EaseMyTrip and MakeMyTrip are India's two most popular flight booking platforms. Both claim to offer the cheapest fares — but the real difference lies in fees, credit card offers, and the total price you actually pay. This guide breaks down which platform is better for which traveller.
The Core Difference — Convenience Fee
The most important difference between EaseMyTrip and MakeMyTrip for most Indian travellers is the convenience fee:
| Platform | Domestic convenience fee | International convenience fee |
|---|---|---|
| MakeMyTrip | ₹250-₹450 per booking | ₹500-₹800 per booking |
| EaseMyTrip | ₹0 (on zero fee promotions) | ₹0-₹300 |
| Cleartrip | ₹250-₹400 per booking | ₹450-₹700 per booking |
EaseMyTrip runs frequent "zero convenience fee" promotions that are available on their homepage. When active, this single difference makes EaseMyTrip the clear winner for domestic bookings where the base fares are similar.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | EaseMyTrip | MakeMyTrip |
|---|---|---|
| Base fare prices | Usually same as MMT | Same as EMT (airlines set prices) |
| Convenience fee | Often zero on domestic | ₹250-₹450 always |
| Credit card offers | Limited bank partnerships | Extensive — HDFC, SBI, ICICI, Axis |
| Best credit card deal | SBI cashback offers | HDFC Regalia 5X rewards |
| UI and search experience | Functional, less polished | Better designed, more features |
| App rating (Play Store) | 4.1 | 4.4 |
| Cancellation process | Good | Very good |
| Customer support | Average | Better |
| Hotel + flight bundles | Available | Better inventory |
| International coverage | Good | Excellent |
| Loyalty programme | No strong programme | myRewards points |
Credit Card Deals — MakeMyTrip Wins Clearly
MakeMyTrip has the deepest credit card partnership ecosystem in India. Current key offers:
- HDFC Regalia: 5X reward points on all MakeMyTrip bookings — no other platform offers this
- ICICI Bank cards: Regular cashback offers of 5-15% on MakeMyTrip
- SBI Credit Cards: Periodic cashback of ₹1,500-₹3,000 on MakeMyTrip international bookings
- Axis Bank cards: 10-15% instant discount offers periodically
EaseMyTrip has fewer bank partnerships. It works well with SBI cards on periodic promotions but does not match MakeMyTrip's depth of credit card offers.
When to Use EaseMyTrip
- When the zero convenience fee promotion is active (check their homepage)
- For domestic flights where base fares are identical and you have no special MMT card offer
- When booking simple point-to-point domestic tickets without complex extras
- When you have SBI cards that have EMT-specific cashback running
When to Use MakeMyTrip
- When you have HDFC Regalia (5X rewards on MMT is exclusive)
- For international bookings where MMT has more routes and better prices
- When ICICI, SBI, or Axis cashback offers are running on MMT
- For complex multi-city or round-trip international itineraries
- When you need better customer support for expensive international tickets
The EaseMyTrip Zero Convenience Fee — How to Always Find It
EaseMyTrip's zero convenience fee promotion runs very frequently — sometimes continuously for weeks at a time. Here's how to always find it:
- Visit EaseMyTrip homepage before any booking
- Look for the "ZERO Convenience Fee" banner — it's usually on the homepage
- If active, proceed with your booking — the fee will be removed at checkout
- If not active, compare with MMT's total price including their convenience fee + any credit card cashback
💡 FaresIQ automatically checks both platforms for your specific route and compares the total cost including convenience fees and credit card offers — then tells you which platform and card combination gives the lowest final price.
What About Cleartrip?
Cleartrip is the third major platform and is particularly strong for:
- International flights to Europe and USA where Cleartrip sometimes has exclusive inventory
- Axis Magnus cardholders — Cleartrip regularly runs Axis-specific promotions
- No-frills search experience that loads faster than MMT
The Smart Approach — Check All Three
The honest answer is that no single platform is always cheapest. Airlines distribute tickets across platforms and promotional offers change daily. The optimal approach for every booking:
- Check base fares on Google Flights to understand the market price
- Compare EaseMyTrip (if zero fee promotion is active) vs MakeMyTrip total cost
- Apply your credit card's specific platform offer to find the lowest net price
- Use FaresIQ to get the real-time recommendation for your route and card
Stop manually comparing three platforms for every booking. FaresIQ AI does it automatically — analysing MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, and EaseMyTrip in real-time and recommending the best combination for your credit card and route.
Find the Best Platform for My Route →