Tipping Uber Drivers

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Tipping Uber drivers

[Velvet]

I never use Uber because they do not have a customer service telephone. When I tried to sign up there were fraudulent charges on my account immediately afterwards and I could call no one at Uber to discuss it. I had to deal with my credit card company directly.

[JoMar]

I never use Uber because they do not have a customer service telephone. When I tried to sign up there were fraudulent charges on my account immediately afterwards and I could call no one at Uber to discuss it. I had to deal with my credit card company directly.

Assume that was a long time ago.

[Pugchief]

Tipping Uber drivers, now at 30%

LOL, that's a good one.

While I might add points for speeding if we were going to miss our flight otherwise, the Metallica would reduce the tip drastically. Having the check engine light on would make me nervous that the car might peter out before we got there, so if anything that would also be a minus.

Having said that, it's been cheaper and more reliable to take a taxi to the airport for at least 5 years, esp now that you are also expected to tip Uber drivers, which was originally not the case. So not sure why anyone would Uber to the airport in the first place.

YMMV

[JoMar]

LOL, that's a good one.

While I might add points for speeding if we were going to miss our flight otherwise, the Metallica would reduce the tip drastically. Having the check engine light on would make me nervous that the car might peter out before we got there, so if anything that would also be a minus.

Having said that, it's been cheaper and more reliable to take a taxi to the airport for at least 5 years, esp now that you are also expected to tip Uber drivers, which was originally not the case. So not sure why anyone would Uber to the airport in the first place.

YMMV

And you don't tip the taxi driver?

[jimhoward]

I love UBER and use it regularly. But it tends to be expensive in the Villages. I believe tipping generously helps the future experience. Passengers are rated, and if you have a good rating you are more likely to get a driver to take your ride promptly when it is busy.

I'll take an UBER over a taxi any day of the week.

[WiseSpender]

I love UBER and use it regularly. But it tends to be expensive in the Villages. I believe tipping generously helps the future experience. Passengers are rated, and if you have a good rating you are more likely to get a driver to take your ride promptly when it is busy.

I'll take an UBER over a taxi any day of the week.

I thought Uber removed passenger ratings years ago....am I correct?

[jimhoward]

I thought Uber removed passenger ratings years ago....am I correct?

Upon reading your message I looked on the APP. Yup, they still have passenger ratings. Mine is 4.85.

[Pugchief]

And you don't tip the taxi driver?

Of course I tip taxi drivers.

When Uber first came on the scene, there was no tipping. And the prices were comparable/cheaper to taxis, so using Uber saved you at least 15-20%.

Now Uber is more expensive than taxis, and you are expected to tip. No longer the deal it once was.

[tophcfa]

I never use Uber because they do not have a customer service telephone. When I tried to sign up there were fraudulent charges on my account immediately afterwards and I could call no one at Uber to discuss it. I had to deal with my credit card company directly.

Totally agree, my best tip for an Uber driver is to get a real friggin job.

[CarlR33]

Totally agree, my best tip for an Uber driver is to get a real friggin job.I just had an Uber driver in CLT. I asked him how long he had been doing this and he responded it was part time until he got laid off from his “real friggin” day job so now he was Ubering full time until the next “real friggin job” came along. I did thank him for having a job and not instead expecting handouts at the corner of a major intersection. Please tip as the full tip goes directly to the driver. Yes, I gave him a respectable tip.

[Kelevision]

Totally agree, my best tip for an Uber driver is to get a real friggin job.

Like a taxi driver? Or a bus driver?

[Kelevision]

Uber drivers don’t make good money. It’ll go away one day but in the meantime, I use it or Lyft all the time when traveling. Also, from here to the airport is pretty expensive but had to take an uber from MCO back here once and it was only 68.00 before tip. A bargain imo

[Nell57]

My friend in Columbus is a retired dentist and loves his Uber gig.
Gets him out of the house and meeting people.
He had a “real friggin job”

[AnneA]

I love UBER and use it regularly. But it tends to be expensive in the Villages. I believe tipping generously helps the future experience. Passengers are rated, and if you have a good rating you are more likely to get a driver to take your ride promptly when it is busy.

