Best cards for media buying agencies

Media buying agencies operate in a landscape where budgets are fluid, campaigns run simultaneously across different platforms, and any delay in payments can halt an entire operation. The challenges faced by agencies often revolve around how to efficiently manage and scale payments while ensuring control over the ad spend. Traditional payment methods, such as using physical or standard credit cards, often fall short in meeting the dynamic needs of today’s digital marketers. At the core of these challenges is the need for agility. An agency managing multiple clients and campaigns needs to move funds, approve transactions, and monitor expenses with speed and accuracy. Imagine an ad campaign running on multiple platforms like Google, Facebook, and Instagram. If a payment issue arises—whether it’s a delayed transaction, a blocked card, or insufficient funds—the entire campaign can come to a screeching halt. The consequences? Lost visibility, wasted marketing dollars, and potentially missed opportunities to engage with target audiences. This is where specialized payment solutions come into play, with virtual cards becoming the industry standard for media buying. Unlike traditional cards that are tied to a physical entity or limited by the number of users, virtual cards offer unparalleled flexibility, enabling agencies to manage expenses with more control, scalability, and fraud protection than ever before. Virtual cards allow businesses to create multiple card accounts instantly, each with its own spending limit, making it easier to allocate budgets across campaigns.

Key Challenges Faced by Media Buying Agencies with Traditional Cards

Traditional payment methods may still work for some businesses, but when it comes to media buying, they often fall short. Here are a few key challenges agencies face when relying on standard credit cards:

Account Freezing

Running multiple ad campaigns using the same credit card across various platforms can raise red flags, especially on platforms like Facebook and Google, which have strict anti-fraud measures. One suspicious transaction can freeze your card and halt all associated campaigns. Recovering from these freezes can take time, costing valuable advertising hours.

Fraud Concerns

With digital advertising comes the inherent risk of fraud. Agencies using a single card for multiple campaigns or clients open themselves up to fraudulent transactions, as there’s little control over where and how the card is used.

Lack of Control

Traditional cards offer limited ability to track spending across multiple campaigns. If an agency is managing dozens of campaigns at once, it's nearly impossible to efficiently track and allocate budgets without a centralized system. There's also the risk of human error, as transactions may be forgotten or improperly logged. The need for tailored solutions has become urgent as media buying evolves. Virtual cards, like those offered by Wallester and Karta, have emerged to solve these exact problems by providing better control, security, and agility for modern marketing needs.

Key Features to Look for in Cards for Media Buying

When choosing a card solution for media buying, agencies must consider several critical factors that address the unique demands of their operations. From budget control to fraud prevention, the right features can make or break the efficiency of an advertising campaign.

Budget Control

Budget control is one of the most critical aspects of media buying, and without the ability to monitor and manage spending efficiently, campaigns can quickly spiral out of control. Imagine managing a digital marketing campaign with multiple channels—Google Ads, Facebook, and TikTok—each with its own spending rate. Without granular control, it becomes challenging to optimize the allocation of your advertising dollars. Virtual cards provide a way to mitigate this problem by allowing agencies to assign specific budgets to individual campaigns or teams. For instance, if you’re running a $10,000 Facebook campaign, you can issue a virtual card with a $10,000 limit, ensuring that no extra costs are incurred. Additionally, having multiple cards for different platforms makes it easier to track where the money is going and adjust spending as needed​.

Scalability

In your business, campaigns can scale quickly. You might start with a small budget, but as you see results, you’ll want to increase spending. Having a card system that allows for scalability without friction is essential. Virtual card solutions like those from Wallester and Karta allow media buying agencies to issue unlimited cards instantly. This feature is critical when agencies need to scale their campaigns across multiple platforms or clients. For example, during high-demand periods like Black Friday or holiday sales, having the ability to issue new cards on the fly for various ad campaigns ensures that no time is wasted. This level of scalability makes virtual cards a perfect fit for media buying agencies​.

