Tipping with Uber

[arf1410]

I typically take a town car service to airport for business trips. Runs about $80+ tip. Decided to try Uber today. I checked availability and cost about an hour early, during peak rush hour... about $75. When I went to page Uber after the rush hour... cost was $105... so that must be a demand increase, not travel time increase. Does the bulk of that go to Uber, or the driver? Part of me wants to consider that extra $30 to be the drivers tip!

[Silk McCue]

If you can’t tip appropriately don’t use a car service. The fare is not set by the driver.

Cheers

[stan1]

Choose the business you want to work with. Don't blame the driver for the policies of their employer.

This is like blaming the McDonald's cashier for running out of Happy Meal toys.

[OrangeKiwi]

If you can’t tip appropriately don’t use a car service. The fare is not set by the driver.

Cheers

If the driver does not agree to the terms of Uber’s platform (which include completing the job for the amount Uber gives them), then the driver should not choose to drive for Uber.

Additionally, if the driver wants more money than initially advertised, they are free to state that before the passenger gets in the car.

[KyleAAA]

My understanding is Uber's take is about 50%. So ~50% of that increase would go to the driver. But I don't think it should be considered a tip. Why should it? That doesn't make sense.

[Silk McCue]

If you can’t tip appropriately don’t use a car service. The fare is not set by the driver.

Cheers

If the driver does not agree to the terms of Uber’s platform (which include completing the job for the amount Uber gives them), then the driver should not choose to drive for Uber.

Additionally, if the driver wants more money than initially advertised, they are free to state that before the passenger gets in the car.

I don’t think you use Uber. Uber drivers don’t set the fare and can’t change the fare. It’s all done through the Uber app.

OP stated that when they went to book the Uber the price had risen. That happens without the drivers involvement.

Cheers

[knowledge]

The cut that Uber takes has grown since they've started. No longer are they subsidizing for market share. So it isn't surprising that they can be beat on price. I believe that the driver sees less than half of the advertised rates, but 100% of the tip. So if you tip 20%, that will be a material portion of a driver's earnings. But, I believe that the vast majority of passengers do not tip.

[02nz]

My understanding is Uber's take is about 25%. So about 75% of that increase would go to the driver. But I don't think it should be considered a tip. Why should it? That doesn't make sense.

I believe when you choose the amount to tip, it states clearly that 100% goes to the driver.

[02nz]

If you can’t tip appropriately don’t use a car service. The fare is not set by the driver.

Cheers

If the driver does not agree to the terms of Uber’s platform (which include completing the job for the amount Uber gives them), then the driver should not choose to drive for Uber.

Additionally, if the driver wants more money than initially advertised, they are free to state that before the passenger gets in the car.

I don’t think you use Uber. Uber drivers don’t set the fare and can’t change the fare. It’s all done through the Uber app.

OP stated that when they went to book the Uber the price had risen. That happens without the drivers involvement.

Cheers

But the driver does choose whether or not to accept that ride.

FWIW I do usually tip Uber/Lyft drivers, esp. if I have luggage that they help with, if the ride takes longer than usual, or if the fare is low (say <$10). If the ride is significantly more expensive than usual because of "surge" pricing or whatever they're choosing to call it, then I tip less or not at all.

[arf1410]

I understand the driver gets no control over the fare... but if the driver gets 75% of that additional $30 fare increase.. then a guy driving me with NO tip... makes more money than a guy driving my neighbor who gave a 20% tip one hour earlier.. and my trip takes less time!

It all goes on my expense report, so the cost doesn't affect me... but I am trying to do what is reasonable and makes sense, as much as possible.

So for the early riser, the drivers share from my neighbor with 20% tip = $50 + $15= $65. If I leave ZERO TIP the drivers share is 75% of 106 = $76... so driver has made more money from me. Why am I unreasonable?

