What is an American express virtual card and how to get it?

The American Express Virtual Card is a payment card, in the form of a virtual prepaid credit card that can be used for online payments.
Its advantages are that it does not need to be physically carried and that transactions made with this card do not require the security code (CVC / CSC). In addition, unlike other cards issued by American Express, it is not necessary to have a personal account with them.
First of all you need to have an American Express virtual card issued in Spain by Banco Santander or BBVA. For this you will have to visit one of the branches of either bank and ask for a virtual card payment. If you opt for Banco Santander your American Express card must be of type Classic / Gold (not Business). If you choose BBVA, your American Express card must be of type Silver.
If the request is successful, they will give you an activation code that will serve to activate the virtual card on the American Express website. That is, if something happens to your physical card, it will be your virtual card that you use for all your purchases, and not the physical one. You can also manage this card from your mobile, if it has a US SIM card (T-Mobile).
If you do not have an American Express credit card issued by Banco Santander or BBVA, I recommend that you ask for one of these two banks. Otherwise, I think it's almost impossible (and certainly very harmful) to get an American Express virtual card with another bank that is not in that list.
While the physical card has a cost of 5 euros per month, the virtual card is free when you request it through your online banking platform. Once you have activated it on the American Express website, you can also access it through your mobile account.
To do this, request the virtual card on the American Express website (and not just by email!). Once you have activated it, go to your online banking platform and link it with your virtual card. You'll see that once linked can also use your mobile phone as a payment card, just like the physical one.
This is because the American Express virtual card can be linked to your mobile. However, this option does not appear if you just request it through email (or telephone). You must first activate it on the American Express website and then link with your online banking platform or mobile account. In addition, only US mobile operators can be linked. That is, if your mobile has a Spanish SIM card, you cannot use it to manage your American Express virtual card.
Once the virtual card is active and linked with your online banking platform or mobile account, from that moment you can make all your payment transactions from any device (a desktop computer, tablet or mobile phone) so long as you authenticate with your password and / or fingerprint. It is not necessary to have the physical card to make a payment, but you must always use your password and/or fingerprint to identify yourself.
The American Express virtual card payment operates in the same way as any other credit or debit cards: it can be used on-line and in the establishments that accept credit or debit cards. You must always authenticate with your password and/or fingerprint, and you can do it from any device and at any time.
I recommend using this if you travel to the United States for a while, because the physical card requires having a good credit rating according to its contract (you must submit a copy of your income). In addition, you can not make online payments with this card as some stores ask for the CSC code (also known as CVC or CVV). That is why I think it's very useful to have a virtual card.