What do Citi cards start with?

Yes, you can use a credit card before it arrives in the mail, but only with certain cards. If you want to use a credit card early, you must either have an American Express or Capital One credit card or one of a handful of other offers, including the Apple Card, and some store credit cards. Normally, you can’t use a credit card without restriction before it arrives, because you can’t see the full credit card number, expiration date and CVV until you have the card in hand.... read full answer

Credit cards that you can use before arrival

• Cards from certain issuers: If you need to start using a credit card today, you’ll likely want to consider applying for an American Express credit card. Amex is one of the few card issuers that will give out a full card number that can be used anywhere upon approval of an application. Capital One credit cards are also sometimes available for immediate use via the Capital One mobile app. But not everyone is eligible for this feature.
• Co-branded cards: Some credit cards that you can use before the actual card arrives - like the Apple Card - only allow you to add the card to a merchant-specific digital wallet. So you’ll only be able to use it with that merchant until the card arrives in the mail.
• Some store cards: There are a few credit cards that you can use instantly after approval, like the Fingerhut Credit Card. But you can only use this card for purchases at Fingerhut.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that you can ask a credit card issuer for expedited card delivery – in some cases, this will get the card to you the next day. Finding a card that you can use before it arrives in the mail might seem less important with that in mind.

A credit card account number is up to 12 digits long and is part of your credit card number. The length of a credit card account number depends on the card issuer: American Express account numbers are 8 digits, for example, while many other card issuers have 9-digit account numbers. A credit card account number is similar to a checking account number, though most people will use their checking account number far more.... read full answer

How to find a credit card account number

You won’t find your credit card account number on your card statement, and usually it can’t be found in your online credit card account details, either. This is for security purposes. But if your credit card number is printed on your card, your account number is, too.

The first 6 digits of your credit card number represent the industry of your credit card and the card issuer. The last digit of your card number is used to verify your card info. The credit card account number begins at the seventh digit and ends on the second-to-last digit.

For example, if your credit card number is 16 digits long, your credit card account number would be the capitalized, bolded digits below:

aaaa-aaAA-AAAA-AAAa

While it’s good to know how to find a credit card account number - and good to know what your credit card number means - you may never need to use your credit card account number. Some card issuers may require a credit card account number when initiating a balance transfer. But most transactions will use the full credit card number, often along with the expiration date and security code, rather than just the account number.

The best virtual credit card option is the Citi Premier® Card because it’s one of the best credit cards overall and Citi makes it easy to create virtual card numbers for online shopping. Citi Premier card offers 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, ongoing rewards of 1 - 3 points per $1 and a $95 annual fee. To get a virtual card number, Log in to your Citi account through the ... read full answerCitibank Virtual Account Numbers, click on Enroll In/Get, download the Citibank browser extension to create your virtual card number and take note of the expiration date and security code. Citi Virtual Account Numbers works with nearly all online merchants.

Below, you can check out some of the best credit card offers that also give you the option of using virtual card information for extra security.

Best Credit Cards with Virtual Card Numbers

It’s best to get your virtual credit card information from your credit card issuer or card network. These virtual card numbers are easy to get, secure to use online, and free. Some of the most popular virtual credit card options are Click to Pay Visa, American Express Go and Capital One Eno. They work with more cards than just the handful mentioned above, too.

Best Virtual Credit Card Options

• American Express Go

• Capital One Eno

• Citibank Virtual Account Numbers

• Click to Pay Mastercard

• Wells Fargo Wallet

• Click to Pay Visa

Click to Pay Mastercard and Click to Pay Visa are both available to all Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover cardholders, by the way. Click to Pay Mastercard also works for Diner’s Club cardholders.

That just goes to show how many card issuers and networks now offer virtual or “disposable” credit card numbers for cardholders to use while shopping online. This gives shopping online with a credit card an extra layer of security.

In addition to the virtual card numbers you can get from your card issuer or network, you can also add your card to a number of popular “digital wallet” services. They provide an extra security layer similar to EMV or “contactless” credit card technology. Some popular digital wallets include Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, G Pay (Google), PayPal, and Garmin Pay. This technology isn’t limited to credit cards, either – you can add your debit card or prepaid card to many of these services.