Uber’s app is a free download from either the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android).
2. Create an account
You cannot get started with Uber unless you create an account. You will need to input an e-mail address, and most importantly, a credit card number—no credit card, no go. You can opay for your Uber trip only with a credit card. Debit cards and virtual credit cards aren’t accepted.
3. Book a trip
Once you’ve got your account set up, you can now book a trip. Launch the app and choose between UberX or UberBlack. UberX is the cheaper alternative in which the base and metered fare are lower than UberBlack. UberX uses regular and compact vehicles (as a rule of thumb, we were told that cars whose engine size falls below 1.6 are immediately placed in UberX), while UberBlack’s fleet is composed of sleeker cars and SUVs (there are Mini Coopers, too!).
To book a trip, simply pinpoint your exact location on the map and tap on the “Request” button. Wait a bit for an Uber driver to accept your request, sit back and wait for Uber to arrive. You can contact your driver through calls or SMS to add further details like exact pickup location (e.g. office lobby, mall entrance, etc). You are also given the option to enter your destination, which will help your driver with navigation during the trip.
Uber takes customer satisfaction seriously and you are asked to rate your ride (and driver) after every trip. You have a maximum of five stars to award your driver. A three-star rating is deemed unsatisfactory and giving your driver three stars will immediately pull up a detail box where you will be asked to list down the reason why you are giving a three-star rating (reasons could be anything from an inefficient route and vehicle quality to driver’s attitude). Know, too, that Uber drivers are also asked to rate their passengers, so be fair and honest with your rating.
5. Be a super Uber user
Know your price surges
During periods of high demand, like rush hour or a very rainy evening, Uber will impose price surges that can go anywhere from 0.5x (your base + metered fare x 0.5) to 4.0x. Beware of booking a trip during price surges because a short trip that normally costs P85 could cost P500 (e.g. a normal Power Plant Mall to A. Venue trip that normally cost P80 once cost P215, no thanks to a 2.8 x price surge). Uber will indicate when a price surge is in effect and will even ask you to input the price surge rate to make sure that you are well aware that you are booking a trip with a much higher fare than normal.
Riding to a destination with friends who are also Uber users? Split a fare evenly with them with the “Split Fare” feature. Uber automatically splits the fare between you and your friends so you won’t need to pay each other in cash. In other countries, strangers sometimes split an Uber to save on the fare and this feature is an easy way for both parties to pay for the trip using their respective credit cards.