Uber is almost done its “180 days of change” improvement initiative for drivers, and one of the best improvements yet is set to roll out in December. Continue reading
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Uber is matching in-app tips again — Aug. 15
Uber is really trying to repair its relationship with drivers.
Continuing its “180 Days” campaign of improvements for drivers, Uber will match all in-app tips given on August 15.
Screenshot from Uber e-mail to drivers.
Fine print: Continue reading
Uber’s Local Offers spending portal is finally back
With the revamp of the Uber app late last year, Uber took away its awesome spending portal that allowed you to earn Uber credits when using your linked Visa card for spend at local stores and restaurants.
Well, it’s finally back.
Screenshot of opt-in prompt within my Uber app today.
How is it better this time? Continue reading
Uber is matching all July 18 in-app tips
If you’re feeling generous, tomorrow is a great time to rain down in-app tips upon your Uber driver.
Uber is matching dollar for dollar all in-app tips given on July 18, according to an Uber email to drivers today.
Screenshot from an Uber email to drivers.
Check out Uber’s tips info page here. Continue reading
Uber launches rider accounts for teens, only highest rated drivers will receive requests
Uber started a few different initiatives today, including adding the option for riders to tip drivers within the app.
Starting today, they’ve also launched teen accounts in three cities: Seattle, Phoenix and Columbus.
Here is some info from Uber:
3 easy things Uber can do to make drivers stop quitting
Uber’s driver turnover rate is abysmal.
One study found only 4% of drivers are still driving a year after starting.
Most drivers join for the lucrative sign-up bonuses, then ditch upon realizing how challenging it is to make driving worth their time.
Here are 3 changes Uber could make to keep drivers on the road:
Uber’s new Route Pass is meh for most, good deal for some
Last time I bought an Uber ride pass the math worked out pretty well in my favor.
This time they suckered me into buying a pass, called a Route Pass, that isn’t nearly as good:
How does it work?
Forget cars, Uber wants to lead in on-demand air travel
Uber’s 3-day “Elevate” conference in Dallas started today, and they have a bunch of bigwig transportation executives and engineers gathered to discuss: Urban air transportation.
You can live stream the conference here, and here is a 97-page PDF from Uber that attempts to explain the plan for VTOL aircraft transportation — Vertical Take-Off and Landing.
Screenshot from Uber’s 97-page PDF.
How soon could this become reality?
It sounds like this is at least a decade out, but the possibility of seeing it in our lifetime is exciting.
I’ll spend the next few years reading through this PDF, but in the meantime I’d love to hear your thoughts on Uber trying to make The Jetsons a reality.
Poll: In-app Uber tipping — for or against?
I mean, it makes sense.
If you don’t want to pay more than the minimum required for your Uber ride, you probably don’t want a visible option to tip, in the app, souring your good conscience.
“Quit driving for Uber if you’re not happy with the pay,” is what the large opposition to the tip option says.
But it’s painfully obvious that Uber, and the author of this post in The Economist, have never given an Uber ride, or even been in the Uber driver’s seat in life.
Life isn’t roses and red carpet for most people.
There are several benefits to adding an in-app tip option:
Here’s the math on my month of Uber Flat Rate rides
Uber brought back its flat rate rides promo last month in some cities, where users could pay a one-time fee for a subscription to a set number of flat rate rides.
I paid $10 for a 20-ride subscription for $2.49 UberPool rides or $4.99 UberX rides within the SF Bay Area.
I only used 15 of my 20 rides and wanted figure out whether this would be worth purchasing again in the future, so I made a quick spreadsheet.
Here’s the math: Continue reading
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