If you’re looking for a ride to get to work, school, go on a date or get home safely after a night out of fun, Uber is your go-to ride service. Uber allows riders to go anywhere they want by connecting them with a driver near their area.
To get started with Uber, you will need to have a mobile device to set up an account. From there, you need to set your destination and hit confirm to be matched with a driver nearby. From there, a confirmation will pop up on your screen, along with the estimated arrival time of your driver and the make and model of the car. Once your driver arrives, you’re able to hop in and take a relaxing ride to your destination.
While the rides can seem inexpensive at first, they tend to add up quickly. If you don’t know how to score better deals on your Uber rides, you’re wasting your hard-earned cash. Check out our top savings tips so you can save money on your next Uber Ride.
1. Join Uber Rewards
If you have an Uber account, your eligible to start earning Uber rewards. To do this, open your application and tap on the menu icon. Once clicked, choose Uber Rewards. A screen will then pop up that allows you to join after you accept the terms and conditions.
Every time you use Uber, you’ll gain points. These points will add up and allow you to earn special rewards through Uber. Your rewards could include anything from free card upgrades to better-rated drivers. With Uber rewards, you can be connected with larger or nicer cars without having to pay any additional money.
2. Sign Up Using a Promo Code
Before even signing up for an account, make sure that you’re already saving money. Uber offers sign-up discount codes that allow you to save money on your first few rides as a first-time user. The current coupons they offer will let you choose how you want to receive your rewards. You can either get $5 off your first three rides or $2.50 off of your first ten rides.
To use this code, you want to click on the discount link provided by Uber. It’s important that you do this before signing up. Uber will not allow you to apply this discount with an account that has already been created, even if you’ve never taken a ride with Uber before.
3. Refer Friends to Uber
If you already have the Uber app, you can invite your friends to participate and receive $5 off your next ride. To do this, you’ll need to already have an Uber account, while your friend must not have an account.
Open up your app, and go to the promotions tab to create your unique referral link. Send this link over to your friends, and you will receive money off your next ride once your friend completes their first ride with Uber.
4. Follow Ubers Twitter Account
Frequently, Uber will partner up with local brands to offer special promotions, which will help you save a few extra dollars off your next ride. While most promotions are geared towards new riders, brands will sometimes offer special discounts to existing users. The best place to learn about these discounts is through Uber’s Twitter account.
5. Buy Uber’s Flat Rate Packages
If you’re a frequent Uber user, whether that is to commute to your job every day or used to get around a big city without a car, you can purchase ride packages at a flat rate. The ride packages amount and cost depend on what city you live in and the package you prefer. Typically, you can choose between a 20 or 40 ride package in major cities like L.A., NYC, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, and Miami.
Uber is frequently adding cities to this list, so check back to see if yours is offered. The ride packages cost $10 for a 20-pack of rides and $20 for 40 rides. However, this only applies to certain city limits and zones, so it’s essential to read the ride pack terms to ensure this deal works for you. To purchase these deals, you must already be located in the city and purchase through your application.
6. Purchase Discounted Gift Cards
If you frequently use Uber, you might want to consider buying a gift card from sites such as Raise or Gift Card Granny. Using either platform allows you to save money from gift cards that other people no longer want. If Uber is unavailable, you can sign up to receive e-mails when they come back in stock.
7. Look for Money Off Coupons
A simple internet search will show you a ton of coupons that work with Uber. However, our suggestion for the best up-to-date coupons would be Koopy’s coupons. There are promotional codes from Uber you can use at certain times of the year due to sports teams or special city events.
By taking your time to search the internet thoroughly, you can find a promo code to rake in those additional savings.
8. Always Choose UberPool Rides
If you’re looking for the least expensive Uber ride available, you need to choose UberPool. With UberPool, you decide how many guests you’re riding with, and Uber will connect you with other riders that are going to the same destination.
The benefits are that you will get a super discounted Uber ride. However, this may encounter additional stops or pick-ups, so make sure you have the flexibility to spare some extra time. Plus, you can only use UberPool with two people. If you’re traveling in a group bigger than two people, you’ll need you’re own Uber.
9. Avoid Surge Prices
When many people are trying to use Uber at once, Uber will raise the prices to encourage drivers to get online. This is called surge pricing. The upside is that there will be more drivers available and less waiting time for a ride.
The downside is the hefty price tag associated with that Uber ride. However, most surges will only last for a few minutes unless it’s a holiday. Try to wait 10-15 minutes for the surge to pass to order an Uber at regular prices.
10. Choose the Proper Car
If you have more than two people, you won’t be able to choose an UberPool Ride. There are multiple different car options available through the Uber App. Knowing the differences between these rides and only choosing what you absolutely need will help you save money.
Here are the different car tiers offered through Uber:
- uberX: This is a four-door vehicle that can fit up to four riders.
- uberXL: This is a larger vehicle that can fit up to six riders.
- uberBLACK: This is either a luxury SUV or Sedan.
- uberSELECT: This is a luxury sedan that can fit up to four riders.
- SUV: This is an SUV that can hold up to six passengers.
11. Sign Up for Uber’s Newsletter
Make sure to sign up with your e-mail address through Uber to receive special information, including deals and promotions available in your area. Uber’s newsletter will also keep you up to date with any service changes or new policies you need to be aware of before ordering your next ride.
12. Take Surveys to Score Uber Gift Cards
If you’re looking for an easy way to score some free rides, take some online surveys. There are plenty of online websites, such as MyPoints, that allow users to take surveys to exchange points. Once you have a certain number of points, you can redeem them for gift cards at places such as Uber.
13. Compare Prices
Uber might be charging you more than a regular taxi would. Before choosing to book an Uber ride, look for a fre comparison with What’s the Fare. To compare fares, all you need to do is type in your starting point and destination. It will automatically compare Ubers fare with a traditional taxi fare, so you can always ensure you’re getting the best deal.
14. Avoid Ordering on Holidays
Uber will raise its prices on days they know are going to be busier. If you’re planning to use Uber on a holiday, think again. Some of the most expensive days of the year to order a ride are on New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July, and Memorial Day. If you want an inexpensive ride, try to avoid using them during those busy days.
Spend Less on Uber With These Money-Saving Hacks
Now that you know about the countless ways you could never pay for full-price rides at Uber, it’s time to start saving. Using these Uber hacks will ensure you’re always getting the best deal every time you open your Uber app. Try out these tips and let us know in the comments how they worked for you.
