Configuring Spend Limits
Issuing virtual cards gives your team autonomy, but spend limits give you peace of mind. Outlay's limit engine ensures you never go over budget.
Types of Limits
When creating or editing a virtual card, you can apply three types of strict controls:
Velocity Limits
Restrict how much money can be spent over a period of time. E.g., `₹10,000 per Month` or `₹50,000 All-Time`.
Per-Transaction Limits
Ensure no single transaction exceeds a certain amount. E.g., `Max ₹2,000 per swipe`.
Merchant Category (MCC) Rules
Lock the card to specific vendor types. E.g., The card will decline at Retail Stores, but approve at Airlines & Software vendors.
Time-based Rules
Auto-freeze the card on weekends or outside of standard 9-5 business hours.
What happens on a decline?
If an employee attempts a transaction that violates a limit, the transaction is instantly declined by the Visa/Mastercard network. The employee receives an instant push notification and email explaining exactly why it was declined (e.g., "Transaction declined: Exceeds monthly limit of ₹10,000").
Dynamic Adjustments
Admins can adjust card limits in real-time. If an employee is at the airport and needs their limit raised to buy a flight, the Admin can change the limit in the dashboard, and it takes effect instantly.