[KyleAAA]

My understanding is Uber's take is about 25%. So about 75% of that increase would go to the driver. But I don't think it should be considered a tip. Why should it? That doesn't make sense.

I believe when you choose the amount to tip, it states clearly that 100% goes to the driver.

Of the tip. I wasn't referring to the tip.

[pizzy]

I understand the driver gets no control over the fare... but if the driver gets 75% of that additional $30 fare increase.. then a guy driving me with NO tip... makes more money than a guy driving my neighbor who gave a 20% tip one hour earlier.. and my trip takes less time!

It all goes on my expense report, so the cost doesn't affect me... but I am trying to do what is reasonable and makes sense, as much as possible.

So for the early riser, the drivers share from my neighbor with 20% tip = $50 + $15= $65. If I leave ZERO TIP the drivers share is 75% of 106 = $76... so driver has made more money from me. Why am I unreasonable?

You either don't understand supply and demand or are ignoring it. If a restaurant you frequent raises prices, do you deduct the increase from the waitresses tip?

[Silk McCue]

But the driver does choose whether or not to accept that ride.

What bearing does that have on your prior mistaken point. Why wouldn’t they accept a ride if they were available.

They don’t set the prices. Period. And the rider accepts the price quoted. Case closed.

Cheers

[DonIce]

Uber is already an expensive service. Despite recent tipflation, I continue to see tipping as something primarily done just at full service restaurants, or in a few other contexts if provided with extraordinary service that goes beyond expectation. In an uber ride, you are most often getting exactly what you signed up for, nothing more and nothing less. I see no reason to tip an uber. Just because uber added tipping prompts, along with every other point of sale terminal out there, doesn't mean I need to tip all of them. Even the grocery store and gas station sometimes asks for tips now. No thanks.

[arf1410]

Just found a recent study which said only 16% of uber riders tip... and I did end up tipping my airport ride $10.

[pizzy]

But the driver does choose whether or not to accept that ride.

What bearing does that have on your prior mistaken point. Why wouldn’t they accept a ride if they were available.

They don’t set the prices. Period. And the rider accepts the price quoted. Case closed.

Cheers

You don't understand the mechanics of uber drivers and ride acceptance. Many drivers refuse certain rides. Being available is the least important consideration.

[Prokofiev]

My understanding is Uber's take is about 50%. So ~50% of that increase would go to the driver. But I don't think it should be considered a tip. Why should it? That doesn't make sense.

We take both Uber and Lyft regularly to the same jazz club where we drink a little. It usually takes 11-13 minutes and
costs $16-18. On occasion, we get hit with "surge" pricing and pay $25-31 for the same 12 minute ride. That may not be considered a tip,
but I am unlikely to pay anything extra for this. Occasionally, the price is only $14 or $15 on a slow night, but we might get caught in traffic
or behind an accident and the ride takes 30 minutes. Then I'm likely to give a $4-5 tip (30%+) to make things right. In the end, I will determine
whether to tip and how much, not the company or some rule of thumb.

Originally, both these companies sold their services as fixed rate, no tipping. After several years, they decided to add tipping as an option.

Also the driver gets more than 50%. Usually around 70-75%.

[arf1410]

I understand the driver gets no control over the fare... but if the driver gets 75% of that additional $30 fare increase.. then a guy driving me with NO tip... makes more money than a guy driving my neighbor who gave a 20% tip one hour earlier.. and my trip takes less time!

It all goes on my expense report, so the cost doesn't affect me... but I am trying to do what is reasonable and makes sense, as much as possible.

So for the early riser, the drivers share from my neighbor with 20% tip = $50 + $15= $65. If I leave ZERO TIP the drivers share is 75% of 106 = $76... so driver has made more money from me. Why am I unreasonable?

You either don't understand supply and demand or are ignoring it. If a restaurant you frequent raises prices, do you deduct the increase from the waitresses tip?

