Melio offers two different types of virtual cards as the ways to get paid: single-use virtual cards and Melio Card. This article walks through what each one is, how they compare, and how to tell which one you have.
In this article:
What is Melio Card?
- Melio Card is a card with an ongoing balance.
- Once it's active for a user, every future payment from a certain payor lands directly in your card balance automatically - you don't need a new card each time.
- Melio doesn't charge a fee for receiving payments into your Melio card or for holding it - when you spend the card, standard card network fees may apply.
- You can add Melio Card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Wallet and use it like a regular card anywhere cards are accepted, and make as many transactions as you wish.
- There's a regular card expiration.
Learn more in What is Melio Card?
What is a single-use virtual card?
- A single-use virtual card is a one-time virtual card issued for a single payment, for the exact amount of that payment.
- It's a Mastercard issued by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- You (or whoever is processing it) runs it once through a point-of-sale or payment terminal (POS).
- It expires 30 days after it's issued.
- The whole amount should be used in a single transaction.
Learn more in What is a single-use virtual card?
Key differences
| Single-use virtual card | Melio Card | |
| What it is | A one-time card issued for a single payment, for that exact amount. | Reusable card with an ongoing balance that keeps receiving future payments from a certain payor. |
| How long it lasts | Expires 30 days after it's issued. | Has a regular expiration time, as any other card. |
| Getting started | No sign-up needed. The card details arrive by email. | Requires a short sign-up and business verification before it's ready to use. |
| Where you see it | No Melio account needed. Your card details are sent to your email — that's the only place to view them. | In your Melio account. Log in anytime to see your full dashboard - card, balance, and transaction history. |
| How you use it | Process it once, for the exact amount, through a point-of-sale or payment terminal. | Use it like a regular card, whenever you want - add it to Apple Pay/Google Pay/Samsung Wallet or use the card details directly. |
| Fees | No additional fee from Melio. Your own card processor's standard fees may still apply. | Melio doesn't charge a fee for receiving payments or holding your balance. When you spend the card, standard card network fees may apply to the businesses you spend in. |
| Who issues it | A Mastercard issued by JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Issued through Melio's card partner, CapitalOS. |
| Changing your mind | You can opt out, or claim the amount back as an ACH bank transfer. | You can stop using it at any time by contacting support. This is permanent - you'd need to sign up again to use Melio Card in the future. |
Where do I see it?
Single-use virtual card: you don't need a Melio account to access it. Your card details (number, CVV, expiration date) are sent directly to your email. That email is the only place you can view them.
Melio Card: you'll have a Melio account you can log into at any time to see your full dashboard: your card, your balance, and your transaction history, all in one place.
Can I switch between them?
Melio card and a single-use virtual cards are two separate payment delivery methods. There is no direct way to switch one to another. You will get your payments to the type of card you applied for.