Yatra.com has launched a new service of booking hotels online without charging upfront payment from customers. According to a press release, customers will now have the choice to only pay the full amount after reviewing the hotel themselves.

The release adds that currently, the service is being offered in 300 budget hotels across India, and by March 2009, it will be extended to over 2000 properties. The customers need to pay a token amount of 10% while making the online booking. Customers can log on to the Yatra website and check out videos of the hotels showing them the actual rooms and amenities. Choice of hotels can also be done with the help of advice from the Yatra's travel consultants, destination guides & user reviews, all available by on Yatra.com. The release claims that Yatra has received support from the hospitality industry for this new service.