GRAB
 

Anyone else having issues with this app? I have downloaded it and for the life of me it will not accept a verification code. I enter the code and nothing happens as it just keeps timing out. I have deleted and re-downloaded the app to no avail?

I think you're going to need to wait until you're in Asia to use the verification code. From what I've read, the verification codes won't work from countries outside of Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, etc.

This was true for me.

Will Grab work with a U.S. number if activating within a country in which Grab operates? I assume so, since the app allows the input of U.S. numbers, but I'd like to be sure. I might skip an Asia SIM and just use Grab with WiFi the few times I expect to need it. Thanks.

I had no issues activating with US number and SIM (Tmobile) once I reached Singapore. I did have issues with it not accepting my CC a few times - I had another CC saved in there and 1 of the 2 would work.

Yes, I had no trouble once I arrived in a country where Grab operates. The app should make that more clear. I’m sure a lot of people try to set up their account before arrival.

Worked fine in Thailand and Philippines with a US number just a couple of weeks ago. It wouldn't take MasterCard but did take Amex

I have a verified/validated Grab account from my most recent visit to Malaysia. My credit card expired. I can't figure out what they accept not for payments. (The help feature from the app returns nothing but 404 "dead" web pages.)

Maybe I can't do certain things until I am back to Singapore, Malaysia, but I would like to have some idea if I have a valid form of payment. Thank you.

You won’t be able to make updates like that until you’re back in a Grab country. Grab should tell people that instead of the generic error messages it returns, but it still doesn’t.

Many thanks, joe_miami. Once I got to Singapore, I got my Grab account updated with a new credit card and all was well. The service worked great throughout Singapore and Malaysia.

Any experiences in Thailand?

The TA forums say it works well in Chiang Mai, not so well in Phuket.

It works in Bangkok but there are cases of long waits and no-shows, supposedly. Metered taxis are cheaper but a lot of Bangkok taxi drivers try not to use the meter or refuse to take rides if you insist on the meter. Especially from popular locations like the Grand Palace. They also recommend, don't pay with credit cards in case you have disputes because it can take awhile to get refunds if at all.

I'm assuming with credit cards, you prepay whereas if you pay with cash, you pay at end of ride?

I've not used it. I used Uber in Vietnam a lot and it was great there but unfortunately, Uber is out of most of Asia except Hong Kong apparently.