mdosu

your methodology is sound, but I think you need to retest and not use an airport location. Some airport authorities dictate flat rate pricing, and the fact your test has the exact same pricing up to the penny indicates this is the case.

Repeat your test from one city location to another city location and report back!

josephstern

The other problem with this methodology is that we're dealing with Uber. They could have an algorithm that basically says if two substantially identical fare requests come in, spit out the same number.

seawolf

There is no flat rate to the airport and I fly every other week. Just looking at my trip history prior and after this new Platinum benefit and I really don't see, on average, difference in trip fares to substantiate higher fares if linked to Platinum account.

If this was true then there is no way to prove or disprove this entire thread because Uber fares changes for same request within 10 seconds (or less from what I observed) between requests.

GUWonder

At least as much or (probably) more than as a legal issue, there would be the PR issue. And if Amex has an explicit agreement with Uber that facilitates charging Uber users more for having a linked Amex Platinum card than users with no such card, that may bring with it some significant bad PR too for both Uber and Amex.

gooselee

Differences in VIP pricing are more obvious as the VIP service is a completely separate option when selecting your ride (it's another bubble next to UberX, UberPool, UberBlack, etc.)

kaaria

Why not setup another account if possible using a different phone, different cc and try testing it out?

dhuey

Yes, the cc companies have long been adamant with retailers and other vendors that they charge the same price to customers, cash or credit. They got into some antitrust problems with that. Still, that cash-credit parity is dear to their hearts. In light of that, I would think that Amex would be aghast that having any of its cards on one's Uber account might raise the fare. Like you say, that would damage the Amex brand (perhaps an even bigger problem than consumer class action lawsuits).

Still, I see no strong evidence that there is such a difference. What I see in this thread is good reason to investigate that possibility. I could see an unfortunate combination of Amex negotiators never imagining this possibility*, and Uber pricing specialists not appreciating the implications of plugging an Amex Plat yes/no into one of its fare-quote algorithms, with yes resulting in a significantly higher fare.

* Consider how this might be something Amex never saw before: you don't pay more when you use an Amex card; you pay more when you register your Amex card on an account. I cannot emphasize enough, though, that we have no strong basis to think this is actually occurring. We have anecdotal evidence that suggests further investigation is warranted.

holocker

Have people seen Uber prices increase recently. I was checking this morning for a ride from North County San Diego to San Diego airport a distance of 32 miles and it quoted me a fee of around $51.00. Last time in August I took this trip it was a little less than $30.00.

kennycrudup

Funny, I did the same thing recently (Esco to SAN, and back again) to determine approximate pricing and noticed the same thing, just figured it was the holiday effect.

That being said, try flipping to another app (I don't think the app can tell what the "other app" is, at least on Android, but I'm also signed up with Lyft as I pit them against each other) and flip back a few times, waiting 30 seconds or so between apps. You'll notice that frequently, the price will continue to go down somewhat (sometimes quite a bit) with each flip, 'till it finally "settles in".

gregsfortytwo

That’s probably just normal demand-based pricing. Fees do fluctuate a bit but it’s usually downwards, not up. (Unless they overshot in some markets and lost too many drivers?).

i frequently see prices jump at LAX when I’m getting off a big plane, as we exceed the number of available drivers.

IndyHoosier

I have a personal platinum card and tested this out this past weekend by having a friend with no AMEX order a ride to the same destination as me. The quoted prices were identical on both phones.

holocker

I checked the prices a couple of times today and it was $51 to $52 during the day. Now at 10:50 PM it is back down to what it was last time I used it $30. Headed to the airport for a short trip this weekend so will see if it is below $50 on Friday morning- otherwise will be driving.

GateGuardian

Either an IT error or Uber does the same Dyanmic pricing crap that most travel website uses.

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/episod...st-deal-online

gregsfortytwo

I...of course Uber does dynamic pricing. They're famous for it. They've stopped quoting mile/time-based rates so they don't say "Currently at 2.5x surge pricing" any more, but it's still happening behind-the-scenes when they're determining the rate to charge you (and it's directly exposed to drivers, who are still paid that way).

seawolf

They definitely do dynamic pricing. But having AMEX Plat vs not having AMEX does not produce a difference. In any case, if price is a concern, you should be checking Lyft at the same time if they are in your market. Just had a pickup from EWR. $64 on Uber vs $47 with Lyft at same service level.