Does Amex Platinum make Uber trips more expensive?
Jul 2, 2017, 11:06 am
#61
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
Back to Uber Fees and not benefit of card..
Just tried a fare from my home to LAX. Using Uber Amex Credits, Amex Only and Visa Signature (Explorer Card) all the same $$ for UberX and Pool.. I don't see a difference..
Jul 2, 2017, 11:32 am
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,047
The difference is noted by testing the same ride in different accounts, where one account has an Amex Plat and the other account does not.
Jul 2, 2017, 11:36 am
#63
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
Ohh.. I didn't get that.. However, the prices do seem allot firmer since I have had the Amex credits applied to my account.. But I cant confirm or document that.. just a feeling.. I did look at my LAX History and rides are about $3 more of late..
Jul 2, 2017, 11:38 am
#64
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,081
I doubt we'll get useful information from Uber or Amex customer service agents. This is a question for corporate spokespersons, on the record. As I said above, this has the potential to be a serious legal problem for Amex and Uber if the card itself causes a spike in the prices quoted. Then the $15/mo. credit is illusory.
Jul 2, 2017, 12:30 pm
#65
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
Jul 3, 2017, 7:42 am
#66
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DFW
Posts: 246
Just check this out on my Uber App. Used CSR to work - $21.12, changed payment method to Plat - $35.57. Changed back to CSR - back to $21.12. Did this multiple times flipping between payments and it was the same prices everytime. That basically makes the credit useless if I'm using it for rides.
Jul 3, 2017, 7:50 am
#67
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
When Uber VIP came out, a colleague of mine and I both noticed that the Uber VIP rides were costing as much as 16% more than the same trip for UberX without VIP.
The VIP benefit is supposed to be provided to American Express cardmembers at no charge.
The PR representative at Uber (not an agency) was more or less clueless with respect to this and could only say it's a known glitch and Uber was working on it.
See our report:
Review and FAQ: Uber VIP – What It Is and How It Works
This link is to an online source to which I contribute and/or have a financial interest
The VIP benefit is supposed to be provided to American Express cardmembers at no charge.
The PR representative at Uber (not an agency) was more or less clueless with respect to this and could only say it's a known glitch and Uber was working on it.
See our report:
Review and FAQ: Uber VIP – What It Is and How It Works
...
Uber says that the cost of a VIP ride will be “at par” with the price of a non-VIP ride although, in our brief time as a VIP member, we’ve seen the price quoted as much as 16% higher....
<SNIP>
Uber says that the cost of a VIP ride will be “at par” with the price of a non-VIP ride although, in our brief time as a VIP member, we’ve seen the price quoted as much as 16% higher....
<SNIP>
Jul 3, 2017, 11:49 am
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,047
Just tried four phones in my office, LA area to SNA (John Wayne Airport).
My app has Amex Plat. One other app had an Amex Plat previously. Two other apps have no premium cards. All were within 10 cents of each other. 3 iPhones and 1 Android.
My app has Amex Plat. One other app had an Amex Plat previously. Two other apps have no premium cards. All were within 10 cents of each other. 3 iPhones and 1 Android.
Jul 3, 2017, 12:47 pm
#69
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
Good Data Points.. Thanks!
Jul 3, 2017, 5:08 pm
#70
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder
Programs: AA Plat, CX Silver
Posts: 2,361
I would wager they "canary" changes to the pricing algorithms to test the effect. Roll out to 1% of users, see if conversion rates fall, then 5%, see if conversion rates fall, then 10%, etc.
So some Plat users may be in the experiment buckets, some may not.
So some Plat users may be in the experiment buckets, some may not.
Jul 3, 2017, 6:34 pm
#71
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,194
Just check this out on my Uber App. Used CSR to work - $21.12, changed payment method to Plat - $35.57. Changed back to CSR - back to $21.12. Did this multiple times flipping between payments and it was the same prices everytime. That basically makes the credit useless if I'm using it for rides.
"Uber VIP is only available in a few markets including Dallas, Denver, Nashville, New York City, and Washington, D.C......"
and
"Uber says that the cost of a VIP ride will be “at par” with the price of a non-VIP ride although, in our brief time as a VIP member, we’ve seen the price quoted as much as 16% higher."
Since Plat membership gives you Uber VIP status - and since you list DFW as your location - this may be the reason for the pricing differential.
It may also explain why some folks are seeing large price differences and others are not - would be interesting to know how many of the members reporting large price differences are in one of the Uber VIP cities listed above.
Jul 3, 2017, 6:46 pm
#72
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
Sounds like you may be a victim of the Uber VIP pricing glitch, given that you list DFW as your location. From the article linked by jspira:
"Uber VIP is only available in a few markets including Dallas, Denver, Nashville, New York City, and Washington, D.C......"
and
"Uber says that the cost of a VIP ride will be “at par” with the price of a non-VIP ride although, in our brief time as a VIP member, we’ve seen the price quoted as much as 16% higher."
Since Plat membership gives you Uber VIP status - and since you list DFW as your location - this may be the reason for the pricing differential.
It may also explain why some folks are seeing large price differences and others are not - would be interesting to know how many of the members reporting large price differences are in one of the Uber VIP cities listed above.
"Uber VIP is only available in a few markets including Dallas, Denver, Nashville, New York City, and Washington, D.C......"
and
"Uber says that the cost of a VIP ride will be “at par” with the price of a non-VIP ride although, in our brief time as a VIP member, we’ve seen the price quoted as much as 16% higher."
Since Plat membership gives you Uber VIP status - and since you list DFW as your location - this may be the reason for the pricing differential.
It may also explain why some folks are seeing large price differences and others are not - would be interesting to know how many of the members reporting large price differences are in one of the Uber VIP cities listed above.
Jul 6, 2017, 7:36 am
#73
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,639
I just tested with two separate accounts for NYC to EWR/LGA/JFK/office location on two separate phones using the following methodology:
1. Select origin on phone 1 (linked to AMEX Platinum).
2. Select identical origin on phone 2.
3. Search for destination on phone 1.
4. Search for destination on phone 2.
5. Select identical destination from search results on both phones simultaneously.
6. Repeat tests 3 times for each destinations listed above.
Prices were identical for UberX and UberPool in all instances. If you don't do step 5 simultaneously, then there would occasionally be a price difference.
1. Select origin on phone 1 (linked to AMEX Platinum).
2. Select identical origin on phone 2.
3. Search for destination on phone 1.
4. Search for destination on phone 2.
5. Select identical destination from search results on both phones simultaneously.
6. Repeat tests 3 times for each destinations listed above.
Prices were identical for UberX and UberPool in all instances. If you don't do step 5 simultaneously, then there would occasionally be a price difference.
Jul 6, 2017, 3:56 pm
#74
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
I also go into the Privacy settings on my iPhone and change the Location setting for Uber from "Always" to "Never." Most other apps (including Lyft) have a setting "When using the App." Since Uber doesn't, I assume they want to track me even with I'm not using them.
When I do my monthly Uber I turn it back on, but turn it off and reboot when I'm done.
Unless something changes, I probably won't renew next year when I have to pay the increased AF. But in the meantime I'll take their money
