> Unfortunately, if they get popular vendors will figure out a way to detect and refuse.

Most likely it's not going to happen. While the card is virtual, payments are done with real money. Risking to lose a customer with real money isn't something most businesses will do.

Privacy changed their issuer precisely because this happened.

Yep, since Privacy changed I've had zero issues with cards on sites. I've used them for years without any issues, I can definitely recommend them.

BofA had a online tool (Flash based I think) to generate and manage virtual CC numbers linked to your real card.

When Flash was sunset -- they gave a BS reasoning and shutdown this tool as well whithout making an effort to rebuild / replace.

I am surprised there was no big backlash from customers given the increasing online fraud and privacy/security consciousness of banking users.

Which (US) banks currently offer this virtual CC feature? I am a customer of three big banks/CC and none of them have this.

Citi

Capital One has this feature I believe, I've been to lazy to set it up.

I have not used it and it may not be exactly what you want. But I seem to remember hearing PayPal offers a virtual card that can be used online.

Does Apple Pay work like this?

If they won't be able to extract money from your CC, they will sue you since the've already billed you for the service.

I don't know why you're being downvoted - this could happen, especially if you're in the same jurisdiction as the company.

What if it's like a small amount like $25? I'm asking because I owe AWS that amount but I lost my credentials so I can't even login to pay anymore and I don't wanna jump through hoops just so I can pay THEM.