I remember the first time I saw the price of a Netflix subscription in Turkey. It was so much cheaper than what I was paying here in the USA.
I really wanted to get those same low prices for my games and apps too. That is when I found out about Turkish Virtual Cards, or VCCs. These cards act like local debit cards that you can use on Turkish digital stores.
Using a Turkish VCC lets you pay for things at local prices.
This is great for services like Steam, YouTube Premium, or the PlayStation Store.
In this guide, I will show you how I use apps like Fups and Oldubil. It might seem a bit tricky at first, but once you set it up, it is super easy to save a lot of money.
If you are sitting next to me right now, I would tell you that the secret is all in the app.
You do not need to live in Turkey to get one. You just need your phone and a little bit of patience.
Let’s look at how these cards work and why they are so helpful for your wallet.
Understanding What a Turkish VCC Really Is
A Turkish Virtual Card is just a digital credit card that lives on your phone. It has a card number, an expiry date, and a CVV code just like a real piece of plastic.
The difference is that it is issued by a Turkish bank or financial app. Because it is local, websites think you are actually in Turkey.
I like to think of it as a digital passport for my money.
When I use a regular US card on a Turkish site, it often gets blocked or I get charged the high US price. With a VCC from Fups or Oldubil, the site sees a local card and gives me the local price. This can save you more than 50% on many monthly bills.
These cards are “prepaid,” which means you have to put money on them before you can spend it.
This is actually a good thing because it keeps your main bank account safe.
If you only put $10 on the card, that is all anyone could ever take. It is a safe and smart way to handle international payments.
Getting Started with the Fups App
Fups is one of my favorite apps for this. It is very popular because it is fast and the app looks very nice. To start, you need to download the Fups app from the App Store or Google Play Store. You might need to change your store region or use an APK file if you are on Android to find it.
When I first opened Fups, I had to sign up with a phone number.
Sometimes, US numbers do not work perfectly for the SMS code. I found that using a cheap SMS receive service or a global roaming SIM can help here. Once you are in, you can see your virtual card right on the main screen.
The best part about Fups is that you can buy physical cards from Turkish stores like Trendyol and add them to your account.
But for most of us, the virtual card inside the app is all we need. You just tap on the card icon to see your details. It is that simple to get your own Turkish payment method.
How to Use the Oldubil App
Oldubil is another great choice that I use often. It used to be the easiest one because it did not ask for much ID. Things have changed a little, but it is still a top pick for people in the USA. You download the app and sign up just like you did with Fups.
Oldubil feels a bit more basic, but it works very well for the PlayStation Store and Xbox.
One thing to know is that Oldubil has a limit on how much money you can hold if you do not verify your ID with a Turkish ID number. For most people, the basic limit is plenty for a few games or a yearly subscription.
I found that Oldubil is very reliable. If Fups does not work on a specific website, Oldubil usually does. Having both is a good plan so you always have a backup.
It is like having two different wallets in your pocket just in case one store does not take your first card.
Putting Money on Your Turkish Virtual Card
This is the part where most people get stuck. You cannot just link your US bank account to these apps. They usually require a transfer from a Turkish bank. To fix this, I use a service called Binance or any other crypto exchange that has “P2P” trading.
I buy a little bit of a stable coin like USDT with my US dollars.
Then, I go to the P2P section and sell that USDT to someone in Turkey. In return, they send Turkish Lira (TRY) directly to my Fups or Oldubil account. I just give them my account number from the app, and the money shows up in minutes.
It sounds like a lot of steps, but it only takes about five minutes once you know how.
It is the cheapest way to “top up” your card. There are also websites where you can buy top-up codes, but they usually charge a big fee. I prefer the P2P way because I get more Lira for my dollar.
Using a VPN for the Best Results
When you are ready to spend your money, you must use a VPN. If you try to use a Turkish card while your computer says you are in New York, the store might get suspicious. I always turn on my VPN and set the location to Istanbul or Ankara before I open my browser.
I suggest using a high-quality VPN rather than a free one. Free VPNs often have “dirty” IP addresses that stores have already blocked. A good VPN makes the store believe you are sitting in a coffee shop in Turkey. This makes the payment go through much smoother without any errors.
Once your VPN is on, go to the website you want to buy from.
Make sure the currency is showing in “TL” or “TRY.” If you see dollars, the VPN is not working right. When everything looks correct, just enter your Fups or Oldubil card details and hit buy. It is a great feeling when you see that low price on the screen.
Staying Safe and Keeping Your Account
I want to make sure you keep your account safe. Since these apps are meant for people in Turkey, always be polite and do not try to break their rules. Don’t try to send huge amounts of money all at once. Start small with a few dollars to make sure everything works.
I also recommend not leaving a lot of money in these apps for a long time.
Only put in what you plan to spend that day or month. While these apps are safe, it is always better to be careful with your money. If an app update happens and you lose access, you don’t want a lot of money stuck inside.
