Google Pay is changing the rewards on its Flex co-branded credit card from today, October 16, 2026. Google’s own examples show more stars at the same spend than before. The top 3.2% rate, though, needs a Google One membership and more than ₹15,000 of spend in a reward cycle.
Flex is issued with SBI Card and Axis Bank, which recently brought Apple Pay to India. Rewards come as stars worth ₹1 each.
Google Pay Flex rewards: the new earn rates
Rates depend on Google One membership and on crossing ₹15,000 in a cycle. Google’s cycle runs from the 16th of one month to the 15th of the next.
- Google One member, above ₹15,000: 3.2% back on all Flex spends
- Google One member, below ₹15,000: 1.6% back
- Non-member, above ₹15,000: 1.6% back
- Non-member, below ₹15,000: 0.8% back
The higher rate applies to every spend in the cycle, not just the amount above ₹15,000. Google One members on extended free trials also qualify.
If your previous cycle’s spend was under ₹100, rates drop to 1.6% and 0.8% for members, and 0.8% and 0.4% for non-members.
Google One bonus categories
- Bills and recharges: 15% back (₹450 in stars) after ₹3,000 or more on utility, bill, recharge, broadband, DTH, NCMC transit and OTT payments
- Food and groceries: 5% back (₹250 in stars) after ₹5,000 or more via UPI at listed food and grocery apps
Google awards each bonus once a month. Family-group members and those billed for Google One through third-party partners don’t get them.
Google’s examples and the ₹1,500 cap
At ₹25,000 in a cycle, Google says a member earns ₹1,500 in stars with bonuses. A non-member gets ₹400, against ₹200 under the old scheme. At ₹10,000, Google’s figures are ₹860, ₹80 and ₹40.
Total savings are capped at ₹1,500 per cycle, bonuses included. Google’s ₹25,000 example already hits that ceiling. Instant earning is also limited to 300 stars a day.
The catches worth knowing
The ₹15,000 threshold is a cliff for the whole cycle. By our arithmetic, a member spending ₹14,999 earns about ₹240, while ₹15,000 earns ₹480. That can nudge you into spending more than planned.
Stars are closed-loop. Google says they can’t be cashed out or redeemed outside Google Pay, so each is worth ₹1 only if Google Pay offers something you want.
The terms are temporary. Google calls all of these rewards promotional and valid until October 15, 2027. Google Pay and the issuing banks can choose to extend them.
The top rate is tied to a paid subscription, and Google’s rewards page links straight to Google One enrolment. The jump to 3.2% only pays off if the extra stars outweigh what Google One costs you.
Welcome rewards and other Flex benefits
Welcome rewards run up to ₹2,500 on SBI Card or ₹2,000 on Axis Bank, depending on the variant. Google also lists these extras:
- Google One AI Plus: up to ₹3,960 off at 50% discount, launching November 15, 2026, for all Flex users
- Pixel and Fitbit: up to ₹10,000 off the latest devices at select offline stores, live on the Axis card only, with SBI coming soon
If you already pay for Google One and spend over ₹15,000 a cycle, the new rates favour you. If you don’t, compare Flex’s 1.6% at that spend with your other cards.
Sources: Google Pay Help, Google, Analytics Insight