I'll take an UBER over a taxi any day of the week.

Uber drivers have to rate you immediately at the end of the trip and before they can see whether you left a tip. So tipping generously won't affect your rating.

[SaucyJim]

I used to think I’d drive for Uber in retirement because I like socializing and driving. I tried it out in Wyoming and the money was decent for the flexibility. And I’m smart enough to figure in the wear and tear, gas costs, etc.

Then I move to Florida. Land of non-tippers and laws that allow you to make less than minimum wage before calculating expenses. You literally burn up your depreciating asset (car) to convert its value to cash today, but will be left penniless and without transportation in the end.

So, what I thought would be a fun thing to do for mad money in retirement turned out to be a dud. But the self-driving cars are coming hard and fast. I cannot wait until it is illegal to drive your own car. That will eliminate the jerk-off drivers issue completely.

My two cents. Which is more than you make driving for Uber in this state full of non-tippers.

[bp243]

Totally agree, my best tip for an Uber driver is to get a real friggin job.

I’ve taken many Ubers where this is their second job. In fact, they do it either because they love to drive or want some extra spending money. Why would you think that this isn’t a real job?

[jimhoward]

I used to think I’d drive for Uber in retirement because I like socializing and driving. I tried it out in Wyoming and the money was decent for the flexibility. And I’m smart enough to figure in the wear and tear, gas costs, etc.

Then I move to Florida. Land of non-tippers and laws that allow you to make less than minimum wage before calculating expenses. You literally burn up your depreciating asset (car) to convert its value to cash today, but will be left penniless and without transportation in the end.

So, what I thought would be a fun thing to do for mad money in retirement turned out to be a dud. But the self-driving cars are coming hard and fast. I cannot wait until it is illegal to drive your own car. That will eliminate the jerk-off drivers issue completely.

My two cents. Which is more than you make driving for Uber in this state full of non-tippers.


Interesting, maybe that is why it is sometimes harder to get an UBER in the Villages than in other parts of the world.

[New Englander]

I've never used Uber or Lyft. Someday I may need to use one of them. How do you tip the driver on these ride services? Is 15/20% considered respectable?

[talonip]

Tipping Uber drivers


Over UBER. Once you have an account it’s great. No looking for cash for tips and fare. Totally seamless. Most have nice vehicles. In STL one time we discussed the job with driver. Her income was excellent.

Had one incident in MIA when driver did not show. I was charged anyway. Immediately I contacted UBER for resolution. 10 minutes the charge was removed. Easy.

[Bill14564]

I've never used Uber or Lyft. Someday I may need to use one of them. How do you tip the driver on these ride services? Is 15/20% considered respectable?

You tip through the app so no cash is required.

For many of my trips I tip $3 or $5. If the trip is particularly long and expensive I would likely tip 15% to 20%.

[Pugchief]

Like a taxi driver? Or a bus driver?

As Saucy essentially pointed out, taxi and bus drivers don't ruin their own personal vehicle while driving.

[Pugchief]

My friend in Columbus is a retired dentist and loves his Uber gig.
Gets him out of the house and meeting people.
He had a “real friggin job”

So you're saying his wife forced him to be an Uber driver under threat of divorce? :jester:

[Velvet]

Assume that was a long time ago.

Two months ago, actually. Why, do they have a customer service phone number now? Please post it.

[Velvet]

Over UBER. Once you have an account it’s great. No looking for cash for tips and fare. Totally seamless. Most have nice vehicles. In STL one time we discussed the job with driver. Her income was excellent.

Had one incident in MIA when driver did not show. I was charged anyway. Immediately I contacted UBER for resolution. 10 minutes the charge was removed. Easy.

How did you contact Uber? Seriously, I tried but the only phone number I got was the one if you wanted to become a driver.