Fraud Prevention

Fraud prevention is a top concern for agencies, especially when dealing with large volumes of ad spend across multiple platforms. Traditional cards are susceptible to being flagged for fraud, which can disrupt entire campaigns. This is where virtual cards shine, offering enhanced security features that prevent account suspension and reduce fraud risks. For example, with virtual cards, you can assign specific cards to different ad platforms or campaigns, significantly reducing the risk of account suspension. If one card is compromised or flagged, it doesn’t affect the rest of the agency’s operations. This isolation of risk is invaluable for agencies that manage high budgets across platforms like Facebook and Google Ads. Additionally, virtual cards often come with advanced fraud monitoring systems that instantly alert agencies to suspicious transactions, allowing them to take action before any significant damage is done.

Real-Time Tracking and Reporting

One of the most beneficial features of virtual cards is the ability to track all transactions in real-time through a centralized dashboard. This feature provides immediate visibility into ad spend across campaigns and clients, making it easier to reconcile accounts and optimize budget allocation.

Imagine managing a media buying agency with multiple clients, each running ads on several platforms. With traditional cards, tracking those transactions and reconciling the data could be a logistical nightmare. Virtual card systems offer an integrated solution where you can see every dollar spent in real time, across all platforms and campaigns​. This not only improves financial accuracy but also allows for better forecasting and strategy adjustments, as agencies can immediately see where their money is being used most effectively.

Top 6 Virtual and Business Credit Cards for Media Buying Agencies

Funcwallet

Funcwallet is a virtual card provider that stands out for its user-friendly platform designed specifically for online transactions and media buying. The service allows agencies to create unlimited virtual cards on demand, giving them complete control over their ad spend for each campaign. Funcwallet is equipped with powerful fraud detection tools and a centralized dashboard that simplifies financial management, making it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.

Key Benefits

• Unlimited virtual card issuance for different campaigns and platforms.
• Instant card creation with specific spending limits.
• Centralized dashboard for tracking expenses across multiple campaigns.
• Enhanced fraud protection with real-time alerts.
• Easy-to-use API integration for automated payments.

Pros for Media Buying Agencies

• Complete control over individual campaign budgets.
• The ability to quickly issue cards as needed.
• Enhanced fraud protection through secure card data.
• Simplified expense tracking and management.

Cons for Media Buying Agencies

• Some users may find the interface less customizable.
• Transaction fees for foreign currency payments might be higher than competitors.

Who It’s For

Funcwallet is perfect for media buying agencies that run multiple campaigns simultaneously and need a streamlined way to control and monitor their spending. Its instant card issuance and centralized dashboard make it a great fit for both small agencies and larger businesses looking to scale their operations without losing control over expenses.

Why We Recommend It

Funcwallet’s flexibility, especially the ability to issue unlimited cards, gives media buyers the operational control they need to keep ad campaigns running smoothly. Whether managing local or international campaigns, Funcwallet's emphasis on security and control makes it a must-have tool for media buying agencies.

EPN

EPN is an international payment service for affiliates, webmasters, media buyers and digital agencies. EPN provides virtual cards for advertising payments in Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Tiktok Ads and other foreign services.

Features:

The service issues virtual cards Visa and Mastercard. EPN offers two types of cards (advertising and universal) for different purposes. Big database of US-BINs. Replenishment via cryptocurrency (USDT and Bitcoin). Ability to add team members and fully manage their accounts and cards.

Pros:

• Detailed statistics, transaction history
• Low fees
• Big database of BINs (52+)
• No restrictions on card issuance
• Different types of card management available (mobile app, web version, Telegram bot)

Minuses:

• No possibility to top up with russian bank card
• It is prohibited to use EPN cards to purchase cryptocurrency, to pay for gambling and dating services

Karta.io

Karta.io offers a cutting-edge solution for media buyers with its virtual card platform that focuses on managing ad spend across multiple platforms. Designed specifically for digital advertising, Karta allows agencies to create and control cards for each campaign, helping to minimize fraud risks and improve financial visibility. Its platform is known for its robust control features, making it easy to track budgets, prevent account suspensions, and optimize ad spending.

Key Benefits

• Dynamic spend controls with real-time tracking of expenses.
• Cards tailored for specific ad platforms like Facebook, Google, and TikTok.
• Centralized dashboard for managing all virtual cards in one place.
• Fraud prevention features to ensure the safety of your ad accounts.
• Quick card creation and flexible usage options.

