Cloudship

The problem I have with those services is that they require a credit card n file. I have been stung a few too many times on that (especially on amazon) that I do not want to go that route. I am ok with paying ahead by credit card, but only as a one time purchase, not on file so anyone can log ion and end up getting charged to your card.

cestmoi123

You've gotten my advice. If you're that paranoid about your credit card, then use Uber and then cancel the account.

No idea what you mean by "anyone can log in," that's what passwords are for, with basic good practice (i.e. don't use the same password for multiple sites).

Non-NonRev

Or, to address the fear, a card that allows you to generate one-time- use numbers could be used (this allows the account history to be retained).

Cloudship

Can you set the account up without giving them a card number - from what I have seen (I didn't get very far) it looks like you need to provide that up front when you register.

Cloudship

As an FYI for anyone else trying to do it, you CAN'T use a prepaid debit card - they won't take them.

themicah

But you can use a Citi "Virtual Account Number" if you have a Citi card. I think there are a couple other card issuers with similar temporary number schemes.

Cloudship

So I ended up using my regular credit card for Lyft. As a note it seems it most somehow connect wit your specific device - I have two phones and used both - I had to renter my card on each phone.

I found a code on Lyfts website for their new black car service called premier. Supposed to give you 20% off but I only got 10%. You supposedly can use it 10 times - it is lyftpremier20 but only works for new users.

Anyways, I was picked up at LGA by Pema in a Infinity QX60. It did take him 5 minutes to get to me, but that was due to traffic right at the terminal building. Watched him for about 3 of them before he could reach me. Nice guy, really clean car, he was probably the most calm driver of the ones I had. Apparently most of the drive for both Uber and Yelp and respond to whichever call comes in first. Total from LGA to the Millenium Hilton was $78 plus a $5 tip, that was over the Brooklyn Bridge. The quote it gave me when I booked was from $65 to $90 - it seems most rides come out somewhere about 3/4s.

I rode three other times using regular Lyft - all cars were really claen, new, drivers were all very friendly - in fact the last one was practically on a friendship level. Most were good drivers (unfortunately not the last one who was a bit, um, agressive?). The last one I took from some subway station after giving up on taking the subway to JFK, I think it was J street. Cost about $50 with the tip, but that was because we tried getting around a major traffic tie-up. Btw, if you get a chance, Satyam is a great guy if a bit fast of a driver. Just was a tad bit nervous getting in a cab with him when I misread his name...

So yeah, definitely better than a cab, although definitely pricier. But I feel more comfortable with it.

monitor

Apparently using Uber steadily gets you on their promo list. Today I got an e-mail from them as follows:

"50% off your next 5 rides

We've got just the thing to help you kick off your week in style—50% off your next 5 rides now through Sunday, July 31."

This is delightful to me since I am in NYC for three days starting tomorrow with four airport runs and a business meeting on Friday. Giddyap, Uber.

touringuy

FYI: The fine print for this offer (unless you received a different one) states "maximum discount of $10 per ride"

Analise

I just learned about this last week when I met a friend for dinner who took Uber for just $5 from her office. A cheap way to avoid the grotesquely hot, steamy subway platforms.

https://newsroom.uber.com/us-new-yor...with-uberpool/

monitor

Good to know that they are doing that in NYC now. It was on in Miami Beach early in July.Hey, 50 bucks is 50 bucks.

cestmoi123

They're going directly after Via with this offering.

eufonist

Hi,

I created an account at Carmel Car Service. I also downloaded their new app and received $66 "Car Cash". I wanted to use part of it for the trip from JFK to Manhattan. According to their information I should be able to use $12, but when I make a new reservation and step through all pages the hook to use the Car Cash is missing. I watched their youtube video and there I can see that hook on the last page of the reservation. However in my app there is no such hook.

Does anybody know the reason? I wanted to make the reservation for Saturday 7/30/16 1:00 p.m.

Regards,
Stefan

sbm12

Welcome to FlyerTalk. Have you contacted the company to ask about it? Seems they're likely to know more about the status of your account and the discounts than anyone here is.

Also, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24353119-post11.html suggests the discount only works outside the NYC tri-state area; a JFK-Manhattan ride wouldn't qualify based on that.

eufonist

Yes, I did but I don't have an answer yet. But it was only yesterday when I send them the question.

I read the thread before I downloaded the app because I was suspicious that I could redeem the $66 and I was right. However the post states:
So I try to do the same and get a discount of $12 which wouldn't be bad. I have their email discount coupon but that's only $4.

I'm a new customer to Carmel and I don't know if and how fast they answer. I hope fast!

Another question: I canceled my first reservation that I made via the app and that I already paid for. As I have seed now looking at the reservation itself it states at the very end that all purchases are non refundable. I called Carmel and they say I get my money back in 3 to 5 days. Does anyone have experience here? (By the way, they couldn't answer my question from above...)