Managing a multitude of credit cards can often feel like a daunting task, especially when it comes to collating monthly statements and sorting through bills. After experiencing a decline in service quality with CRED, I sought alternatives that would allow me to streamline my payments without compromising my data security. This search led me to Google Pay, a platform that operates quite differently in India compared to its global counterparts.
Google Pay makes it effortless to pay bills
In India, Google Pay has emerged as a robust tool for making Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions. While I was aware of its capabilities for bill payments, it wasn’t until recently that I discovered its functionality for credit card payments. Adding my credit cards to the app was a breeze, and the convenience of managing all my payments within Google Pay far surpasses the hassle of logging into various bank apps.
Moreover, Google Pay allows users to include options from Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) like OneCard. The integration with the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), now rebranded as Bharat Connect, means that I can settle almost any bill, including credit card dues, with ease. One of the standout features is the instant confirmation of payments, ensuring that I don’t have to wait days to see the transaction reflected in my card account.
How to add credit card billers to Google Pay
Setting up credit card billers on Google Pay turned out to be simpler than anticipated. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Open Google Pay.
- Go to the Bills and recharges section and select Manage.
- In Payment categories, choose Credit cards.
- Select your issuer from the list of banks, enter the last four digits of your credit card, and provide the mobile number linked to the card.
- Your credit card biller details will now be added to Google Pay. You’ll receive notifications for new bills, allowing you to pay directly through the app.
While it’s worth noting that American Express has yet to transition to this system, requiring manual payments for my Amex Gold and Travel Platinum cards, I successfully linked all my other Indian bank-issued cards. This feature has proven to be exactly what I needed—a user-friendly alternative to CRED that respects my privacy. Google Pay also supports the addition of other bills, such as broadband and mobile recharges, but for now, the ability to manage my credit card payments seamlessly is more than sufficient.