Pros for Media Buying Agencies

• Simplified management of ad spend with real-time updates.
• Lower risk of ad account suspensions thanks to card segregation by campaign.
• Tailored features for different ad platforms.
• Complete control over spend limits and card access.

Cons for Media Buying Agencies

• Fewer reward and cashback options compared to traditional business credit cards.
• Higher setup costs for smaller agencies.
• API integrations can be complex to implement for businesses without in-house tech teams.

Who It’s For

Karta.io is designed for agencies that need to manage advertising budgets across multiple platforms with tight control over spending. It’s especially useful for teams looking to reduce fraud risks and keep track of numerous campaigns in a streamlined, efficient way.

Why We Recommend It

Karta.io offers a comprehensive solution for media buyers who need transparency and control over their ad spend. Its focus on preventing account suspensions and real-time expense tracking ensures that agencies can run campaigns without interruption, making it an invaluable tool for both small and large media buying teams.

Nerdwallet

Nerdwallet is widely known as a financial information hub, providing detailed comparisons and reviews of various financial products, including credit cards for small businesses. For media buying agencies, Nerdwallet offers an in-depth look into the best cards for ad spend, highlighting features like cashback, points rewards, and flexible repayment options. While Nerdwallet does not issue its own credit cards, its role as a trusted reviewer and aggregator makes it a go-to resource for finding the best payment solutions tailored to media buyers.

Key Benefits

• Comprehensive and up-to-date comparisons of business credit cards.
• Tailored reviews focused on the needs of small and medium-sized businesses.
• Focus on cards that offer rewards for advertising spend on platforms like Google and Facebook.
• User-friendly interface for side-by-side card comparisons.
• Free resources, financial tools, and calculators to help businesses manage their ad spend effectively.

Pros for Media Buying Agencies

• Extensive database of credit cards and financial tools.
• Insightful reviews on rewards and features for ad spend.
• Regularly updated content to reflect the latest credit card offers.
• Easy-to-navigate interface for quick card comparisons.

Cons for Media Buying Agencies

• Nerdwallet does not issue cards, so users must rely on third-party services.
• Limited to U.S.-based credit card options, which may not be ideal for international agencies.
• Rewards programs are dependent on the specific card issuer, not Nerdwallet.

Who It’s For

Nerdwallet is perfect for media buying agencies looking for the best business credit card to optimize their ad spend. Whether you're managing a small-scale local campaign or running extensive international advertising efforts, Nerdwallet’s comparisons help you choose the right card based on your agency’s specific needs.

Why We Recommend It

Nerdwallet provides unbiased, data-driven reviews of business credit cards, making it a great starting point for media buying agencies looking to maximize rewards, minimize fees, and ensure smooth payment processing. Its detailed reviews and easy-to-use tools make it an essential resource for agencies seeking to make informed financial decisions​.

Dash.fi

Dash.fi offers a specialized business credit card tailored for media buying and digital advertising. Dash.fi’s card is designed with the specific needs of performance marketers and digital advertisers in mind, offering advanced financial tools and real-time insights to help businesses track their ad spend effectively. One of its standout features is a cashback reward system specifically geared toward advertising purchases, ensuring agencies can maximize their budget while earning a return on their investments​.

Key Benefits

• 3% cashback on all advertising spend, making it an attractive option for high-volume ad buyers.
• No annual fee for businesses, which lowers the cost of ownership.
• Real-time tracking and reporting of ad spend across multiple platforms.
• Access to high credit limits, enabling larger ad campaigns without financial constraints.
• Full integration with marketing tools to manage campaigns and finances simultaneously.

Pros for Media Buying Agencies

• Generous cashback rewards on advertising spend.
• High credit limits for scaling campaigns quickly.
• Real-time visibility into ad spend, allowing for quick adjustments to campaigns.
• No annual fee, keeping operating costs low.

Cons for Media Buying Agencies

• Only available for businesses with established credit, which may be a barrier for startups.
• Fewer rewards and perks outside of the advertising category.
• U.S.-based service, which may limit its applicability to international media buyers.

Who It’s For

Dash.fi is the ideal solution for media buying agencies and digital marketers who spend heavily on advertising. The 3% cashback on all ad purchases makes it especially beneficial for agencies that run high-budget campaigns on platforms like Google and Facebook.

