What's your Uber experience?

[RooFlyer]

In Tas there are no toll roads so not much experience with Uber and tolls.

from Brisbane Airport to the city last night, I got an Uber and we went via the non-tunnel non-toll route. I asked the driver about how Uber handles tolls, and he pointed to the toll gizmo on his windshield and said when they used a toll road, the toll gizmo interacts with the Uber app, and the toll gets added to the fare.

however, on return today, city to the airport, the guy automatically went via the toll tunnel. I didn’t mind, but I asked him the same question as I asked the other guy. How does the fair change with toll or no toll route. His reply was that the most direct route is scheduled by the Uber app, and as that will always be the tunnel toll, the fare will always include the tunnel toll, even if you don’t go that route.

That sounds wrong and unfair. Has anyone got the right answer? Will thefare always include the toll if the toll route is the fastest way, or will the fare only include the toll if a toll road is actually used?

 

[Lynda2475]

His reply was that the most direct route is scheduled by the Uber app, and as that will always be the tunnel toll, the fare will always include the tunnel toll, even if you don’t go that route.

This is incorrect.

If the quoted Uber fair includes a toll but then for whatever reason you do not take the toll route, the toll is refunded. Also if the route was a non toll one but the driver deviates and takes a toll road this will be added.

The app uses GPS so it knows if you took the toll route to not.

Taking uber home from the office late at night there are about 5 or 6 different routes one could take. Often quoted the price to take one of the two routes, but knowing no traffic I direct the driver to take a different way (then the map auto adjusts) and the final charge was always adjusted to remove the toll.

Here are some screen shots from email receipts that show the adjustments each way

 

[justinbrett]

I have got ubers many times at BNE airport, and most drivers ask if I want to take the toll route. There's often not a lot of time saving if it's not peak hour.

@Lynda2475 is 100% correct in terms of only being charged the toll when you actually take it.

 

[Human]

Do Uber gift cards, purchased in Australia, work for Uber rides overseas? In other words if I put the credit from a gift card into my Uber app, will Uber use that credit for rides that I take overseas? And if so, is the exchange rate more-or-less ok?

Supermarkets often have good deals for Uber gift cards (sometimes up to 10% off, and sometimes 20x Everyday Rewards or Flybuys points), so I'd like to buy up big in preparation for an overseas trip (primarily USA) -- but only if the credit can actually be used overseas!

 

[burmans]

Do Uber gift cards, purchased in Australia, work for Uber rides overseas? In other words if I put the credit from a gift card into my Uber app, will Uber use that credit for rides that I take overseas? And if so, is the exchange rate more-or-less ok?

Supermarkets often have good deals for Uber gift cards (sometimes up to 10% off, and sometimes 20x Everyday Rewards or Flybuys points), so I'd like to buy up big in preparation for an overseas trip -- but only if the credit can actually be used overseas!

Unfortunately my experience to date is not, in the UK and US. May be different in other countries.

 

[dairyfloss]

Do Uber gift cards, purchased in Australia, work for Uber rides overseas? In other words if I put the credit from a gift card into my Uber app, will Uber use that credit for rides that I take overseas? And if so, is the exchange rate more-or-less ok?

Supermarkets often have good deals for Uber gift cards (sometimes up to 10% off, and sometimes 20x Everyday Rewards or Flybuys points), so I'd like to buy up big in preparation for an overseas trip (primarily USA) -- but only if the credit can actually be used overseas!

An Uber FAQ on this says not… and while I don’t have experience with vouchers, I know my Uber Cash (earned with Uber One) also seems to work only in Australia.

This is the FAQ:

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[cove]

In California the Uber Teslas don’t have a front number plate so it can be difficult to see if it is your driver.

 

[daft009]

Do Uber gift cards, purchased in Australia, work for Uber rides overseas? In other words if I put the credit from a gift card into my Uber app, will Uber use that credit for rides that I take overseas? And if so, is the exchange rate more-or-less ok?

Supermarkets often have good deals for Uber gift cards (sometimes up to 10% off, and sometimes 20x Everyday Rewards or Flybuys points), so I'd like to buy up big in preparation for an overseas trip (primarily USA) -- but only if the credit can actually be used overseas!

I tried the same. Bought some gift cards on special and tried using it for rides in NZ, that too failed

 

[Duffa]

Use Didi now. They are always offering 20-30 % off. Uber $25. Didi $19 for same trip.
Last 2 Didi
Audi Q3
Rav4
Fine by me.
Melbourne

 

[burmans]

Yes, I mainly use Didi these days though I did get a 50% off offer from Uber recently and have about $150 credits to use up.

 

[justinbrett]

In California the Uber Teslas don’t have a front number plate so it can be difficult to see if it is your driver.

In many US states only the rear plate is required so in many states this problem occurs, regardless of the vehicle type.

