Any other faithful Uber users?
Sep 3, 2013, 11:10 am
#31
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Summit County UT
Programs: Delta PM Hilton Diamond Bonvoy Ti/LTP Hertz PC
Posts: 636
Not true at all. Depending on the city, it's usually about a 10-20% markup over a taxi, but there is a $15 minimum. Sometimes it can be cheaper, e.g. the $65 flat rate to SFO is often cheaper than, or at least equal to, a taxi meter.
There is also "surge pricing" where during extremely busy times they will charge a heavy premium (but still pick you up quickly). Surge pricing is always disclosed before you confirm the pickup though. This is for special events and dates, not a typical daily occurrence.
There is also "surge pricing" where during extremely busy times they will charge a heavy premium (but still pick you up quickly). Surge pricing is always disclosed before you confirm the pickup though. This is for special events and dates, not a typical daily occurrence.
Sep 3, 2013, 11:47 am
#32
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 149
Not true at all. Depending on the city, it's usually about a 10-20% markup over a taxi, but there is a $15 minimum. Sometimes it can be cheaper, e.g. the $65 flat rate to SFO is often cheaper than, or at least equal to, a taxi meter.
There is also "surge pricing" where during extremely busy times they will charge a heavy premium (but still pick you up quickly). Surge pricing is always disclosed before you confirm the pickup though. This is for special events and dates, not a typical daily occurrence.
There is also "surge pricing" where during extremely busy times they will charge a heavy premium (but still pick you up quickly). Surge pricing is always disclosed before you confirm the pickup though. This is for special events and dates, not a typical daily occurrence.
In addition, I see they now have UberX's ($8 minimum) and UberTaxi's (standard city taxi meter rate + $1) - These are much cheaper than the UberBlack's and UberSUVs.
Cool, looking forward to trying it out. For a moment there I just figured everyone on this thread were wealthy & charging $100-$200 cab rides daily, lol.
Sep 3, 2013, 1:09 pm
#33
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
It's been great for me in NYC primarily when I'm out at a friend's house in Brooklyn and it gets too late for me to want to train it home but will certainly never find a taxi and will end up waiting around for a gypsy cab.
Case in point was yesterday after the West Indies Parade just got on the app at 1am, 8 min later a car arrived, dropped me off in the East Village for $30. A taxi the same distance is about $19-$21 and a gypsy may be the same thing...plus I'd have to have cash on me for that.
I was going to use it in Berlin for an airport pickup at 6am to go to Tegel but I ended up using the Taxi.eu app which was a breeze to call one.
Case in point was yesterday after the West Indies Parade just got on the app at 1am, 8 min later a car arrived, dropped me off in the East Village for $30. A taxi the same distance is about $19-$21 and a gypsy may be the same thing...plus I'd have to have cash on me for that.
I was going to use it in Berlin for an airport pickup at 6am to go to Tegel but I ended up using the Taxi.eu app which was a breeze to call one.
Sep 4, 2013, 6:25 am
#35
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1MM
Posts: 262
I never liked Uber in the past, because the rates for their black cars were consistently higher than regular taxis. It just seemed like Uber was targeted at a different income level.
However, I just tried their UberX service last week, and I now plan to use it when available.
However, I just tried their UberX service last week, and I now plan to use it when available.
Sep 4, 2013, 8:16 am
#36
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 703
We used Uber consistently (2 to 4 times a day) during a recent trip to Philadelphia and we are hooked.
I found the prices to be fare and didn't mind paying a bit of a premium for the service and convenience. We both thought that for some trips, the price was the same as a cab.
For example, my phone was acting up and I couldn't get a signal. My husband asked the valet the approximate cost to for our trip. His estimate was 30+ minutes and $30. I got the phone to work and Uber got us there in 15 minutes for $30.
Further, the one driver gave us good times for location and timing for summoning a car after the Phillies game.
I found the prices to be fare and didn't mind paying a bit of a premium for the service and convenience. We both thought that for some trips, the price was the same as a cab.
For example, my phone was acting up and I couldn't get a signal. My husband asked the valet the approximate cost to for our trip. His estimate was 30+ minutes and $30. I got the phone to work and Uber got us there in 15 minutes for $30.
Further, the one driver gave us good times for location and timing for summoning a car after the Phillies game.
Sep 4, 2013, 10:01 am
#38
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
I never liked Uber in the past, because the rates for their black cars were consistently higher than regular taxis. It just seemed like Uber was targeted at a different income level.
However, I just tried their UberX service last week, and I now plan to use it when available.
However, I just tried their UberX service last week, and I now plan to use it when available.
Sep 4, 2013, 12:48 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MLB, MCO
Programs: Delta Plat, IHG Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,315
Don't forget that the Uber fare includes gratuity, so the 10-20% markup over taxi fares may actually be cheaper if you factor that in.
Sep 4, 2013, 2:19 pm
#41
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
Uber rates are also different in certain cities, both in terms of the fare and the minimum fare.
Sep 4, 2013, 4:18 pm
#42
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Uber Black/SUV competes with car services and is extremely competetive. In fact, the drivers are most often car service drivers with holes in their schedule.
Uber x / Taxi competes with taxis.
Uber x / Taxi competes with taxis.
Oct 10, 2013, 6:36 pm
#44
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 1,509
I've used Uber a bunch so when I saw an ad looking for drivers I signed up. I just do it for fun, but if y'all have any questions about the driver side I'd be happy to answer them.
Oct 11, 2013, 10:50 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,439
How does the schedule work for you? are you on call 24/7? or do you enter times when you are willing to work?