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Choose the Google Pay Flex SBI Card if you want a RuPay credit card for eligible merchant QR payments, prefer managing it in Google Pay, and can make practical use of Stars despite their in-app limits. Compare other UPI-linked RuPay cards if their fees, rewards, app support, or everyday card benefits fit you better. Flex SBI has a ₹499 joining and renewal fee plus applicable taxes; the renewal fee is waived when your annual spend in the preceding year reaches ₹1 lakh. There is no universal winner: the right card depends on eligible QR use, total cost and rewards you can actually redeem.
What are you comparing?
Google Pay Flex is a card product offered with Axis Bank and SBI Card. Google says it is available on RuPay and Visa networks. The distinction matters: Google’s instructions for paying UPI QR codes apply to the RuPay version. Visa network acceptance for ordinary online or in-store card payments does not mean Visa cards can be linked for UPI QR payments. Google’s Flex card help describes the current issuer and network options.
“UPI-linked RuPay credit card” is a broader category, not one card with shared fees or rewards. Issuers set their own charges, earning rules, eligibility and support. Compare the exact card and the UPI app you intend to use rather than assuming every RuPay card works everywhere.
Can a RuPay credit card be used for UPI QR payments?
Yes, if the card, issuer and UPI app are supported and the transaction is an eligible merchant payment. NPCI says customers can link an eligible RuPay credit-card account to a UPI ID in an enabled app, scan a merchant’s UPI QR code, and authenticate with a UPI PIN. This is credit for permitted merchant purchases, not a way to send borrowed funds to another person. NPCI’s RuPay credit card on UPI guidance lists participating issuers, apps and restrictions.
#1 Best Overall
- SECURE YOUR WALLET FROM e-PICKPOCKETING: Prevent potential identity and financial theft through your contactless cards. Don’t become a victim e-theft in our growing contactless society. This is the simplest and most effective prevention solution! Block all RFID and NFC signal to secure your details and have peace of mind.
- JAMMING CHIP: An antenna and jamming chip makes up the main components of the card. The antenna will sense incoming radio waves and draw power for the chip to create a jamming signal. Lifetime usage as the card does not require battery.
- BROAD WORKING DISTANCE: A large working distance of 2.4” provides complete protection for your whole wallet. Cards 1.2” either side of the card will be fully secure from e-pickpocketing.
- ULTRA-THIN & COMPACT: At the size of a standard credit card and at only 0.03” thick, the card will fit into any wallet, purse or card case. Keep your wallet compact with no added bulk from this card.
- TEST THE CARD: Test the card is working at your local supermarket. At the self-service checkout machines, combine the card and a contactless card on the payment reader. Payment with the contactless card will be blocked and an error message should occur on the reader.
- Person-to-person transfers are not permitted using the linked credit card.
- NPCI also lists restricted or unavailable categories such as cash withdrawals, card-to-card payments, e-RUPI, IPOs, mutual funds and foreign inward remittances; issuer or RBI restrictions may apply as well.
- Merchant acceptance and transaction eligibility still matter. A QR payment is not automatically eligible just because it can be scanned.
NPCI’s issuer and app lists are operational lists that can change. Check them, and confirm eligibility for the specific card, before applying or relying on a particular app-card combination.
How the main costs compare
| Card option | Joining fee | Renewal fee | Waiver condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pay Flex SBI | ₹499 plus applicable taxes | ₹499 plus applicable taxes | Renewal fee waived at ₹1 lakh or more in annual spend during the preceding year |
| Google Pay Flex Axis | Nil, according to Google’s current Flex help | Nil, according to Google’s current Flex help | Not applicable to the listed nil renewal fee |
| Other UPI-linked RuPay cards | Varies by issuer and card; check that card’s current terms | Varies by issuer and card; check that card’s current terms | Varies by issuer and card; check that card’s current terms |
Google’s Flex help lists the SBI charges, and SBI Card’s MITC corroborates the ₹499 fee and ₹1 lakh renewal-waiver threshold. The waiver applies to renewal, not the joining fee. Compare the fee after taxes with rewards you will actually earn and redeem; a waived renewal fee is useful only if your eligible annual spend meets the threshold.
Are Flex SBI Stars worth the fee?
