Booking railway tickets online in India often comes with its fair share of challenges, from seat availability woes to the risk of losing money on unsuccessful bookings. To address these concerns, IRCTC has introduced the iPay Autopay feature, offering a seamless and hassle-free booking experience for passengers.
What is IRCTC iPay Autopay? IRCTC iPay Autopay is a payment option available on the IRCTC website and app, facilitated by IRCTC’s own payment gateway, iPay. With Autopay, passengers can reserve tickets without making immediate payments. Instead, payment is only required once the tickets are confirmed, minimizing the risk of losing money on unsuccessful bookings.
How Does IRCTC iPay Autopay Work? Autopay functions similarly to an IPO application using UPI. When passengers opt for Autopay, a temporary hold, or lien, is placed on their bank account for the ticket amount. This ensures that the funds are reserved for ticket payment, but are not deducted until the booking is confirmed. If the tickets remain waitlisted or are cancelled, the lien is released, and the funds are returned to the passenger’s bank account.
Benefits of IRCTC iPay Autopay:
- Waitlist Protection: Passengers booking waitlisted tickets do not lose any money if the tickets remain unconfirmed. The lien is released, allowing passengers to utilize their funds for other purposes.
- Waitlist Tatkal: For waitlisted Tatkal tickets, passengers only pay applicable charges if the booking remains unconfirmed post chart preparation. The remaining funds are returned upon cancellation.
- Instant Refunds: In the event of an unconfirmed waitlisted ticket, passengers receive instant refunds without the typical delay of three to four business days. This enables passengers to explore alternative transportation options promptly.
How to Use IRCTC iPay Autopay:
- Enter Travel Details: Visit the IRCTC website or app and enter your travel details, including train, coach, and passenger information.
- Select Payment: Choose iPay as the payment gateway and select Autopay as the payment method. Enter your payment details and confirm the transaction. Funds will be reserved via lien and deducted only upon ticket confirmation.
With IRCTC iPay Autopay, passengers can enjoy enhanced financial flexibility and convenience, ensuring a stress-free booking experience for railway travel across India.
