Anyone here ever used Uber?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

In my last couple of trips to New York City, I've had to leave for the airport very early in the morning - like 3:30 - because I had an early flight. So I could not do what I normally do, which is take New Jersey Transit (I always use Newark airport) - because NJT trains had not yet started running for the day.

Last year, my hotel called a cab for me, but this year (different hotel) they wouldn't do it. So I had to hail my own cab. At 3:30 AM. Not exactly a fun thing to do.

Anyhoo, I was thinking that it might just be easier to use Uber - so I could just use the app to call for a ride in advance - but I've never done that before. So I'm wondering what experiences people on this board have had with it. Were you satisfied? Did the driver come when the app said they would? Was it safe? Worth the money? Would you do it again?

Any and all feedback would be appreciated.

and like I said, I would only do this if it was so early in the morning that mass transit was not an option. Next time I go to NYC, I'll try not to have such an early flight out. Just thought I should have a backup plan...

 

[scotpens]

I've used Uber on several occasions when my car was out of commission or when I was unable to drive (during the weeks following heart surgery) and I can't say I've had any complaints. The longest I've had to wait for my ride to show up was less than 15 minutes. The drivers were courteous and pleasant and the cars were always clean and well-maintained. Rates are comparable to taxi fares during peak hours, about half that during off-peak hours. Of course, I can only speak for the quality of the service here in the Los Angeles area.

When you set up your Uber account, you link it to a payment source (e.g. your bank account) so no cash changes hands. All payment (including optional tip for the driver) is handled online. And don't forget to rate your driver (one to four stars).

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I take it that Uber is avalable even in the wee small hours of the morning?

(like I said, the only reason I would ever use Uber is if it's so early that public transit wasn't yet running. Like my 3:30 AM departure from NYC last week.)

 

[1001001]

I take it that Uber is avalable even in the wee small hours of the morning?

Depends on where you are. In NYC, probably. You can schedule rides in advance on the app. I would try that first.

I've used Uber a lot, mostly in Los Angeles. I've only had one mildly unpleasant experience, and that was in Provo, so...

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

You can schedule rides in advance on the app.

Greatness!

 

[Jedi Marso]

I use it regularly at work. Availability depends on where you are and what time of day it is. Uber X is the basic and cheapest level of the service. I generally don't use that one except as a last resort (I'll go to a cab service before Uber X) because it's like a box of chocolates in the worst possible way: you never know what you're going to get. I've had plenty of good experiences, but also a couple of decidedly strange ones in vehicles not suitable for use as a shuttle service, and/or with drivers who positively weirded me out. Sometimes, though, you gotta take what you can get. Mostly I use the 'black' service which are limo-style 'black cars' with professional drivers. Most of them are limo drivers filling the gap between contracted gigs. That is more expensive, however. I'm able to do it because I'm on an expense account for stuff like that and my company allows it.

When in a city with a super early departure time like in the OP, the best thing is to arrange transportation the night before. Usually this means setting up a cab or car service. There is 'reservation' function on Uber but it doesn't work the way you think: it doesn't actually reserve a ride, but puts the ride out for pickup about a half-hour before you wanted it, so if it's 0300, nobody is probably going to be out there to pick it up anyway and you're SOL.

When I'm on the road, my personal hierarchy for transportation between airport and hotel runs along these lines:

1. Hotel Shuttle
2. Uber Black
3. Uber XL
4. Uber Premium
5. Taxi
6. Uber X (Last resort)

Not all of the above options are available in every town. The Lyft App works almost exactly the same as Uber and most of the drivers drive for both, so they are pretty much interchangeable. Also, the app doesn't show the driver the destination until they are picking you up- this is a feature designed to prevent drivers from trying to 'cherry pick' the higher fares and leaving short-trip riders standing on the curb. One last thing: just like you get to rate the driver, they get to rate you as a passenger. So don't be a dick or you may eventually find that drivers aren't picking up your trips.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

if you have multiple devices (such as an iPhone and an iPad), can you typically use the Uber app on either device as desired, or is it just tied to one device?

