Google Pay upgrades Flex credit card rewards ahead of festive season; Google One members to get more cashback

Google has announced an overhaul of the Google Pay rewards programme for its Flex co-branded credit card, introduced in partnership with Axis Bank and SBI Card, as it looks to attract more users ahead of the festive shopping season. The revised benefits will come into effect from October 16, 2026. Under the updated programme, Google One subscribers will receive significantly higher rewards on everyday spending, while all Flex cardholders will gain access to expanded Google ecosystem benefits, including discounts on Google One AI plans and select Pixel and Fitbit devices.Higher rewards on UPI and everyday spendingThe biggest change is aimed at cardholders who use Flex for regular payments through UPI and other transactions. Google One members holding a Flex credit card will now earn 3.2% back in Stars, with one Star equivalent to ₹1, on all spends during a reward cycle once their total spending exceeds Rs 15,000. Non-Google One members will receive 1.6% back in Stars on all eligible spending after crossing the same ₹15,000 threshold.Additional savings for Google One subscribersGoogle is also introducing category-specific bonuses for Google One members.Eligible users will receive an additional 5% reward on up to Rs 5,000 spent across leading food and grocery applications during each reward cycle. They will also earn an extra 15% reward on up to Rs 3,000 spent on utilities, OTT subscriptions, mobile recharges and related services.The company said these changes are intended to increase value on recurring household and digital-service expenses.Referral and welcome rewards increasedGoogle Pay is also expanding incentives for both new and existing Flex users.The company said it will soon offer Rs 1,000 in rewards for every friend or family member referred to the Flex programme, with no cap on the number of successful referrals.For new applicants, welcome rewards have also been enhanced. Customers applying for a new Flex card can receive welcome benefits worth up to Rs 2,500 within the first 60 days of obtaining the card, depending on the selected card variant.New Pixel, Fitbit and Google One AI benefitsAll Flex cardholders will gain access to additional Google ecosystem offers.Starting November 15, 2026, users will be eligible for discounts of up to Rs 3,900 on Google One AI Plus plans, equivalent to a 50% reduction in pricing.Cardholders can also receive discounts of up to Rs 10,000 on the latest Google Pixel smartphones and Fitbit devices purchased from select offline retail stores. Google noted that this offer is currently available only on the Axis Bank variant of the Flex card.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.