Also, keep your login details in a safe place. If you change phones, you will need those details to get back into your Fups or Oldubil account.
Treat these just like you treat your real bank account. If you stay smart and careful, you can enjoy these savings for a long time.
Why Some Payments Might Fail
Sometimes a payment might not work, and that is okay. It has happened to me too. Usually, it is because the website has blocked that specific card “bin” or the VPN was detected. If Fups fails, I try Oldubil. If both fail, I try a different VPN server.
Another reason for failure is the “3D Secure” code. Some sites send a text message to verify the purchase.
Fups and Oldubil usually show these codes as a notification inside the app. Make sure your phone notifications are turned on for these apps so you don’t miss the code.
Lastly, check your balance. Remember that the exchange rate changes every day. If a game costs 100 TL, make sure you have about 105 TL on the card to cover any tiny fees. Being prepared for these little bumps makes the whole experience much less stressful.
The Benefits of Using Turkish Lira
The main reason we do this is the exchange rate. The Turkish Lira has a different value than the US Dollar. For a long time, the Lira has been lower, which means your Dollars go much further there. Things that cost $70 in the US might only cost the equivalent of $30 in Turkey.
This is not just for games. I use it for cloud storage, music streaming, and even some software. It helps me stay on a budget while still getting the services I love. It feels like getting a permanent discount on the internet.
When you see the price in Lira, do a quick search on Google to see how much it is in Dollars. You will be surprised at how much you save. It makes you realize how much extra we often pay just because of where we live. Using a VCC levels the playing field for everyone.
Setting Up Your Steam or Epic Games Store
If you are a gamer, this is likely why you are here. To change your Steam region, you usually need to make a purchase with a local card. This is where your Fups or Oldubil card comes in. You turn on your VPN, add a cheap game to your cart, and use your Turkish VCC to pay.
Once the purchase goes through, your whole store changes to the Turkish region. Now, every game you see will be at the Turkish price. Just be careful, as Steam has rules about how often you can change your region. I suggest picking a region and sticking with it.
The Epic Games Store is similar. They have great sales, and when you combine those sales with Turkish prices, you can get high-end games for the price of a cup of coffee. It is the best way to build a huge library of games without spending a fortune.
Managing Your Subscriptions Monthly
I use my Turkish VCC for things I pay for every month. For YouTube Premium, I set it up once and it just works. Every month, the app takes a few Lira from my balance. I just have to make sure I add a little money to the app every few months to keep the balance up.
It is much easier to manage than you think. I keep a small note on my phone of when my bills are due.
A few days before, I check my Fups or Oldubil balance. If it is low, I do a quick P2P trade on Binance. It takes very little effort for the amount of money I save.
Some people worry about their accounts getting banned. In my experience, as long as you are paying for the service, most companies are happy. They are still getting paid, just at a different rate. I have been doing this for a long time and have never had a single problem with my main accounts.
Final Tips for Success
My biggest tip is to be patient. The first time you set up Binance or the Fups app, it might take an hour. But after that, it only takes seconds. Don’t get frustrated if an SMS code takes a minute to arrive. The savings at the end are worth the wait.
Also, talk to other people who do this. There are many groups online where people share which stores are currently working with which cards.
Since things change online, staying updated is a good idea. But for now, Fups and Oldubil are the kings of the Turkish VCC world.
I am so glad I started using these cards. It has saved me hundreds of dollars over the past year. I hope this guide helps you do the same. It is a simple way to use the internet to your advantage and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.
FAQ
Can I use a US credit card to top up Oldubil?
No, you generally cannot use a US credit card directly. Most Turkish VCC apps require a transfer from a Turkish bank or a local payment method. The easiest way for people in the USA is to use a crypto exchange like Binance and use the P2P market to send Lira to the app.
Do I need a Turkish phone number for Fups?
You need a phone number that can receive an SMS for the initial sign-up. While some US numbers might work, many people use virtual SMS services or travel SIMs to get the code. Once the app is set up, you usually do not need the phone number again for daily use.
Is using a Turkish VCC legal?
Using a virtual card is legal. However, using it to get lower prices might go against the Terms of Service of some websites like Steam or Netflix. While many people do it without any issues, there is always a small risk that a company could reset your store region or ask for proof of residence.
Can I use these cards for physical items?
These cards are meant for digital purchases. While they might work on some Turkish shopping sites, shipping items from Turkey to the USA is very expensive and difficult. It is best to stick to digital games, subscriptions, and software.
What happens if the Lira value changes?
The Lira changes value every day. This is why it is best to only put the money you need into the app. If the Lira drops in value, your US dollars will buy even more Lira, making things even cheaper for you.
To Sum Up
Using a Turkish Virtual Card like Fups or Oldubil is a smart way to handle international payments and save money.
By following this guide, you can set up your own card, add money through P2P, and enjoy local prices on your favorite digital stores.
It takes a little bit of setup, but the lower bills every month are a great reward. Thank you so much for reading this post!