How do I track my ad spend when using a VCC on Pinterest Ads?

If you're using a Virtual Credit Card (VCC) for Pinterest Ads, it's essential to track your spending to avoid budget overruns, payment failures, or account restrictions.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to monitor and manage your Pinterest Ads budget effectively.

🔹 Step 1: Check Your Ad Spend in Pinterest Ads Manager
Pinterest provides real-time ad spend tracking in the Ads Manager dashboard.

📌 To track your ad spend:
1️⃣ Log in to Pinterest Ads Manager → https://ads.pinterest.com/
2️⃣ Click on "Ads" > "Billing" from the top menu.
3️⃣ Find your current ad spend, past transactions, and billing history.
4️⃣ Set your billing period to view expenses for a specific date range.

🚀 Tip: Use the "Custom Date Range" to analyze spending trends over weeks or months.

🔹 Step 2: Monitor Transactions on Your VCC Provider's Dashboard
To ensure Pinterest charges match your spending, regularly check your VCC transaction history.

📌 How to do this:
1️⃣ Log in to your VCC provider's dashboard (e.g., ExoCards https://exocards.com).
2️⃣ Navigate to "Transaction History" or "Billing Statements."
3️⃣ Look for Pinterest Ads payments (usually listed as "Pinterest Inc." or "Pinterest Ads").
4️⃣ Match Pinterest's reported spending with your VCC's actual charges.

🚨 If you notice discrepancies:

Check if Pinterest pre-authorized a payment that later failed.
Verify if currency conversion or transaction fees increased the charge.
Contact Pinterest Ads Support (https://help.pinterest.com/) if an unexpected charge appears.
🔹 Step 3: Set Spending Alerts & Budget Limits on Pinterest
✅ Pinterest Ads allows you to set daily & lifetime budgets to control ad spend.

📌 How to Set a Budget Limit:
1️⃣ Go to Pinterest Ads Manager > Ads > Campaigns.
2️⃣ Click on your active campaign.
3️⃣ Under Budget & Schedule, choose:

Daily Budget: Set a maximum spend per day (e.g., $50/day).
Lifetime Budget: Set a total spending cap for the entire campaign.
4️⃣ Click Save.
🚀 Tip: Set a slightly lower daily budget than your available VCC balance to prevent unexpected pauses.

🔹 Step 4: Use a Spreadsheet or Tracking Tool for Multiple Accounts
📌 If you're running multiple Pinterest Ads accounts with different VCCs, use a spreadsheet or finance tracking tool to manage budgets efficiently.

Example Pinterest Ad Spend Tracker (Google Sheets / Excel):
Pinterest Account   VCC Provider   Last 4 Digits   Current Balance   Monthly Spend   Last Reload   Notes
Client A   ExoCards   1234   $500   $350   April 15   Running well
Business B   Revolut   5678   $300   $250   April 20   Needs refill
Brand C   Privacy.com   9012   $200   $180   April 25   Low balance
🚀 Tip: Set up Google Sheets + Auto Alerts to remind you when VCC funds are low.

🔹 Step 5: Set Up VCC Auto-Reload or Backup Payment Methods
🚨 Problem: If your VCC runs out of funds, Pinterest Ads will pause, affecting campaign performance.

✅ Solutions:
✔ Enable auto-reload on your VCC (if supported).
✔ Add a backup VCC or PayPal account to Pinterest for uninterrupted payments.
✔ Set a reminder to manually refill your VCC when funds drop below a threshold.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a multi-currency VCC like ExoCards to avoid currency conversion issues.

🎯 Final Answer: How to Track Ad Spend on Pinterest Ads with a VCC
✔ Monitor spending in Pinterest Ads Manager (real-time billing reports).
✔ Track VCC transactions on your provider's dashboard (confirm Pinterest charges).
✔ Set daily & lifetime budgets in Pinterest to avoid overspending.
✔ Use a spreadsheet or tracking tool for multiple accounts.
✔ Enable VCC auto-reload or a backup payment method to prevent ad pauses.