How to use Apple Pay rather than virtual card

Ah, but there is a significant difference. I've just had a problem with an unauthorized charge by another vendor that resulted in automatically changing my virtual card number. The consequence is that I have to find and update EVERY vendor that has the old number on file, including the Apple Store, and update it--UNLESS I used Apple Pay to make the initial payment. In those cases, the "card on file" remains unchanged.

The clear message is that setting up a recurring payment with Apple Pay is preferred. Being able to do so is becoming more common. Why is Apple behind the curve on this one?

Apple Pay IS a credit card (at least as far as the payment system is concerned). Receipts provide the last 4 digits of the otherwise encrypted card number. If I can use a virtual Apple Card, I should be able to use Apple Pay. It's borderline outrageous that I can use Apple Pay to make purchases all over the Internet, INCLUDING APPLE IF I'm buying hardware, but I can't use Apple Pay to subscribe to iCloud or Apple News+. How does that make sense?

Check the app. Apple Pay generates a predictable 4 digit token. When available, it's a more secure method of payment than the virtual card because the vendor never receives a full number. As long as you have the app on your phone, a receipt is largely redundant.