If the server pocketed 75% of the menu price, then yes, I would lower the tip! In fact, one generally does not / should not tip Owners, only employees ( eg hair cutter) . And doesn't uber c claim the drivers are not employees?

[KyleAAA]

My understanding is Uber's take is about 50%. So ~50% of that increase would go to the driver. But I don't think it should be considered a tip. Why should it? That doesn't make sense.

We take both Uber and Lyft regularly to the same jazz club where we drink a little. It usually takes 11-13 minutes and
costs $16-18. On occasion, we get hit with "surge" pricing and pay $25-31 for the same 12 minute ride. That may not be considered a tip,
but I am unlikely to pay anything extra for this. Occasionally, the price is only $14 or $15 on a slow night, but we might get caught in traffic
or behind an accident and the ride takes 30 minutes. Then I'm likely to give a $4-5 tip (30%+) to make things right. In the end, I will determine
weather to tip and how much, not the company or some rule of thumb.

Originally, both these companies sold their services as fixed rate, no tipping. After several years, they decided to add tipping as an option.

Also the driver gets more than 50%. Usually around 70-75%.

I thought the driver got 70-75% as well, but some research after Uber stopped subsidizing for market share pegs the number more at 50% now. I don't think it's relevant at all what Uber sold their services as years ago.

[02nz]

What bearing does that have on your prior mistaken point. Why wouldn’t they accept a ride if they were available.

Drivers choose not to accept a ride ALL THE TIME. Because the fare isn't high enough, the ride is too short, too long, not where they want to go, rider rating is too low, whatever. There are definitely drivers who "lurk" until surge pricing is in effect. Have you ever not gotten a ride (or had to wait a long time) even though drivers were available in the vicinity?

They don’t set the prices. Period. And the rider accepts the price quoted. Case closed.

They absolutely do contribute to setting the prices by accepting or not accepting rides. Like in any market, it's supply and demand. Why do you think surge pricing exists?

[OrangeKiwi]

If you can’t tip appropriately don’t use a car service. The fare is not set by the driver.

Cheers

If the driver does not agree to the terms of Uber’s platform (which include completing the job for the amount Uber gives them), then the driver should not choose to drive for Uber.

Additionally, if the driver wants more money than initially advertised, they are free to state that before the passenger gets in the car.

I don’t think you use Uber. Uber drivers don’t set the fare and can’t change the fare. It’s all done through the Uber app.

OP stated that when they went to book the Uber the price had risen. That happens without the drivers involvement.

Cheers

Drivers agree to Uber's pricing when they agree to drive for Uber. Driver sells to Uber, Uber sells to me. I do not need to get involved with all of my vendors' and their vendors' cost of goods sold and profit margins.

[Silk McCue]

But the driver does choose whether or not to accept that ride.

What bearing does that have on your prior mistaken point. Why wouldn’t they accept a ride if they were available.

They don’t set the prices. Period. And the rider accepts the price quoted. Case closed.

Cheers

You don't understand the mechanics of uber drivers and ride acceptance. Many drivers refuse certain rides. Being available is the least important consideration.

Thanks.

The primary issue on the back and forth with 02nz is that the driver does not set the price but rather Uber does. Accepting or refusing rides is not a part of the calculus from the riders perspective that accepts a ride that is higher than it was when they checked on the app earlier. The driver didn’t do that and isn’t responsible for that.

Cheers

[pizzy]

But the driver does choose whether or not to accept that ride.

What bearing does that have on your prior mistaken point. Why wouldn’t they accept a ride if they were available.

They don’t set the prices. Period. And the rider accepts the price quoted. Case closed.

Cheers

You don't understand the mechanics of uber drivers and ride acceptance. Many drivers refuse certain rides. Being available is the least important consideration.

Thanks.

The primary issue on the back and forth with 02nz is that the driver does not set the price but rather Uber does. Accepting or refusing rides is not a part of the calculus from the riders perspective that accepts a ride that is higher than it was when they checked on the app earlier. The driver didn’t do that and isn’t responsible for that.

