Google Pay Introduces Fees for Mobile Recharges
Google Pay, commonly known as GPay, is set to introduce a new convenience fee for users recharging their prepaid mobile plans through the app. This move aligns Google Pay with other payment platforms like PayTM and PhonePe, which already charge extra fees for similar services.
GPay New Fee Structure
The convenience fee structure proposed by Google Pay is as follows:
- For recharge amounts between ₹1 to ₹100: No convenience fee.
- For ₹101 to ₹200: A convenience fee of ₹1.
- For ₹201 to ₹300: A convenience fee of ₹2.
- For amounts of ₹301 and above: A convenience fee of ₹3.
This fee structure was first noticed by tipster Mukul Sharma and has since been a topic of discussion among users. It’s important to note that these fees are applicable only to mobile recharges and do not extend to other transactions like electricity bill payments or FASTag recharges.
Limited to Mobile Recharges
As of now, the new convenience fee seems to be limited to mobile recharges. This is a notable change for Google Pay users, who previously enjoyed the benefit of no extra charges for mobile recharges.
Google has not made an official announcement regarding these fees. Changes in the Terms of Service for Google Pay, updated on November 10, hinted at the introduction of ‘Google Fees’.
It appears that the rollout of these new charges is being done in phases, as not all users have reported seeing the convenience fee during their transactions.
Alternatives to Avoid Fees
For users looking to avoid these convenience fees, one option is to recharge mobile plans directly through the telecom operator’s app or website. This could be a more cost-effective approach, especially for those who frequently recharge their phones.
Google Pay’s decision to introduce convenience fees for mobile recharges marks a shift in its service offerings, aligning it more closely with other players in the digital payments space.
As the digital payment landscape continues to evolve, users may need to adapt their habits to navigate these changes effectively.
