Google PayTM - Frequently Asked Questions1
About Google Pay
As used by American Express in these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), “Google Pay” is the Google service that allows you to add a digital version of an eligible American Express® Debit Card and an American Express® Business Debit Card (“each a, Debit Card”) (including the physical card art) to the Google Pay app on your compatible device. Google refers to this service as “Google Pay with Virtual Account Numbers and Linked Third-Party Accounts” and previously referred to it as Android Pay.
Google Pay allows customers with an eligible U.S. American Express Debit Card to use compatible Android devices to pay on the go at U.S. merchant locations that accept American Express contactless payments, in participating merchant apps and on participating merchant websites.
Please know that, Google Pay, as used by American Express, does not include making purchases with an eligible Debit Card in Google Payments or other Google properties even if they are also branded by Google as Google Pay. To make a payment with the digital version of an eligible Debit Card (added to your device) in Google Pay, select the payment method at checkout that displays the Card art of your eligible Debit Card. See Terms of Use for more information.
To use Google Pay for in-store purchases, you must first add your eligible Debit Card to your compatible Android device using the Google Pay app. If you don’t already have the Google Pay app on your device, you can download it from the Google Play Store.
You can also use Google Pay for in-store purchases with a Wear OS by Google watch paired with a compatible Android or iOS device. To do so, you must first add your eligible Debit Card to Google Pay on your Wear OS by Google watch by using the Google Pay companion app on your compatible Android device or the Wear OS by Google companion app on your compatible iPhone. If you don’t already have the Wear OS by Google companion app on your compatible iPhone, you can download it from the iOS App Store.
Once your Debit Card has been added, wake up and unlock your device when you are ready to make a payment. Then hold your device near the contactless reader until your device beeps or vibrates and a checkmark appears on the screen indicating your payment is complete.
When adding your Debit Card to Google Pay, you will also be adding your Debit Card to Google Payments. This allows you to use your Debit Card to make purchases in places like the Google Play Store and online with Google. For more information on Google Payments including the terms of use, please visit payments.google.com.
You can use Google Pay to make payments with your compatible Android device wherever American Express contactless payments are accepted. Just look for the Google Pay and/or contactless symbol at checkout.
You can also use Google Pay in participating merchant apps with supported devices. Look for the "Google Pay" or “Buy with Google Pay” button at checkout within the apps. For a list of where you can pay with Google Pay, visit pay.google.com/about/where-to-use.
At this time, you cannot use your Debit Card as a payment method in the Google Pay app to send money to friends and family.
We will only share your recent purchase transactions made with an eligible Debit Card that has been added to Google Pay. When adding an eligible Debit Card to Google Pay, you will be sharing your Debit Card information with Google as well as adding your Debit Card to Google Payments. This allows you to use your Debit Card to make purchases in places like the Google Play Store and online with Google. For more information on Google Payments, please visit payments.google.com. If you have any additional questions about your device’s security features, please reach out to Google directly.
Your Debit Card on your eligible Android device is protected by your secure Android device lock - PIN, password or pattern. For your security, when you make a purchase using Google Pay on your eligible Android device, you must unlock your device using device lock. Please know that you only need to unlock the Wear OS by Google watch when you place it on your wrist. Once the watch is on your wrist, you will be able to make purchases without unlocking it. All of your payment information will be encrypted with SSL (secure socket layer) technology and stored on secure servers. Your physical Debit Card details are never shown in the app or shared with the merchant when you make payments.
Getting Started
To add an eligible American Express Debit Card on an eligible Android device, open the “Google Pay app” on your device and tap the “+” sign. For the Wear OS by Google watch, please know that you must first initiate the “Add-a-Card” flow on your watch and complete the process on your Android mobile device. If you do not have the Google Pay app, you can download it from the Google Play Store.
To add an eligible Debit Card to a Wear OS by Google watch using a compatible iPhone, you must first download the “Wear OS by Google app” to your iPhone from the iPhone App Store. Once downloaded, launch the “Wear OS by Google app” on the watch to initiate the “Add-a-Card” flow and then complete the process on your iPhone.
When adding your Debit Card, you can add your Debit Card manually by entering your Debit Card information or by taking a picture of your Debit Card. You will always need to enter your Security Code (the 4-digit number on the front of your Debit Card) and accept the American Express Terms of Use for Google Pay when you add your Debit Card to Google Pay. You are also subject to Google Payments’ own terms & conditions.
