In some cases, the payment delivery method may change to a single-use virtual card. A single-use virtual card is a fast, secure, and efficient virtual credit card that has become a common payment method for vendors.
This article explains when this change happens and why.
The payment delivery method may be changed to a single-use virtual card in the two following scenarios:
- The vendor has chosen a single-use virtual card as their default payment delivery method.
- The invoice file you uploaded includes a link to the vendor’s online payment portal, where the vendor accepts cards, with no additional fee to you.
❗Important:
- Pay Business Bills doesn’t charge any fees for a single-use virtual card as a delivery method or for receiving payments via a single-use card.
- For the vendors, a POS terminal fee may apply (depending on the vendor’s agreement with the card processor).
Scenario 1: The vendor has opted to receive payments via a virtual card
In Pay Business Bills, vendors can choose to receive payment via single-use virtual cards during a call with our team. They likely signed up to receive single-use virtual cards because they're faster and more secure.
How it works
- In this case, all the payments to these vendors will be sent via virtual cards.
- The card is delivered via email, and the vendor can ONLY process it with a credit card processing system (POS) or terminal, as they would with any other credit or debit card payment.
- This only affects how your vendor receives payment. You don’t need to take any action. If your vendor wants to accept payment in a different way, they can contact our support team.
Scenario 2: The uploaded invoice has a link to the vendor’s online payment portal
It is possible that the delivery method can be changed from ACH transfer to a single-use virtual card if the payment you are making meets all the parameters below:
- Your payment method is a bank account.
- The selected delivery method is ACH transfer.
- You have uploaded an invoice file during the payment scheduling process.
How it works
1 - You schedule a payment to a vendor and attach the invoice.
2 - Your payment method is a bank account, and the selected delivery method is ACH transfer.
3 - To simplify your vendors’ payment acceptance process, when you upload an invoice to our platform, we automatically check if it contains a link to the vendor’s online payment portal, and if they accept card payments online with no additional fees to you.
4 - If the invoice qualifies for card payment, that individual payment is delivered via a single-use virtual card.
The vendor requires no action. The payment will be completed automatically, and they’ll get a confirmation email.
If it doesn’t qualify for the card payment, it will be delivered via ACH transfer as usual, with no delay to the original timeline.
5 - The vendor's default delivery method remains unchanged for future payments.
What the payor sees
- In the Payment and bill details window, the delivery method will display as a single-use virtual card.
- Hover over the
icon to see an explanation of the change.
Please note: When a delivery method changes for the first time for a specific vendor, you will receive an email notification.
What the vendor sees
The vendor will receive a payment confirmation email only, when the invoice is payable by a single-use virtual card.
For this type of payment, card details are not sent to the vendor; the payment is processed automatically via your vendor’s online payment portal, unlike regular virtual card payments.
Why does Pay Business Bills change the delivery method to a single-use virtual card?
In the case described above, Pay Business Bills changes the delivery method to a single-use virtual card to provide our users with a superior payment experience, prioritizing speed, security, and efficiency.
This delivery method is:
- No additional cost: The payor incurs no fees.
- Secure for the vendor: Virtual cards are processed without the need to share bank account details; cards are single-use for exact amounts.
- Efficient: Automated 24/7 processing, independent of banking hours.
- Automatic processing: Virtual cards paid at your vendors’ portal are processed automatically without requiring any manual work from you or your vendor.
- Easier to reconcile: Full remittance data is included - amount, payor, and invoice details.
What about future payments?
- Future payments to the same vendor will default to the original delivery method.
- If a new invoice is uploaded or synced for a future payment, the system will rerun the same automatic check and, if eligible, change the delivery method to a virtual card.
How to manage your preferences
This change is intended to improve the payment processing, but you remain in control of how your vendors are paid.
To disable this for a single vendor:
1 - Locate the email notification you received regarding the delivery method change for that vendor.
2 - Scroll to the Want to change this setting? section.
3 - Select Update delivery preferences.
4 - An automatic email draft will open. Select Send to notify our support team of your request.
To disable this for all vendors:
To keep your current delivery method and opt out of virtual cards for uploaded invoices, contact our support team.