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Uber Says It Can Lower the Cost of Flight to UberX Prices

June 11, 2019
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3 min read
scUber in-app (Credit - Tourism and Events Queensland and Uber)
Uber Says It Can Lower the Cost of Flight to UberX Prices
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Think you can't afford a ride in a flying taxi? Uber says that likely won't be the case once its airborne taxis take to the skies. Executives at the ride-hailing company said Tuesday that when the program launches, prices for flights will be about the same as a regular Uber ride in a car.

"Today, helicopters are only affordable for the fairly wealthy," Eric Allison, the head of Uber's helicopter and flying taxi division, said Tuesday at the company's third annual Uber Elevate conference in Washington, DC.

At launch, Allison said that Uber can operate, its flying taxis, dubbed Uber Air, for "something that's pretty close" to an Uber Black on a per mile basis.

As time goes on and Uber can operate more flights and get more people onto each flight, Allison predicts that within a couple of years from launch Uber can get the "price per seat mile much closer, probably exceeding that of UberX."

Last week, Uber announced that it would be launching on-demand helicopter service in New York City in July, ferrying passengers between lower Manhattan and JFK airport. On average, those flights will cost about $200-225 one-way, although they'll also be subject to Uber's dynamic pricing model.

Allison says that when Uber launches eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft, it can reduce that cost by about a third just because of the efficiency of the technology itself.

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The ride-hailing giant made an even bolder claim after that, saying it will use scale manufacturing and autonomous technology to get the prices even more competitive.

"But that's not enough," Allison said. "In the long term, Uber Air on a per seat basis will be competitive with car ownership."

Uber executives have said they want to end car-ownership, so if it could really get the price of Uber Air flights down to the these low levels — then they might have a chance. However it's a very long-way off before this becomes a reality. Especially considering the company is unprofitable and essentially subsidizes the cost of every passenger's ride.

Image courtesy of Uber / Youtube.

This morning, Uber unveiled a full-scale real-life demo of a future Uber Air aircraft cabin. Uber plans on launching test flights of its air taxis next year and wants to begin commercial service in Dallas and Los Angeles in 2023.

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at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.