For security reasons, you will be required to enter your Security Code when adding your Card to Google Pay. The Security Code for your American Express Debit Card (Card ID or CID) is the 4-digit, non-embossed number printed above your Debit Card account number on the front of your physical Debit Card.
For security purposes, we may ask you to enter a one-time Verification Code to confirm your identity. This code is a unique series of numbers and/or letters that you can choose to receive via email or text. If prompted, please select how you wish to receive the one-time Verification Code and then enter that code into the appropriate field. Please note that you will need a working Internet and/or data connection to receive a one-time Verification Code.
Your one-time Verification Code may expire if you aren’t able to enter it within 10 minutes. You can request another code by selecting your preferred verification option again. If you are unable to get a one-time Verification Code, please call the number on the back of your Debit Card for assistance.
Yes, you can add your eligible Debit Card on up to 5 devices. For each of your devices, you will need to add your Debit Card by visiting the Google Pay app or the Wear OS by Google app for that device, as applicable.
Using Google Pay
For your security, when you add your eligible Debit Card to Google Pay, a Virtual Account Number – separate and unique to your specific device – is created. Your Virtual Account Number is used to make purchases with your Debit Card using Google Pay. To view the last four digits of your Virtual Account Number, tap on your Debit Card in the Google Pay app and scroll down to your Debit Card details.
All transactions completed with Google Pay will appear the same as other transactions made using your Debit Card.
Yes, you will earn Membership Rewards points when you use your Debit Card with Google Pay. For more information, visit membershiprewards.com/terms.
Managing Your Debit Card in Google Pay
You can view and manage your Debit Card added to Google Pay in the Google Pay app and in the Wear OS by Google app. When you tap on your Debit Card, scroll down to view your Debit Card details including transactions and your Virtual Account Number. You may remove one or more of your eligible Debit Cards by tapping or clicking “Remove Card" or "Deactivate in-store.”
After you have added your Debit Card to Google Pay, you will receive "Transaction Notifications" for purchases you make with your Debit Card using your Android device. You can turn off these notifications under “Settings” in the Google Pay app.
The Google Pay app tries to provide you with the most relevant information about the places where you’ve made payments with your Debit Card on your device. From time to time, information about the merchant locations where you’ve used Google Pay (such as the business name and street address) may be displayed differently in your Google Pay app than the information on your checking account statement. Please know this does not affect your transactions.
You may also receive notifications and see transactions listed for pre-authorizations that haven’t been posted to your account yet. For example, a hotel or gas station may pre-authorize an amount initially, then submit the final charge based on the actual amount of your purchase. Please refer to your official American Express checking account statement.
No, your Virtual Account Number is automatically connected to your new Debit Card number. You can use your eligible Debit Card in Google Pay to make purchases before receiving your new Debit Card in the mail.
If you believe your device or Google Pay Debit Card information has been lost, stolen or compromised in any way, contact us immediately by calling the number on the back of your Debit Card. You can also go to Android Device Manager to help you find, lock and erase your device.
1Please read the first FAQ above “What is Google Pay, as used by American Express, and can I participate with an American Express Debit Card?” for important details about using your eligible American Express Debit Card in Google Pay. See Terms of Use for more information.
Android, Google Play, and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.
About Google Pay™
As used by American Express, “Google Pay” is the Google service that allows you to add a digital version of an eligible American Express Card or a virtual account number associated with an eligible American Express Card (each a “Card”) to the Google Pay app on your compatible Android device.
Google Pay allows eligible Card Members to use compatible Android devices to pay on the go at participating merchant locations that accept American Express contactless payments, and in participating merchant apps and on participating websites, where Google Pay is available (including merchant apps and websites). As an American Express Card Member, you can also get these features in the Google Pay app:
- Notifications and transaction details about your recent purchases made with your Card, whether or not made using Google Pay.
- Seamless connection with the American Express App for enhanced account monitoring, servicing on the go, and access to rewards and offers.
Please know that Google Pay, as used by American Express, does not include making purchases with an eligible American Express Card through your Google account or on other Google properties even if they are also branded by Google as Google Pay.
To make a payment with your eligible American Express Card in Google Pay (after it is added to Google Pay on your compatible Android device), select the payment method at checkout that displays the card art of your eligible Card. See Terms of Use for more information.
