How to use Apple Pay rather than virtual card

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?

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?

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.