Cheers

The drivers have influence and work together to create surge pricing. Especially in high trafficked areas, airports, etc.

[Chuckles960]

There is never an appropriate or usual/customary price on Uber. It varies a lot. This should not be such a huge surprise, leading to thoughts of making up the money by adjusting the tip.

You can pay Uber's price or look for a better price. You can check Lyft, which in my area is significantly cheaper 75% of the time and also sends me coupons. You can wait a bit and check Uber again. There are also other options in most areas.

I don't like the practice of tipping, it is creepy. It is established by custom for waitstaff (who get paid less than minimum wage to compensate), and for taxi drivers and such, but there is no established custom for rideshares. Therefore, tipping is optional and people can choose any criterion they like. No need to ask on BH.

(Regarding Lyft, it does bother me that their minimum tip choice is 18%, sometimes 15%, the alternative being no tip. It is possible to beat that system but it takes a couple of extra steps.)

[pizzy]

There is never an appropriate or usual/customary price on Uber. It varies a lot. This should not be such a huge surprise, leading to thoughts of making up the money by adjusting the tip.

You can pay Uber's price or look for a better price. You can check Lyft, which in my area is significantly cheaper 75% of the time and also sends me coupons. You can wait a bit and check Uber again. There are also other options in most areas.

I don't like the practice of tipping, it is creepy. It is established by custom for waitstaff (who get paid less than minimum wage to compensate), and for taxi drivers and such, but there is no established custom for rideshares. Therefore, tipping is optional and people can choose any criterion they like. No need to ask on BH.

Why do you separate taxi and rideshare?

[Chuckles960]

Why do you separate taxi and rideshare?

Because taxis have fixed rates and rideshares do not. (You may not agree with this, but as I said, tipping is optional and so one can make up any criterion one likes.)

[pizzy]

Why do you separate taxi and rideshare?

Because taxis have fixed rates and rideshares do not. (You may not agree with this, but as I said, tipping is optional and so one can make up any criterion one likes.)

I agree with what you wrote in parentheses. I was just curious about why treat taxi/uber different. Makes sense.

[sperry8]

If you can’t tip appropriately don’t use a car service. The fare is not set by the driver.

Cheers

Over 60% of people don't tip Uber or Lyft drivers. So the majority disagree with your statement.

[AlwaysLearningMore]

Uber is already an expensive service. Despite recent tipflation, I continue to see tipping as something primarily done just at full service restaurants, or in a few other contexts if provided with extraordinary service that goes beyond expectation. In an uber ride, you are most often getting exactly what you signed up for, nothing more and nothing less. I see no reason to tip an uber. Just because uber added tipping prompts, along with every other point of sale terminal out there, doesn't mean I need to tip all of them. Even the grocery store and gas station sometimes asks for tips now. No thanks.

Your rating with the drivers has likely suffered, they do rate passengers as you probably know. Low ratings make it less likely you'll be a priority pick up.

[AlwaysLearningMore]

Uber is already an expensive service. Despite recent tipflation, I continue to see tipping as something primarily done just at full service restaurants, or in a few other contexts if provided with extraordinary service that goes beyond expectation. In an uber ride, you are most often getting exactly what you signed up for, nothing more and nothing less. I see no reason to tip an uber. Just because uber added tipping prompts, along with every other point of sale terminal out there, doesn't mean I need to tip all of them. Even the grocery store and gas station sometimes asks for tips now. No thanks.

Your rating with the drivers has likely suffered, they do rate passengers as you probably know. Low ratings make it less likely you'll be a priority pick up.

[LambertStrether]

Yes, the price changed over the space of an hour. The misleading comparison to tipping aside, it sounds like you miscalculated the relation between “rush hour” and Uber’s supply-demand algorithm in that instance.

[Chuckles960]

If you can’t tip appropriately don’t use a car service. The fare is not set by the driver.

