MakeMyTrip, one of the leading OTA (online travel aggregator) in India, has introduced a new feature that allows customers to book a hotel room without making any payment upfront. This innovative feature, called “Book With Zero Payment,” is part of the company’s endeavour to make travel more accessible and convenient for its customers.
The “Book With Zero Payment” feature enables travellers to reserve a hotel room without making an initial payment. Instead, they can pay later, either when they check in or before they check out. This feature is particularly beneficial for travellers who don’t have the budget to pay for their accommodation upfront or want to reserve a room without making a commitment.
The feature is currently available for a select number of hotels across India, and the company plans to expand the offering to more hotels in the coming months. To use the “Book With Zero Payment” feature, customers need to select the hotel of their choice, select the “Book With Zero Payment” option, and then provide their payment details at the time of booking.
The payment details are used to secure the booking, and customers are not charged until they check in or check out, depending on the hotel’s policy. Customers can choose to pay using any of the payment options available on the MakeMyTrip website, including credit/debit cards, net banking, and e-wallets.
MakeMyTrip believes that the “Book With Zero Payment” feature will appeal to a wide range of customers, including millennials, who are looking for more flexibility when it comes to travel bookings. The company sees this feature as a way to differentiate itself from other OTAs and provide a better customer experience.
According to Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip, “The ‘Book With Zero Payment’ option is a step towards our vision of making travel more accessible and convenient for all. With this feature, our customers can reserve their preferred accommodation without making any payment upfront, which is especially useful when planning trips on a budget or during uncertain times when the situation is constantly evolving.”
MakeMyTrip has been innovating and introducing new features to cater to the evolving needs of travellers in India. Earlier this year, the company launched a “Pay Later” option for flight bookings, which allows customers to reserve flights without making an immediate payment. Customers can pay for their flights later, either when they check in or before they fly.
The company has also introduced a “Travel Safe” feature that provides customers with information about the safety measures taken by its partner hotels to ensure the health and safety of guests. This feature has become increasingly important in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as travellers are more concerned about staying in safe and hygienic accommodations.
MakeMyTrip has also been working on improving its user interface and providing a more personalized experience for its customers. The company has introduced a “MyTrips” section on its website and app, which provides customers with a dashboard of all their past and upcoming bookings, as well as travel-related information such as flight schedules, hotel check-in/check-out times, and more.
In a recent investor call, MakeMyTrip highlighted its plans to focus on domestic travel in the coming months, as international travel continues to be impacted by the pandemic. The company believes that the Indian travel market has the potential to bounce back quickly once restrictions are lifted, and it is preparing for this by expanding its product offerings and enhancing its customer experience.
Overall, the “Book With Zero Payment” feature is a testament to MakeMyTrip’s commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. By providing travellers with more flexibility and convenience, the company is helping to make travel more accessible to a wider range of customers and supporting the Indian travel industry’s recovery in the process.