 

[Jedi Marso]

if you have both an iPhone and an iPad, would you typically use the Uber app on both devices (and hail any given ride from either one), or is it tied to one device?

You could use it from either, but it is infinitely more pragmatic to use on your phone, since this is what you'll be using standing around a hotel lobby or airport terminal. The cool thing about the app is that before pickup, you can see where your driver is on a map and it tells you how many minutes away they are. Now if you hail a ride on one device, I'm not sure that you can track it from the other- I only have it installed on my phone. Something to experiment with, I guess.

 

[1001001]

It’s kind of fun watching the car on the little map make its way to you.

Although sometimes it’s like “what is he doing?”

 

[Kor]

I've used Uber on occasion in a couple different west coast cities. I've never had any negative experiences with it. The app is easy and convenient.

Kor

 

[JD]

I've almost thought about using Uber a few times when I wanted to go somewhere and couldn't get a ride, but I've never been brave enough to try it.
I've heard to many stories about people being murdered or robbed or whatever, by their Uber drivers.
But then again, I don't like getting in cars with people unless I know them really well.
I would use a cab, since there's more extra licensing and things like that behind them.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Well, I got the Uber app and signed up for an account. I may or may not actually use it - it'll depend on when my next trip to NYC ends. Although I will probably use it next year anyway because I'm planning on seeing some Padres and Angels games and there is no mass transit to/from either SD or Orange County airports.

I do like the fact that the app lets you use Apple Pay.

 

[1001001]

I've heard to many stories about people being murdered or robbed or whatever, by their Uber drivers.

There are several layers of protection for both the driver and the passenger. Uber sends you a photo of your driver as well as the make, model, and license plate of the car picking you up. Ratings are easily viewable for both of you. If they rob you, it's going to be pretty easy to catch them. If they murder you (hopefully not) they won't get far because there'll be a record of them picking you up but you never paid. There's also an emergency report button in the app.

I have never felt unsafe in an Uber, and sometimes (not always) you meet a really interesting person.

Not only can you choose the level of ride you want, but you can add a profile for what you like and don't like. Chat or quiet. Cool or warm.

 

[JD]

OK, that is comforting. I might consider it then, because I don't drive and rely on mom for rides, and there have been a few times I've wanted to go places that she wouldn't want to take me to, or events she didn't want to go to that were far for her drop me off and come back.

 

[Avro Arrow]

You are statistically much more likely to be sexually assaulted when using a rideshare service than murdered.

But it seems that the drivers might be even more at risk than the passengers.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/30/tech/uber-safety-report/index.html

https://www.dlawgroup.com/uber-lyft-ride-look-rideshare-safety-statistics/

 

[Kirby]

I've always had good experiences with Uber and Lyft, but I prefer Uber.
Also, I've never had a problem getting a cab at any hour in NYC.

 

[Oddish]

Until gas got crazy-expensive, I worked for Doordash, which is kind of like Uber for your food.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

so let me just be absolutely clear on this, when you pay for your ride, the driver tip IS INCLUDED in that payment? You don't have to tip them in cash when the ride is over?

(one of the other reasons why I'm doing this is so I don't have to carry cash anymore to pay a taxi driver)

 

[suarezguy]

Used Uber a lot for months and love it, only late once or twice, only about two bad drivers.

After the ride the tip for the driver amount is extra, you select and submit how much you want to give to the driver with the mobile app. So not automatically included but still convenient and you wouldn't need to carry and give cash.

 

[Skywalker]

so let me just be absolutely clear on this, when you pay for your ride, the driver tip IS INCLUDED in that payment? You don't have to tip them in cash when the ride is over?

(one of the other reasons why I'm doing this is so I don't have to carry cash anymore to pay a taxi driver)

You have the option of adding a tip in the app after the ride is completed, at the same time as when you're asked to rate the driver. Whatever you tip them is added on to the total for the ride and it's paid for by the same payment method you linked in the app.

I don't even know if Uber drivers can accept cash tips. I suppose they could. I have no idea how that works.