thread Re: Can i charge virtual credit cards using square in Payments Troubleshooting

Can i charge virtual credit cards using square

iTravelTanzania — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 10:16:11 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I am wanting to bill a virtual credit card on file with booking.com but square declines it when i enter the details. Does anyone know if its possible to charge a virtual credit card?

Thanks,

Jodie

Re: Can i charge virtual credit cards using square

Seamus — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 00:52:02 GMT

Hey @iTravelTanzania,

The declines you're seeing are generally caused by Booking.com virtual cards requiring transactions to be processed under a "hotels and accommodation" Merchant Category Code, which is not currently available on our system. The MCC codes we have available were approved by the card processing networks. We are working to acquire additional codes, though this is a lengthy process requiring multiple levels of approval across different payment networks.

The solution we've had for Booking.com users in the past is:

1) Call Square Support on 1800 760 137, explain the situation and ask to change your merchant category code to "Travel", which is the closest we can get to what you need.

2) Get in touch with Booking.com and let them know we've changed you to "Travel" because we are not able to provide you with the "Hotels and Accommodation" MCC. They should be able to allow your virtual card to work on this MCC.

Hope this helps, all the best!

Re: Can i charge virtual credit cards using square

PECI — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 21:22:54 GMT

Hi @Seamus the support phone number doesn't seem complete. There's only 3 digits at the end instead of 4.

Has this issue been fixed yet as we are new to Square and booking.com and my card is coming up declined...

Re: Can i charge virtual credit cards using square

Seamus — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 01:19:40 GMT

@PECI,

That's definitely the number - just to check, are you based in Australia?

This is our Australian Seller Community, we also have US, Canadian, UK and Japanese communities. Let me know if you've ended up in the wrong place and I'll be able to direct you to the right place!

Re: Can i charge virtual credit cards using square

PECI — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 11:24:09 GMT

LOL.. yes I did. Canadian please

Re: Can i charge virtual credit cards using square

Seamus — Tue, 08 Sep 2020 23:16:40 GMT

Hey @PECI, one Canadian Community coming right up 🇨🇦

You can also find the phone number by signing into your Square account, going to the Canadian contact page and clicking through the self help flow (Other > I don't see my issue > Call us) 👍