Fix a one-use credit card issue

A one-use credit card is a credit card number that can be used once and only for a limited time. It's commonly used as an alternative to credit cards when making online payments. Many banks offer this kind of credit card, in which you generate a one-off credit card number online.

Contact your bank to see if they offer this service. It can be a great alternative to a bank transfer because one-use credit card payments are almost instantly credited to your Google Ads account, and your ads will start running almost immediately.

Google Ads accepts one-use credit cards as long as they have a Visa or MasterCard logo.


If you’re using the new Google Ads experience, you won’t see a gear icon in your account. Instead, click the tools icon in the top right-hand corner. You'll find Billing & payments under the 'Setup' header.


Steps to use a one-use credit card
  1. Sign in to your Google Ads account.
  2. Click the gear icon and choose Billing & payments.
  3. Click the Make a payment button.
  4. Use the drop-down to select Add new credit or debit card , then enter your credit card information.
  5. Enter the amount you'd like to make a payment for, then click the Make payment button to review and finish your payment.

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Note: If your card issuer or bank is in the European Economic Area, they may require you to go through an additional authentication process, such as a one-off code sent to your phone, to verify the ownership of your card.  Your card issuer or bank may require this extra verification when you make a payment, add a new credit or debit card or at the card issuer or bank’s discretion. 

Google complies with the new security requirements imposed on banks and payment processors by the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) in the European Economic Area. If you have any questions, please contact your card issuer or bank directly. 

What to expect

When processing your payment, Google will test a £1 debit from the pre-selected credit limit to make sure that the one-use card works (you won't actually be charged for this). So when selecting your credit limit for this card, make sure that you add £1 to whatever amount you want to be charged. For example, if you want to charge £300 to your card, select £301 as the limit for your one-time-use card.

If your bank declines your manual payment, keep in mind that your one-use credit card number might have an expiry date. For all other payment declines, contact your local bank.

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