Supported card programs
The information on this page is relevant only for API version 2024-03-31 and later. For older API versions, see Supported card types.
Airwallex's card programs provide various options for the types of cards that can be issued to cardholders. This page outlines these options broadly, including their advantages and typical applications.
It's important to note that these options are not mutually exclusive. You can use multiple card types simultaneously within your card program and can transition between options as your business requirements change.
Card programs
Airwallex supports a number of card programs for its various card offerings that determine the Bank Identification Number (BIN) and the program type that your card will be issued against. Please contact your Airwallex Account Manager for regional availability of these card programs.
The program is structured as follows:
- Brand: Currently Airwallex only supports issuance on the VISA network.
- Program purpose: Choose between commercial or consumer depending on your business use case and workflow. Additionally, consider the following options for commercial or consumer cards, keeping in mind that certain limitations apply. For example, consumer cards can only be issued to Individual type cardholders and must be personalized.
- Delegate vs. individual cardholder types
- Personalized vs. non-personalized cards
- Virtual vs. physical vs. digital card forms
- Program type: The core product type to be offered — availability is dependent on your use case and the region you are operating in. Options include:
- Prepaid: Works like a debit card where funds are accessed from your Airwallex Wallet (not stored on the card itself).
- Debit: Accesses funds from your Airwallex Wallet. Accepted anywhere a credit card is accepted.
- Credit: Loan type products that may have some component of lending involved.
- Deferred Debit: Dedicated program specific to travel related customers, e.g., OTAs in the UK/EEA.
- Program sub type: Sub category of the Type field. Used to designate specific functionality within a card type — availability is dependent on your use case and the region you are operating in:
- Good Funds Credit (sub-type of the Credit type): Lightweight credit product. Requires you to have sufficient funds in your Airwallex Wallet for pre-authorization, which is followed by a capture to deduct funds.
- B2B Travel (sub-type of Prepaid, Debit, Credit and Deferred Debit): Dedicated program specific to travel related customers, e.g., OTAs
Commercial vs. Consumer
Commercial cards are designed for business-related expenses, while consumer cards are for individual payouts and everyday spending. The choice between them depends on your specific goals with our products and the nature of your business.
| Feature | Commercial | Consumer |
|---|---|---|
| Suited for | Business expenses, software subscriptions, OTA workflows, etc. | Payout to consumers, e.g., influencers, gig-economy workers, general payroll, etc. |
| Personalized vs. non-personalized | Both personalized and non-personalized cards supported | Only personalized cards supported |
| Cardholder types | Both Delegate and Individual cardholder types supported | Only Individual cardholder type supported |
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| Name on card |
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| Funds owned by |
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| Access to sensitive card details |
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| PIN |
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| Card management | Edit, cancel/freeze supported | Edit, cancel/freeze supported |
| Card controls | All supported. See authorization controls. | All supported. See authorization controls. |
| Whitelabelling | Supported | Supported |
Personalized vs. Non-personalized
Airwallex cards can be personalized or non-personalized. Your choice depends on your specific needs and the products you wish to access.
| Feature | Non-personalized | Personalized |
|---|---|---|
| Named on card | Card is associated with your account, i.e., your business, with the business name used as the name on the card. | Card is associated with the individual cardholder with their legal name used as the name on the card. |
| Card association | You can assign multiple authorized cardholders (either Delegate or Individual type) to the card and allow them to receive 3D Secure (3DS) authentication step-up requests. | You can only assign one authorized cardholder (Individual type) to the card and allow this cardholder to receive 3D Secure (3DS) authentication step-up requests. |
| Access to sensitive card details | Sensitive card details may be retrieved directly using Get sensitive card details API. | You must be PCI compliant to retrieve sensitive card details directly using Get sensitive card details API or alternatively serve up card details via secure iframes (does not require PCI compliance). |
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Virtual vs. Physical vs. Digital
| Feature | Virtual | Physical | Digital |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stored on your phone to pay contactless in stores or online, but has its own unique card number, expiry date, and CVC | Physical card format with card details embossed on the card | Can be added to the individual’s digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc) for easy, contactless purchasing if supported in the applicable region. | |
| Non-personalized cards | Yes | No | No |
| Personalized cards | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Activation | Activated automatically after creation and can be used to transact immediately | Manually activated upon receiving the card at the delivery address or pre-activated via the API. | Only active cards can be added to digital wallets. |