Issue with using Grab in Bangkok?
Feb 23, 2020 | 7:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NC
Posts: 117
Issue with using Grab in Bangkok?
Please let me know if anyone else having same issue using Grab in Bangkok. When ordering a ride, I get the message ‘no drivers available, search again may take up to 3min’. I have tried multiple times and at different times of the day with the same message. I was able to use Grab in Phuket last week with no issues.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Feb 23, 2020 | 4:20 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Can you share any details? Number of times you tried booking? Failed? Location(s) Time of day? Were you able to get at least one booking?
I/we use Grab quite often, maybe ~ 8 times per week. Used it Thurs, (1) and Friday (2). Haven't had a driver availability issue in years.
There are so few tourists here now I'm shocked there would be an issue getting a car?
Could be an issue with a specific out of the way location, or an issue with your device's GPS?
I/we use Grab quite often, maybe ~ 8 times per week. Used it Thurs, (1) and Friday (2). Haven't had a driver availability issue in years.
There are so few tourists here now I'm shocked there would be an issue getting a car?
Could be an issue with a specific out of the way location, or an issue with your device's GPS?
Feb 23, 2020 | 4:50 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NC
Posts: 117
Don’t have specific details other than I have tried multiple times during the day from multiple locations such as from my hotel, from outside the grand palace, Chinatown, chatuchak markets, and receive same response of no availability. The app is working and actively looking for a ride but can never locate one for some reason. I’ll get a screenshot next time I try. I used it in Phuket without a prob so I don’t know why it’s an issue in Bangkok?
Feb 23, 2020 | 6:11 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Any detail on "many"? Twice? Multiple locations? Three?
Does your device accurately reflect your location? Maybe the app thinks you're still in Phuket?
I'm wondering if your use of the Klook Mifi device is somehow impacting the location?
Other than that, do the obvious...un-install the app re-install it, restart everything. Maybe try using it on the hotel's WiFi just to see if it works?
Can't think of any other reason why you're having issues? Gazillions of folks using Grab in Bangkok without issue.
Does your device accurately reflect your location? Maybe the app thinks you're still in Phuket?
I'm wondering if your use of the Klook Mifi device is somehow impacting the location?
Other than that, do the obvious...un-install the app re-install it, restart everything. Maybe try using it on the hotel's WiFi just to see if it works?
Can't think of any other reason why you're having issues? Gazillions of folks using Grab in Bangkok without issue.
Feb 24, 2020 | 6:27 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NC
Posts: 117
See screenshot of Grab busy msg below. Location service works, tried on both mi fi and hotel wi fi with same result. Grab is able to find location and estimate fare, just can’t find a driver. The only thing that worked was changing payment option to cash, we used that to get home last night. Used same credit card previously with Grab in Phuket, don’t know why it was an issue here in Bangkok, and whether that is the reason for the error message below.
headed to airport this evening, will try it again.
headed to airport this evening, will try it again.
Feb 24, 2020 | 7:15 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
The only thing that worked was changing payment option to cash,
These are the kind of "details" which can help trouble-shoot a problem.
We use a mix of cash and linked credit card (local bank's Visa) with absolutely no issues.
Can only assume this is your issue, and that you should default to "cash"?
These are the kind of "details" which can help trouble-shoot a problem.
We use a mix of cash and linked credit card (local bank's Visa) with absolutely no issues.
Can only assume this is your issue, and that you should default to "cash"?
Feb 24, 2020 | 8:05 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NC
Posts: 117
Only tried the cash option last night so didn’t have that detail. Thanks for the troubleshooting, I still don’t know if my card is the issue since I’ve been using it for all other transactions with no issues. But so long as I can use Grab with cash I’ll keep going that route.