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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsGoogle’s UPI-linked credit-card push in India has expanded beyond its original Axis Bank launch. The company’s Flex by Google Pay programme now includes Axis Bank and SBI Card, with cards available on RuPay and Visa networks, according to Google’s current help documentation.
The important distinction is that this is not a credit card issued by Google. Google provides the app-based application and management experience; the partner bank or card issuer decides eligibility, sets the terms, issues the card, handles billing and disputes, and reports usage to credit bureaus.
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What Google launched—and what has changed
Google launched Flex by Google Pay with Axis Bank on December 17, 2025. The initial product was a digital, co-branded RuPay credit card designed to bring credit-card payments into the Google Pay experience, including payments at eligible merchant UPI QR codes.
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On July 29, 2026, Google announced the Google Pay Flex SBI Card, expanding the programme beyond Axis Bank. As of August 18, 2026, Google’s current help page says Flex is offered through Axis Bank and SBI Card and is available on both RuPay and Visa networks.
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- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
That update matters because “UPI-linked card” can describe different things. A RuPay Flex card can be used for eligible merchant payments through UPI QR. A Visa Flex card can be used where Visa credit cards are accepted, but Google’s documented UPI QR flow applies only to RuPay cards.
Google’s original announcement positioned Flex as a way to make everyday credit more accessible through a familiar payments app. The current product is better understood as a bank-issued credit-card programme distributed and managed through Google Pay.
How Flex by Google Pay works
Eligible users can generally apply through Google Pay by following this path:
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- Open Google Pay.
- Tap Money.
- Tap Apply or the relevant Flex or credit-card banner.
- Enter personal and employment information.
- Review and accept the applicable terms.
- Verify the application with an OTP.
- Complete identity verification using Aadhaar and PAN.
- Wait for the partner issuer to assess the application.
Google says the app may match an applicant with the partner bank considered most likely to approve the application based on the applicant’s credit profile. That is not a guarantee of approval. The issuer makes the final underwriting decision and determines the credit limit, interest rate and other account terms.
Availability may vary by user and rollout status. Google’s separate credit-card help page describes offers appearing under Money → Credit Cards → Apply now, but menus and eligibility can differ.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
How UPI payments work with the card
With an eligible RuPay Flex card, the documented merchant-payment flow is:
- Open Google Pay at a merchant.
- Scan the merchant’s UPI QR code.
- Select the Flex card as the payment method.
- Complete the required authentication.
This does not mean every QR code can accept a credit-card-funded payment. A transaction may fail if the merchant does not accept RuPay credit cards, the QR flow does not support credit-card payments, the card is paused, the available credit is insufficient, or a spending or transaction limit has been reached.
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RuPay versus Visa
| Feature | RuPay Flex | Visa Flex |
|---|---|---|
| UPI QR merchant payments | Supported where eligible and accepted | Not covered by Google’s documented Flex UPI flow |
| Regular card payments | Subject to RuPay acceptance | Subject to Visa acceptance |
| Issuer | Partner issuer, such as Axis Bank or SBI Card | Partner issuer, such as Axis Bank or SBI Card |
| Terms and fees | Set by the issuing bank or card issuer and the specific offer | |
The network is therefore not just a branding choice. Someone who specifically wants to pay merchants through UPI QR needs to check that the offered card is on RuPay and that the merchant supports the transaction type.
What users get inside Google Pay
Digital onboarding and card access
Flex is designed around digital application and in-app access rather than a traditional paper-heavy process. Google Pay can display the card, bill information and relevant account controls after approval.
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- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Stars and reward redemption
Flex users earn Stars on eligible transactions. Google says one Star is worth ₹1 when redeemed against eligible Flex payments, and its help material also describes gift-card redemption in the app subject to conditions.
That does not establish a universal cashback rate. The number of Stars earned, eligible transaction categories, caps, exclusions and expiry rules depend on the applicable issuer and card terms. A ₹1 redemption value is not the same as receiving ₹1 for every ₹100 spent.
Bill payment and EMI conversion
Users can pay the bill in full or convert eligible transactions or outstanding balances into EMIs. EMI conversion may involve interest and processing charges. It is a borrowing facility, not automatically a discount or a cheaper way to pay.
Controls and security actions
Google’s current help documentation describes controls including pausing or blocking the card, resetting the PIN and viewing bills and spending information. It specifically identifies daily or per-transaction spending-limit adjustments as available for Axis Bank cards; readers should not assume the same control is available on SBI Card versions.
Who is responsible for the debt?
The issuer—not Google—controls the core credit relationship. That includes:
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- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
- Eligibility and approval
- Credit limit and interest rate
- Card issuance
- Statements and billing
- EMI pricing and processing fees
- Late-payment charges
- Fraud and transaction disputes
- Account closure and servicing
- Credit-bureau reporting
Google’s help page says Flex usage is reported to credit bureaus such as CIBIL. Paying on time can contribute to a credit history, while missed payments and high credit utilisation can damage a credit score.
