Google Pay is upgrading the rewards program for Flex, its co-branded credit card issued in partnership with Axis Bank and SBI Card, from October 16, 2026. The changes cover everyday spending rewards, additional benefits for Google One members, and welcome and referral rewards.
Flex credit card rewards
Flex cardholders earn Stars on eligible transactions, with each Star worth Rs. 1. The updated program includes the following benefits:
- Welcome rewards: New applicants can receive rewards worth up to Rs. 2,500 during their first 60 days, depending on the card variant.
- Referral rewards: Coming soon, users can earn Rs. 1,000 for each friend or family member they refer to Flex, with no limit on referrals.
- First-year savings: Flex lists potential savings of up to Rs. 35,000 in the first year.
Changes for existing Flex cardholders
The following table compares the previous reward rates with those taking effect on October 16, 2026.
| Spending and benefits | Existing Flex users (reward cycle ending on or before October 15, 2026) | Google One members (from October 16, 2026) | Non-members (from October 16, 2026) |
| Spending up to Rs. 15,000 | 0.4% back | 1.6% back | 0.8% back |
| Spending after crossing Rs. 15,000 | 0.8% back on all cycle spends | 3.2% back on all cycle spends | 1.6% back on all cycle spends |
| Rs. 3,000 on eligible bills and recharges via Google Pay | Not applicable | 15% extra (Rs. 450) | Not applicable |
| Rs. 5,000 on eligible food and grocery apps via Google Pay | Not applicable | 5% extra (Rs. 250) | Not applicable |
| Monthly reward cap | Rs. 1,500 | Rs. 1,500 | Rs. 1,500 |
Eligibility and eligible merchants
Google One members can access the additional category rewards, subject to the following conditions:
- Eligible members: Existing and new Google One members, including users on extended free trials. Memberships start at Rs. 59 per month.
- Exclusions: Google One family group members and members billed through third-party partners are not eligible for these benefits.
- Eligible food and grocery apps: Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Blinkit, BigBasket, Milkbasket, JioMart, Instamart, DMart, FK Minutes, Amazon Now and District.
- Other transactions: Flex cardholders continue to earn Stars on individual transactions, including small amounts. Payments made using the card through swipe or tap earn the same rewards.
Google ecosystem benefits
Flex cardholders can also access the following offers:
- Google One AI Plus: Up to Rs. 3,900 off at a 50% discount, launching November 15, 2026.
- Google Pixel and Fitbit devices: Up to Rs. 10,000 off eligible devices purchased at select offline stores. The discount is currently available only on the Axis Bank variant; availability for the SBI Card variant will follow.
Availability
The revised rewards program takes effect on October 16, 2026. The Google One AI Plus discount launches on November 15, 2026, while the enhanced referral rewards are coming soon.