As the monsoon season rolls in, food delivery giants Swiggy and Zomato have started charging a new “rain surcharge”—and this time, even their loyal subscribers aren’t spared. Whether you’re a Swiggy One member or have a Zomato Gold subscription, you’ll now have to pay extra during rainy weather.
This marks as a big shift. Until now, premium members enjoyed free or discounted deliveries, even when it rained outside. But starting this week, the benefit has been removed completely.
The new fee has brought in mixed reaction from the customers. As many signed up for these premium memberships just to avoid extra costs like these. But now, they’re being treated the same as regular users.
So, why the change?
It comes down to money. Both Swiggy and Zomato have been under heavy pressure from investors to start turning profit. Despite their huge user bases, both companies are still struggling financially.
Zomato’s parent company, Eternal, recently reported a steep 78% drop in profits for the last quarter. Their earnings fell to Rs. 39 crore in Q4 of FY25, down from Rs. 175 crore in the same period a year earlier. Even compared to the previous quarter, their profit shrank—an unsettling sign for investors.
Swiggy is in an even tougher spot. The company posted a net loss of over Rs. 1,081 crore in Q4 FY25. That’s almost double the loss from same period last year. For comparison, Swiggy lost around Rs. 555 crore in Q4 FY24.
In this context, the rain surcharge makes more sense. Delivering food in the rain is harder, slower, and costlier. Riders face traffic, safety risks, and longer delivery times. Adding a small weather-related fee could help offset these challenges while giving the companies a little more breathing room financially.
Interestingly, the stock market seems to be impressed by the move. As on May 16, Swiggy stock rose by 3.3%, trading at Rs. 327. Zomato’s parent company saw a 1% rise too, reaching Rs. 244.86. This suggests that investors view the surcharge as a smart, if slightly bold, way to boost revenue.
Still, for customers, this change might lead to second thoughts about renewing their memberships. Many people joined Swiggy One or Zomato Gold for one reason: to avoid delivery fees. With that benefit now watered down, some may feel it’s no longer worth the cost.
However, it’s possible these platforms will adjust their plans in the future—maybe by adding new perks or lowering membership fees to retain users. For now, foodies will have to weigh the pros and cons of staying loyal in the rain.