Google’s rewards help assigns Stars a value of ₹1 each when applied to an eligible payment or voucher discount inside Google Pay. That is an in-app redemption value, not cash: Stars cannot be cashed out or redeemed outside Google Pay. Google’s Flex rewards help also describes issuer-specific reward terms, so check the terms for the actual SBI card rather than relying on another issuer’s offer.
Some transactions do not earn Stars, including insurance, cash withdrawals, rent, wallet loads, education, government services, jewellery and transactions converted to EMI. If much of your card spending falls into excluded categories, the headline Star value may translate into little usable reward. Compare another card’s earning rules and redemption options on the same basis: eligible spending, exclusions, when rewards are credited, and where they can be used.
Rank #3
- Complete Protection: Blocks RFID signals within 2.4 inches (1.2 inches per side) to safeguard credit cards, IDs, passports, and driver's licenses from wireless scanning. Just insert into your wallet for instant security.
- Active Signal Jamming Technology: Built-in microchip and antenna detect and disrupt unauthorized scans with real-time interference signals, ensuring your financial and identity data stays secure.
- Sleek & Portable: Ultra-thin 0.03 inches design (credit card-sized) fits seamlessly into wallets, pockets, or cardholders. Effortless protection wherever you go.
- Easy to Use: No battery required, lifetime usage; Won't degauss other cards; Doesn't affect your phone signal, WIFI or Bluetooth
- Tested & Verified: Confirm its effectiveness: Place the RFID blocking card over your contactless card at a self-checkout—if the reader fails, your data is protected.
What Flex SBI offers beyond UPI
Flex can also be used for ordinary online and in-store purchases wherever the corresponding card network is accepted. Google says the issuing bank assesses applications and determines interest based on the applicant’s profile; the bank handles credit-specific matters. Approval, billing and card support therefore depend on the issuer, not just the Google Pay interface. Read the issuer’s terms for the card’s controls, billing and dispute process.
Pay in EMI is a borrowing option, not a discount
SBI’s Pay in EMI feature is available through Google Pay to select eligible primary Flex SBI cardholders. SBI’s terms published effective 11 September 2026 set annual interest rates from 10% to 26%, depending on bureau-score band. They describe a promotional processing-fee waiver for 24- and 36-month bookings from that date and fees for other tenures; terms and offers may change. Before converting a purchase, compare the actual rate, processing fee and total repayment with paying the statement in full. SBI Card’s Pay in EMI terms provide the applicable details.
Rank #4
- SECURE YOUR WALLET FROM e-PICKPOCKETING: Prevent potential identity and financial theft through your contactless cards. Don’t become a victim e-theft in our growing contactless society. This is the simplest and most effective prevention solution! Block all RFID and NFC signal to secure your details and have peace of mind.
- JAMMING CHIP: An antenna and jamming chip makes up the main components of the card. The antenna will sense incoming radio waves and draw power for the chip to create a jamming signal. Lifetime usage as the card does not require battery.
- BROAD WORKING DISTANCE: A large working distance of 2.4” provides complete protection for your whole wallet. Cards 1.2” either side of the card will be fully secure from e-pickpocketing.
- ULTRA-THIN & COMPACT: At the size of a standard credit card and at only 0.03” thick, the card will fit into any wallet, purse or card case. Keep your wallet compact with no added bulk from this card.
- TEST THE CARD: Test the card is working at your local supermarket. At the self-service checkout machines, combine the blocking card and a contactless card on the payment reader. Payment with the contactless card will be blocked and an error message should occur on the reader.
Choose by your likely use
Flex SBI may fit if
- You want to manage the card in Google Pay and make eligible RuPay merchant QR payments.
- You can use Stars for eligible Google Pay payments or vouchers and are comfortable with redemption limited to that app.
- Your expected eligible annual spend makes the ₹1 lakh renewal-fee waiver realistic, or the fee is worth paying for the features you value.
Compare other UPI-linked RuPay cards if
- You want a lower ongoing cost or a different fee-waiver threshold.
- Another issuer’s reward exclusions, earning structure or redemption choices suit your normal spending better.
- You need a particular issuer and UPI app combination, or care more about non-UPI card benefits and service terms.
Before choosing, verify the card’s current fee schedule, reward rules, issuer and app eligibility, and the categories you actually pay for. There is not enough basis to declare every competing RuPay card more or less valuable than Flex SBI: their terms differ, and approval remains subject to issuer assessment.
Quick Recap
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