Uber from LHR into a non-Uber zone?
Dec 26, 2016, 3:24 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: YYZ (ex-LHR)
Programs: BA Silver, VS Red, OZ Silver
Posts: 446
Uber from LHR into a non-Uber zone?
I'm looking at booking a minicab to take me from LHR at 22:30 into north Hampshire, but Uber's fare estimate is coming in much lower than any quoted taxi fares (£43-£53 vs £62 minimum). The journey would take about an hour.
Am I likely to find Uber drivers unwilling to accept the ride because of the dead return mileage, or will it be fine? I don't want to arrive back at LHR with no way to get home.
Am I likely to find Uber drivers unwilling to accept the ride because of the dead return mileage, or will it be fine? I don't want to arrive back at LHR with no way to get home.
Dec 27, 2016, 8:39 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
I took an Uber from a Heathrow hotel to the Four Seasons (near Hook) last week with no trouble.
It took literally 1 minute from requesting a ride to the driver pulling in to the forecourt.
Cost was £57.35, I think the estimated cost shown when booking was £45 to £65 (oddly vague). This was UberX. From the airport you would get a £4 parking fee on top.
Uber now makes you input your destination when booking, and a driver who does not want the job simply won't try to bag it.
It took literally 1 minute from requesting a ride to the driver pulling in to the forecourt.
Cost was £57.35, I think the estimated cost shown when booking was £45 to £65 (oddly vague). This was UberX. From the airport you would get a £4 parking fee on top.
Uber now makes you input your destination when booking, and a driver who does not want the job simply won't try to bag it.
Dec 27, 2016, 8:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Kettle Class
Posts: 796
I don't believe Uber drivers see a passenger's entered destination before actual passenger pick-up.
Uber requires the destination to give passengers a fare quote (and thus surreptitiously obfuscate any surge pricing that may be in effect).
Uber requires the destination to give passengers a fare quote (and thus surreptitiously obfuscate any surge pricing that may be in effect).
Dec 28, 2016, 9:32 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
An Uber employee told me that it is used - if the driver does not see it, it will be that drivers can elect not to receive jobs in certain areas. They do not want to force a driver ending a shift to take a job like this, especially if they live in the opposite direction.
Dec 29, 2016, 12:12 am
#7
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Jan 3, 2017, 4:45 am
#9
formerly known as ravishah
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 195
Really they can see it, I was the same and believed drivers cannot see the destination until they have accepted they job?
I often get the driver phoning and asking where I am going and then making up some lame excuse if they don't want the job, mainly so you will cancel. Otherwise if they reject the job they go to the back of the queue again for a job and at Heathrow that can be quite a long wait.
I often get the driver phoning and asking where I am going and then making up some lame excuse if they don't want the job, mainly so you will cancel. Otherwise if they reject the job they go to the back of the queue again for a job and at Heathrow that can be quite a long wait.
Jan 5, 2017, 1:30 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: YYZ (ex-LHR)
Programs: BA Silver, VS Red, OZ Silver
Posts: 446
I went ahead and Ubered, and my experience was similar to Raffles' above.
No problems. I asked the driver if these kinds of fares were common, and he said he regularly has 30-40 mile trips outside of London from LHR. He even mentioned Birmingham happens occasionally.
His attitude towards these fares seemed neutral.
No problems. I asked the driver if these kinds of fares were common, and he said he regularly has 30-40 mile trips outside of London from LHR. He even mentioned Birmingham happens occasionally.
His attitude towards these fares seemed neutral.