I don't see the point of this statement. The driver gets more money when the fare is higher, which is the relevant issue

And, there is no such thing as a prescribed "appropriate" tip.

There was a recent NYTimes advice column about a customer who was asked (electronically) to tip their dermatologist.

[sf_tech_saver]

I typically take a town car service to airport for business trips. Runs about $80+ tip. Decided to try Uber today. I checked availability and cost about an hour early, during peak rush hour... about $75. When I went to page Uber after the rush hour... cost was $105... so that must be a demand increase, not travel time increase. Does the bulk of that go to Uber, or the driver? Part of me wants to consider that extra $30 to be the drivers tip!

I always tip Uber 20% or more, and try to use the Uber black when available.

If you want nice things in life, you have to pay for them.

Why save and invest if you can't share with others. Meh, not the vibe for me.

[Prokofiev]

Why do you separate taxi and rideshare?

Because taxis have fixed rates and rideshares do not. (You may not agree with this, but as I said, tipping is optional and so one can make up any criterion one likes.)

I agree with what you wrote in parentheses. I was just curious about why treat taxi/uber different. Makes sense.

To me it's just the opposite. Maybe going to some airports, it is a fixed taxi fee. But most of my cab rides have a meter spinning away,
whether we are moving or not. That's why I strongly prefer Uber or better, Lyft. Fixed rate that I know in advance. Example from just a couple days ago. We are in Paris and the hotel is about 5 miles from the train station. Uber = 34euros = $36. Time sez 28 minutes. Seems a little high, but OK.
One hour later we STILL were not at the hotel. Crazy traffic and obstructions. A cab ride would have been $50+ with the meter running. The Uber
guy got stiffed, while a taxi would have made out alright.

As to driver fees, I believe the companies charge a minimum fixed fee ($3-4) and a sliding percentage of the fare (along with some unknown surge multiplier). So for short rides of $10 or less, the driver may indeed only get $5 or 50%. But for most of our rides, I see about $12-$13 of $17-18 to the driver. And yes, they show be their App, usually to complain. But a better data point was 15 days ago in Scotland. We took a $500 (don't ask) Uber ride! The driver immediately asked how much we paid and showed me his App for $400 (80%). Why? Because he wanted to stiff the company and split the difference. He asked me to cancel the ride and he would charge $450. We both made out. It cost me $4 to cancel, but saved me $50 in fare. Of course, Uber was getting the short end of the stick, but that happens sometimes.

[goingup]

Maybe an Uber driver will post here. My last driver told me he gets 50% of the fare.

I always tip. Have a 5 star rating and get picked up quickly. I have been quite impressed by the drivers and the overall experience. I’ve used Rideshare about 40 times since 2017, so not a huge user but a big fan.

[AlwaysLearningMore]

I typically take a town car service to airport for business trips. Runs about $80+ tip. Decided to try Uber today. I checked availability and cost about an hour early, during peak rush hour... about $75. When I went to page Uber after the rush hour... cost was $105... so that must be a demand increase, not travel time increase. Does the bulk of that go to Uber, or the driver? Part of me wants to consider that extra $30 to be the drivers tip!

I always tip 20+%, and always in cash.

Fortunately, every driver I've had over the years has been courteous, and I have returned their courtesy in kind.

I have a five star passenger rating.

[UpperNwGuy]

Uber and Lyft are taxis. We've been tipping taxi drivers for decades. Tip your Uber/Lyft driver.

[pizzy]

I typically take a town car service to airport for business trips. Runs about $80+ tip. Decided to try Uber today. I checked availability and cost about an hour early, during peak rush hour... about $75. When I went to page Uber after the rush hour... cost was $105... so that must be a demand increase, not travel time increase. Does the bulk of that go to Uber, or the driver? Part of me wants to consider that extra $30 to be the drivers tip!

I always tip 20+%, and always in cash.

