking account.
Final Verdict
Depending on credit cards can get you into a financial mess. Excess interest fees and mountains of debt can swiftly creep up on you if you’re not careful. For those reasons, many banks have introduced virtual or prepaid debit cards to keep spending in check.
The RBC Virtual Visa Debit Card helps you make purchases online or by telephone, but it doesn’t come with the perks other debit and prepaid cards do. Also, if you already have an RBC Client Card, there’s really not much difference between the two.
Ultimately, if you just want a card linked to your bank for online purchases, this card will do. However, there are many other options available with added benefits like earning interest, boosting credit, and pursuing added perks. If you’re looking for other options, check out these top virtual cards.