 

[SYD]

In many US states only the rear plate is required so in many states this problem occurs, regardless of the vehicle type.

Through in a strange make and model car not sold in Oz…

 

[lovestotravel]

Uber will be getting cheaper in Australia in September, but good luck with the cancellations

Drivers were emailed advising of new rates coming, and they would be cheaper overall, seems a super off peak (day rate) will be coming.

Older drivers paying 22.5% commission will be going to 27.5% which is another pay cut

Such a sad industry

 

[Daver6]

Uber will be getting cheaper in Australia in September, but good luck with the cancellations

Drivers were emailed advising of new rates coming, and they would be cheaper overall, seems a super off peak (day rate) will be coming.

Older drivers paying 22.5% commission will be going to 27.5% which is another pay cut

Such a sad industry

And I've noticed Uber/Didi is becoming more like taking a taxi was 15 years ago. Driving with the windows down in the middle of winter or in the middle of summer when it's stinking hot. Drivers muttering away constantly on the phone and generally aggressive driving. Also noticed older, poorly maintained vehicles. No issue with older, but it's the poorly maintained part that I do have an issue with.

It's only a minority that do this, but that minority has increase significantly in the last 12 months from my personal experience. Most noticeable taking either Didi or Uber X. Uber comfort is better.

</gripes>

 

[lovestotravel]

And I've noticed Uber/Didi is becoming more like taking a taxi was 15 years ago. Driving with the windows down in the middle of winter or in the middle of summer when it's stinking hot. Drivers muttering away constantly on the phone and generally aggressive driving. Also noticed older, poorly maintained vehicles. No issue with older, but it's the poorly maintained part that I do have an issue with.

It's only a minority that do this, but that minority has increase significantly in the last 12 months from my personal experience. Most noticeable taking either Didi or Uber X. Uber comfort is better.

</gripes>

100% - It's going to get much worse sadly, and it's just a race to the bottom for the cheapest rates.

Uber Comfort is still generally OK from what I have seen, or Premier if it's in your area.

I don't use Uber unless there is no other option, simply as I refuse to support the GIG economy as much as possible

 

[Duffa]

And I've noticed Uber/Didi is becoming more like taking a taxi was 15 years ago. Driving with the windows down in the middle of winter or in the middle of summer when it's stinking hot. Drivers muttering away constantly on the phone and generally aggressive driving. Also noticed older, poorly maintained vehicles. No issue with older, but it's the poorly maintained part that I do have an issue with.

It's only a minority that do this, but that minority has increase significantly in the last 12 months from my personal experience. Most noticeable taking either Didi or Uber X. Uber comfort is better.

</gripes>

I had my first smelly Uber last year. Was a bit shocked really. Muttering is now standard
When it started, it was all spring water and Mentos. Nothing like that now.
The novelty has certainly worn off.
If I'm in a city with a fixed price airport taxi I will always choose the taxi option provided it's not more than $10-20 above the Uber.
I hate uncertainty - especially if we hit traffic and the meter is ticking up, so I need that predictability.
I'm still traumatised by that $100 ride from SYD to the Rocks - Friday afternoon

 

[kamchatsky]

I used Didi 2months ago at MEL to CBD and back, and the cars + drivers were fine. The fact that Didi keep giving me $/% off vouchers really helps keeping the prices down. Will continue to use them until my next bad experience ….

 

[JohnK]

I was under the impression that tolls were on top of quoted Uber price.

Ordered Uber at SYD T2 and told driver no tolls so he drove via Bexley not M5 tunnel.

On the way back to SYD T2 a few hours later told the lady driver no tolls. She told me the price quoted by Uber includes the toll. So we used M5 tunnel.

Did the first driver pocket the toll money? Wish it was clear up front on the app and I may have missed it.

 

[boomy]

I was under the impression that tolls were on top of quoted Uber price.

Ordered Uber at SYD T2 and told driver no tolls so he drove via Bexley not M5 tunnel.

On the way back to SYD T2 a few hours later told the lady driver no tolls. She told me the price quoted by Uber includes the toll. So we used M5 tunnel.

Did the first driver pocket the toll money? Wish it was clear up front on the app and I may have missed it.

You are supposed to pay less than the quoted amount when it includes tolls if you choose to avoid them. Off course some drivers will try to game the system and drive just next to a toll road and then riders will be charged despite not using any tolls. Going from BNE to city next to the tunnel (but not actually using it) is a good example.

 

[Daver6]

Yesterday I realsied Uber green is the same price as Ubex X. My logic was they'd probably be newer Chinese electric vehicles. Both trips they were hybrid Camrys. So at least a decent size.

Outbound trip the guy had two phone calls. First one, on speaker phone so we could hear the convo (although not in English). Second one a different phone rings and this time speaker phone but driving like this