Uber has 2 deals that let new users get $45 off their next ride. Is it worth it? First, the details:
- $20 Uber credit for new users who sign up by July 7. Here is my referral link: uber.com/invite/y4khk (feel free to provide your own Uber referral link as well, in the comments)
- After signing up, go this Amazon Local Deal for a free Uber ride up to $25
- Amazon Local will provide a promotion code. Paste it into Uber's Promotion page
- Use by August 31, 2013: the promotional value of the Amazon local deal expires 8/31/13, so be sure to use Uber before then.
- JFK – Manhattan: $65 UberX, $85 UberBLACK
- EWR – Manhattan: $85 UberX, $105 UberBLACK
- SFO – San Francisco: $50 UberX, $65 UberBLACK
- IAD – Anywhere inside the Beltway: $80 UberBLACK
- LAX – Santa Monica/Brentwood: $55 UberBLACK
- LAX – Beverly Hills: $65 UberBLACK
- ORD – Dowtown Chicago: $75 UberBLACK
- PHX – Scottsdale: $45 UberBLACK
Mixed Reviews
While I certainly don't always agree with the consensus in Yelp Reviews, I do find it a helpful data point. On Yelp NYC, Uber only gets 3 stars overall, and you can see that it's quite polarizing, with most of the reviews either 5 stars or 1 star:
Pros, summarized:
- Clean cars
- Polite drivers
- Convenience of not having to pay with credit card or cash at the end, with tip included
Cons, summarized:
- Very overpriced compared to alternatives: other private car services, yellow taxis, subway
- No “meter” and final price often more than estimated, so negative surprise at how much credit card was charged
- Drivers don't show up at the requested address, due to buggy app
- Drivers don't know the fastest way to get to the destination
The Verdict: I haven't taken Uber yet, since I had such a poor first impression from the Uber NYC Free Taxi Week, when I tried on 3 separate occasions to get a taxi and was unable to (and it's pretty easy to get taxis by our Manhattan address). While the minimum fare with Uber in NYC is $12, most of the taxi rides I take in NYC are $10 or less, which make them perfect for paying with my Chase Freedom, since at least for now I still get 10 extra points per transaction thanks to Chase Exclusives (though the old Chase Exclusives 10 + 10 bonuses are going away even for grandfathered members).
Sure, the Uber cars are nicer, but I hate the aspect that many of the Yelp users who rated Uber 1 star alluded to: severe overpricing, even compared to other private towncar service, let alone to metered yellow taxis. While the travel is part of what I enjoy on long haul international flights in first class or business class, with taxis, I just want to get there as fast as possible and get it over with. A nicer vehicle isn't worth paying a lot more or going out of the way for (well, unless it's a complimentary ride in a Maserati–see my Setai Fifth Avenue NYC Hotel Review!)
Will you or anyone you know be taking advantage of the $45 credit for new Uber users?
Related Posts
Tips for First Time Visitors to NYC
Romantic Getaway Guide to New York
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