Using Uber while abroad
#91
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: Lost all my status and am slogging to earn them back :( UA, AA, SPG, Marriott, Hilton, HTZ
Posts: 26
Not in Costa Rica but have used it in Vietnam and Taiwan. Cheaper (uberX) than cabs and plenty of cars! Be sure to put your destination in the app as there were lots of new/slightly shady drivers that sometimes would take a longer route. Each ride was ~$1 lol.
#92
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
Recent foreign uses:
- Montreal: Apparently the taxi unions in Montreal HATE Uber so I was told to sit in the front seat and act like I knew the driver in case any cabbies were watching us. The two rides I took otherwise were fine
- Budapest: The two rides I took were insanely cheap, under $2 for both rides. The biggest issue was trying to identify what cars like "Dacia Logan" looked like.
- London: Took it once and it was a bad experience. The driver drove right past me when I was standing and waiving to him outside the pick up point, then he drove past the drop off point despite me saying "stop" several times. I gave him a 3/5.
- Montreal: Apparently the taxi unions in Montreal HATE Uber so I was told to sit in the front seat and act like I knew the driver in case any cabbies were watching us. The two rides I took otherwise were fine
- Budapest: The two rides I took were insanely cheap, under $2 for both rides. The biggest issue was trying to identify what cars like "Dacia Logan" looked like.
- London: Took it once and it was a bad experience. The driver drove right past me when I was standing and waiving to him outside the pick up point, then he drove past the drop off point despite me saying "stop" several times. I gave him a 3/5.
#93
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,292
As silly as this may sound, I advise against giving drivers anything less than 4 stars because they also rate us.
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
I had the same thing in Montreal from an Uber driver who picked me up in front of my hotel where several taxis were waiting in line. That's worse than France.
#95




Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 7,174
I've used it several times in London, but I'm more often than not using Uber Black and I think (as with most countries) these are all traditional livery drivers, who have a high expectation driver. Always the car is right out front, very nice vehicles for the most part, S-Class, BMW 7L, Audi A8L, etc.. waters, snacks and direct routes. one pays for it for sure, but for 100$ to get from Downtown back out to an airport hotel at 00:00 for 2-4 ppl it's worth it.
#96
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
I've used it several times in London, but I'm more often than not using Uber Black and I think (as with most countries) these are all traditional livery drivers, who have a high expectation driver. Always the car is right out front, very nice vehicles for the most part, S-Class, BMW 7L, Audi A8L, etc.. waters, snacks and direct routes. one pays for it for sure, but for 100$ to get from Downtown back out to an airport hotel at 00:00 for 2-4 ppl it's worth it.
#101




Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SIN
Posts: 1,099
I recently used Uber in Costa Rica (San Jose). Worked awesomely (I hate carrying cash), but like some of the other cities mentioned above, it's not exactly kosher in Costa Rica. My partner was asked to sit up front with the driver, because if caught by the cops, the driver could risk a hefty fine.
#102
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
I tried using Uber in Seoul with very limited success. Several times it showed up as "No Uber Available" and when I could find it, it was only Uber Black. I ended up only using cabs while there.
#103


Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,085
I used uber for the first time in Rio De Janeiro and it was a great experience.
The city had experienced a lot of rain and taxis where nowhere to be found. even with 2x surge pricing, the cost of the uber was much less than a cab. The only issue was that I don't speak Portuguese, and I had one driver call me and start shouting at me in fast portuguese even though I told him upfront I did not speak it. I noticed there was an UberENGLISH option but no cars were available for that. My second Rio UBER experience was perfectly fine. I actually liked it better than a taxi because I didn't need to carry Reais, and didn't have to worry about being "tourist taxed"
ETA: availability was obviously better inside Rio city center, but in places like Barra de Tijuca it was much less..I did have to wait a bit for a car to come available.
Fashion Mall area, forget it - there were no ubers to be found.
The city had experienced a lot of rain and taxis where nowhere to be found. even with 2x surge pricing, the cost of the uber was much less than a cab. The only issue was that I don't speak Portuguese, and I had one driver call me and start shouting at me in fast portuguese even though I told him upfront I did not speak it. I noticed there was an UberENGLISH option but no cars were available for that. My second Rio UBER experience was perfectly fine. I actually liked it better than a taxi because I didn't need to carry Reais, and didn't have to worry about being "tourist taxed"

ETA: availability was obviously better inside Rio city center, but in places like Barra de Tijuca it was much less..I did have to wait a bit for a car to come available.
Fashion Mall area, forget it - there were no ubers to be found.
Last edited by jetsetter777; Apr 18, 2016 at 7:12 am
#104




Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Seat 21C on UA
Posts: 988
I've used it in Mexico city a lot. Great pricing but support is non-existant. Once a driver drove right by me without picking me up and started the trip for the heck of it. I canceled but it charged me the full fare of the ride. I submitted a support tix and its been nearly 2 days with no response. Do I need to write it in Spanish or something?
Aggravating...
Aggravating...
Last edited by HGHUA; Apr 30, 2016 at 10:50 pm
#105
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz


Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,674
I've used it in Mexico city a lot. Great pricing but support is non-existant. Once a driver drove right by me without picking me up and started the trip for the heck of it. I canceled but it charged me the full fare of the ride. I submitted a support tix and its been nearly 2 days with no response. Do I need to write it in Spanish or something?
Aggravating...
Aggravating...
My advice: Just give it a week to see if Uber replies. If not, just file a chargeback against your credit card company.




