Uber has announced that it’s going to end its loyalty program this fall.
In this post:
Uber Rewards program ends October 31, 2022
The Uber Rewards program will be ending as of October 31, 2022, as the ride sharing giant claims to instead be focused on its Uber One membership program.
Uber Rewards members can continue to take advantage of benefits and redeem points through October 31, 2022, but at that point the program will cease to exist. Uber is also offering many Uber Rewards members one free month of Uber One, with the catch that it will auto-renew, so presumably many people will forget to cancel it.
For those not familiar with Uber Rewards, the program offers 1-3x points for Uber spending, including on rides and food delivery orders. Those rewards can then be redeemed for certain perks, like discounts on rides, discounted food deliveries, etc. Uber Rewards also offers elite status, with perks like being matched with top-rated drivers, flexible cancelation, and more.
Uber had already devalued the program multiple times prior to this announcement of it being discontinued, so I guess this shouldn’t be much of a surprise.
My take on Uber ending its loyalty program
First of all, I find it disappointing that Uber is ending its loyalty program with such little notice. Uber customers have been qualifying for “status,” which is supposed to offer value in the future, but now those perks are being taken away. It’s one thing to say that you can’t earn status in the future, but to take away status that has already been earned is disappointing. Unfortunately consumers probably don’t have much recourse here.
Second of all, loyalty programs generally work really well, which is why they’re so common, especially in retail and travel. On some level this probably reflects that Uber has limited global competition. Yes, in the US Lyft is a major competitor, but that’s not the case internationally. Outside the United States, Uber mostly competes with regional ride sharing apps.
Lastly, I hate to say it, but big picture I can kind of understand why Uber is ending its loyalty program. Uber is trying to promote the Uber One membership program. For $9.99 per month you receive many of the same perks that Uber Rewards potentially offers, including being connected with top-rated drivers, discounted food deliveries, discounts on rides, and more.
Uber is essentially going the Amazon route. Amazon doesn’t have a loyalty program, but the paid Amazon Prime service almost tries to accomplish the same thing, and makes people loyal. I can appreciate how there might be confusion between Uber One and Uber Rewards, especially when both have some overlapping benefits.
Bottom line
The Uber Rewards loyalty program will be ending as of October 31, 2022, so if you have any points, make sure you redeem them before then. I find it disappointing how Uber is going about this, essentially taking away the elite perks that people have earned.
The company is now shifting its focus to Uber One, as clearly the company thinks it can use its paid membership service to create loyalty among customers, rather than giving out rewards for “free.”
What do you make of Uber Rewards ending?
Uber ? Do they have any customers left (loyal or otherwise)? IIRC, didn't Dara pull the 'devaluation' pin on Expedia's loyalty program just as he left?
With all the issues of consistent Uber 'surge' pricing, cancelling drivers, charging passengers for driver cancellations, a poorly thought-out loyalty program, total lack of customer service, contractibility or responsibility, I'm surprised there are any customers left.
It seems that 'promotional' exercises are carried out poorly and that the...
Uber ? Do they have any customers left (loyal or otherwise)? IIRC, didn't Dara pull the 'devaluation' pin on Expedia's loyalty program just as he left?
With all the issues of consistent Uber 'surge' pricing, cancelling drivers, charging passengers for driver cancellations, a poorly thought-out loyalty program, total lack of customer service, contractibility or responsibility, I'm surprised there are any customers left.
It seems that 'promotional' exercises are carried out poorly and that the 'loyalty' program was hardly rewarding anyway. In Australia, they are 'partnered' with Qantas only - and once you have linked your QF FF card, only trips to/from the airport are considered point-worthy. Pfft, simply no interest in the ^free^ version of the loyalty program, so why would I pay for the 'shiny' new Uber One version ?
Yall realize the new Uber program is going to be complimentary for Amex Platinum users right....
Steve, can you expand on this a little? I don't recall seeing it, but I'm probably missing something. Are you simply saying that we can use our monthly American Express Platinum card Uber credits to pay for it?
I'm shocked, shocked that Uber customers somehow expected Uber to treat them better than the way Uber treats it's drivers.
I don't know what fantasy island you're in, but most service industry treats their customer much better than their independent contractors. And even if your fantasy island consider drivers as employee, still no.
So yes, as an Uber customer, I do expect Uber to treat me better than their drivers. I'm shocked, shocked that some customers think otherwise.
And I hope your fantasy island will have no unions at all because independent contractors are treated...
I don't know what fantasy island you're in, but most service industry treats their customer much better than their independent contractors. And even if your fantasy island consider drivers as employee, still no.
So yes, as an Uber customer, I do expect Uber to treat me better than their drivers. I'm shocked, shocked that some customers think otherwise.
