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-   -   Uber for newbies? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ride-services-including-uber-lyft/1719346-uber-newbies.html)

standard Oct 25, 2015 1:30 pm

Uber for newbies?
 

Originally Posted by Annalisa12 (Post 24857617)
I'm technologically stupid and too scared to use Uber.

Anybody here to help an Uber newbie?

I am stupid and scared, too.

Is the only way to use Uber with a smartphone app?

In U.S. cities, are some better than others? How about San Francisco vs. New York (Manhattan or the airports) vs. New Orleans vs. other cities?

IceTrojan Oct 25, 2015 5:56 pm

Yes, Uber is mobile app only. That's the whole point... a mobile-based cashless transaction.

You could install the app onto a tablet, but you need a mobile phone number.

Def some cities are better than others in terms of coverage and ability. SF (being their home city) is usually great, won't wait longer than 5 minutes for a car.

Had a 7 minute wait in Boston today in the suburbs.

Do you fear taxis as much as Uber?

Hope that helps.

PAX62 Nov 1, 2015 10:26 pm

Download the app...easy and free:

Uber 101:

Uber X=random dude in personal car...cheapest fare
Uber XL= same as X with a larger vehicle that can accommodate 4 adults
Uber Plus=Nicer towncar type service but still a personally owned car and driver
Uber Black=Towncar or better by a limo type driver
Uber SUV=Uber Black service but a larger SUV like a Suburban

Schutzee Nov 2, 2015 1:40 pm

You will both get $15 credit if a current user sends you an invite. I used Uber last month as a newbie in Paris and London and was very pleased.

IceTrojan Nov 2, 2015 3:31 pm


Originally Posted by PAX62 (Post 25649209)
Download the app...easy and free:

Uber 101:

Uber X=random dude in personal car...cheapest fare

Actually, UberPOOL is the cheapest fare.

jobtraklite Jan 1, 2016 11:38 am

Since the thread title is Uber for newbies, can someone point me to a users' guide? I mean how do I request a ride (with a Windows phone)? After signing in, I get a map with my location pinpointed and a menu icon at the lower right. None of the menu options are "request a ride". What do I do triple tap the pin while picking my right nostril and whistling Dixie?

I know it is bad form to design a user friendly interface these days. Uber's help is useless.

davie355 Jan 1, 2016 10:20 pm

When you sign in your screen should look like this.

http://i.imgur.com/WEDZgd9.jpg

If it doesn't, either Uber has no service in your area, or there's a technical glitch, at which point you may consider using http://m.uber.com from a web browser instead.

Jaimito Cartero Jan 1, 2016 10:30 pm

I used Uber extensively in Bali last month, and really enjoyed it. 1/4 of the price of the ripoff taxi from the airport.

I've only used it a couple of times in the US, as I rarely have a cellphone there.

IceTrojan Jan 2, 2016 3:30 am


Originally Posted by jobtraklite (Post 25945929)
Since the thread title is Uber for newbies, can someone point me to a users' guide? I mean how do I request a ride (with a Windows phone)? After signing in, I get a map with my location pinpointed and a menu icon at the lower right. None of the menu options are "request a ride". What do I do triple tap the pin while picking my right nostril and whistling Dixie?

I know it is bad form to design a user friendly interface these days. Uber's help is useless.

You can set your pickup location using one of 3 ways:
  • Tap on the white address bar at the top of the map and manually enter in your address (most accurate, but only good if you know your address)
  • Tap on the arrow at the bottom right of the map to use your GPS location (which may or may not be accurate, sometimes putting you on the wrong side of the street, block, or side of the building, but good when you don't know where you are)
  • Drag the map so the pin is place where you want it to be (terribly inaccurate unless you zoom in)

Once your pickup location is set, drag the slide selector at the bottom to the service you want (e.g., UberX (cheap), UberBLACK (black car), etc.)

Once that's set, it's 2 taps to request the ride:
  • Tap on the right arrow in the black "Set Pickup Location" bar
  • At the bottom of the next screen, tap the black "Request Uber" button

Dieuwer Jan 2, 2016 3:36 am

I used it for the first time in Cape Town and it worked like a charm. Much better and cheaper than regular taxi service.

jobtraklite Jan 2, 2016 3:51 pm

Thank you davie355. That explains it since I doubt there is UBER service in my small west central Illinois city. I was hoping to familiarize myself with the app before stepping off the train in Florida after a 3 day ride.

My screen.
http://biketrain.net//WindowsPhoneUber.png

I'll see what it looks like while I'm waiting for connecting trains in Chicago and DC.

Thank you IceTrojan. I will save your instructions for the real thing.

