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Android Pay precedes mobile Web rollout with Chase, Visa integration

Following confirmation that Android Pay is set to make its mobile Web debut, the mobile payments platform is also adding a partnership with Chase to its repertoire, allowing the bank’s Visa cardholders to use the service when making purchases in applications or in stores.

Earlier this week, Google announced in a blog post that it is bringing Android Pay to mobile Web, a move that will let users enjoy easier checkouts on Chrome when shopping at participating merchants, such as 1800Flowers and Groupon. Android Pay is also integrating with Chase by allowing the latter’s Visa cardholders to use the platform to make contactless purchases with their smartphones.

“We want to be everywhere our customers want us to be – including a variety of digital wallets,” said Jackie Miller, spokeswoman for Chase.

Swiping in more users
From this week onward, Chase Visa debit and credit cardholders can take advantage of Android Pay when making purchases in mobile apps or at contactless terminals in stores.

Individuals with Android Pay-enabled smartphones can buy items at millions of bricks-and-mortar locations nationwide that accept NFC payments. Chase cardholders who use Android Pay will still maintain all of the rewards, services and benefits associated with their credit or debit cards.

Chase customers wanting to set up Android Pay accounts can download the payment service’s app onto any NFC-enabled smartphone. The device must run on an operating system of KitKat 4.4 or higher.

Next, users must input an eligible Chase Visa debit or credit card by taking a photo of the desired card and choosing it as the default account. The app will prompt users with other steps to verify their accounts.

Lastly, when getting ready to make a purchase, customers can unlock their mobile device and hold it up to any in-store contactless terminal or select the Android Pay option within participating commerce apps.

British consumers will also be able to receive more Android Pay options in the coming weeks. Santander and TSB will soon enable their customers to add credit and debit cards to the mobile payments platform, according to a post on Google’s official Android blog.

Android Pay expansion
In news also announced on Google’s blog, Android Pay is making its way to several major loyalty programs. The payments platform recently integrated with Walgreens’ Balance Rewards program and will soon add partnerships with Chili’s and Dunkin’ Donuts to its résumé.

It will also be the premier mobile wallet to integrate with Uber’s Payment Rewards program. Beginning this week through October 15, all U.S. Android Pay users can receive a 50 percent off discount on 10 Uber rides.

Perhaps most notably, Android Pay is set to roll out to mobile Web browsers in the near future. This means that consumers shopping on merchants such as 1800Flowers’ and Groupon’s mobile sites will be able to check out via Android Pay, eliminating the need to download those brands’ separate apps.

Bringing digital payment solutions to mobile Web has been a sought-after goal for many vendors and retailers.

Shopify and Moovweb are two of the digital commerce providers potentially bringing Apple Pay to hundreds of thousands of merchants’ Web sites in a move that could increase online sales, due to the technology’s enhanced security (see story).

Financial services and banks can also join the action surrounding mobile payments by focusing on their proprietary programs or entering into strategic partnerships – in the vein of Chase and Android Pay – that offer their customers a plethora of options.

“By offering them different options for the way they want to pay, they can choose what works best for them,” Chase’s Ms. Miller said.