[CarlR33]

How did you contact Uber? Seriously, I tried but the only phone number I got was the one if you wanted to become a driver.It sounds like you registered on a site that looked like Uber but was not? If that was the case then you did the right thing by going to your credit card company and getting it resolved (since it was not really Uber). Anyhow, the Uber help menu has multiple sections. You can try the “I think my account has been hacked” and fill out the appropriate sections and submit. Really most companies no longer want to speak to individuals and neither do I, LOL. You can at some point talk to someone but you have to go through the process first. See attached screen shot from their site. Hope this helps?

[Bill14564]

It sounds like you registered on a site that looked like Uber but was not? If that was the case then you did the right thing by going to your credit card company and getting it resolved (since it was not really Uber). Anyhow, the Uber help menu has multiple sections. You can try the “I think my account has been hacked” and fill out the appropriate sections and submit. Really most companies no longer want to speak to individuals and neither do I, LOL. You can at some point talk to someone but you have to go through the process first. See attached screen shot from their site. Hope this helps?

That screen is for an Uber driver, not a passenger.

In my app the Help section does not suggest that I will ever be given a phone number. I don't want to experiment with a ride I have already completed. Which of the Help articles for a passenger have you been able to follow and eventually arrive at a phone number?

[Stu from NYC]

Interesting, maybe that is why it is sometimes harder to get an UBER in the Villages than in other parts of the world.

My understanding is once a fare brings you hear can be difficult to get the next fare. Nobody wants to ride around empty

[New Englander]

Uber & Lyft. Is one better than the other and do they charge the same?

[Pugchief]

In my app the Help section does not suggest that I will ever be given a phone number. I don't want to experiment with a ride I have already completed. Which of the Help articles for a passenger have you been able to follow and eventually arrive at a phone number?

There is no phone number. You submit a complaint or concern regarding a specific ride within the app. Usually within an hour, someone responds via DM in the app. You can reply to the DM if necessary. I have had issues resolved this way. It is less than ideal, but it works. If you don't get satisfaction, I would then dispute the charge on your credit card.

To be fair, the last time I had an issue with a taxi ride, the process was similar. The days of talking to a live person are mostly over, and AI will prob make it worse.

[CarlR33]

That screen is for an Uber driver, not a passenger.

In my app the Help section does not suggest that I will ever be given a phone number. I don't want to experiment with a ride I have already completed. Which of the Help articles for a passenger have you been able to follow and eventually arrive at a phone number?You are correct, I quickly googled Uber phone number and got that. However, I looked at my app and see the same “I think my account has been hacked” which should help. Velvet was the one asking so are you having issues to? As I said, follow their directions and if resolved why would you need a phone number if an issue can be resolved via filling out a form, etc.?

[Bill14564]

Uber & Lyft. Is one better than the other and do they charge the same?

Different name and different app but same type of service.

Price is determined by length of ride and the number of available drivers. Some cities have a lot of one or the other but in most cities the prices are very close. I check both and frequently find they are within a couple dollars of each other.

Sometimes the prices are much different which is why I check both. On one particular ride, getting to the restaurant was a bit cheaper with Uber but getting back was *far* cheaper with Lyft. My only guess is Uber was more popular in that area and most of the Uber drivers were busy at the time I wanted to go back. Lyft had more drivers available so the price was lower.

Create accounts on both. Before each ride, take an extra 30 seconds to compare both prices and pick the cheapest.

[Bill14564]

You are correct, I quickly googled Uber phone number and got that. However, I looked at my app and see the same “I think my account has been hacked” which should help. Velvet was the one asking so are you having issues to? As I said, follow their directions and if resolved why would you need a phone number if an issue can be resolved via filling out a form, etc.?

No, I am not having issues. I just saw that there was a potential misunderstanding and so I asked for clarification.

Some still like to talk to a real person to get an answer today rather than submitting a form and waiting to see if they understood the submission or even answer at all.

[Marmaduke]

I just had an Uber driver in CLT. I asked him how long he had been doing this and he responded it was part time until he got laid off from his “real friggin” day job so now he was Ubering full time until the next “real friggin job” came along. I did thank him for having a job and not instead expecting handouts at the corner of a major intersection. Please tip as the full tip goes directly to the driver. Yes, I gave him a respectable tip.
My (late, 2020) WWII Dad who served in the Navy, in both the Atlantic and the Pacific theatres, took a job as a "cabbie" in Pittsburgh.