Finkface Jan 2, 2016 4:00 pm

Does it tell you the cost of the trip before you confirm the pick up? And do you tip? I've never used it either but just downloaded the app to use soon. I don't want to keep clicking through in case I reach the point of no return.

iamflyer Jan 2, 2016 7:00 pm


Originally Posted by Finkface (Post 25950901)
Does it tell you the cost of the trip before you confirm the pick up? And do you tip? I've never used it either but just downloaded the app to use soon. I don't want to keep clicking through in case I reach the point of no return.

It will tell you current rates and allow you to get a fare quote but the actual fare is based on miles and minutes.

Finkface Jan 2, 2016 7:33 pm


Originally Posted by iamflyer (Post 25951572)
It will tell you current rates and allow you to get a fare quote but the actual fare is based on miles and minutes.

Do you tip as you would a taxi driver in places where a tip is customary and/or expected, like in the US? Or is it truly a cashless system?

Finkface Jan 2, 2016 9:26 pm


Originally Posted by Finkface (Post 25951689)
Do you tip as you would a taxi driver in places where a tip is customary and/or expected, like in the US? Or is it truly a cashless system?

And I should say that I did read the Uber website and it says no tip is necessary (other than the taxi sefvice where it is automatically added) but then it says later that tips are appreciated. So which is it? The prices seem steep already pre-trip from the estimates I've done but I don't want to look like a schmuck if one is supposed to tip.

Jaimito Cartero Jan 3, 2016 12:23 am

I don't tip in Asia, and wouldn't worry too much about it in the US.

CodeAdam10 Jan 3, 2016 12:32 am


Originally Posted by Finkface (Post 25952097)
And I should say that I did read the Uber website and it says no tip is necessary (other than the taxi sefvice where it is automatically added) but then it says later that tips are appreciated. So which is it? The prices seem steep already pre-trip from the estimates I've done but I don't want to look like a schmuck if one is supposed to tip.

Tips are not included. The fares are considerably less (for uberX) vs a local taxi. Uber takes at least 25% of the fare from drivers. I'm sure you can put 2&2 together.


Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero (Post 25952511)
I don't tip in Asia, and wouldn't worry too much about it in the US.

Do you also not tip your taxi driver or waiter ...or is this just a 'Uber only' rule?

Jaimito Cartero Jan 3, 2016 12:38 am


Originally Posted by CodeAdam10 (Post 25952528)


Do you also not tip your taxi driver or waiter ...or is this just a 'Uber only' rule?

In Asia there is often no tipping. In hotels there is a service fee of 10% or so included, and in most restaurants a service fee of 5-10%.

I've always heard that Uber was all about one charge, and no tipping.

CodeAdam10 Jan 3, 2016 12:55 am


Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero (Post 25952535)

I've always heard that Uber was all about one charge, and no tipping.

Yeah that was the idea which Uber worked hard to promote. Then they started cutting rates...and they did it multiple times. Then they increased their base commission to drivers from 20% to 25%, as well as the introduction of the 'Safe Ride Fee' all of which goes to Uber (aka Uber's built-in "tip" for themselves on every fare)

Now the case in most Uber markets is that uberX drivers are working for half of what a local taxi would cost, in a cleaner / newer car (usually), and not getting any tips either.

The culture Uber started 4 years of 'there's no need to tip' sounded awesome all around but then drivers rates got cut more than half while the riders still believe there's no need to tip or that the tip is included.

Finkface Jan 3, 2016 10:28 am


Originally Posted by CodeAdam10 (Post 25952577)
Yeah that was the idea which Uber worked hard to promote. Then they started cutting rates...and they did it multiple times. Then they increased their base commission to drivers from 20% to 25%, as well as the introduction of the 'Safe Ride Fee' all of which goes to Uber (aka Uber's built-in "tip" for themselves on every fare)

Now the case in most Uber markets is that uberX drivers are working for half of what a local taxi would cost, in a cleaner / newer car (usually), and not getting any tips either.

The culture Uber started 4 years of 'there's no need to tip' sounded awesome all around but then drivers rates got cut more than half while the riders still believe there's no need to tip or that the tip is included.

I just wish they would spell that out, then. I am happy to do the right thing, I just want to clearly know what the right thing is. I hate those 'nudge, nudge, wink, wink' kind of policies. If a tip is customary, then just say so. Don't tell me no tip required and then I find out it really is and I feel like a jerk after the fact. I agree with the previous poster that Uber is heavily marketed as a 'one charge' cashless system and even their own website says the same but the reality is, you are expected to tip. That was one of the draws for me as I never carry cash with me, or at least very little.

And the sample quotes I just got for three different cities on routes I normally use taxis for were higher than cab rides in two of the places and about the same in the third. So if I'm adding another 20% on top, it's no bargain. Without a tip, it's definitely a better deal but factor in the tip and there is no advantage that I can see.