And I hope your fantasy island will have no unions at all because independent contractors are treated very well and none is needed.
A world without labour unions will surely make you 'shocked'.
In most major metros I’m back to taxis with Curb.
As far as Uber, they’re trying to get more folks to use UberEats - Uber One is replacing the Eats Pass as they make more reliable margin marking up menu prices on food. That’s why they’ll waive delivery fees for Uber One customer paying $10/month - between the monthly fee and food margins they make it all back.
My advice is consistent with what fellow commentators said.
No need to be loyal to Uber. They have really lost their price advantage in many markets and have numerous competitors. Check the price and decide accordingly.
Regarding Uber eats - I have nothing but bad experiences, so have no intention of using them again.
I stopped spending any money on Uber, even though I still get $15 credits with Amex monthly. I think the assertion that Uber doesn't have competition is very misguided. The narrative that Uber destroyed all the competition, which will never return somehow, is very wrong.
I pay for taxis, and save money on every single trip. In San Francisco, Uber's HQ city!
in my city Uber and lyft are pretty equal. well, Uber eats is awful. it's tedious af getting prompted at every ride to buy into Uber one. local taxis are crap. I was one of those offered a free month of Uber one. unsure that I'll use it.
I'm just here to give my condolences to people who fell for the Amazon greedy marketing scheme.
"Amazon doesn’t have a loyalty program, but the paid Amazon Prime service almost tries to accomplish the same thing, and makes people loyal."
It's a paywall. But if you think paying for seat selection makes you loyal to the airline, go for it.
People pay for Prime to get free 2 day shipping and they still scam...
I'm just here to give my condolences to people who fell for the Amazon greedy marketing scheme.
"Amazon doesn’t have a loyalty program, but the paid Amazon Prime service almost tries to accomplish the same thing, and makes people loyal."
It's a paywall. But if you think paying for seat selection makes you loyal to the airline, go for it.
People pay for Prime to get free 2 day shipping and they still scam you with add-on items, or pantry, or fresh for additional cost.
Then they scam you into no rush for an extra digital content $1 (with a few dollar cap so you can't $139 your way back) And didn't you remember you paid $139 to get it rushed. Would you pay $139 to upgrade to First Class, just so they can offer you $1 at the gate to sit in coach?
Then there is Prime for AK HI PR, not eligible for many things.
But on Prime day you need membership to access deals.
Like Discount Den, $9 fare club, all paywall.
So if you think paying $9.99 after they surge the price over 30% so you can essentially get what you supposed to is a loyalty program, go or it.
So what is the reason for Uber to end the rewards program? So what is Uber going to do for their customers.
Combining their programs into a subscription tier - Uber One.
Uber cost has gone insane this summer. Several recent work trips to Chicago and my spend has shifted significantly to Lyft. It is not unusual for Lyft to be 20-30% cheaper for the same trip.
If a tree falls in the woods...
Totally agree with the other comments - Uber in NYC and most other major cities is ludicrously expensive now. It has gone from the go-to option to I barely even check it now. Taxis or Lyft are half the price, or even less than what an Uber would cost. Outside of major cities or the US it's usually another app - Bolt (and pre-war Yandex) in Europe, Lyft or Via in other US cities. Uber needs to get it's pricing and fees in check.
I’m back to taxis when I visit NYC. Uber is way more expensive.
Uber eats is the worst of the big 3 delivery services- more errors, terrible customer service.
Going from Manhattan to JFK, compare the price of Uber and a taxi. Going from Manhattan to Brooklyn around dinner time, compare the price of Uber and a taxi. Then, just try to get a ride in lower Manhattan after a late night dinner. After years of hit or miss with drivers, surge pricing, etc., I gave up. Screw the Amex credit. Yo, taxi!
Interesting for years I have do away with all the programs and see the effect of ticket prices. Year ago when I began my career I was fortunate to be able to fly first, those days we actually had black tickets enabling us to walk up to a counter and write our ticket, the price for first was proportionally much lower than today. Nothing is free redemption is now disproportionately higher with far less business/first...
Interesting for years I have do away with all the programs and see the effect of ticket prices. Year ago when I began my career I was fortunate to be able to fly first, those days we actually had black tickets enabling us to walk up to a counter and write our ticket, the price for first was proportionally much lower than today. Nothing is free redemption is now disproportionately higher with far less business/first availability. I am basing this on travel to Europe from wester states. The problem we have is several major airlines have "leveraged" their programs to gain much needed cash, now they find themselves with a huge negative balance of FF points which they need to reduce so they leveraged their programs to get cash now they need to bleed down those points hmmmm.
Yes I played the points game for many many years now semi retired I am buying through 3mm points