Uber and JetBlue partner to offer rides to delayed passengers
Editor's Note
JetBlue passengers whose flights are delayed or canceled overnight can expect a smoother ride going forward. The airline is partnering with Uber to issue travelers Uber vouchers for transportation to hotels during overnight delays, the airline and ride-hailing service announced Tuesday.
The New York City-based airline will offer affected travelers complimentary Uber vouchers for qualified travel disruptions, specifically flight delays or cancellations.
To be eligible for the voucher, delays or cancellations need to meet one of two qualifying criteria for situations where JetBlue is not able to rebook the customer on a new flight until the following day, specifically:
- For JetBlue flights that are delayed at least three hours due to something within JetBlue's control
- For JetBlue flights that are canceled due to something within the airline's control
In both of those scenarios, JetBlue will offer an Uber voucher to provide ground transportation from the airport to a nearby hotel (and back).
“We always work to give our customers a great onboard experience and get them to their destination safely and on time,” Joanna Geraghty, president and COO at JetBlue, said in a statement. “Sometimes travel doesn’t go as planned, and flights can get delayed or cancelled. In those cases, when the disruption is due to something in our control, our partnership with Uber for Business will make options for our customers more seamless.”
Affected travelers will receive a link for the voucher via text and or email. When they click the link, it will take them to the Uber app where they will see the voucher in their account. From there, when they take an applicable ride (with the designated airport as the destination or pick-up point), the voucher will be automatically applied.
This program is currently available across all domestic cities where JetBlue operates and will initially expand internationally to Paris, London and Amsterdam before broadening to South America and the Caribbean.
“No matter how much you prepare, travel is always full of surprises,” Susan Anderson, global head of Uber for Business and business development at Uber, said. “Together, we can help to ensure that even if travel doesn’t go as planned, travelers will have an easy and streamlined ground transportation option, so they can get where they need to go quickly.”
Uber's new 'Return a package' feature
In addition to the newly announced partnership to provide vouchers to JetBlue customers who experience qualified travel disruptions, Uber also launched a new feature this week for Uber customers to return packages via the app.
Customers can use Uber's new "Return a package" feature to request a courier pick up any prepaid and sealed packages (up to five at a time) for drop-off at a local post office or UPS or FedEx location.
Packages must be prepaid (with a label or QR code), sealed and ready to be shipped. Additionally, they must be less than $100 in value and weigh less than 30 pounds while meeting additional shipping guidelines detailed in the app.
Once the pickup is complete, customers can track their package in real time in the Uber app, where the courier will send a visual confirmation or photo of the receipt after the drop-off.
As of Wednesday, users can access this new feature in both the Uber and Uber Eats apps by clicking on the package icon in the Uber app or the “Return a package” in the settings section of the Uber Eats app.
Uber will charge a $5 flat fee for this service or $3 for Uber One members. As of Wednesday, this feature is available for customers in nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns, including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, New York City and San Francisco.
Related reading:
- JetBlue offers status match to Delta flyers on heels of SkyMiles devaluation
- JetBlue becomes the latest airline to guarantee family seating
- Uber expands taxi operations in California
- How (and why) you should connect your personal account to Uber for Business
- Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.