Google launches UPI-linked credit card in India with Axis Bank, here’s how it works
Google Pay and Axis Bank have launched a first-of-its-kind credit card integrated with the UPI system. This new card offers instant rewards and flexible repayments, aiming to transform credit usage in India’s digital payments landscape.
In the latest move, Google Pay and Axis Bank have together launched Google Pay Flex Axis Bank Credit Card, a first-of-its-kind co-branded card that brings credit spend directly into India’s UPI ecosystem. The new offering marks Google’s latest step in expanding its financial services in India, one of the world’s most dynamic digital payments markets. Built on the RuPay network and backed by Axis Bank, this card aims to make the use of credit as seamless and familiar as regular UPI payments.
“Built on the RuPay network, the card aims to make the credit experience as ubiquitous as people make UPI payments every day, powered by the convenient, secure experience of Google Pay and the trusted banking expertise of Axis Bank,” the companies said in a joint statement.
Google Pay Flex Axis Bank Credit Card: How it works
Imagine tapping your phone to pay for groceries or online orders and earn rewards instantly, this is the everyday simplicity that Google and Axis Bank are offering. Google Pay Flex allows Axis Bank credit card users to make payments through UPI while earning reward points that can be redeemed instantly, turning regular payments into small wins.
Every transaction earns reward points which customers can use immediately with a 1 point = 1 ratio. Unlike traditional cards, where points accumulate and expire frequently, these rewards can be redeemed in real time through Google Pay’s “Flex” transactions.
Arnika Dixit, President and Head of Cards, Payments and Wealth Management, Axis Bank, said the collaboration is inspired by India’s evolving digital spending habits. “With UPI emerging as the preferred method of payments, we identified a clear opportunity to co-create a credit offering for the digital-first consumer. It brings together Axis Bank’s leadership in financial solutions and Google Pay’s cutting-edge technology to simplify everyday transactions with instant rewards, flexible repayment options and much more,” she said.
This card is designed for the generation that prefers phones rather than physical wallets. Customers can apply for the card online at zero cost, skip paperwork altogether, and start using their virtual card within minutes of approval. The card lives in the Google Pay app, ready to use whenever you need it, no need to wait for courier delivery or activation calls.
Features and facilities
Users can track spending, manage repayments and even convert bills into EMIs within the Google Pay app. The app offers full control over credit usage, allowing users to block or unblock cards, reset PINs or adjust limits on the go.
Because it operates on the RuPay network, the card is widely accepted across millions of offline merchants and online platforms in India. Users can scan and pay at local stores, pay bills, or shop online like they do with any UPI-linked account, but this time, it includes credit power and rewards.
This mix of access and control is central to Google and Axis Bank’s presentation. By combining RuPay’s reach and ubiquity of UPI with Axis Bank’s credit infrastructure, the partnership hopes to redefine the way consumers view and use credit.
The Google Pay Flex Axis Bank Credit Card also brings a flexible repayment model, giving users the option to pay their credit card bills in full or convert them into EMIs directly from their Google Pay dashboard. It is targeted at younger users and digital-native consumers who prefer financial tools that fit into their mobile-first lifestyle.
In keeping with Google Pay’s emphasis on security, the card’s digital-first design also minimizes the risks associated with a lost or misplaced physical card. All key card management features are secured within the Google Pay interface, adding layers of authentication and security familiar to UPI users.