Fortunately, every driver I've had over the years has been courteous, and I have returned their courtesy in kind.

I have a five star passenger rating.

The rating has nothing to do with whether you tip or not.

[cubs1999]

My understanding is that they don't see where you are going until the drivers accept the ride. This is why occasionally you get drivers that try to get you to cancel. They don't like the fare to where you are going or don't like the destination (they might not expect to find another fare there and/or will get stuck in traffic to get back etc).

I've had 3 incidents where the driver did this cancel scam with me. They either drive the wrong way or just sit somewhere and wait and hope you cancel. They fer dinged if they cancel but not if you do. There's a long thread on flyertalk about this.

I had one in Colorado that never showed even after we used Lyft to go to our destination.. I finally cancelled it an hour after I had ordered it. I like keeping it open bc I know they can't accept other rides while they do this. In this case, the driver probably just went to bed bc it was late.

On other time, at O'Hare, I sent the driver a message that I wasn't going to cancel so they might as well come get me. This person eventually came bc they didn't want to take the ding of cancelling and I just let it sit open while I watched TV on my phone. I didn't tip that ride.


My point in this is in response to the post above claiming the driver chose to accept or decline the ride. That is not my understanding of how this works and I'll link the Flyertalk thread for reference. Also they can't show up and demand you pay more. Wel, they can do that but it's against the rules.

Here's on thread. There was a longer one but this is first one I could find

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ride-se ... ancel.html

[pizzy]

My understanding is that they don't see where you are going until the drivers accept the ride. This is why occasionally you get drivers that try to get you to cancel. They don't like the fare to where you are going or don't like the destination (they might not expect to find another fare there and/or will get stuck in traffic to get back etc).

I've had 3 incidents where the driver did this cancel scam with me. They either drive the wrong way or just sit somewhere and wait and hope you cancel. They fer dinged if they cancel but not if you do. There's a long thread on flyertalk about this.

I had one in Colorado that never showed even after we used Lyft to go to our destination.. I finally cancelled it an hour after I had ordered it. I like keeping it open bc I know they can't accept other rides while they do this. In this case, the driver probably just went to bed bc it was late.

On other time, at O'Hare, I sent the driver a message that I wasn't going to cancel so they might as well come get me. This person eventually came bc they didn't want to take the ding of cancelling and I just let it sit open while I watched TV on my phone. I didn't tip that ride.


My point in this is in response to the post above claiming the driver chose to accept or decline the ride. That is not my understanding of how this works and I'll link the Flyertalk thread for reference. Also they can't show up and demand you pay more. Wel, they can do that but it's against the rules.

Here's on thread. There was a longer one but this is first one I could find

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ride-se ... ancel.html

Uber drivers now see the destination and how much they will earn before accepting the ride.

[AlwaysLearningMore]

I typically take a town car service to airport for business trips. Runs about $80+ tip. Decided to try Uber today. I checked availability and cost about an hour early, during peak rush hour... about $75. When I went to page Uber after the rush hour... cost was $105... so that must be a demand increase, not travel time increase. Does the bulk of that go to Uber, or the driver? Part of me wants to consider that extra $30 to be the drivers tip!

I always tip 20+%, and always in cash.

Fortunately, every driver I've had over the years has been courteous, and I have returned their courtesy in kind.

I have a five star passenger rating.

The rating has nothing to do with whether you tip or not.

Interesting. That's not what someone who drives for Uber told me. (no, I was not a passenger at the time, it was a casual conversation outside of that setting). Perhaps someone who drives for Uber can clarify.

Edit: from the Uber website:

"How star ratings work
The Uber platform features a 2-way rating system: drivers and riders give each other ratings based on their trip experience. Your driver rating is an average of the last 500 ratings from your riders."

"The basics of ratings
After each trip, riders and drivers have the opportunity to rate each other from 1 to 5 stars, based on their trip experience. Ratings are anonymous. You won’t see individual ratings tied to a particular trip or person."

