Google Pay has reportedly started charging users a convenience fee when they purchase a mobile top-up plan through the app’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service. After years of allowing users to top up their prepaid plans and pay bills without any additional charges, it appears the company has joined rival payment platforms Paytm and PhonePe in charging users for prepaid top-ups made through Google Pay . The search giant is yet to make an announcement regarding the introduction of convenience fees on its payment app.
A user recently reported on an online forum that Google Pay has started charging a convenience fee for mobile top-up plans through the payment service. A screenshot shared by the user shows that Google has a Rs. 3 convenience charges for the Rs. 749 prepaid recharge plan from Jio. The screenshot indicates that the convenience fee includes GST. The user adds that the convenience charges will appear for both UPI and card transactions.
Google Pay has levied a Rs. 3 convenience fee for the Jio recharge transaction
Photo credit: Desidime/ankushthehero123465
Tipster Mukul Sharma additional details revealed of the convenience costs for the platform via X (formerly Twitter). Mobile recharge plans worth less than Rs. 100 will not be charged a convenience fee, while recharge plans cost up to Rs. 200 and up to Rs. You will be charged Rs 300. 2 and Rs. 3 respectively according to Sharma. Transactions worth more than Rs. 300 will be charged Rs. 3 convenience fee.
MySmartPrice has noted that the company updated Google’s terms of service for users in India earlier this month and that Google Fees appears to address the new convenience fees. However, it is unclear if the section was recently added as part of the November 10 update. “You may be charged fees for certain transactions or use of Google Pay services, including but not limited to mobile top-ups,” the section said. Google’s terms state that users will be notified of the applicable fees before the transaction is completed.
The updated terms of service also states that fees may be determined by the company at its sole discretion. Gadgets 360 employees did not see the additional charges when they tried to purchase Airtel and Jio recharge plans on Thursday.
It seems that buying charging plans through the operator’s website is the only way to avoid convenience fees. It’s worth noting that Google Pay isn’t the first payment service provider to charge extra fees for transactions. These charges were earlier introduced by rivals Paytm and PhonePe, similar to other online services for ordering food online or booking movie tickets, as a way to monetize their payment platforms.
For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos on gadgets and technology.
Samsung Galaxy Z foldable phones to debut with blue PHOLED displays in May 2025: report
Redmi Note 13 Pro LTE, 5G variants reportedly spotted on NBTC website; May be launched worldwide soon