He never forgot the 2 biggest tips he ever received.

One was from (the real) Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken. 5 bucks.
Said, "go buy yourself a house, kid."
And, Bing Crosby, who my Dad took to Pennsylvania Station.
He didn't recall the amount, but said he never saw blue eyes like THAT before!

Morale of this story.

Thanks to THE 2025 PASSAGE OF THE BBB for No Tax On Tips.
How can anyone find fault with THAT?!?

[Bill14564]

My (late, 2020) WWII Dad who served in the Navy, in both the Atlantic and the Pacific theatres, took a job as a "cabbie" in Pittsburgh.

He never forgot the 2 biggest tips he ever received.

One was from (the real) Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken. 5 bucks.
Said, "go buy yourself a house, kid."
And, Bing Crosby, who my Dad took to Pennsylvania Station.
He didn't recall the amount, but said he never saw blue eyes like THAT before!

Morale of this story.

Thanks to THE 2025 PASSAGE OF THE BBB for No Tax On Tips.
How can anyone find fault with THAT?!?

Not all tips qualify for the exemption. Are tips for Uber/Lyft/cab drivers included?

[JoMar]

Of course I tip taxi drivers.

When Uber first came on the scene, there was no tipping. And the prices were comparable/cheaper to taxis, so using Uber saved you at least 15-20%.

Now Uber is more expensive than taxis, and you are expected to tip. No longer the deal it once was.

Has not been my experience so not sure where you are using Uber. Plus, Uber is easier to book and the updates and security content would be worth more. So if you tip cab drivers why wouldn't you tip Uber?

[Pugchief]

Are tips for Uber/Lyft/cab drivers included?

Why wouldn't they be?

[Pugchief]

Thanks to THE 2025 PASSAGE OF THE BBB for No Tax On Tips.
How can anyone find fault with THAT?!?

Because, all work related income should be taxed the same for all workers. No special carveouts.

Nice story about your dad, but it doesn't change reality just bc we get sentimental.

[Bill14564]

Why wouldn't they be?

Because, as one site put it, hospitality, food service, and personal care positions would benefit but…
Other roles may be included depending on future IRS updates, but gig economy jobs or freelance services that accept tips via Venmo or other apps may not automatically qualify.

More details should be coming from the IRS.

[Velvet]

You are correct, I quickly googled Uber phone number and got that. However, I looked at my app and see the same “I think my account has been hacked” which should help. Velvet was the one asking so are you having issues to? As I said, follow their directions and if resolved why would you need a phone number if an issue can be resolved via filling out a form, etc.?

My problem was that I could not open an account at all, on my iPhone with latest iOS or iPad etc. so I could not talk to Uber through the app. I had no way of informing Uber that I cannot open an account with them.

I know most people don’t have this problem with Uber, but my only choice was to cancel my credit card.

Enough difficulties for me. No phone answering, no Uber. Full stop.

[CarlR33]

My problem was that I could not open an account at all, on my iPhone with latest iOS or iPad etc. so I could not talk to Uber through the app. I had no way of informing Uber that I cannot open an account with them.

I know most people don’t have this problem with Uber, but my only choice was to cancel my credit card.

Enough difficulties for me. No phone answering, no Uber. Full stop.Go with Lyft then.

[J1ceasar]

My Gen x daughter does not tip them but I do because I respect everyone who has to work in crappy jobs

[New Englander]

Different name and different app but same type of service.

Price is determined by length of ride and the number of available drivers. Some cities have a lot of one or the other but in most cities the prices are very close. I check both and frequently find they are within a couple dollars of each other.

Sometimes the prices are much different which is why I check both. On one particular ride, getting to the restaurant was a bit cheaper with Uber but getting back was *far* cheaper with Lyft. My only guess is Uber was more popular in that area and most of the Uber drivers were busy at the time I wanted to go back. Lyft had more drivers available so the price was lower.

