Google Pay gets buy now pay later option and 2 new features

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 23, 2024: Google Pay has introduced three new features to make online shopping easier and safer. These updates are designed to help you see card benefits before making a payment, along with that users can also access the "buy now, pay later" options, and securely autofill card details.

Check card benefits before making payments

Credit cards often come with a variety of rewards, such as cashback on purchases, travel points that can be redeemed for flights or hotel stays, and discounts on dining at restaurants. While these perks can be very valuable, it can be difficult for cardholders to remember which card offers the best rewards for a particular purchase. For example, one card might offer extra cashback on grocery shopping, while another might provide more points for travel-related expenses.

To make this easier, Google Pay has introduced a new feature that displays the benefits of each card at the time of checkout. This feature is designed to help users quickly identify which card will give them the best rewards for their current purchase. When users check out using Chrome on a desktop, and if they have American Express or Capital One cards, they will see a list of their card benefits in the autofill drop-down menu. This means that without having to manually check each card’s rewards program, users can immediately see which card to use for maximum benefits.

For example, if you’re buying a plane ticket, you might see that one of your cards offers extra travel points, making it the best choice for that purchase. If you’re dining out, another card might offer higher cashback for restaurant expenses, so you’d want to use that one instead.

Google Pay plans to expand this feature to include more credit card issuers in the future, making it even more useful for a broader range of users. By showing card benefits at checkout, Google Pay helps ensure that users always get the most value from their credit cards with minimal effort.

Buy now pay later option

"Buy now, pay later" (BNPL) is becoming an increasingly popular way to shop online because it offers a flexible payment option for consumers. With BNPL, shoppers can make a purchase immediately and pay for it over time through a series of installments, rather than paying the full amount upfront. This can make managing finances easier, especially for larger purchases.

Earlier this year, Google Pay began integrating BNPL options such as Affirm and Zip. These services allow users to split their payments into smaller, more manageable chunks, often with little to no interest, depending on the provider’s terms.

Now, Google Pay has expanded the availability of BNPL options to more websites and Android apps across the United States. This means that more online stores and services now support BNPL through Google Pay, providing shoppers with greater flexibility and choice.

When checking out, users can either link their existing BNPL accounts or sign up for a new one directly within Google Pay. This seamless integration makes it easy for users to take advantage of BNPL options without having to leave the checkout process or visit multiple websites.

For instance, if you’re buying a new phone but prefer not to pay the entire cost upfront, you can choose a BNPL option during checkout. You can spread the payments over a few months, making it easier to fit into your budget. This flexibility is particularly useful for managing cash flow and avoiding large, single payments that might strain your finances.

Fill card details with PIN, face or scan

Autofill is a convenient feature that saves time by automatically entering your shipping, billing, and payment details during online checkout. Google Pay has recently enhanced this feature to make it not only faster but also more secure. These improvements ensure that your sensitive information is protected while providing a seamless shopping experience.

When you check out using Google Pay on Chrome or Android, you now have the option to use biometric authentication methods like fingerprint recognition, face scan, or your device’s screen lock PIN to autofill your card details. This enhancement means you no longer need to manually enter your card’s security code, which speeds up the checkout process and reduces the likelihood of errors.

Here’s how it works: when you’re ready to complete a purchase, Google Pay will prompt you to authenticate your identity using one of these biometric methods. Once verified, your card details will be automatically filled in, allowing you to proceed with your payment quickly and securely. This method leverages the security features already built into your device, making it a robust way to protect your payment information.