[cubs1999]

My understanding is that they don't see where you are going until the drivers accept the ride. This is why occasionally you get drivers that try to get you to cancel. They don't like the fare to where you are going or don't like the destination (they might not expect to find another fare there and/or will get stuck in traffic to get back etc).

I've had 3 incidents where the driver did this cancel scam with me. They either drive the wrong way or just sit somewhere and wait and hope you cancel. They fer dinged if they cancel but not if you do. There's a long thread on flyertalk about this.

I had one in Colorado that never showed even after we used Lyft to go to our destination.. I finally cancelled it an hour after I had ordered it. I like keeping it open bc I know they can't accept other rides while they do this. In this case, the driver probably just went to bed bc it was late.

On other time, at O'Hare, I sent the driver a message that I wasn't going to cancel so they might as well come get me. This person eventually came bc they didn't want to take the ding of cancelling and I just let it sit open while I watched TV on my phone. I didn't tip that ride.


My point in this is in response to the post above claiming the driver chose to accept or decline the ride. That is not my understanding of how this works and I'll link the Flyertalk thread for reference. Also they can't show up and demand you pay more. Wel, they can do that but it's against the rules.

Here's on thread. There was a longer one but this is first one I could find

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ride-se ... ancel.html

Uber drivers now see the destination and how much they will earn before accepting the ride.

When did they change this? I think I like this new method better. Id rather get no matches then get tapped with the old pull over for 20 minutes scam.

[SchruteB&B]

Why do you separate taxi and rideshare?

Because taxis have fixed rates and rideshares do not. (You may not agree with this, but as I said, tipping is optional and so one can make up any criterion one likes.)

I agree with what you wrote in parentheses. I was just curious about why treat taxi/uber different. Makes sense.

To me it's just the opposite. Maybe going to some airports, it is a fixed taxi fee. But most of my cab rides have a meter spinning away,
whether we are moving or not.

Going to and from an airport is a fixed rate in a taxi, but agreed, absolutely no other trips in a taxi in the city I live in are fixed rate. And the rideshare cost is always changing, but it is fixed and set before you accept it. So I am confused by the original distinction made.

[pizzy]

Why do you separate taxi and rideshare?

Because taxis have fixed rates and rideshares do not. (You may not agree with this, but as I said, tipping is optional and so one can make up any criterion one likes.)

I agree with what you wrote in parentheses. I was just curious about why treat taxi/uber different. Makes sense.

To me it's just the opposite. Maybe going to some airports, it is a fixed taxi fee. But most of my cab rides have a meter spinning away,
whether we are moving or not.

Going to and from an airport is a fixed rate in a taxi, but agreed, absolutely no other trips in a taxi in the city I live in are fixed rate. And the rideshare cost is always changing, but it is fixed and set before you accept it. So I am confused by the original distinction made.

Rate vs cost.

Taxis have fixed rates, variable cost.

Uber has variable rates, fixed cost.

[LifeAquaticTenenbaum]

I always tip uber drivers unless they're awful, which I can't recall a recent instance of.

If I'm coming home from the airport late at night, at least $5-6, if it's a short ride in town, $2-3. Usually this equates to around 15-20%

Use public transportation as much as possible, so when I take Uber (which is definitely a luxury by the way), I tip.

Not a fan of the way tipping has evolved in the last few years, but ride share is not the hill I die on. They probably deserve it as much as anyone.

[student]

My understanding is that they don't see where you are going until the drivers accept the ride. This is why occasionally you get drivers that try to get you to cancel. They don't like the fare to where you are going or don't like the destination (they might not expect to find another fare there and/or will get stuck in traffic to get back etc).

I've had 3 incidents where the driver did this cancel scam with me. They either drive the wrong way or just sit somewhere and wait and hope you cancel. They fer dinged if they cancel but not if you do. There's a long thread on flyertalk about this.

