The virtual payment card community is in an uproar—domestic users' favorite WildCard has officially announced it will cease operations! According to news from U 卡师, due to changes in policies from relevant departments and upstream issuing institutions, WildCard will completely shut down all services starting July 12, 2025. The official website is already inaccessible, and the recharge channels have been completely blocked. Although the balance in the card can still be temporarily spent, no one knows how long this status will last. U 卡师 advises everyone to quickly spend their balance to avoid losing everything in the future. The "runaway" of WildCard has left many users a bit panicked, as it was easy to operate and supported Alipay recharges, making it particularly suitable for domestic users subscribing to ChatGPT Plus or recharging the OpenAI API. Now that WildCard is gone, what virtual card can take its place? Don't worry, below I will list a few reliable alternatives, such as PokePay, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard, discussing their pros and cons to help you find the most suitable option.
WildCard Alternatives: VCard, PokePay, Dupay, WasabiCard
Why is WildCard so popular?#
Let's talk about why WildCard was so popular. The biggest highlight of WildCard is its "grounded" nature—it supports Alipay and WeChat recharges, eliminating the hassle of using USDT (cryptocurrency) for recharges, and the operation is simple enough for beginners to master in minutes. Want to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus? Just bind the card number and enter the CVV code, and you're done in a few clicks. Want to recharge the OpenAI API? It's just as smooth. Not to mention it can also be used to pay bills for overseas services like Claude, Netflix, and Spotify, making it a "payment artifact" for domestic users. Unfortunately, the good times didn't last long, as tightening policies have completely cooled down WildCard. Now, friends with a balance on their cards need to spend it quickly, or they might lose it all.
Alternative Options: Which virtual cards can take over?#
The exit of WildCard doesn't mean we have no options. The recommended PokePay, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard are all popular virtual cards right now, particularly suitable for ChatGPT Plus subscriptions and OpenAI API recharges. Next, I will break down their features one by one.
1. PokePay: The versatile Hong Kong dollar card#
PokePay is a virtual card issued in Hong Kong (PokeCard) that supports Hong Kong dollar settlements and can also be used for spending in various currencies like USD. Its biggest feature is flexibility; it can not only subscribe to ChatGPT Plus and OpenAI API but also bind to Alipay for Hong Kong QR code payments, and even supports physical cards, covering both online and offline scenarios. PokePay allows recharges with USDT, BTC, ETH, etc., with a consumption fee of 1%, and an additional 1% conversion fee for non-HKD spending. The good news is that it has no small transaction fees, and there are no minimum recharge or spending limits, making it suitable for small payment users. However, newcomers to the crypto world might find USDT recharging a bit challenging, so it's recommended to buy coins in advance on Binance or OKEx.
2. VCard: A favorite among crypto enthusiasts#
VCard is aimed at cryptocurrency users, supporting USDT, BTC, and ETH recharges. Its biggest highlight is the ability to bind to Alipay or WeChat Wallet, directly converting USDT into "cash" for domestic spending. It also provides stable support for payments to ChatGPT Plus and OpenAI API, with a high success rate, and can be used to recharge the US App Store or Google Play. The downside of VCard is that the recharge threshold is slightly higher, and the operation is not very friendly for beginners, making it suitable for those already familiar with cryptocurrencies. If you're a crypto veteran, VCard is definitely a good choice.
3. Dupay: A backup option from an established virtual card platform#
Dupay is an established virtual card platform that supports Visa and MasterCard, allowing for global spending without issues. It can also easily handle payments for ChatGPT Plus and OpenAI API, and supports binding to Alipay, WeChat, PayPal, etc., offering comprehensive functionality. Dupay allows recharges with USDT, has a simple application process, and no minimum recharge threshold, but occasionally experiences system maintenance that can affect recharges or withdrawals. Therefore, U 卡师 suggests using it as a backup card, paired with other cards for more stability. If you value stability, Dupay may not be the first choice, but it is definitely sufficient as a Plan B.
4. WasabiCard: A low-key anonymous option#
WasabiCard focuses on anonymity, requiring no KYC verification, allowing recharges with USDT, with low fees and simple operations, making it particularly suitable for small purchases. It supports recharges for ChatGPT Plus and OpenAI API, but its stability is slightly lacking, and it may occasionally be intercepted by payment platforms. If you value privacy and don't want to deal with complicated verification processes, WasabiCard is a low-key good choice. However, it's recommended not to keep too much balance on the card; it's safer to recharge only what you need.
How to choose? Consider your needs!#
These virtual cards each have their strengths, and which one to choose depends on your specific needs:
- Seeking simplicity and convenience: Recommended PokePay, with multi-currency support and no small transaction fees, suitable for beginners.
- Crypto enthusiasts: Choose VCard, which can bind to Alipay for domestic spending and has powerful features.
- Looking for a backup card: Use Dupay, a reliable established platform, but be aware of maintenance periods.
- Privacy-focused: Try WasabiCard, which operates anonymously and is friendly for small payments.
U 卡师 also reminds everyone that the virtual card market changes rapidly, and platforms may shut down or policies may adjust frequently. It's advisable to have multiple cards (like PokePay + Dupay) to avoid issues with a single platform affecting usage. When recharging, don't be greedy; using it as you recharge is the safest approach.
Tips: Important considerations for subscribing to ChatGPT Plus and OpenAI API#
When using these virtual cards for payments, here are a few tips to improve success rates:
- Use an overseas IP: OpenAI's Stripe payment interface is sensitive to IPs, so it's recommended to log in using a US or European residential IP.
- Check your balance: Subscribing to ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month, and API recharges require at least $5, so ensure your card has enough balance.
- Binding process: Log in to the ChatGPT or OpenAI official website, go to the payment page, enter the card number, expiration date, CVV code, and submit.
- One-click upgrade: Both PokePay and VCard support a "remote environment" login similar to WildCard, which can reduce the risk of payment rejection.
Conclusion: Take action and don't waste your balance!#
The shutdown of WildCard has caught many off guard, but fortunately, alternatives like PokePay, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard are strong enough to meet the needs for ChatGPT Plus subscriptions and OpenAI API recharges. If you still have a balance on WildCard, hurry up and spend it; don't wait until policies change again and you can't use it at all. Want to continue enjoying overseas AI services? Choose a reliable virtual card and follow U 卡师's recommendations; you won't go wrong! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a message, and let's chat!