Are Zomato and Swiggy Subscription Users Facing Extra Delivery Charges During Rainy Weather?
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Synopsis
Zomato has recently made a pivotal change to its Gold membership during the rainy season, aligning with Swiggy's policy. This update means that subscribers will now face surge fees, raising concerns among frequent users. With this shift, both companies are setting a new precedent that could impact the food delivery landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Zomato Gold members will now incur surge fees during rainy weather.
- This change aligns Zomato's policy with that of Swiggy.
- No new benefits or changes in membership pricing have been introduced to offset these fees.
- Delivery partners are to receive better compensation for working in adverse conditions.
- Users should prepare for increased delivery costs as the rainy season approaches.
New Delhi, May 16 (NationPress) In a recent update, Zomato has introduced a significant change to its Gold membership perks during the rainy season, following a similar move by its competitor, Swiggy.
Effective from Friday, Gold members will no longer enjoy the benefit of surge fee waivers when it rains. This adjustment means that even subscribers will incur additional delivery charges for their food orders in wet weather.
The company communicated this modification via an in-app notification stating, “From May 16, the surge fee waiver during rainy conditions is no longer included in your Gold benefits.”
While Zomato has yet to disclose the precise surge fee amount, the rationale behind this extra charge is to better compensate delivery partners who brave challenging weather conditions.
This announcement follows Zomato's recent suspension of its 50:50 refund-sharing policy with partner restaurants, which has also drawn attention within the food delivery sector.
In contrast, Swiggy, Zomato’s primary competitor, has already implemented a similar rain-related fee for all users, including those with a Swiggy One membership.
This trend suggests that additional charges may soon become a norm across all food delivery services.
Previously, Zomato Gold members benefited from perks like free delivery and no surge fees during rain.
Under the new policy, both regular users and Gold members will face the same charges during inclement weather.
No new benefits or changes in membership pricing have been announced by Zomato to offset this adjustment.
Despite this, Zomato Gold continues to offer valuable perks, including free delivery from local partner restaurants (within a 7 km radius) and discounts of up to 30% on dining out.
However, some restaurants, such as Domino’s and those with their own delivery services, are excluded from these offers.
These restaurants are easily identifiable by the ‘Free Delivery’ label on the app.
Additionally, Zomato implements extra charges during the festive season, citing increased operational costs.
As the rainy season approaches, users—especially those who order frequently—may notice a significant rise in their total delivery expenses.
Point of View
I believe this change by Zomato reflects a broader trend in the food delivery sector. With both Zomato and Swiggy implementing similar surge fees, users may need to adjust their expectations and budgets. Transparency and communication from companies are crucial as we navigate these evolving policies.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Zomato changed its Gold membership benefits?
Zomato has eliminated the surge fee waiver for Gold members during rainy weather to provide better compensation to delivery partners working under challenging conditions.
Do Swiggy users face similar charges?
Yes, Swiggy already charges a rain-time fee for all users, including subscribers of its Swiggy One membership.
Are there any new benefits introduced with this change?
Zomato has not announced any new benefits or changes in membership prices to compensate for the removal of the surge fee waiver.
Which restaurants are excluded from Zomato Gold benefits?
Some restaurants like Domino’s, which utilize their own delivery services, are excluded from Zomato Gold benefits.
How can users identify restaurants with free delivery?
Restaurants eligible for free delivery are marked with a ‘Free Delivery’ label on the Zomato app.
