Zomato & Swiggy Now Charge Extra When It Rains — Even For Premium Users
The rain surcharge isn’t the only added cost users are seeing. Both platforms have gradually increased their platform fees over recent months, from a mere Rs 2 per order to Rs 10 in many cities.
Food delivery giants Zomato (now rebranded as Eternal) and Swiggy have tweaked their loyalty programmes in a move that’s likely to leave premium users feeling a little shortchanged. Users subscribed to Zomato Gold and Swiggy One will now be charged a ‘rain surcharge’ during inclement weather — a fee that was earlier waived for these paying members.
As reported by Moneycontrol, the update was first spotted in the companies' mobile apps and has since triggered disappointment among loyal users. Until recently, weather-related surcharges were only applied to non-members. Now, even those who shell out extra for exclusive benefits won’t be spared from the rain tax.
This change aligns with both companies’ broader push to improve profitability, particularly as they face mounting pressure from investors. While the rain surcharge may seem minor, it comes on the back of a significant hike in platform fees and suggests a strategic shift in how the companies monetise their most dependable customer base.
Profit Pressures Drive Policy Shift
Eternal, which operates Zomato, reported a steep 78 per cent year-on-year drop in its profit after tax (PAT), standing at Rs 39 crore in Q4 FY25, down from Rs 175 crore in the same quarter last year. The previous quarter (Q3 FY25) had seen a PAT of Rs 59 crore.
Swiggy, meanwhile, posted a staggering Rs 1,081.18 crore net loss in Q4 FY25 — a 94 per cent spike from the Rs 554.77 crore loss in Q4 FY24. Both platforms are investing heavily in quick commerce, a segment that’s currently eating into their profit margins.
To sustain these new ventures, the companies appear to be squeezing more out of their profitable food delivery vertical, and that includes charging more from loyal users.
Platform Fee Sees Steady Hike
The rain surcharge isn’t the only added cost users are seeing. Both platforms have gradually increased their platform fees over recent months, from a mere Rs 2 per order to Rs 10 in many cities.
This fivefold jump may not sound dramatic in isolation, but with over 2 million food orders processed daily by each company, the implications are significant. That Rs 10 per order could add up to an extra Rs 2 crore in daily revenue per company.
While Zomato and Swiggy have not commented officially on the changes, the move marks a clear departure from the perks once associated with their loyalty programmes. Customers who signed up expecting exclusive benefits now find themselves on equal footing with non-members, at least when the skies open up.
Whether this shift in strategy pays off or leads to a dip in user retention remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: ordering food during a downpour just got more expensive, no matter which badge your account carries.
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