The Google Wallet is now available in Argentina so you can make contactless payments from Android and Wear OS devices. You will be able to add credit and debit cards and save boarding passes from more than 30 airlines. Read more, in this note!
Physical cards and cash are becoming increasingly obsolete due to the great growth of new digital payment methods, such as virtual wallets. A year after Apple Pay arrived in Argentina, Google also announced its own app, which is already can be downloaded at Google Play Store for free for devices Android and Wear OS.
Within the framework of the expansion of virtual wallets to new territories and totaling almost 70 countries where it is already used, Google he did not want to be left behind and launched his own. This app will allow people to make contactless payments from their devices Android and WearOS, with the cards of the financial entities added to it. In addition, they will be able to add boarding passes for 30 international airlines.
The use of this virtual tool expanded a lot in Argentina. Furthermore, according to a study that Google commissioned Offerwise, 64% of those surveyed in the country reported frequently using digital wallets as their preferred payment method. But, what were your main reasons for having this service? 49% said that they opened a virtual wallet for online purchases, 45% mentioned the benefits they offer, while others believe that it is a safer payment option.
If you think that this virtual wallet is a trend and soon many will stop using it, we tell you that it does not seem to be the case. According Global Payments Report 2023it is projected that the use of this payment method for online purchases will have an annual growth rate of 26% by 2026 and 21% in the case of its use in physical stores.
“During the last few years, we have seen a great change in consumer habits, marked by the digitization of many essential elements of our daily lives, and Argentina is no exception. Today, the cell phone is not just a work tool or a means to socialize and share experiences, it is above all an ally to go through our journey, with the elements we use daily, such as debit and credit cards, boarding passes and tickets. for events, among others”, commented Victor ValleManaging Director of Google Argentina.
And I add: “In Google We believe that giving more and more people free access to these types of tools is essential for technology to have a positive and forceful impact on our day-to-day lives. That is why we celebrate the arrival of the Wallet of Google to Argentina so that together with our partners we can continue contributing to the growth of the digital ecosystem in the country”.
Now let’s talk about which cards and banks can be added to Google Wallet. For the launch, the company shared that, in this first stage, the VISA and Mastercard cards, from BBVA (VISA and Mastercard), Banco Galicia (VISA and Mastercard), Banco Macro (VISA), Brubank (VISA), Pomelo (Mastercard) and Openbank (VISA). In addition, contactless payments in stores are possible thanks to multiple players in the ecosystem, such as Mercado Pago, Fiserv and Payway, among others.
About this collaboration with the financial sector, Armando BetancourtLeader of Alliances of Google Pay for Latin America commented: “The Wallet of Google It works as an open ecosystem that connects people with businesses. Thanks to the strategic collaboration that we were able to establish in the almost 70 countries where it is available, we can build an increasingly accessible product to facilitate the relationship between customers, merchants and issuers, reducing friction at the time of payment”.
He also added: “The Wallet of Google It is not just a means of payment, it seeks to give the user a 360 experience that can accompany them throughout the day. Today, in addition to the integration of debit and credit cards in Argentina, we also offer the possibility of adding boarding passes and accessing up-to-date flight information. But the potential of the Wallet is even greater: it can offer services such as event ticket integration, movie tickets and benefit cards, among other things. This launch in Argentina is also an invitation to more companies and developers to add their services in a simple and independent way to make them accessible to their users”.
On the other hand, and to leave those who use this payment method alone, let’s talk about its use, security and privacy. First of all, to make contactless payments at merchants where contactless transactions are accepted and to make secure purchases on websites and apps, Google Wallet uses Google Pay. This means that If you have Android devices with NFC technology and Wear OS, you will be able to access a fast, simple and secure way to pay with your phone.
Regarding security and privacy, Google ensures that keeping your cards in the virtual Wallet is safer than moving with physical cards. Because?:
- Use a specific alternate card number (token) for each device. This is associated with a dynamic security code that changes with each transaction. This way, the actual card numbers are never shared.
- Requires a screen unlock method to use.
- In case of losing the device, you can use the function “find my device” to block, change the password and even delete the information.
On the other hand, the Wallet of Google includes granular settings so that users can manage their privacy settings and have full control over the information that is saved in the account Google. In addition, they can change the settings at any time from the Wallet application or from a computer.
It should be noted that Google Pay does not charge commissions to users, businesses or issuers for each transaction. In addition, as it is integrated into the account of Googlecan be used when signing in to your account and works across all browsers, platforms and devices.
So how do you add credit or debit cards to Google Wallet?
First you have to open the application and then select the option “Add to Wallet”. And there you choose the option “Add payment cards”. In case of having cards already saved in the account of Google, they will appear as an option to add automatically. New cards can also be added using the device’s camera or by entering the data manually. Once you have done all this, save and accept the terms and conditions of the issuing entity.
Finally let’s talk about access to boarding passes from the cell phone. The first thing you have to know is that You will be able to add them once you have checked in. Then, from the Wallet of Googleyou will be able to see all the information available on a physical card, such as passenger name, boarding gate, flight number, boarding and departure time, boarding group and seat number.
In addition to that, the Wallet will show us updated information about the flight status and the estimated time of departure, from Google Flights, under the boarding pass. At the moment, people can incorporate the boarding passes of the more than 30 international airlines, such as LATAM, Gol, United, Lufthansa, Aeroméxico, KLM and Air France.
In the coming months, users will be able to digitize those passes that contain a barcode or QR, such as tickets, membership cards or parking tickets. To create a digital version of these passes and add it to the Wallet of Googlewe will only have to take a photo and upload it to the application.