Discover backs Google Wallet

Discover backs Google Wallet

Discover has given its blessing to Google Wallet, adding a click-to-add feature to its online customer account centre to make it easy for customers to load their card to the search giant's mobile payments system.

Earlier this month, Google moved to breathe new life into its stuttering mobile wallet platform by launching a cloud-based version of the app that can be linked to Visa, American Express and Discover cards.

The update enables customers to link any card, storing details on Google's servers rather than on the handset, with a virtual MasterCard on the phone's secure storage area used to enable transactions at the point of sale.

At the time, the card outfits were not explicitly onboard, with American Express rushing to warn that it has not approved the Wallet and was evaluating its data transparency.

Nevertheless, Google claims it has seen a significant increase in signups and app usage and hopes that securing Discover's blessing will accelerate this.

The card firm has used Google's save-to-wallet API to make it easy for customers to load their credit card onto their phone from the Discover account centre and make it their primary one in the virtual wallet with a simple click. The card automatically syncs to the Google app for those that have a compatible NFC smartphone.

Discover customers can also add their credit card through the Google Wallet mobile app on their smartphone, or by adding their card through their Google account online.

Sanjay Gosalia, director, mobile, Discover, says: "By offering the ability to join Google Wallet through our Account Center, Discover is providing our cardmembers with even greater flexibility and convenience when it comes to paying for their purchases."

Comments: (2)

A Finextra member
A Finextra member 20 August, 2012, 09:04Be the first to give this comment the thumbs up 0 likes So ... How would I get my First Direct contactless debit card on there? Hmmm!
Ketharaman Swaminathan
Ketharaman Swaminathan - GTM360 Marketing Solutions - Pune 20 August, 2012, 13:38Be the first to give this comment the thumbs up 0 likes

When I used my Android smartphone to buy a paid app for the first time from Google Play - or Android Market as it was called at the time - I was taken to a screen titled Google Wallet and told to add a credit card. I did that via the smartphone's keyboard. The Visa card I entered has been stored on file as my default funding method on GW since I don't have to enter it during subsequent purchases, including the one shown here. I didn't have to interact with Visa or the card-issuing bank even once. I guess this method of adding a credit card to GW is only applicable when GW is used for mobile-based remote transactions.

For NFC-based instore payments using GW, pushing the card details from the card network's account center, as described in this article, might be the only way to add a credit card to GW.

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