Google Launches “Flex” UPI-Powered Credit Card in India

Google Pay and Axis Bank have introduced Flex by Google Pay, a fully digital co-branded credit card built on the RuPay network and integrated with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). It launched first on December 17, 2025, in partnership with Axis Bank. (blog.google) 

About The Flex UPI Credit Card

• Issuer & Network: Axis Bank; RuPay network. 
• Form: Fully digital via Google Pay app; no physical paperwork; card lives virtually in the app.
• Rewards: Earn “Stars” on every eligible transaction; 1 Star equals ₹1; redeemable instantly.
• Flexible Repayment: Option to pay the bill in full or convert eligible bills into EMIs. 
• In-App Controls: Block/unblock card, reset PIN, set transaction limits; view spends and bills in real-time. 
• Fees: No joining fee or annual fee for primary card, as per this Indian Express article. 
• Finance Charges (Interest): 3.75% per month (≈ 55.54% per annum) on retail purchases & cash. 
• Late Payment Charge: Variable: Nil if total due is ≤ ₹500; ₹500 if ₹501-5,000; ₹750 if ₹5,001-10,000; ₹1,200 if > ₹10,000. 
• Eligibility: Individuals 18–70 years old; residents of India. 

What’s So Special About Google’s First Credit Card?                             

Why Google Thought of Launching This Card in India? 

According to Google, India has about 50 million active credit card holders, which is fewer than many countries of similar economic size. The Flex card addresses what Google calls “under-penetration” of transactional credit, i.e. daily spending on credit cards, compared to larger personal loans. 

The product launches against a backdrop of existing co-branded credit card competition. Companies like Amazon, Flipkart, PhonePe, etc., already have similar offerings. Flex by Google Pay ties ubiquitous UPI usage with credit card functionality. 

What This New UPI Card by Google Means for Users? 

• If you are comfortable with digital payment tools and UPI, Flex may reduce friction by keeping everything in one app.
• No annual or joining fee lowers the cost of entry, especially for first-time cardholders.
• High finance charges (≈ 55.5% p.a.) mean paying balances in full or converting into EMI should be considered to manage costs. 
• Reward-rich users: the ones spending enough to unlock higher tiers can benefit more; casual users may get fewer rewards. Promotional tiers (4×/8×) are temporary. 

Monzy’s Take on This Credit Card

This card reflects a broader trend of integrating credit into payments-first applications. By combining UPI’s ubiquity with virtual credit, Google Pay and Axis Bank are targeting users who transact digitally but have avoided traditional credit cards. 

The pricing signals risk-adjusted credit for consumers: low upfront fees, but steep interest rates if payments are deferred. For many users, Flex could be a low-cost way to experiment with credit—provided they use it responsibly.

What You Should Watch Out For Before Applying? 

• How widely the card is rolled out beyond the initial waitlist; which states or PIN codes it will reach first.
• Whether more issuers join Flex by Google Pay beyond Axis Bank, altering competitive dynamics. 
• How effectively in-app tools for security and spending control work in practice? 
• Which spending patterns unlock promotional tiers; how sustainable and valuable those rewards are.

Should you apply for the the Google Flex Credit Card? 

If you're based in India and are a regular user of UPI and Google Pay, Flex offers an attractive, low-cost way to access credit for everyday spending. 

The absence of joining or annual fees, combined with instant rewards and digital-first experience, lowers barriers to get this card. However, carrying a balance can be expensive due to high interest rates and late-payment fees.