To use Google Pay for purchases, you must first add your eligible Card to your compatible Android device using the Google Pay app. If you don’t already have the Google Pay app on your device, you can download it from the Google Play Store. For in-store purchases, hold your device near the contactless reader until your device beeps or vibrates and a checkmark appears on the screen indicating your payment is complete. For in-app or online purchases, select the Google Pay checkout button and select your American Express Card.
You can also use Google Pay for in-store purchases with a Wear OS by Google watch paired with a compatible Android or iOS device. To do so, you must first add your eligible Card to Google Pay on your Wear OS by Google watch by using the Google Pay companion app on your compatible Android device or the Wear OS by Google companion app on your compatible iPhone. If you don’t already have the Wear OS by Google companion app on your compatible iPhone, you can download it from the iOS App Store. Once your Card has been added, wake up and unlock your device when you are ready to make a payment. Then hold your device near the contactless reader until your device beeps or vibrates and a checkmark appears on the screen indicating your payment is complete.
When adding your Card to Google Pay, you will also be adding your Card to your Google account. This allows you to use your Card to make purchases in places like the Google Play Store and online with Google. For more information on Google accounts including the terms of use, please visit https://support.google.com/googlepay/ .
You can use Google Pay to make payments with your compatible Android device wherever American Express contactless payments are accepted. Just look for the Google Pay and/or the contactless symbol at checkout.
You can also use Google Pay in participating merchant apps and websites with supported devices. Look for the "Google Pay" or “Buy with Google Pay” button at checkout within the apps or on the website. For a list of where you can pay with Google Pay, visit pay.google.com/about/where-to-use.
An "eligible American Express Card" means the following:
1) Consumer and Small Business Credit or Charge Cards: any active American Express U.S. consumer or small business Credit or Charge Card that is issued by a U.S. banking subsidiary of American Express.
2) Corporate Cards: the following American Express Corporate Cards issued by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. to an employee of a commercial Card customer working in the United States are also eligible:
- American Express® Corporate Green Card
- American Express® Corporate Gold Card
- American Express Corporate Platinum Card®
- American Express Corporate Centurion® Card
- American Express® Corporate Meeting Card
- American Express® Business Travel Account
- American Express® Corporate Defined Expense Program Corporate Card
3) Prepaid and Gift Cards: the following American Express branded and third party branded prepaid cards issued by American Express are also eligible Cards:
- American Express Gift Cards (including American Express mall-branded Gift Cards)
- American Express Business Gift Cards
- American Express Reward Cards
- American Express Secure Pay Cards (collectively “Gift Cards”)
- American Express Serve, and any other prepaid card issued for use by American Express Serve, except Bluebird or Target RedCard branded cards
4) Virtual account numbers associated with an American Express Card: virtual account numbers associated with eligible American Express Cards are eligible for use in Google Pay.
American Express does not support the following:
- Purchases made through Google Pay with a Card other than an eligible American Express Card (see above)
- Purchases made through a third party such as a Google Wallet Card or a virtual MasterCard card funded with an American Express Card
If you have a valid American Express Card issued by a licensed third-party, please check with your Card issuer if you are eligible to participate by calling the number on the back of your Card.
To learn which devices are compatible for use with Google Pay, please visit the Google Play Store.
We will share with Google your recent purchase information made with an eligible Card that has been added to Google Pay, whether or not such transaction was made using Google Pay.
Yes, you can opt of sharing your recent Card transactions made outside of Google Pay by going into your “Settings” in the Google Pay app and turning off “Non-Device Transactions”. Once you opt out, American Express will not share your recent Card purchases outside of Google Pay.
When adding an eligible Card to Google Pay, you will be sharing your Card information with Google as well as adding your Card to your Google account. For more information on Google account, please visit https://support.google.com/googlepay/. If you have any additional questions about the security features on your device or Google Pay, please reach out to Google directly.
Your Card on your compatible Android device is protected by your Android device lock (PIN, password, or pattern). When you make a purchase using Google Pay on your eligible Android device, you must unlock your device using device lock. Please know that you only need to unlock the Wear OS by Google watch when you place it on your wrist. Once the watch is on your wrist, you will be able to make purchases without unlocking it.
Your physical Card details in your Google Pay are never shown in the app or shared with the merchant when you make payments.
Getting Started
To add an eligible American Express Card on a compatible Android device, open the “Google Pay app” on your compatible Android device and tap the “+” sign.
