Got Covid vaccine shot? Now get food, air tickets at discounted price

MUMBAI: Discounts on items ranging from fast food to flights are being offered by Indian firms keen to lure people to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, as the economy re-opens gradually from weeks of lockdown.

While businesses in the West make similar offers to dispel vaccine hesitancy, the incentives in India could also attract more customers.

In a first, IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, launched a special discount on its flights for vaccinated customers from Wednesday. Passengers who have been administered either one or both the Covid-19 vaccine doses, will be given discount of up to 10% on the base fare while booking air tickets.

IndiGo is the first airline to roll out this offer in India.

The airline said this offer is only available to vaccinated passengers aged 18 years and above who are located in India at the time of booking and have already received a Covid-19 vaccine in the country. Limited inventory is available under the offer and therefore, discounts will be provided subject to availability, the airline said.

The Indian arm of fast food giant McDonald’s is offering a 20% discount on meals, Online grocer Grofers is offering a month’s subscription to its loyalty program, and home appliances maker Godrej extended product warranties. The Central Bank of India Ltd is offering higher interest on deposits from recipients of at least one dose.

To claim the discounts, people must show their vaccination certificates issued by the government.

India’s 291 million administered doses are the most after China and the United States, but only about 5.5% of its estimated adult population of 940 million has received both doses neces

sary for full protection against the virus Sanjay Kumar, chief strategy & revenue officer, IndiGo said, “Being the largest airline in the country, we feel it is our responsibility to contribute to the national vaccination drive, by encouraging more people towards this common goal. This offer will not only strengthen their resolve towards vaccination, but also ensure that they can travel safely at affordable fares with IndiGo. We are committed to offer an on-time, hassle-free travel experience to our customers, on-board our lean, clean flying machine”.