I'm looking to use the Google API for personal commute times. I've followed the instructions posted online and have it all working. The only thing I do not understand from past posts and Google's site is the pricing.

Question: Am I correct to assume that the Google maps API billing goes towards the $200 credit they allow rather than the $300 credit over 90 days from the free activation?

Background

Activating the API, you read, "Put Google Cloud to work with $300 in credit to spend over the next 90 days."

The Google maps pricing page (https://mapsplatform.google.com/pricing/) says, "$200 USAGE EVERY MONTH FOR NO CHARGE. That's 28,500 map loads per month for no charge."

I also read (https://support.google.com/googleapi/answer/6158867?hl=en) that "You are billed only for the usage of billable APIs."

Hi,

Google is changing the pricing structure for their Maps APIs starting March 1, 2025. While they’re marketing this update as providing more value, it could actually lead to price increases for many users, depending on how you use their services.

Key changes:

• Starting in March, Google will offer free monthly credits for each of their products (e.g., Maps, Routes, Places, Environment APIs).

• The current $200 fixed free credit per month will be replaced by up to $3,250 worth of free usage, distributed across all products.

• The flexibility may sound great, but if you rely heavily on a single product, this change might not work in your favor.

Official Google Blog Announcement

My Use Case:

I primarily use the Google Maps JavaScript API to render maps for a project.

• Current usage: Slightly over the $200 free credit, costing me $10–$20 per month.

• New pricing: From what I understand, if you use only one service, your free credit might actually be lower under the new system.

Comparing costs:

• Using the current pricing calculator: 30,000 = $210

• Using the updated pricing calculator: 30,000 Dynamic Map loads = $140, including the free credit.

• Note: It’s unclear if “map calls” and “map loads” are equivalent, but this suggests I’ll start paying around $140/month, up from my current $10–$20/month.

If you’re using multiple Google Maps Platform services, this change could work in your favor. But for users like me who rely heavily on a single product, this might result in a significant cost increase.

Do my calculations and assumptions seem accurate, or am I misunderstanding how the new pricing will work?