Until this month, I had used Uber one time, and that was with a friend who handled the app and all I had to do was get into and out of the car.
On most trips, I’m either driving myself, have a rental vehicle, or use public transportation. True confessions: on the few occasions that I’ve needed a point-to-point ride, I’ve hailed a cab, because that’s what I’m used to doing when I travel.
If ever there was a creature of habit, it is me.
The problem is that almost every cab I’ve taken in the last few years (except for one in Detroit) has been grungy. A couple of them had suspension and engine problems. The drivers were nice, but I’m sick of riding around in dumpsters.
Finally, at a recent conference in San Francisco, I needed to get around town and the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) rail system didn’t line up with where I was going.
I figured it was time to try ride-sharing, and where else to get started but in northern California? My experience was very positive – clean cars, nice drivers, good prices – and I’ll definitely use it again.
There are alternatives to Uber: Lyft, Didi in China, and some places have “homegrown” options, like Austin’s ride-sharing alternatives because Uber and Lyft were voted out of the city. (Update Oct 2018 – both Uber and Lyft are now available again in Austin.)
Tip One: Connect a Credit Card to the App Ahead of Time
I’ve had the Uber app on my phone for several years, but once I decided that I was really going to use it, I needed to fill out some profile information and connect a credit card, because it’s a cashless system.
You have the option to set up both personal settings and business settings – with different cards – so when it’s time to take a ride, simply toggle it to the right setting so you keep personal and business transactions separate. This is important for tracking expenses for taxes.
I’d recommend connecting your credit card data over secure, password-protected WiFi, preferably your own network at home if it’s encrypted. I was in a hurry and did it over regular 4G data while at an airport, which was probably dumb.
Upload a photo, too, so drivers will know what you look like when they’re trying to find you for pickups.
Tip Two: Do a Little Googling if You’re Dealing with Airports
I blew this – once I realized that BART from the San Francisco airport wasn’t going to work for getting to my hotel, I decided to just get on with trying out Uber.
Except, I wasn’t in the right place.
By the time I Googled something like “where Uber picks up at SFO” and learned that I needed to be at a terminal departure level, I’d missed my ride….and there’s a no-show fee if riders aren’t ready for pickup.
I texted the driver from within the app to tell him that I’d realized my mistake and was moving to the correct spot, but I never heard back from him.
Awesome. My first attempt to use the app, and it felt as though I was fulfilling every stereotype of middle-aged women screwing up technology. Then I decided that I was learning a lot in the process, I did it correctly the second try, and I do not need to expend a micron of mental energy worrying about whether I look foolish or not.
Tip – review the list of airports that allow Uber, because not all of them permit ride-sharing pickups or dropoffs.
Tip Three: You Can Challenge Charges Within the App
The first ride, the one I missed, was still showing up on my phone, with me as a passenger. In the app, the car on the app’s map indicated that it was halfway to the city from the airport….but I was definitely NOT in the vehicle.
To extricate myself from The Ride That Didn’t Happen, I had to hit Cancel on it, and the app said that I would be charged. Not knowing what else to do, I cancelled.
Later, I learned that you can challenge charges from within the app – look for the Help tab – to have a fare reviewed. I wrote a quick note about the first ride, explaining that I’d been in the wrong spot, gotten to the right spot, tried to contact the driver but no response, and did not take the ride although the app showed that I had.
They got back to me within hours and reversed the charge.
Tip Four: Be Ready for Pickup
When you’re used to waiting 15-20 minutes for a cab to show up, it’s somewhat disorienting to learn how fast Uber drivers appear.
Don’t ask for one till you’re ready, and try to position yourself someplace where it is easy for the driver to see you and get to you.
You can schedule a ride ahead of time with the UberX option.
If you have a group, or lots of luggage or bags, ask for a larger vehicle with UberXL.
Tip Five: Tipping is Appropriate
One of the nice features of using Uber is how seamless it feels because it is cashless. No fumbling around for bills or a card, waiting for change, or waiting for the driver to swipe your card.
But what about tipping?
It is not required, but I think it is the right thing to do if the driver did a good job. They are only making a percentage of the fare, and the fares can be ridiculously inexpensive.
All of my rides were Pool (with other people) and two of them only cost $US3-4 each. Great for me that it’s so cheap, but there is no way that a driver can make decent money from fares like that, even if you multiply the amount by several passengers in a pool. The car “sharing economy” is not as rosy as some might believe for the drivers who make it happen.
As far as I could tell, I was the only one who tipped on any of my San Francisco pool rides, including after the long-ish ride into the city from the airport. It cost about $20 and I tipped $5 in cash.
Remember that trust between drivers and riders is built by post-ride reviews, which are quick and easy to do. I defaulted to a 5 star rating, except for one driver who was pleasant, but did not offer to help with luggage and dropped me off in an awkward spot where I had to dodge some traffic. He was the only driver I didn’t tip.
Have you used Uber or other ride-hailing services? Why or why not? Share your thoughts down in the comments….
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Thanks for sharing. I’m a relatively new convert to Uber as well. Until I tried it, I couldn’t realize how much of an improvement it really represents. I also appreciate the safety factor. For example, when traveling in less developed countries, I think Uber is much safer than hailing a cab. At least there is a record of who picked you up, which should mean less to worry about.
One last thing to put your mind at ease a bit. Sending secure details over your cell data connection is relatively safe. Using 4G is certainly safer than using a public wifi hotspot or a hotel’s wifi connection. If in doubt, just turn off wifi and use your data connection instead like you did. While the technology does exist to intercept cell data connections, it’s far more difficult than snooping over shared wifi.
Thanks very much for the feedback, and for the security tip on using data connections. I feel better now. 🙂
Lyft allows you to tip within the app if you really want. But the “don’t have to tip” and “don’t have to carry cash” benefits are part of the reason they’ve become so wildly popular, compared to the 20% cabbies expect on top of their higher fares.
Thanks for the info about in-app tips with Lyft, Tim!
Like you, I didn’t realize how big an improvement Uber is over traditional cabs until I tried it. In addition, I think it offers improved safety in many parts of the world where hailing a cab can be iffy at best. At least with Uber there is a record of you being picked up by a specific car. Just be sure to check the license plate and driver before you get in!
As for using your 4G data to enter secure information, it’s at least much safer than using public or hotel wifi. While the technology does exist to spoof cell phone towers, it’s far more difficult than snooping on wifi.
I love Lyft. I have decided to go without a car for a while, and they can still drive here in Williamson County, Texas – just not Travis County, so no Austin trips for me on Lyft. But, for the most part, I’ll be okay. I can get to favorite eateries and coffee houses without issue. All told, I’ll save just over $700 a month. If I need to go out of town, I’ll rent a car, and they pick me up.
I’m still puzzled about Austin kicking them out. It’s an adult choice for me to use them, while the city’s argument was that the drivers needed to have fingerprints on file and pay the city fee. That seems like a massive overreach. I mean, cabs are janky, and I’ve had more than one driver for which the photo didn’t match. Since you’re already IN the cab when you notice that, you’re already committed. At least with the ride-sharing apps, you get the license plate and driver photo to match up before you get in a car. Most drivers I’ve had are fantastic, with water and phone chargers at the ready. They know they’re reviewed and that seems to give them an extra incentive. Cab drivers don’t appear to care.
Great Points Sheila! One of my friends wants to drive for Uber. I am sure the points you have mentioned in the post will surely help him. Thanks for the informative post.
Thanks, Jacob. 🙂