Google Pay roll outs a revised reward structure for its co-branded Flex credit card starting Oct. 16, 2026. The tech giant issues this credit card in partnership with two major Indian lenders, Axis Bank and SBI Card. The update targets digital shoppers and UPI users right before peak festive shopping begins, offering higher returns for regular transactions alongside extra perks for subscribers of the Google One cloud storage service.
Key Takeaways
- Google One subscribers earn 3.2% back in Stars on all cycle spending after crossing Rs 15,000.
- Regular users without a Google One membership receive 1.6% back in Stars once spending crosses the Rs 15,000 threshold.
- Each earned Star equals Rs 1 in reward value.
- Google One members get an extra 5% return on food and grocery apps up to Rs 5,000 spend, plus 15% extra on utilities, recharges, and OTT platforms up to Rs 3,000 spend.
- New cardholders receive up to Rs 2,500 in welcome benefits during their first 60 days.
- Hardware discounts include up to Rs 10,000 off on Google Pixel and Fitbit hardware for Axis Bank variant users.
UPI Spending and Category Benefits
The revised structure relies on a reward currency called Stars, where one Star equals one rupee. To unlock the baseline return rates on general UPI transactions, cardholders must spend at least Rs 15,000 within a single billing cycle. After crossing this total, Google One subscribers receive a 3.2% return in Stars across all transactions during that cycle. Cardholders who do not subscribe to Google One get a 1.6% return rate under the same conditions.
Subscribers to Google One also receive bonus earnings on specific monthly categories. Google Pay adds a 5% extra return on up to Rs 5,000 spent on popular food and grocery delivery platforms. The company also adds a 15% extra return on up to Rs 3,000 spent across utility bills, phone recharges, and OTT video streaming platforms every billing cycle.
Onboarding Perks and Hardware Discounts
Google Pay also adjusted the sign-up and referral programs for new applicants. People who get approved for the Flex card can now earn up to Rs 2,500 in welcome perks within their first 60 days. The final welcome amount depends on the specific card variant issued by the banking partner. A referral bonus will also roll out soon, granting Rs 1,000 in rewards for each successful referral without any limit on total invites.
The update introduces bundled benefits across Google consumer hardware and services. Starting Nov. 15, 2026, Flex cardholders can get up to Rs 3,900 off Google One AI Plus subscription plans through a 50% discount. Customers holding the Axis Bank variant of the Flex card can also claim up to Rs 10,000 off on current Google Pixel smartphones and Fitbit fitness trackers when buying through select offline retail stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the value of one Star in the Google Pay Flex reward system?
A1. One Star equals Rs 1 in value.
Q2. What is the minimum spend required to earn base UPI cashback on the Flex card?
A2. Cardholders must spend more than Rs 15,000 in a billing cycle to qualify for the 1.6% or 3.2% reward rate.
Q3. Which banks issue the Google Pay Flex credit card?
A3. Axis Bank and SBI Card issue the co-branded card in partnership with Google Pay.
Q4. Are the Google Pixel device discounts available on all card variants?
A4. The discount of up to Rs 10,000 on Pixel and Fitbit devices is currently limited to the Axis Bank variant at select offline retail stores.