For the Wear OS by Google watch, please know that you must first initiate the “Add-a-Card” flow on your watch and complete the process on your Android mobile device. If you do not have the Google Pay app, you can download it from the Google Play Store. To add an eligible Card to a Wear OS by Google watch using a compatible iPhone, you must first download the “Wear OS by Google app” to your iPhone from the iPhone App Store. Once downloaded, launch the “Wear OS by Google app” on the watch to initiate the “Add-a-Card” flow and then complete the process on your iPhone.
When adding your Card into Google Pay, you can (i) choose to select a Card you already have stored to your Google account or (ii) add a new Card by manually entering your Card information or taking a picture of your Card. You will need to enter your Card Security Code (the 4-digit number on the front of your Card) and accept the American Express Terms of Use for Google Pay each time you add a Card to Google Pay. You are also subject to Google’s own terms & conditions governing the use of Google Pay.
For security reasons, you will be required to enter your Card Security Code when adding your Card to Google Pay. The Card Security Code for your American Express Card (Card ID or CID) is the 4-digit, non-embossed number printed above your Card account number on the front of your physical Card.
For security purposes, we may ask you to enter a one-time verification code to confirm your identity. This code is a unique series of numbers and/or letters that you will receive via email or text. If prompted, please select how you wish to receive the one-time verification code and then enter that code into the appropriate field. Please note that you will need a working internet and/or data connection to receive a one-time verification code.
Your one-time verification code may expire if you aren’t able to enter it within 10 minutes. You can request another code by selecting your preferred verification option again. If you are unable to get a one-time verification code, please contact American Express Customer Care by calling the number on the back of your Card or your Card issuer if your American Express Card was issued by a licensed third-party.
Yes. At this time, American Express allows up to 10 eligible American Express Cards in Google Pay on a device.
Yes, you can add your eligible American Express Card on up to 5 devices. For each of your devices, you will need to add your Card by visiting the Google Pay app or the Wear OS by Google app for that device, as applicable.
Yes. At this time, American Express allows you to add your eligible American Express Card to two unique Google accounts in your wallets.
Using Google Pay
For your security, when you add your eligible American Express Card to Google Pay, a unique 15-digit digital version of your physical Card number is created, that is separate from your physical Card number and specific to your device. This digital number is then used to make purchases with your Card using Google Pay in place of your physical Card number, for your security. To view the last four digits of the digital version of your Card number, tap on your Card in the Google Pay app and scroll down to your Card details.
All transactions completed with Google Pay will appear with “GglPay” on your American Express billing statement once they are posted.
You can return items purchased using your Card in Google Pay by providing the merchant with the last four digits of the digital version of your physical Card number instead of your physical Card number. To find the last four digits of the digital version of your physical Card number, tap on your Card in the Google Pay app on your eligible Android device and scroll down to your Card details. Alternatively, you can also open the Google Pay app, select the Card you used to make the purchase and hold your device near the contactless terminal at the merchant. The terminal will recognize the last four digits of your digital card number. Please remember to keep the original receipt you received from the merchant at the time of purchase as the Google Pay receipt is not an official proof of purchase.
Yes, when you use your Card with Google Pay, you earn rewards in the same way you would if you used your Card directly with the merchant. Please visit your Card account on americanexpress.com or in the Amex App to see your individual Card benefits. If you make purchases outside of Google Pay with an eligible American Express Card in your Google account or other Google properties (even if also branded by Google as Google Pay), some of those purchases may not receive the benefits (e.g., Purchase Protection), loyalty points, rewards or offers you may otherwise have received had you used that American Express Card directly with the merchant.
Yes. If you enroll your eligible Card in Amex Offers at merchants that accept American Express contactless payments, you can make qualifying purchases using Google Pay that will be eligible for the offers. To learn more about enrolling in eligible offers, please visit americanexpress.com/en-us/benefits/offers.
Please know that if you make qualifying purchases outside of Google Pay with an eligible Card in Google account or other Google properties (even if they are also branded by Google as Google Pay), some of those purchases may not be eligible for the offers.
If you are having difficulty with your software or hardware, please visit the Google Pay Help Center.
Managing Your Card(s) in Google Pay
1) In Google Pay: You can view and manage your Card(s) added to Google Pay in the Google Pay app and in the Wear OS by Google app. When you tap on your Card, scroll down to view your Card details including transactions and your digital card number. You may remove one or more of your eligible Cards by tapping or clicking “Remove Card" or "Deactivate in-store.”
