Google Pay introduces Rs 3 Convenience Fee for mobile recharges - What you need to know!

Delhi : For users who wish to recharge their mobile phones using the UPI service offered by the app, Google Pay has implemented a new fee of Rs 3. Prepaid plan purchases made using Google Pay now incur a fee; this is a departure from the app's prior practice of not assessing additional fees for such transactions. With this latest measure, Google Pay now resembles other payment services like PhonePe and Paytm, which already charge for comparable transactions. Google has not formally disclosed the inclusion of convenience fees on its payment app, notwithstanding this modification. The upgrade was made public by a client who posted a screenshot online of a Rs. 3 convenience fee that was part of a Rs. 749 Jio prepaid recharge package.

For both card and UPI transactions, there is a cost. There is no convenience fee for recharge plans under Rs. 100. However, there would be fees of Rs. 2 and Rs. 3, respectively, for plans priced between Rs. 100 and Rs. 200 and Rs. 200 and Rs. 300. A convenience fee of Rs. 3 will be applied to transactions over Rs. 300.

Google has made reference to the new convenience fees in an update to its terms of service for Indian users. It's still unclear, though, if this addition was included in the November 10 update. According to the agreements, users will be made aware of any applicable costs prior to completing a purchase. It is also mentioned in the agreements that costs may be decided at the company's sole discretion.

The goal of other payment service providers like Paytm and PhonePe, which want to monetize their platforms by charging for transactions, is what Google Pay's policy change is in line with. A number of internet services have started charging for similar services, such as ordering takeaway or making cinema ticket reservations.