New United/Uber relationship [DISCUSSION ONLY]
Aug 24, 2014, 10:58 am
#46
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1k, SPG Plat 100
Posts: 619
Not an entirely true statement. You're refering to UberX/UberXL. Uber offers a few other services: Uber Black/SUV and Uber Taxi, which provide vehicles with LY and TX plates, respectively. I've never tried to use X/XL to go to ORD, and I know they're not even options on the app from ORD. As for the rest of the city, yes X/XL is a legal gray area.
As for usage, I use Black every time I go to the airport (unless I take the L). I'll also use it to go home if the taxi line is long.
As for usage, I use Black every time I go to the airport (unless I take the L). I'll also use it to go home if the taxi line is long.
Aug 24, 2014, 11:15 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
As far as I know, in many states (including IL, as in ORD) it is illegal to operate a vehicle for hire unless they have livery license plates. As Uber vehicles are simple maintained personal vehicles, do they have livery plates? I haven't looked, but it adds even more legal questions to the mix.
Aug 24, 2014, 11:22 am
#48
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
Also, drivers only have one button to cancel a ride after having accepted it: the no-show button. Using that button when a customer isn't actually a no-show is a good way for a driver to get ejected from the UberX program.
Aug 24, 2014, 11:26 am
#49
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: London, England
Programs: United 1K MM, QR Platinum
Posts: 244
UA Insider has announced that United has established a relationship with Uber and that relationship has been incorporated into both the iPhone and Android mobile apps.
This new thread is for discussing the relationship between United and Uber and for asking questions/voicing concerns about that relationship. Questions about Uber in general should be asked in the TravelBuzz forum and questions about the functionality of the new feature on the app should be asked in the corresponding iPhone and Android app threads (corresponding links are at the end of this post)
goalie
UA Forum Co-Moderator
-----
Uber TravelBuzz thread
United iPhone app thread
United Android app thread
This new thread is for discussing the relationship between United and Uber and for asking questions/voicing concerns about that relationship. Questions about Uber in general should be asked in the TravelBuzz forum and questions about the functionality of the new feature on the app should be asked in the corresponding iPhone and Android app threads (corresponding links are at the end of this post)
goalie
UA Forum Co-Moderator
-----
Uber TravelBuzz thread
United iPhone app thread
United Android app thread
Aug 24, 2014, 12:58 pm
#51
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
Hi everyone,
In today’s United mobile app update for both iOS and Android, we added new functionality to view Uber transportation services directly through the United app, making United the only airline partner to offer this technology with Uber at this time. We are partnering with Uber to offer a relevant and useful ground transportation tool to help make the day-of-travel experience with United even more convenient.
Here are the key details to know:
If you’re new to Uber, for a limited time you’ll be able to earn 1,000 MileagePlus award miles when you complete your first Uber transaction via the United app. We hope many of you will find this new feature useful if you find yourself needing a lift, and as always, please send us feedback via the “app feedback” feature in the menu options to let us know what you think.
UA Insider
In today’s United mobile app update for both iOS and Android, we added new functionality to view Uber transportation services directly through the United app, making United the only airline partner to offer this technology with Uber at this time. We are partnering with Uber to offer a relevant and useful ground transportation tool to help make the day-of-travel experience with United even more convenient.
Here are the key details to know:
- Uber 101: Uber is a dispatch and payment service for taxis and other car services. Transportation and vehicle options vary by each city, but typically range from a taxi, Black Car (sedan), SUV (seats 6 people), LUX (luxury vehicle) or uberX (ride-share).
- How it works: The new Uber feature can be accessed through the app’s menu on the top left-hand corner, or directly from a reservation card. Using this feature you’ll be able to see the time estimate for a car to arrive to pick you up, a cost estimate for a ride to the airport, and the car types available to you in your local city (most cities will offer options of Black Car/private car or taxi). Upon selection of a ride, the information will be transferred to the Uber app if you have it installed or to the Uber website to complete your transportation transaction.
- Uber handles the money: When completing an Uber transaction via the Uber app or website you’ll need to sign in to your existing Uber account or enroll with Uber. Payment will be handled by Uber with the exception of one service type in Manhattan (uberT) where payment is handled through the driver.
- Riding with uberX: uberX is a ride-sharing service through Uber in select cities. Given the different and evolving regulations of transportation services in cities across our global network, Uber and United will only display in our app services approved by each city and their local transportation authorities.
- Uber is global: This app feature will be available globally, and Uber is currently active in over 128 cities and 36 countries.