2) On Americanexpress.com: To view and manage your Card(s) added to Google Pay on americanexpress.com, follow these steps:
1. Log in to americanexpress.com with your User ID and password
2. Select your eligible Card
3. Tap or click “Account Services,” then “Card Management,” and finally, “Manage Digital Wallets”
4. Locate the device and select:
- “Suspend” to temporarily suspend making payments with your Card in Google Pay using your device.
- “Resume” to resume the functionality to make payments with your Card in Google Pay. This will only appear as an option if you previously “Suspended” your Card on americanexpress.com.
- “Remove” to remove your Card from Google Pay. If you want to add your Card to Google Pay again, please see FAQ above: “How can I add my eligible Card to Google Pay to use it for payments?”.
If you believe your Android device or Google Pay Card information has been lost, stolen or compromised in any way, call American Express Customer Care immediately at the number on the back of your physical Card. You can also go to Android Device Manager to help you find, lock and erase your device, or to americanexpress.com to “Suspend” or “Remove” your eligible Card (see FAQ above “Where can I view and manage my Card(s) added to Google Pay?” on how to suspend or remove your Card).
Please read the first FAQ above “What is Google Pay, as used by American Express, and can I participate as an American Express Card Member?” for important details about using your eligible American Express Card in Google Pay. See the American Express Terms of Use for using Google Pay for more information.
After you have added your Card to Google Pay, you will receive "transaction notifications" sent via a push notification (text or email) for recent purchases you make with your Card, whether or not the purchases were made using Google Pay. You can turn off these notifications under “Settings” in the Google Pay app. Please keep in mind that by turning off your "Transaction Notifications," you will no longer receive push notifications from Google Pay showing a summary of your most recent transactions, including Google Pay transactions.
Please know that you will not receive “Transaction Notifications” if you “Suspend” your Card (see FAQ above, “Where can I view and manage my Card(s) added to Google Pay?” on how to suspend your Card). When you “Resume” your Card, you may see “Transaction Notifications” again if they were turned on prior to suspending your Card.
The Google Pay app tries to provide you with the most relevant information about the places where you’ve made payments with your Card, whether or not using Google Pay. From time to time, information about the merchant locations where you’ve used Google Pay (such as the business name and street address) may be displayed differently in your Google Pay app than the information on your American Express statement. Please know this does not affect your purchase transactions. However, if you’d like to report any incorrect information on your Google Pay app that is different from your American Express statement, please contact Google Pay Help Center.
You may also receive notifications and see transactions listed for pre-authorizations that haven’t been posted to your Card account yet. For example, a hotel or gas station may pre-authorize an amount initially, then submit the final charge based on the actual amount of your purchase. Please refer to your official American Express Card account information on americanexpress.com or in the Amex App.
If you “Suspend” your Card, you will not be able to view transactions made with that Card during the suspension period. You will continue to be able to view transactions made prior to the suspension period. You may view transactions made with that Card again after you “Resume” your Card. See the FAQ above, “Where can I view and manage my Card(s) added to Google Pay?” for information on how to suspend or resume your Card.
No. The digital version of your physical Card number is connected to your new Card number automatically, except where you replace your American Express Gift Card or Serve Card (see question below). You can also continue to use your eligible Card in Google Pay to make purchases before receiving your new physical Card. If you do not want American Express to share this updated information with Google, please call the number on the back of your Card.
Yes. If you have replaced your American Express Gift Card or your American Express Serve Card, once you receive your replacement physical Card in the mail, you will need to update the Card information in Google Pay. You cannot continue to make purchases using Google prior to receiving your replacement Cards.
If you believe your Android device or Google Pay Card information has been lost, stolen or compromised in any way, call American Express Customer Care immediately at the number on the back of your physical Card. You can also go to Android Device Manager to help you find, lock and erase your device, or to americanexpress.com to “Suspend” or “Remove” your eligible Card (see FAQ above “Where can I view and manage my Card(s) added to Google Pay?” on how to suspend or remove your Card).
Please read the first FAQ above “What is Google Pay, as used by American Express, and can I participate as an American Express Card Member?” for important details about using your eligible American Express Card in Google Pay. See the American Express Terms of Use for using Google Pay for more information.