Purchasing cards (P-cards) and virtual cards (V-cards) are payment solutions used by businesses to make business-to-business (B2B) payments. There are key differences for the two types of cards.

P-cards

A P-card is a type of charge card that is issued to employees to make business purchases. P-cards are typically used for low-value, recurring purchases, such as office supplies and maintenance items. P-cards offer a number of benefits for businesses, including:

• Increased control over spending: P-cards can help businesses track and control spending by providing detailed reports for all P-card transactions.
• Reduced fraud risk: P-cards are less susceptible to fraud than traditional credit cards because they are not linked to a personal credit account.
• Improved efficiency: P-cards can help streamline the procurement process by eliminating the need for employees to submit expense reports.

V-cards

A V-card is a type of one-time use credit card that is created for a specific transaction. V-cards are typically used for high-value or high-risk purchases, such as travel expenses or IT services. V-cards offer a number of benefits for businesses, including:

• Increased security: V-cards are less susceptible to fraud because they are only valid for a single, specific transaction.
• Reduced risk: V-cards can help businesses reduce their financial risk by limiting the amount of money that can be lost due to fraud.
• Improved compliance: V-cards can help businesses comply with government regulations such as those governing travel expenses.

Which type of card is right for you?

The card type that is best for your business depends on your specific needs. If you are looking for a card that can help you to control spending, track expenses, and reduce fraud risk, then a P-card might be a good option for you. If you are looking for a card that can help you improve security, reduce risk, and comply with government regulations, then a V-card might be a good option for you.

Contact your merchant services provider to learn more about P-cards and V-cards and to find the right solution for your business.