Google Pay has officially entered the Indian credit card space with Flex by Google Pay – Axis Bank Credit Card, and this isn’t just another co-branded card.
This is one of the first credit cards in India built ground-up for UPI, not a traditional plastic card later adapted to UPI usage. And that alone makes it worth discussing.
But does it actually make sense for users? Let’s break it down.
There’s no dependency on a physical card for day-to-day usage. From onboarding to repayment, everything happens inside Google Pay.
Charges: Lifetime free Credit Card
At higher UPI spends, this starts competing with basic cashback cards, especially considering the redemption convenience.
For daily UPI users, this feels extremely natural.
This particular card is lifetime free, which is a big positive. However, the base reward rate is quite low when compared to competing RuPay credit cards. For users with high monthly UPI spends, the card can deliver up to 1.6% returns, which is among the highest reward rates currently available on RuPay UPI transactions.
Google Pay commands an estimated 35–36% share of UPI transactions in India, second only to PhonePe. With such a massive user base, this launch has the potential to significantly accelerate credit card adoption through UPI.
Overall, I would rate this card as below average for most users due to its weak base rewards. There are better alternatives available in the market today. Additionally, the majority of users do not spend more than ₹30,000 per month via UPI, which limits the practical value of the accelerated reward structure for everyday users.
This is one of the first credit cards in India built ground-up for UPI, not a traditional plastic card later adapted to UPI usage. And that alone makes it worth discussing.
But does it actually make sense for users? Let’s break it down.
What Is Flex by Google Pay Credit Card?
Flex by Google Pay is a digital-first, lifetime free, RuPay credit card, issued by Axis Bank and managed entirely inside the Google Pay app.There’s no dependency on a physical card for day-to-day usage. From onboarding to repayment, everything happens inside Google Pay.
Key Card Details
- Card Name: Flex by Google Pay – Axis Bank Credit Card
- Issuer: Axis Bank
- Network: RuPay
- Card Type: Digital-first, UPI-enabled credit card
- Availability: Issued and managed only via Google Pay
Charges: Lifetime free Credit Card
Welcome Benefits: Simple & Instant
Google Pay isn’t trying to impress you with flashy joining rewards here.What You Get
- 2 Stars for every ₹500 spent in the first statement cycle
- ₹250 Google Pay Gift Card + 250 Stars (offer-based)
Reward Value
- 1 Star = ₹1
Base Rewards
- 1 Star per ₹500 spent
- Effective reward rate: ~0.2%
Accelerated Rewards: Spend More, Earn More
Rewards scale automatically based on your spending behaviour.2X Stars
- 2 Stars per ₹500
- Unlocked by spending ₹100 or more in the previous statement cycle
4X Stars (Promotional)
- 4 Stars per ₹500
- Unlocked at ₹15,000+ spend in the same statement cycle
8X Stars (Promotional)
- 8 Stars per ₹500
- Unlocked at ₹30,000+ spend in the same statement cycle
Important Points
- 4X and 8X are promotional, can change anytime
- Accelerated Stars are credited by Google Pay, not Axis Bank
- Rewards are calculated at account level, not per transaction
Effective Reward Rates (Real World)
| Monthly Spend | Effective Reward Rate |
|---|---|
| Base usage | ~0.2% |
| ₹15,000 | ~0.8% |
| ₹30,000 | ~1.6% |
Instant Cashback: The Best Feature
This is where Flex truly stands out.How It Works
- Stars can be redeemed instantly during UPI payments
- Cashback is applied immediately
- No waiting for statement credit
- No reward redemption portal
For daily UPI users, this feels extremely natural.
Dining Benefits
- Up to 15% discount via EazyDiner
- Monthly cap: ₹500
UPI-First by Design (Not an Afterthought)
Flex works everywhere UPI works:- Scan & Pay at merchant QR
- Online UPI transactions
- No card swipe, tap, or POS dependency
- Application
- Spending
- Reward tracking
- Bill payment
- EMI conversion
- Card controls
TechnoFino Verdict: Who Should Get This Card?
Undoubtedly, this is good news for Indian users, as Google Pay has officially entered the credit card space and this is likely just the beginning. The current offering is clearly a mass-market, entry-level credit card, but I hope Google Pay expands this portfolio in the future by launching premium credit cards in partnership with multiple banks, similar to what PhonePe is already doing.This particular card is lifetime free, which is a big positive. However, the base reward rate is quite low when compared to competing RuPay credit cards. For users with high monthly UPI spends, the card can deliver up to 1.6% returns, which is among the highest reward rates currently available on RuPay UPI transactions.
Google Pay commands an estimated 35–36% share of UPI transactions in India, second only to PhonePe. With such a massive user base, this launch has the potential to significantly accelerate credit card adoption through UPI.
Overall, I would rate this card as below average for most users due to its weak base rewards. There are better alternatives available in the market today. Additionally, the majority of users do not spend more than ₹30,000 per month via UPI, which limits the practical value of the accelerated reward structure for everyday users.
Good For
- Heavy UPI users
- People who want credit without card complexity
- Users tired of reward point confusion
- Daily merchants payments, groceries, utilities via UPI
Not For
- Premium card seekers
- Users expecting high base reward rates
- Lounge access, travel perks hunters
