While Google is still trying to get countries and users onboard with its Android Pay mobile payment platform, they need to offer more incentives for people to use it over its competitors like Samsung Pay or Apple Pay (or actually to use the platform in the first place). Android Pay UK is first out the door with a new program called shop.tap.reward, which from the name itself, rewards users for actually using the app to make payments in the Tube, in stores, and even for in-app purchases as well.
From now until the end of the year, whenever you use Android Pay to pay for something in a store or on the train, you’ll get a virtual cracker. It might contain one of more than 100,000 gift cards from various partners, which includes “a £10 Costa Coffee gift card, a pair of tickets for ODEON Cinemas, a £500 House of Fraser gift card or a £500 Currys PC World gift card.” When you use the app for the first five times, you’ll also collect coins and you’ll get a free £3 Costa Coffee gift card.
Google has also partnered with the Transport for London network so you get extra features when you use Android Pay to pay for your rides to and from home. You’ll get incomplete journey notifications if you forgot to tap in or out any of the stations, and you can request for a refund if the case warrants it. You will also now be able to see your daily travel summary on your Android Pay app. Lastly, you will now see an Android Pay button in your Uber app, and later on, you will be able to get up to 50% off your next 10 rides if you use it for payment.
Android Pay is currently available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Poland and New Zealand. Expect it to get even more Christmas-y, with both design and features, over the next few days.
SOURCE: Google
