Uber unveils new features, from additional ride options to new stores on Uber Eats and more
After two years of launching features aimed at families, Uber unveiled six new products — three focused on shared rides and three new Uber Eats expansions — at its fourth annual product showcase, Go-Get. The new additions include airport shuttle and event rides, pre-scheduled Uber X shared rides and Uber Caregiver.
Here's what you need to know.
Uber Shuffle, pre-scheduled UberX Share and Uber Caregiver
Travelers heading to the same destination (including select airports and event venues) can now use Uber Shuttle, a new feature that allows them to book a shared UberX for a fraction of the price.
With Uber Shuttle, riders can reserve up to five seats in the Uber app seven days before their desired departure date. Within 25 minutes of the scheduled pick-up, riders can track their Uber Shuttle's location; they must also show a QR-code ticket to the driver to validate the ride. These rides are not affected by surge pricing.
This summer, Uber Shuttle is also partnering with Live Nation to provide concertgoers with rides to select venues. Such venues include Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, Star Lake Amphitheater in Pittsburgh and PNC Pavilion in Charlotte and Miami's Hard Rock Stadium for sporting events.
Additionally, you will be able to use Uber Shuttle to book airport shuttle services in select cities. A list of specific cities is not yet available, but keep in mind that this feature will look different in each municipality. For example, some cities will have a central pickup and drop-off location (such as downtown) for airport curbside services.
Leaning into shared rides even further, customers who schedule UberX Share rides in advance will now be able to save an average of 25% compared to the standard cost of an UberX trip. Shared Uber X rides can be reserved up to 10 minutes before departure and as far as 30 days in advance. Prices are locked in when booked. This feature is currently available in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego and Atlanta. More cities are to come.
To book, tap the clock icon, choose a time window to arrive, lock in the price and confirm the pickup price. The next day, you'll receive a text indicating when your driver is available and whether there will be a co-rider.
Uber Health is expanding its sights this summer by launching Uber Caregiver — a new feature for caregivers and their loved ones. Users will soon be able to add a caregiver to their profiles, which will give a designated person access to certain features on the app. Such features include the ability to book and monitor rides to doctor appointments, and order deliveries for things such as medical supplies and order groceries. There's also a three-way chat option, so caregivers can easily communicate with a driver or courier.
Users' commercial insurance — including Medicare Advantage, Medicaid recipients, employer-generated health plans, and health benefits cards — can be applied to eligible costs to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. All other expenses can be paid in-app via credit card. Users should contact their healthcare plans directly to see if their plan is eligible.
Caregivers will also be able to order groceries via Uber Eats later this year, per Uber.
Costco on Uber Eats, Uber Eats Lists and Uber One for Students
Uber Eats is partnering with Costco in select U.S. locations for members and nonmembers, who can order from Costco via Uber Eats. Costco members save an additional amount on every order and 20% off an annual Uber One membership.
Enter your membership number in the Uber Eats app on the Costco storefront page or at checkout to save in select locations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Japan.
The final two new Uber products are also aimed at food, including Uber Eats List. This feature will launch in July in New York City and will allow users to provide personalized curated food recommendations and "discover recommendations from friends and foodies alike."
Lastly, Uber expanded its Uber One membership program to cover college students at a discounted monthly price of $4.99 or $48 annually. Perks include 10% off eligible Uber Eats orders, a $0 delivery fee and 6% cash back on late-night rides, among other savings. This will launch in the U.S., Australia, France, New Zealand and Mexico through the fall.
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