Google Play offers limited-time discounts on gift cards and subscriptions
Until October 19, Google Play is offering discounts of up to 20 percent on gift cards from roughly 30 retailers, including Barnes & Noble, REI, and GameStop. Shoppers need a Google Play account but do not need an Android device to take part. Google is also discounting subscriptions such as Calm and Duolingo and adding bonuses for some in-app purchases.
Google Play’s promotion runs through October 19 and covers gift cards from about 30 merchants. Examples include 20 percent off a $50 Barnes & Noble card, 20 percent off a $100 REI card, and 10 percent off a $100 GameStop card. The offers cover areas such as reading, electronics, food, and travel.
Participants need a Google Play account, but an Android device is not necessary. The company is also cutting prices on Calm and Duolingo subscriptions and providing extra value for some in-app purchases, including in Pokémon Go and PUBG Mobile.
This promotion may make Google Play more appealing for everyday purchases, letting people prepay for food, books, gear, or games at a discount. Consumers who already use the platform could stretch their budgets, while retailers may gain new customers or incremental sales. Subscription and in-app discounts could encourage more spending inside apps. Because the offers are limited and require an account, the broader effect may be modest, but it could nudge some users toward seeing Google Play as a general marketplace rather than only an app store.