Why We Recommend It

Dash.fi’s focus on cashback rewards for ad spend makes it a smart choice for performance marketers looking to stretch their advertising budget. With real-time tracking and integration with marketing tools, this card simplifies the financial side of campaign management, making it a top contender for media buying agencies​.

Qolo.io

Qolo.io is a modern payment platform designed specifically for media buying in the digital advertising space. Offering tailored financial services for advertising professionals, Qolo.io helps agencies manage and optimize their media spend. The platform provides a secure, scalable, and efficient way to handle payments across a variety of ad platforms. Qolo.io’s virtual card solution is crafted to minimize risks, such as account freezes or fraud, by providing customized spend limits and real-time tracking​.

Key Benefits

• Specialized payment tools designed for media and ad buys.
• Real-time tracking of transactions to ensure timely payments.
• Scalability with tailored spending limits for different campaigns.
• Advanced fraud protection with secure virtual card issuance.
• API integration for seamless workflow automation.

Pros for Media Buying Agencies

• Highly secure payment platform with advanced fraud prevention.
• Scalable solution tailored for multiple ad campaigns.
• Real-time reporting to optimize campaign budgets.
• Customizable spend limits to ensure financial control.

Cons for Media Buying Agencies

• May require technical setup for API integration, which could be a hurdle for smaller agencies.
• Limited rewards programs compared to other virtual card solutions.
• Primarily focused on media buying, which could limit its broader financial applications.

Who It’s For

Qolo.io is best suited for larger media buying agencies that require a scalable, secure, and customizable payment solution. It’s ideal for agencies running high-volume campaigns across multiple platforms, where fraud prevention and real-time expense tracking are crucial.

Why We Recommend It

Qolo.io’s tailored solution for media buys makes it a standout choice for agencies looking for a highly secure, scalable platform to manage their ad spend. With customizable spending limits and real-time tracking, Qolo.io allows agencies to maintain tight control over their budgets, ensuring successful and uninterrupted campaigns​.

How Virtual Cards Enhance Media Buying Operations

Today virtual cards have become a critical tool for agencies seeking more efficient ways to manage their ad spend. They offer numerous advantages over traditional credit cards, allowing agencies to streamline their operations, maintain tight control over budgets, and optimize their advertising strategies. Key functionalities such as instant card issuance, enhanced expense management, and shared access are just a few of the ways virtual cards are transforming media buying. Let's dive into these features and explore how they contribute to smoother, more efficient campaigns.

Instant Card Issuance

One of the most significant advantages of virtual cards is the ability to issue cards instantly. This flexibility is essential for media buying agencies managing multiple campaigns across various platforms. When running digital ads, every second counts—delays in payments can result in campaign shutdowns or missed opportunities. Traditional cards often limit the number of accounts that can be linked, making it difficult to keep up with high-volume or multi-platform advertising.

Virtual cards solve this problem by allowing agencies to generate multiple cards on-demand, each with its own spending limit and purpose. For example, a digital marketing agency running campaigns on Facebook, Google, and TikTok can issue separate cards for each platform. This approach not only prevents issues like budget overspending or campaign disruptions but also ensures that campaigns can scale quickly without the risk of hitting spending limits on a single card.

Expense Management

For any media buying agency, managing expenses across multiple campaigns and clients can quickly become a logistical nightmare. Traditional cards often fall short when it comes to tracking and reconciling ad spend, leading to potential overspending and errors in budgeting. Virtual cards, however, make expense management much simpler through automated reporting and real-time tracking.

By using virtual cards, agencies can set predefined spending limits for each campaign, ensuring that budgets are adhered to without manual oversight. Furthermore, these cards often come with centralized dashboards that offer a clear, real-time view of spending across all campaigns. This visibility is crucial for financial management, enabling agencies to make informed decisions about where to allocate resources and how to optimize their ad spend.

Shared Access

Collaboration is key in any media buying agency, but it often comes with security risks when dealing with financial data. Traditional credit cards usually require sharing sensitive information like card numbers and login credentials, which opens the door to potential misuse or fraud. Virtual cards, however, offer a solution through shared access features that allow multiple team members to manage ad spending without compromising security. For example, Funcwallet enables agencies to grant access to specific cards for team members or departments. Each virtual card can have its own set of permissions, ensuring that only authorized individuals can make transactions. This granular level of control not only enhances security but also simplifies teamwork, as everyone can access the funds they need without exposing the agency to financial risks.

