Restrict card access for specific members
Account Owners and Admins can block a member's physical card and stop them from requesting new virtual cards, without removing them from Spendesk.
For: Account Owners and Admins.
Before you start
You need the Account Owner or Admin role to restrict or re-authorize card access.
This action applies to one member at a time — there's no bulk restriction option.
Restricting access does not remove the member from Spendesk or affect their other permissions (for example, submitting expense claims).
👥 Roles: Only Account Owners and Admins can restrict or re-authorize card access for members.
Restrict card access
To limit a specific member's access to physical and virtual cards:
Navigate to Settings > Organisation > Members.
Select the relevant member.
Click Restrict card access.
Once restricted, the member can no longer:
Make purchases with their physical card.
Submit new virtual card requests.
⚠️ Warning: Restricting card access does not cancel virtual cards that are already approved. Those cards remain valid for payments unless you delete them manually.
Re-authorize card access
To let a restricted member use their physical card and request virtual cards again:
Navigate to Settings > Organisation > Members.
Select the relevant member.
Click Allow card access.
Remove access to approved virtual cards
Restricting card access only blocks new requests — it doesn't affect virtual cards already approved for that member. To also stop a member from using an approved virtual card:
Navigate to the Requests tab.
Select the virtual card you want to remove.
Delete the card.
Troubleshooting
Symptom: A restricted member can still see the option to create a virtual card from the Subscriptions, Multi-Use Card, or Single-Use Card pages.
Cause: Some alternative card creation entry points may not immediately display the restriction notice.
Resolution: The member's request will still be blocked at submission. If the request goes through unexpectedly, contact Spendesk support.
Symptom: A member's physical card still works after you clicked "Restrict card access."
Cause: The restriction may take a few minutes to sync with the card network.
Resolution: Wait a few minutes and ask the member to retry the payment. If the card still works after 30 minutes, contact Spendesk support.
FAQs
Q: Will restricting card access affect existing virtual cards?
No. Restricting card access only prevents new virtual card requests and physical card purchases. Already-approved virtual cards remain functional unless you delete them manually.
Q: How do I delete an already-approved virtual card?
Go to the Requests tab and delete the virtual card you no longer want the member to use.
Q: Who can manage card access restrictions?
Only Account Owners and Admins can restrict or re-authorize card access for members.
Q: Can I restrict only virtual cards and leave the physical card active (or vice versa)?
No. This feature restricts both physical card use and new virtual card requests at the same time — you can't restrict just one.