What's your Uber experience?

[albatross710]

I'm going to start using Uber for my airport transfers.

I can see that home to BNE will be about $20 cheaper by the Fare Estimate.

When I do a Fare Estimate for a pick-up from Melbourne Airport to my destination in the city, it is coming out at 50% more than the cab fares I have experienced.

What are peoples' experiences with Uber in general. and in Melbourne airport pickups in particular.

Alby

 

[opusman]

I've used Uber Black a few times for MEL from the CBD. Always worked well, turned up quickly, not hugely more expensive than a taxi and a lot more pleasant. Now that they've abandoned the fixed price for the airport YMMV, but my last trip was $73 vs a taxi at normally $48 or so.

Never tried UberX though.

 

[Buzzard]

Unfortunately not enough cars in ADL but the last time I used Uber couldn't be happier.

 

[eosphoros]

I've used both Uber Black and UberX. I only take Black if I'm at an airport, or in a rush and a Black is much closer. All other times, I use X.

I would recommend them both. Even X, whilst being much cheaper than a cab, is much better. The drivers care about the state of their vehicles, they are clean, they are polite and friendly, and often they will even have bottles of water and little treats like mi ties for you. Black is a standard experience. Nothing to write home about. A bit more expensive than a cab, but a lot more pleasant.

ETA: I have used it in Melbourne, Sydney and Shanghai.

 

[ozmouse]

I am using uber & uber x in melbourne. Use uber X for all general commuting now. While they are cheaper, recently lots of drivers do not know where they are going. So to me it is similar service delivery to taxi. But they do actually show up when you book them! In most cases cars will be better (had bmx suv once), but they also can be vw golfs, or an accord. So not the best for long trips. Have had 2 reported incidents, and both handled immediately and to 2 satisfaction.

Uber black for airport & longer/special trips. Yes more expensive than a taxi, but in my mind it is a private car service not a taxi. Min car would be a holden caprice, but have also had bmw and lexus sedans. If you book a silver service cab you will jack up total cost very quickly.

Also used uber in bkk. uber x for zipping around town. SO CHEAP! And the uber black ride to the airport was flat fee (smallish car), but at least had seatbelts and did not speed down the freeway at 150kms!

where is the like button!?

 

[Daver6]

I've used both in Perth. Let's just say, I have no need to use a regular taxi anymore.

 

[flyer999]

I use Uber (mostly black) both in Australia and the US and love it. Great service and mainly pleasant drivers.

 

[towski]

I have used Uber X to get to MEL but have been a bit unsure about booking a Uber Black when I land in MEL since I am unsure where to meet the car. Anyone got any tips for this? I also catch a cab from ADL when I land there, what are the Uber procedures there?

Thanks!

 

[TomVexille]

I have used Uber X to get to MEL but have been a bit unsure about booking a Uber Black when I land in MEL since I am unsure where to meet the car. Anyone got any tips for this? I also catch a cab from ADL when I land there, what are the Uber procedures there?

Thanks!

MEL Has a pickup lane now. In my experience the driver will ring you once they have accepted the booking and let you know where they are.

 

[towski]

MEL Has a pickup lane now. In my experience the driver will ring you once they have accepted the booking and let you know where they are.

Cheers for the tip! I shall give this a try next time I'm landing into MEL.

 

[OzEire]

I am less and less happy with Uber as time goes by. They have managed to peeve off a customer who strongly advocated on their behalf to anyone who would listen (even on AFF).

The kicker was a decision by Uber to unilaterally adjust a fare (for a ride that went a good bit outside the cbd, i suspect the driver couldn't get a return fare) in the driver's favour and deduct the extra amount from my credit card without telling me. Complaint to Uber was met with "bad luck, our decision is final". Couldn't be bothered with chargeback.

Uber are no longer my go-to option.

 

[QF1]

I have used Uber a few times in BNE..great service and cost me 15 - 20% cheaper than normal cabs

 

[Milefest]

I am less and less happy with Uber as time goes by. They have managed to peeve off a customer who strongly advocated on their behalf to anyone who would listen (even on AFF).

The kicker was a decision by Uber to unilaterally adjust a fare (for a ride that went a good bit outside the cbd, i suspect the driver couldn't get a return fare) in the driver's favour and deduct the extra amount from my credit card without telling me. Complaint to Uber was met with "bad luck, our decision is final". Couldn't be bothered with chargeback.

Uber are no longer my go-to option.

I've generally had a good experience with complaints in regards to uber. I recently got an uberX to Brisbane CBD and they went a long way ignoring the gps. I contacted uber telling them that they didn't take the most efficient route to my destination and they agreed and happily adjusted to the correct fare.

The problems with the taxi industry on the other hand far outweigh the minor problems I have with uber.

 

[Daver6]

Actually, that's a good point. I've found the way they deal with complaints a bit average.

One evening SWMBO ordered an UberX. We could see the guy driving around the area where we were and never turned onto the street we were on. The position our phone showed was correct. The driver called, his English was average and simply couldn't get to us after driving near us for 5 minutes. We just cancelled it.

Uber sent a warning saying next time you just cancel, you get charged. They had zero interest in why it was cancelled and the drivers inability to find us.

 

[yohy?!]

I've sent Uber 3 or 4 queries & complaints with all of them well handled - 1 time the'd billed my personal card instead of my business one and used a credit I had, another a driver in Abu Dhabi couldn't find my hotel so the charge was higher than it should have been and finally in Singapore a driver decided not to pick me up and played cat and mouse waiting for me to cancel the job which I did attracting the $5 cancel fee.

In every case the Uber rep promptly fixed the issue and gave a credit where applicable and apology. I challenge anyone to demonstrate how they would seek redress from similar issues experienced in a cab!

 

[ozmouse]

interesting comments re complaints handling. im in melbourne, and have made 2 'complaints' (reasons to contact HQ) and both handled to my satisfaction.

One was as described above - car showing as driving around 'aimlessly' on app after accepting booking, called driver to clarify postition (and give instructions to approach in specific direction). Map then showed he started driving further from me - I cancelled. I contacted HQ to give reasons for cancellation. I explained situation, and they agreed and they could see ant trail driver had left all over richmond.

Other case was a 1 star rating i gave to a trip. Was contacted by HQ by email, and half of fare refunded in the end.

I should mention, both of these cases were uber X. No issue with uber black.

So in my experience still way ahead of any legislated taxi service in this town.

 

[bigjobs]

only used Uber X. always been satisfactory experience. better than taxis - I am in Brisbane mostly. I have used them in other cities also though, and experience has been consistent.

I find now that if uber have their 'demand pricing' spike happening, I just compare the estimated fare on uber with the taxi company. the other night the taxi company was cheaper, so check it out if you see the fare multiplier on your uber app when booking.

 

[ozmouse]

oh yes.... demand pricing!!! Had to use that twice. Worked a treat! Knew what it would cost prior to even committing to booking, and more to the point arrived within 10 min of booking at 0300hrs! happy customer.

 

[Major]

I have just downloaded the app and for a test I put in the pick up location of Melb Airport. It shows Uber Black with no option to select Uber X whereas other pick up locations allow you to slide the selector to Uber X

Is this normal or am I doing it wrong ?

 

[TomVexille]

I have just downloaded the app and for a test I put in the pick up location of Melb Airport. It shows Uber Black with no option to select Uber X whereas other pick up locations allow you to slide the selector to Uber X

Is this normal or am I doing it wrong ?

That's normal