Create accounts on both. Before each ride, take an extra 30 seconds to compare both prices and pick the cheapest.

Thank You

[SoCalGal]

I never use Uber because they do not have a customer service telephone. When I tried to sign up there were fraudulent charges on my account immediately afterwards and I could call no one at Uber to discuss it. I had to deal with my credit card company directly.

Notwithstanding Uber’s hard-working drivers, Uber as a corporation is dishonest, unethical, reprehensible, and loathsome. The Company itself lies, cheats, and steals its passengers' money. Its app is duplicitous, incompetent, and diabolical.

Uber is the scummiest corporation on the planet. They STEAL YOUR MONEY. Uber driver took me to the wrong destination; then drove away. Now Uber won't refund ALL MY MONEY. Uber sucks. Don't take Uber. Take Lyft instead.

[Bill14564]

Notwithstanding Uber’s hard-working drivers, Uber as a corporation is dishonest, unethical, reprehensible, and loathsome. The Company itself lies, cheats, and steals its passengers' money. Its app is duplicitous, incompetent, and diabolical.

Uber is the scummiest corporation on the planet. They STEAL YOUR MONEY. Uber driver took me to the wrong destination; then drove away. Now Uber won't refund ALL MY MONEY. Uber sucks. Don't take Uber. Take Lyft instead.

Pretty strong opinion based on ONE RIDE! Why did you get out of the vehicle if it wasn't the address you asked to go to? Or did you ask to go to the wrong address and now are blaming Uber for not accepting blame for your mistake?

I have no idea how many rides I've taken in how many cities (I know it's been two countries) on both Uber and Lyft. NEVER have had a billing problem. NEVER have been taken to an address I didn't ask for. NEVER had a credit card problem. And I will bet heavily that my experience is not unique.

[LonnyP]

Always tip Uber drivers. A large percentage of the regular fee goes to Uber and peanuts to the driver. So that is really how they make any money. I am guessing those that do not tip are the same ones that don't tip at least 20 % at restaurants. Sad really. I have used Uber for many years and never had a problem with card issues. Now, if the car is filthy or smells like weed I have been known to mention issues to the driver and lower my tip accordingly if they do not provide what is in my opinion a satisfactory answer to my inquiry.

[biker1]

I have used Uber perhaps 20 times over the past decade. I have never had an issue. I find the app works great and I have used it outside the US. I don't really know much about the corporation but the service has been first rate. If you can't get a refund then dispute the charge with your credit card company. How is this an issue?

Notwithstanding Uber’s hard-working drivers, Uber as a corporation is dishonest, unethical, reprehensible, and loathsome. The Company itself lies, cheats, and steals its passengers' money. Its app is duplicitous, incompetent, and diabolical.

Uber is the scummiest corporation on the planet. They STEAL YOUR MONEY. Uber driver took me to the wrong destination; then drove away. Now Uber won't refund ALL MY MONEY. Uber sucks. Don't take Uber. Take Lyft instead.

[jimhoward]

Notwithstanding Uber’s hard-working drivers, Uber as a corporation is dishonest, unethical, reprehensible, and loathsome. The Company itself lies, cheats, and steals its passengers' money. Its app is duplicitous, incompetent, and diabolical.

Uber is the scummiest corporation on the planet. They STEAL YOUR MONEY. Uber driver took me to the wrong destination; then drove away. Now Uber won't refund ALL MY MONEY. Uber sucks. Don't take Uber. Take Lyft instead.

I once entered the wrong address into the APP. I was in Asia and was confused. The driver took me to the destination I entered, which is not where I wanted to go. So I had to then enter the correct destination and pay for two rides, but the same driver took me. I did not exit the car. It is hard for me to imagine how an UBER could have taken me to the wrong destination without me making the mistake. The GPS coordinates of the destination you specify are directly entered onto the drivers phone from the APP.

Some more details of how this could happen would be very helpful to others. You are sure you entered the correct destination?