If you’re new to Uber, for a limited time you’ll be able to earn 1,000 MileagePlus award miles when you complete your first Uber transaction via the United app. We hope many of you will find this new feature useful if you find yourself needing a lift, and as always, please send us feedback via the “app feedback” feature in the menu options to let us know what you think.
UA Insider
Aug 24, 2014, 1:00 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
Aug 24, 2014, 1:34 pm
#53
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K MM, Subway Club Member
Posts: 1,988
Using Uber from the airport is a lot more difficult since many of the drivers are not approved to pick-up from the airport. It varies quite a bit based on local laws, IIRC some places even make it difficult for some flavors of Uber (usually UberX) to drop-off at the airprot.
Aug 24, 2014, 1:57 pm
#55
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: SPG PLAT, UA PLAT, AmEx Plat
Posts: 94
I am a frequent Uber Black user, always from home -> LAX, and I used to take it from LAX -> home, however with Uber being banned from the terminal, it takes them about 15-20 minutes to show up, so I switched back to cab.
A convenience of having a button within United app has virtually zero value.
This also co-insides with Uber rate increase (at least in LAX market)...
A convenience of having a button within United app has virtually zero value.
This also co-insides with Uber rate increase (at least in LAX market)...
Aug 24, 2014, 2:21 pm
#56
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, HH Diamond, MR Gold, Hertz Prez Circle
Posts: 572
Yes, they insure the fare. They don't insure the driver or vehicle at anyother time and if a driver get's busted by their insurance company for being an uber driver without commercial insurance, they won't cover the accident either. Uber is forcing a driver to accept an incredible financial risk. Their model is evil and they are a terrible company. Real forward looking for UA to get involved with this doomed venture run by dereg nut jobs. A real vision into Smisek's head when it comes to his whining about the consumer market regulations put on airlines. Small wonder why municipalities and states will hopefully soon kill this taxi in all but name idea.
Aug 24, 2014, 4:19 pm
#57
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
My guess is that the omission of "from" is intentional.
Using Uber from the airport is a lot more difficult since many of the drivers are not approved to pick-up from the airport. It varies quite a bit based on local laws, IIRC some places even make it difficult for some flavors of Uber (usually UberX) to drop-off at the airprot.
Using Uber from the airport is a lot more difficult since many of the drivers are not approved to pick-up from the airport. It varies quite a bit based on local laws, IIRC some places even make it difficult for some flavors of Uber (usually UberX) to drop-off at the airprot.
Aug 24, 2014, 4:48 pm
#58
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: SAN
Programs: UA-GS,1.95MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorer
Posts: 423
Just want to point out that if you are a first time Uber user and you select the UA miles you forgo the first time Uber credit. Right now there are both a $20 and a $30 first time user credit.
Even if the $30 credit is gone (was available 4 days ago when I signed up), I can't imagine someone giving up $20 for 1,000 miles......
Even if the $30 credit is gone (was available 4 days ago when I signed up), I can't imagine someone giving up $20 for 1,000 miles......
Aug 24, 2014, 5:09 pm
#59
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
I did not use the embedded UA uber app, but...
Departing SFO today
I took the parking shuttle to the Long Term Lot (NOT Lot D!).
Stop 5 (the first stop in the parking lot) is right by the cell phone waiting lot.
I requested an uber as I exited the bus, and my driver just happened to be sitting right there waiting for a fare.
Worked out OK, but I could have (with uber black) just waited at the airport for him to swing around and pick me up.
Departing SFO today
I took the parking shuttle to the Long Term Lot (NOT Lot D!).
Stop 5 (the first stop in the parking lot) is right by the cell phone waiting lot.
I requested an uber as I exited the bus, and my driver just happened to be sitting right there waiting for a fare.
Worked out OK, but I could have (with uber black) just waited at the airport for him to swing around and pick me up.
Aug 24, 2014, 5:10 pm
#60
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Platinum
Posts: 211
That seems like a waste of time. You can request UberX pickup from SFO with no difficulty--many UberX drivers have the necessary SFO permit and only those with the permit or willing to accept the citation risk accept the pickup request.
The bigger problem with SFO is in the other direction--you don't know if an UberX driver is willing to drop off at SFO until you talk to them. UberX drivers are not required to accept fares to SFO because of the legal status.
The bigger problem with SFO is in the other direction--you don't know if an UberX driver is willing to drop off at SFO until you talk to them. UberX drivers are not required to accept fares to SFO because of the legal status.