For a billing dispute, failed transaction, unauthorised payment or fee question, the relevant bank or card issuer remains the party responsible for resolving the account issue. Google is the distribution and software layer, not the lender.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.“No hidden fees” does not mean free credit
Google’s help page says Flex has no hidden fees, but the same page says that fees can vary by card type and that charges may apply for EMI conversion and late payment. Interest rates are set by the partner issuer based on the applicant’s profile.
Before accepting an offer, check the issuer’s key fact statement and schedule of charges for:
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- Joining and annual fees
- Interest rate or applicable annual percentage rate
- EMI conversion processing fees
- Late-payment and other penal charges
- Cash-advance rules and costs
- Reward earn rates, exclusions and caps
- Minimum amount due and payment deadlines
The exact price shown to one applicant may not apply to another. The current help documentation should take precedence over launch-period language describing the first Axis card as available at zero cost.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Axis Bank and SBI Card: what is confirmed
| Area | Axis Bank | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | December 17, 2025 | July 29, 2026 |
| Network information | Initially launched as RuPay | Announced with RuPay and Visa support |
| UPI QR payments | RuPay version, where eligible | RuPay version under the current documented flow |
| Credit responsibility | Axis Bank | SBI Card |
| Spending-limit adjustment | Specifically documented as supported | Do not assume it is available |
| Fees and rates | Depend on the issuer, card type and applicant-specific terms | |
Why Google is pushing further into credit
Flex fits into a broader Google Pay strategy in India. Before launching the card, Google had expanded loan distribution through partnerships with banks and non-bank lenders. Google said those lending partnerships had reached more than 15,000 PIN codes, with much of the activity supporting users in Tier 2 and smaller cities. The company has named IDFC First Bank, L&T Finance, PayU Finance and SMFG India Credit among its lending partners.
Google has described Flex as a move into everyday transactional credit, complementing personal and other loan products. Its December announcement also pointed to India’s relatively small base of credit-card holders as evidence of room for expansion.
The July announcement introduced Ask Google Pay, a Gemini-powered feature intended to provide spending insights and financial education. Google says the feature may use transaction history and credit-report data for personalised suggestions, while presenting those suggestions as educational rather than financial advice.
The strategic direction is clear even if Google is not the regulated credit provider: payments, cards, rewards, EMI repayment, spending analysis and financial education are being brought into one app. That gives Google a larger role in distributing financial products and shaping how users discover and manage credit, while banks retain the underwriting and servicing obligations.
Who should consider Flex?
Flex may be worth considering if you:
- Already use Google Pay regularly.
- Want to pay eligible merchants through UPI QR using credit rather than a bank-account balance.
- Prefer digital onboarding and app-based card controls.
- Value immediate reward redemption.
- Can repay the balance in full or have a realistic plan for an EMI.
- Find the actual issuer-specific fees and rewards competitive with alternatives.
Be cautious if you:
- Are attracted mainly by the word “UPI”.
- Expect every QR code or UPI transfer to accept the card.
- Do not understand the cost of carrying a balance.
- Use EMI conversion to make unaffordable purchases appear manageable.
- Assume Google will resolve issuer billing or fraud disputes.
- Have a thin credit file and may receive a low limit, high rate or rejection.
Application checklist
- Confirm the issuer: Check whether the offer is from Axis Bank or SBI Card.
- Confirm the network: Choose RuPay if UPI QR payments are important; do not assume Visa offers the same capability.
- Read the full pricing: Check annual, joining, EMI, late-payment and other charges.
- Check the reward mechanics: Verify the earn rate, eligible transactions, caps, exclusions and expiry rules.
- Review the credit terms: Note the limit, interest rate, minimum amount due and payment date.
- Check verification prerequisites: For linking an eligible RuPay card, Google says the mobile number registered with the bank must match the Google Pay number and outgoing SMS must be enabled. See Google’s RuPay payment instructions and card-linking requirements.
- Use EMI carefully: Calculate the total repayment, including interest and processing fees, before converting a purchase.
The bottom line
Flex by Google Pay is Google’s attempt to make bank-issued credit feel as accessible and app-native as UPI. The programme began with Axis Bank in December 2025 and now includes SBI Card, with RuPay and Visa variants documented by Google.
Its strongest differentiator is the potential to use an eligible RuPay card at supported merchant UPI QR codes while managing the account inside Google Pay. Its main limitations are equally important: approval, pricing, billing, disputes and credit reporting remain the issuer’s responsibility; UPI does not guarantee universal acceptance; and the exact fees and rewards depend on the specific offer.
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