TL;DR Summary
MakeMyTrip and Goibibo charge hosts up to 21% commission and are built primarily for hotels — not homestays. Unpaqd charges zero commission, lists only verified homestays, and gives guests a BidYourStay feature to negotiate prices. For Indian homestay travellers and hosts, the financial case for Unpaqd is straightforward.
MakeMyTrip Is India's Biggest OTA — But Not Its Best Homestay Platform
MakeMyTrip and its sister platform Goibibo are household names for Indian travellers. Combined, they handle more domestic flight and hotel bookings than any other OTA in India. For mainstream hotel stays, they work well: inventory is large, payment options are broad, and the loyalty program (MMT Black) offers genuine perks.
But homestays are a different product, and MakeMyTrip's infrastructure shows it. The platform was built around hotels. When you search for homestays on MMT, you're browsing a category that sits alongside serviced apartments, OYO-managed properties, and boutique hotels — all competing for the same search results. The result is that genuine, owner-operated homestays are often buried under commercial listings optimised for MMT's hotel-first algorithm.
For hosts, the commission structure is even more significant. MakeMyTrip charges up to 18–21% including GST — one of the highest rates of any OTA operating in India. On a ₹5,000-per-night booking, a host walking away with ₹3,950–₹4,100 before operating expenses makes the math very tight for smaller, family-run properties.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature |
Unpaqd |
MakeMyTrip / Goibibo |
| Commission to host |
Zero — ₹0 per booking |
18–21% (incl. GST) |
| Platform focus |
Homestays only |
Hotels primary; homestays secondary |
| Guest price negotiation |
Yes — BidYourStay |
No |
| Listing type control |
Verified homestays only |
Mixed with commercial hotels |
| India-specific support |
Yes — built for Indian hosts |
Yes — but hotel-first tools |
| Host payout on ₹5,000 booking |
₹5,000 (100%) |
₹3,950–₹4,100 |
| Loyalty programme for guests |
BidYourStay savings |
MMT Black / SuperCoins |
| Last-minute deal tools |
BidYourStay bids |
Flash sales (hotel-focused) |
For Guests: What You Actually Get
1. MakeMyTrip: Discounts That Often Disappear at Checkout
MakeMyTrip's homepage is built around flash deals and discount codes. The headline prices look competitive, but by the time you add a convenience fee, GST, and any non-refundable booking conditions, the effective price is often higher than the listed rate suggests. For homestays specifically, the 'deals' are usually limited to larger chain properties — independent owner-run homes rarely qualify.
2. Unpaqd: What You See Is What You Pay
Unpaqd's pricing model has no convenience fees or surprise additions at checkout. The listed price is the total price. And unlike MakeMyTrip, where discounts are controlled by the platform's promotional calendar, Unpaqd's BidYourStay feature lets you negotiate directly with the host at any time — not just during sale windows.
3. Authenticity of Listings
One of the persistent complaints about MMT's homestay category is that many listed properties are small hotels or professionally managed apartment blocks that describe themselves as 'homestays' for SEO purposes. Unpaqd's verification process filters these out — every listing is an owner-managed property.
For Hosts: The Commission Gap Is Significant
A homestay earning ₹8 lakh/year on MakeMyTrip at 20% commission loses ₹1.6 lakh before a single operating cost. That is a part-time caretaker's annual salary, or 3–4 months of housekeeping. On Unpaqd, it stays in your account.
Beyond commission, MMT's host tools are designed for hotel chains, not family-run homestays. Yield management features, bulk rate updates, and the review system all assume a professional hotel operation with a dedicated reservations team. For a host managing 2–3 rooms from their own home, the interface adds complexity without much value.
Unpaqd is purpose-built for small-scale Indian homestay hosts. The listing setup is streamlined, guest communication is direct, and there is no competition from commercial hotels on the same search page.
When MakeMyTrip Still Makes Sense
MMT's dominant position in Indian domestic travel means it still makes sense as a supplementary listing channel — particularly for reaching first-time domestic travellers who default to the app they already have. Hosts who want maximum distribution often list on multiple platforms simultaneously.
The key shift in thinking: treat MMT as a secondary discovery channel, and Unpaqd as your primary zero-commission booking channel. As your Unpaqd profile and reviews build, drive repeat guests through Unpaqd directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MakeMyTrip have a specific homestay section?
MakeMyTrip has a 'Villas and Homestays' filter, but the results mix genuine homestays with commercial guesthouses, boutique hotels, and OYO-affiliated properties. There is no verification requirement specific to owner-managed homestays.
Can I list my property on both Unpaqd and MakeMyTrip?
Yes. Most hosts list on multiple platforms. The practical difference is that bookings through MakeMyTrip carry a 18–21% commission, while Unpaqd bookings carry zero. Building your Unpaqd reviews and profile makes the zero-commission channel progressively more valuable over time.
What is the MMT Black loyalty programme?
MMT Black is MakeMyTrip's tiered loyalty programme offering cashback, priority customer support, and room upgrades. It applies primarily to hotel bookings, not independent homestays. Most MMT Black benefits are only relevant for frequent travellers booking hotels or flights, not one-off homestay guests.
Looking for a genuine homestay with no booking fees?
Browse verified homestays across India on Unpaqd — zero commission, real hosts. unpaqd.com