I had one in Colorado that never showed even after we used Lyft to go to our destination.. I finally cancelled it an hour after I had ordered it. I like keeping it open bc I know they can't accept other rides while they do this. In this case, the driver probably just went to bed bc it was late.

On other time, at O'Hare, I sent the driver a message that I wasn't going to cancel so they might as well come get me. This person eventually came bc they didn't want to take the ding of cancelling and I just let it sit open while I watched TV on my phone. I didn't tip that ride.


My point in this is in response to the post above claiming the driver chose to accept or decline the ride. That is not my understanding of how this works and I'll link the Flyertalk thread for reference. Also they can't show up and demand you pay more. Wel, they can do that but it's against the rules.

Here's on thread. There was a longer one but this is first one I could find

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ride-se ... ancel.html

Uber drivers now see the destination and how much they will earn before accepting the ride.

When did they change this? I think I like this new method better. Id rather get no matches then get tapped with the old pull over for 20 minutes scam.

It seems they tell drivers ahead of time about the fare and destination.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ7ZSCDwucI
https://therideshareguy.com/uber-rollin ... -features/

[Wading Ashore]

I use Uber a lot, and I tip. I would probably do it anyway, since tipping cab drivers is the custom here, but the Uber drivers rate passengers. I'm not sure how they hook up with fares, but I find I can set up the ride as I'm leaving the apartment, and there's usually a car waiting by the time I get out of the elevator downstairs. My theory is that it's due to my high rating, but I don't really know.

[oilrig]

Maybe an Uber driver will post here. My last driver told me he gets 50% of the fare.

I always tip. Have a 5 star rating and get picked up quickly. I have been quite impressed by the drivers and the overall experience. I’ve used Rideshare about 40 times since 2017, so not a huge user but a big fan.

I drive Uber part time, and 50% sounds about right. Uber and Lyft keep lowering the pay out for drivers. And I would say about 25-30% of passengers tip.

[oilrig]

My understanding is that they don't see where you are going until the drivers accept the ride. This is why occasionally you get drivers that try to get you to cancel. They don't like the fare to where you are going or don't like the destination (they might not expect to find another fare there and/or will get stuck in traffic to get back etc).

I've had 3 incidents where the driver did this cancel scam with me. They either drive the wrong way or just sit somewhere and wait and hope you cancel. They fer dinged if they cancel but not if you do. There's a long thread on flyertalk about this.

I had one in Colorado that never showed even after we used Lyft to go to our destination.. I finally cancelled it an hour after I had ordered it. I like keeping it open bc I know they can't accept other rides while they do this. In this case, the driver probably just went to bed bc it was late.

On other time, at O'Hare, I sent the driver a message that I wasn't going to cancel so they might as well come get me. This person eventually came bc they didn't want to take the ding of cancelling and I just let it sit open while I watched TV on my phone. I didn't tip that ride.


My point in this is in response to the post above claiming the driver chose to accept or decline the ride. That is not my understanding of how this works and I'll link the Flyertalk thread for reference. Also they can't show up and demand you pay more. Wel, they can do that but it's against the rules.

Here's on thread. There was a longer one but this is first one I could find

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ride-se ... ancel.html

Uber drivers now see the destination and how much they will earn before accepting the ride.

When did they change this? I think I like this new method better. Id rather get no matches then get tapped with the old pull over for 20 minutes scam.

It seems they tell drivers ahead of time about the fare and destination.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ7ZSCDwucI
https://therideshareguy.com/uber-rollin ... -features/

I can confirm that Uber/Lyft drivers see the destination and the payout before we accept each ride.

[spectec]

We all come at this differently, don't we? I always tip the Uber driver (generously, usually in cash) as well as anyone whose job involves earning tips as a substantial part of their income. I tip them like someone who has worked for tips at some time in his life, because I did when I was young. The experience of having seen this issue from the other side will significantly impact anyone's perspective on tipping.