IceTrojan Jan 3, 2016 1:27 pm

In re: tipping, it's not supposed to be necessary to tip, and I generally don't unless the driver goes beyond to provide great service, or i ask the driver to do something out of the ordinary.

That said, I've heard of several reports saying that Uber drivers in NYC will rate a passenger poorly for not giving a tip.

cestmoi123 Jan 4, 2016 10:25 am

I never tip with Uber. You're of course free to, but Uber's specific that tipping isn't required or expected, and if the drivers don't like that, they're welcome to drop the platform. In NYC, UberX rates are set so that they're very very close to taxi rates, including a tip for the taxi, but not for Uber.

Finkface Jan 4, 2016 10:49 am


Originally Posted by cestmoi123 (Post 25959530)
I never tip with Uber. You're of course free to, but Uber's specific that tipping isn't required or expected, and if the drivers don't like that, they're welcome to drop the platform. In NYC, UberX rates are set so that they're very very close to taxi rates, including a tip for the taxi, but not for Uber.

NYC was one of the cities/trips I estimated. The rates seem as high or higher than a taxi. But if tipping is truly not necessary, then I'd rather use Uber just for the cashless aspect and not having to fumble for a tip. But it's NYC, lol. Not tipping could have serious health implications :D. I don't want to not tip if that's what's expected even if the model is supposed to be a tip-less one.

cestmoi123 Jan 4, 2016 11:03 am


Originally Posted by Finkface (Post 25959677)
NYC was one of the cities/trips I estimated. The rates seem as high or higher than a taxi. But if tipping is truly not necessary, then I'd rather use Uber just for the cashless aspect and not having to fumble for a tip. But it's NYC, lol. Not tipping could have serious health implications :D. I don't want to not tip if that's what's expected even if the model is supposed to be a tip-less one.

My anecdotal conversations with friends who use Uber in NYC reveals that very few tip.

FYI, you can also pay for cab rides (automatically including a tip) in NYC using the Way2Ride app. Get to your destination, machine beeps as paid, you're done.

Internaut Jan 5, 2016 6:15 am

Uber let me specify a 20% tip, when I entered my credit card details, but I've never seen any evidence of this actually being applied.

cestmoi123 Jan 5, 2016 10:17 am


Originally Posted by Internaut (Post 25964523)
Uber let me specify a 20% tip, when I entered my credit card details, but I've never seen any evidence of this actually being applied.

It only applies for the UberTaxi service (which uses regular yellow taxis).

flyaxa Jan 5, 2016 10:29 am

Directly from Uber Help:

"DO I NEED TO TIP MY DRIVER?

You don’t need cash when you ride with Uber. Once you arrive at your destination, your fare is automatically charged to your credit card on file — there’s no need to tip."

Internaut Jan 6, 2016 1:23 am


Originally Posted by cestmoi123 (Post 25965768)
It only applies for the UberTaxi service (which uses regular yellow taxis).

Thanks for clarifying that. I'll just have to make sure I'm carrying change.

DeepUnderground Jan 6, 2016 2:47 am


Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero (Post 25948014)
I used Uber extensively in Bali last month, and really enjoyed it. 1/4 of the price of the ripoff taxi from the airport.

I've only used it a couple of times in the US, as I rarely have a cellphone there.

Where do they pick you up?

Jaimito Cartero Jan 6, 2016 1:48 pm


Originally Posted by DeepUnderground (Post 25970127)
Where do they pick you up?

At the Bali airport? They give you a few options at the domestic terminal. (Solaria restaurant, Circle K, etc)

DeepUnderground Jan 7, 2016 2:07 am


Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero (Post 25973416)
At the Bali airport? They give you a few options at the domestic terminal. (Solaria restaurant, Circle K, etc)

Nice. Will have to give that a shot next time through.

Jaimito Cartero Jan 26, 2016 1:40 am

According to Bali Discovery blog, Uber has been banned in Bali. I'd be willing to bet this will be overruled.

The Department of Transportation, responding to protests from local taxi drivers, has banned UBER from operating in Bali with immediate effect.

TrojanHorse Jan 27, 2016 12:44 pm


Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero (Post 25973416)
Quote:





Originally Posted by DeepUnderground


Where do they pick you up?




At the Bali airport? They give you a few options at the domestic terminal. (Solaria restaurant, Circle K, etc)

There is a Circle K and Bali? Lol

DeepUnderground Jan 27, 2016 1:01 pm


Originally Posted by TrojanHorse (Post 26090795)
There is a Circle K and Bali? Lol

Circle K is one of the most common convenience stores in Indonesia.


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