Uber Could Impose Surge Pricing When Your Phone Is Dying
Over the past few years, Uber has been on a seemingly unstoppable march to change the way millions of people move about their cities. The platform has been praised for its simplicity and convenience, but has also found itself wrapped up in high-profile legal challenges, from being forced to shut down in Austin to setting off a debate over tipping. (If you don't have an Uber account you can receive a free ride up to $20 by signing up with this link.)
Uber's chief economic officer Keith Chen revealed to NPR's Shankar Vedantam of the Hidden Brain podcast that its research shows people are more likely to accept surge pricing if their phone is low on battery. It's likely that Uber receives this information when the app enters reserve power mode on a user's phone. Uber maintains that it will not use this data to impose surge pricing on its customers, however, the company has misused consumer data in the past and people remain skeptical as to whether the rideshare company will honor this promise to its customers.
Has Uber's data collection gone too far?
H/T: View from the Wing
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
- Top rated mobile app