Grab to Add Four New Services to App - Hotel Booking, Video Streaming, Ticketing and Trip Planning
While the rest of Singapore is excited over the brand new KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card (which offers a stunning 3 KrisFlyer miles per dollar on dining and other categories), Grab has announced and introduced four new service tiles to the Grab app to cater to Southeast Asians’ everyday needs. You will notice that some of these tiles are already available on your app but some of the functionalities are only expected to roll out in coming months.
1. 'Trip Planner' Service - Today!
The new Trip Planner service will enable Grab users to plan their transit journey with real-time public transportation information and end-to-end directions right in the Grab app. Once a user enters their destination via Trip Planner, they will be able to view all available public transit travel options, along with real-time departure and arrival times. They will also receive directions or recommendations of first-mile-last-mile transportation options such as GrabShare or GrabTaxi to and from the public transit that they can book right away -- a first-of-its-kind in Southeast Asia. This offers greater predictability and certainty for daily commute and allows users to plan their end-to-end journey better.
2. ‘Hotels’ Service - May 2019
Singapore residents are the most well-travelled in Southeast Asia according to Grab’s data, and they are about to enjoy a more rewarding experience when booking a hotel for their next holiday or staycation. With the new ‘Hotels’ booking service, Grab users can book hotels and other accommodation from Agoda, and soon, Booking.com directly from the Grab app. They can access and easily compare prices across the world’s largest selection of 28 million places to stay, ranging from a wide choice of luxury and budget hotels to apartments, vacation homes and family-run B&Bs.
3. ‘Videos’ Service - May 2019
For the 89% of Singaporean users who stream videos on their mobiles and others who are looking to do so, Grab will be offering online video content through the app in partnership with HOOQ. Whether they are on a GrabCar ride or waiting for their next GrabFood delivery, Grab users in Singapore can now enjoy over 8,000 hours of on-demand streaming of Hollywood blockbusters, regional favourites, and free-to-air content directly through the app. Starting in May 2019, all Grab users in Singapore get to enjoy two months of free HOOQ content when they subscribe via their Grab app and will enjoy a discounted rate of S$7.98/month thereafter, seamlessly payable with GrabPay.
4. 'Tickets' Service - June 2019
In partnership with BookMyShow, Grab’s new ‘Tickets’ service is expected to roll out by June 2019 and it will facilitate a faster and simpler way to buy movie tickets as well as tickets to other events online. In Singapore, ticket revenue represents a US$150 million market, with the country boasting one of the highest per-capita cinema attendance rates in the world at 4.2 visits a year. Grab wants to simplify the booking process for the 19.6 million people who visit the cinemas in Singapore every year. At launch, Grab users in Singapore will be able to search, compare, and purchase tickets from some of the leading cinema chains in the country including Cathay Cineplexes and Carnival. Unlike other online ticketing services available today, users don’t have to create a new account and will be able to pay seamlessly with GrabPay, while earning GrabRewards points with every transaction.
TRIBE Living Bangkok Sukhumvit 39 is a great value choice for budget-conscious travelers but its slightly longer walk from Phrom Phong BTS Station may make it less convenient compared to more accessible (but pricier) options in the area.