Credit cards have some similarities to bank accounts. You can even withdraw cash from credit cards with a cash advance — so it’s not a stretch to think that credit cards might have routing numbers.
But credit cards, unlike bank accounts, do not have routing numbers. Credit cards do have account numbers and a couple of other numbers, too. Let’s learn more about the numbers on your credit card.
What Are Routing Numbers?
Routing numbers, also known as Routing Transit Numbers or ABA (American Bankers Association) routing numbers, are 9-digit numbers that identify eligible financial institutions.
Bank accounts typically have routing numbers. You should expect to see and use a routing number on a personal or business checking or savings account — but not a credit card. You may be familiar with your bank’s routing number if you’ve used it to set up direct deposit for a paycheck.
The ABA developed routing numbers in 1910 to make it easier to process paper checks between banks. Only financial institutions that are state or federally chartered can get a master account with the Federal Reserve Bank — and a routing number. Routing numbers are unique to the U.S. as banks in most other countries use international bank account numbers (IBANs).
Routing numbers are used by banks to identify themselves for financial transactions. A routing number ensures that the transaction is processed properly by the appropriate bank that holds the account. A bank may have multiple routing numbers, such as a routing number for personal checking accounts and another for business accounts.
Hot Tip: You can think of routing numbers as payment addresses that banks use to send money to each other. For account holders, routing numbers are the numbers that identify where you hold your deposit account.
On a bank account, you can find your routing number at the bottom of your checks. The routing number is the first number printed in the string of numbers along the bottom.
Your online banking account may have your routing number accessible as well, or you can check the paperwork you got when you first set up your account. If you can’t find your routing number on your checks or on online banking, you can always call your bank to ask for the routing number that’s appropriate for your account.
Like credit card account numbers, the digits in a routing number can tell you about the bank the number belongs to. The bank’s Federal Reserve Bank district determines the first 4 digits of a bank’s routing number, followed by 4 digits that identify the bank or credit union. The last digit is known as the check digit and is calculated using the other digits to verify authenticity.
Do Credit Cards Have a Routing Number?
Credit cards don’t have a routing number, though they do have 15- or 16-digit account numbers. You don’t need a routing number for credit cards because you’re not spending from a bank account to do a deposit, write a check, or complete a wire transfer — you’re spending against your credit limit to pay back at a later date.
Routing numbers are only for deposit accounts, such as checking or savings accounts, with a bank. Financial institutions use routing numbers to identify other financial institutions. Combined with your bank account number, a routing number can be used to identify your account.
While banks such as Chase may have routing numbers for bank accounts, those routing numbers don’t apply to credit cards.
Bank accounts often require routing information to complete a transaction, such as setting up direct deposit or making transactions using a wire transfer or a check. But credit card accounts do not require the same because unlike wire transfers or checks, credit card transactions don’t move funds between banks.
Instead, the credit card issuer adds charges to your account, so you need to provide your credit card account number for transactions — not a routing number. And depending on the transaction, you may also need to provide your card verification value (CVV) and ZIP code to make a charge to your credit card account.
Routing Number vs. Account Number
A routing number is not the same thing as an account number. An account number is used to identify your individual bank account, while a routing number applies to the financial institution. Only you and your credit card’s authorized users will use the account number, while a routing number is used by many accounts at the same bank.
Do Credit Cards Have Account Numbers?
Credit cards have account numbers. Your credit card’s account number is a 15- or 16-digit number used to identify your card account.
Your credit card account number is the number printed on your credit card. Most credit cards used to have the number printed or embossed on the front. However, some card designs put credit card account numbers on the back of the card, like with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Some don’t print numbers on the card at all, like the Apple Card.
You may also find your credit card account number on your monthly statement or in your online account. The account number may be shortened, only displaying the last 4 digits, but you may have the option to see the entire account number.
What the Numbers in Your Credit Card Account Mean
As with routing numbers, the digits in your credit card account can offer information about the account.
The first digit identifies the card network your credit card belongs to: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. American Express cards start with 3, Visas 4, Mastercards 5, and Discover cards 6. This digit is known as the major industry identifier (MII).
The next set of numbers identifies the credit card issuer that the card belongs to. This is known as the issuer identification number (IIN) or bank identification number (BIN). After that number is your unique account number. There’s also a check digit, which is used for verification purposes just as the check digit is used on routing numbers.
The Numbers on Your Credit Card
Your credit card has more than just the account number printed on it. Learn more about all of the numbers on your credit card and what each number does:
- Account Number: This is your credit card number that’s used to identify your account. It’s often printed on the front or back of your card.
- CVV: Your card’s security code, the CVV, is a fraud deterrent used to verify you have physical possession of the card. This code is 3 or 4 digits long depending on the card and is found either on the front or back of the card.
- Expiration Date: Your physical credit card will expire at the end of the month printed on the card. The issuer should send you a new card well ahead of this date.
Hot Tip: Many credit card accounts now offer virtual account numbers. With a virtual account number, you can make credit card purchases without using your real credit card account number. It can offer protection against fraud.
How To Keep Your Credit Card Number Safe
While credit cards don’t have routing numbers, they do have account numbers and CVVs that thieves love to get their hands on. Keep your credit card account number and other information safe by using these tips:
- Don’t take photos or videos of your credit card.If thieves can see your credit card number, they can steal it.
- Avoid holding your credit card out in public longer than is necessary to make a transaction.For example, your card should come out of your wallet at the payment terminal and go right back — even better if you can use your phone or watch to tap to pay so your card never comes out at all.
- Avoid writing down your credit card number. Again, thieves can see your credit card number — even on a slip of paper in your trash can.
- Sign up for electronic statements. Your mailbox is a treasure trove for information theft. Cut back on the opportunities you give thieves to access your information by signing up for electronic statements so you won’t get paper statements in the mail.
- Use virtual account numbers. When you shop online, using a virtual account number can protect your real credit card account number.
- Use digital wallets. Making payments with digital wallets in person or online can be safer than using your physical card because your card data is encrypted and tokenized — which can be more secure than swiping or inserting your card.
- Be on the alert for scams. Phishing scams often target credit card numbers, so be skeptical about anyone who asks for your personal information, including your credit card numbers.
- Use a credit card with fraud protection. Most credit cards available today offer zero liability for fraud, so you’re not on the hook for unauthorized charges.
Final Thoughts
Credit cards don’t have routing numbers as banks do. But credit cards do have account numbers to identify your account. Routing numbers aren’t identifying information, but account numbers do. Protect your credit card account number any time you use your credit card to cut down on your risk of theft and fraud.
The information regarding the Apple Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
