# Cards

[API Documentation](/api/card/card-object)

Cards are the payment instruments that cardholders use to access the funds or credit associated with their card
account.

Column supports both physical cards (plastic cards that can be carried in a wallet) and virtual cards (digital card
credentials that exist only electronically).

Each card is linked to a specific card account and inherits the rules, limits, and functionality defined at both the
program and account levels.

## Card Types

### Virtual Cards

Virtual cards are digital payment credentials that exist only electronically, offering immediate issuance
capabilities and enhanced security to securely deliver card credentials to your customers.

### Physical Cards

Physical cards are plastic payment cards that cardholders can carry in their wallet.

Column partners directly with card manufacturers to handle the entire physical card fulfillment process.
This covers every stage—from card personalization, to secure production, and shipping to cardholders.

## Card Renewal and Replacement

### Renewal

Renewals are used when a card is approaching expiration and you want a seamless transition for the cardholder. A
renewed card is issued as a successor to the existing card. The original card remains usable until the renewed card is
activated. Upon activation of the renewed card, the original card is automatically deactivated with the deactivation reason
`renewed`, and its card tokens are moved to the renewed card, preserving continuity for the cardholder. If the renewed card
is created as `active`, this happens immediately.

### Replacement

Replacements are used when a card is lost, stolen, fraudulent, or voluntarily replaced by request. During replacement,
the original card is deactivated as part of the operation and linked to the new card as the replacement target to ensure
immediate protection.

## PCI Compliance

There are several fields on cards objects that are under PCI scope, such as the PAN and CVV2 value. We make these
fields available for access for card programs who are certified as PCI-compliant.

## Statuses and Events

### Statuses

| Status ::min  | Description                                                                 |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `active`      | Card can be used for transactions.                                          |
| `paused`      | Card is temporarily disabled but not permanently deactivated.               |
| `deactivated` | Card is permanently deactivated and can no longer be used for transactions. |

## Events

| Transition ::min | Status               | Event                    | Description                   |
| ---------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------ | ----------------------------- |
| Created          | `active` or `paused` | `issuing.card.created`   | The card has been created     |
| Activated        | `active`             | `issuing.card.activated` | The card has been activated   |
| Paused           | `paused`             | `issuing.card.paused`    | The card has been paused      |
| Deactivated      | `deactivated`        | `issuing.card.inactive`  | The card has been deactivated |