Rewards Programs and Perks

Beyond the operational benefits of virtual cards, rewards programs play a significant role in lowering the overall cost of advertising for media buying agencies. Several business credit cards and virtual cards offer valuable perks such as cashback, points, or travel rewards, which can help agencies get more value out of their ad spend.

Types of Rewards

Cashback Rewards

Cashback programs are particularly attractive to media buyers because they directly reduce the net cost of ad spend. For example, the Dash.fi business card offers 3% cashback on all advertising purchases, making it an excellent option for agencies with high ad spend. Over time, this cashback can add up, significantly reducing the overall cost of campaigns.

Points-Based Rewards

Cards like the American Express Business Gold offer rewards in the form of points. With this card, agencies can earn 4x points on purchases in the top two spending categories, one of which includes advertising spend on platforms like Google and Facebook. These points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or statement credits, giving agencies additional flexibility in how they use their rewards​.

Travel Perks

For agencies that frequently travel for client meetings or conferences, cards with travel rewards, such as Amex Business Platinum, offer valuable perks like airport lounge access, free hotel upgrades, and travel credits. These perks can make business travel more comfortable and cost-effective, adding another layer of value to the overall rewards program.

The Role of Rewards in Lowering Advertising Costs

Reward programs like Amex Business Gold's 4x points on ad spend can make a substantial difference in the long-term financial strategy of a media buying agency. By earning rewards on every dollar spent, agencies can reinvest these savings into future campaigns, thereby boosting their overall return on investment. In the case of cashback cards like Dash.fi, the rewards directly reduce the cost of ad campaigns, allowing agencies to maximize their advertising efforts without increasing their budget​. For instance, an agency spending $50,000 a month on Google and Facebook ads could potentially earn 150,000 points or 3% cashback, providing significant value over time. These rewards not only reduce the overall cost of media buying but also give agencies the flexibility to invest in other areas, whether it’s scaling campaigns or covering operational costs.

FAQ

What are virtual cards, and why are they useful for media buying agencies?

Virtual cards are digital credit or debit cards that allow businesses to create and manage multiple card accounts with specific limits. For media buying agencies, they are essential because they offer enhanced control over ad spend, real-time tracking, and increased security by isolating risks. They also prevent issues like overspending or account freezes, making them an invaluable tool for managing advertising budgets efficiently​.

How do virtual cards prevent fraud in media buying?

Virtual cards provide advanced fraud protection by allowing agencies to issue separate cards for individual campaigns or platforms. This prevents fraudulent activities from affecting the entire business. Furthermore, virtual cards often come with features like real-time transaction alerts, spending limits, and 3DS authentication, all of which reduce the likelihood of unauthorized use​.

Can virtual cards help agencies scale their campaigns?

Yes, virtual cards are ideal for scaling campaigns. They allow media buying agencies to create unlimited cards instantly, which can be assigned to different platforms, teams, or clients. This flexibility enables businesses to scale without worrying about exceeding spending limits or managing a few physical cards across numerous campaigns​.

What kind of rewards can agencies earn from using business credit cards for ad spend?

Business credit cards for ad spend often offer cashback or rewards points on every purchase. Cards like the Amex Business Gold offer 4x points on advertising spend, while others like Dash.fi provide 3% cashback. These rewards help agencies lower the overall cost of their ad campaigns, providing significant savings over time​.

Are virtual cards difficult to set up?

Most virtual card platforms are designed to be user-friendly and are relatively easy to set up. Platforms like Karta and Wallester offer quick card issuance with minimal setup requirements, and they often include API integration to automate payment workflows. However, smaller agencies without a dedicated IT team might find API integrations more complex to manage​.

Conclusion

Virtual cards have transformed the way media buying agencies manage their advertising budgets. With instant card issuance, seamless expense management, and robust fraud prevention, they provide the flexibility and control needed to run successful ad campaigns. Whether it's scaling up campaigns or earning valuable rewards, virtual cards like Funcwallet, Wallester, and Karta have become indispensable tools in modern digital advertising.