In a notable policy shift, Google Pay has introduced a convenience fee of Rs 3 for mobile phone recharges made through its UPI service. This marks a departure from its previous policy of not imposing additional fees on transactions of this nature. The move brings Google Pay in line with industry counterparts like Paytm and PhonePe, both of which have long charged convenience fees for similar services.
Despite the recent change, Google has not issued an official statement regarding the inclusion of convenience fees on its payment app. Users reportedly discovered the update when a customer shared a screenshot online, revealing a Rs. 3 convenience fee on a Rs. 749 prepaid recharge plan from Jio. It’s worth noting that this fee is applicable to both UPI and card transactions.
Although Google has revised its terms of service for Indian users to address the introduction of convenience fees, it remains unclear if this specific addition was part of the November 10 update. The updated terms stipulate that users will be notified in advance of any applicable fees before completing a transaction. The company retains the discretion to determine these fees.
Interestingly, despite the revised terms, no additional fees were encountered when attempting to purchase Airtel and Jio recharge plans through Google Pay on Thursday. It seems that the workaround to evade these convenience charges may involve directly buying recharge plans from the operators’ websites.
Google Pay’s adjustment in policy mirrors the strategies adopted by other payment service providers like Paytm and PhonePe, aiming to monetize their platforms through transaction fees. This trend aligns with the broader industry pattern, where various online services introduce convenience charges for activities such as food ordering or movie ticket bookings.
