You have a bank card and everything works. So why would you need another one, a virtual card - especially one that exists only on your phone?

Because a virtual card doesn't replace your bank card - it gives you extra control. For online shopping, subscriptions or travel, you use a card that holds only the amount you need, while your main account stays separate.

One card, less exposure. Here's how both work and how they differ.

How does a debit bank card work?

A debit bank card is linked to your current account. That's usually where your salary lands and where your loan repayments or savings come from. When you pay by card, the money is taken directly from that account.

That's convenient in shops and at ATMs. The problem starts when you enter that card's details online. If someone gets hold of them, they could potentially access everything in your account, not just the amount of a single purchase. And if you block the card, you have to wait for a new one and re-enter its details everywhere it was saved.

How does the Aircash Mastercard virtual card work?

The Aircash Mastercard virtual card is a free Mastercard you open in the Aircash app - no branch visit, no paperwork. There's no plastic: you can see the card number, expiry date and security code only in the app.

The card isn't linked to your bank account but to your Aircash wallet. Only the amount you top up yourself is available. If you add 30 euros for a purchase, you can spend exactly 30 euros and not a cent more.

You can pay with it wherever Mastercard is accepted, online and in store. You can add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay and pay with your phone. You can link multiple cards to one Aircash account and manage each one separately, with its own spending limits.

Bank vs. virtual card: a comparison

When should you use a bank card, and when a virtual one?

You'll keep using your bank card for what it was made for: big purchases, spending from your salary and everyday household expenses.

A virtual card is the better choice when:

• you're shopping online and don't want to risk your main card's details

• you're paying for subscriptions (streaming, apps, free trials) and want to see clearly how much they cost you

• you're travelling and want to keep your travel budget separate from the rest of your money

• you want to control your spending - for example, with a separate card for online shopping with a monthly limit

You don't have to choose one or the other. Your bank card remains your main account, while the virtual card becomes an extra shield between your money and the internet.

Open a free Aircash virtual card in the app and you can start paying with it in just a few minutes.