Uber/lyft
 

Drivers who work for Uber/Lyft have an app that tells them when someone wants a ride
Riders have an app that allows them to request a ride
When a rider requests a ride, the software determines the price based on distance and driver availability
The rider chooses chooses a car type and requests a ride
The software advertises the requested ride to the drivers who choose whether to accept it
When a driver accepts, he begins driving to the pickup point
The software informs the rider that a driver is coming, how far away he is, and what car he will be in
The driver arrives, the rider gets in, and the driver drives to the destination

There are Uber/Lyft drivers in the area. However, there are not many which means the price is higher for the same distance than it would be other places like Tampa or Orlando.

If you have a destination in mind I can tell you what the price would be at the moment from Brownwood.

You forgot to mention 2 very important things.

- once you download the app, they will want your credit card information before you can get a ride.

- there is a reasonable probability that your credit card information will be stolen and you will experience unusual charges you never authorized.

Yes, you have to pay for using the service.

No, there is NOT a reasonable probability that your credit card information will be stolen. That would be terrible for their business and would likely put them out of business. I don’t know how many years I have had an account with both and my wife with one without ever having a problem. Absolute it could happen, just as it could happen with any online service (Amazon, Home Depot, Netflix, The Villages Box Office) but it is my experience that it is not common.

I beg to differ. My wife used Uber a grand total of one time, to get a ride to Mass General in Boston to visit a friend post op. Her card information was stolen and unusual charges immediately began to show up. Fortunately, the credit card company flagged the unusual activity and contacted her, denied the charges, and canceled her card. Based on our experience, there is a 100% probability of a bad outcome.

Good thing she used that card only for an Uber ride, otherwise there would be a question of which business misused her information. I wasn’t so fortunate the two times my number was compromised; I wasn’t able to find out if it was a vendor or a data breach. One thing I do know: they both happened prior to my Uber and Lyft accounts.

As others have noted, UBER is more expensive here than elsewhere. For example, if I took an UBER right now (Monday 9 PM) from my house to the airport, the ride would be 20 minutes away and would cost $103 plus tip. In another example if I took an UBER right now from my house (near Eastport) to Brownwood it would cost $49 plus tip. At peak times it would be more. It is quite pricey compared to everywhere else I have lived or travelled.

I have both apps and they had a ride available just now within a 20 minute time frame. You can also schedule rides in advance. I would advocate having both apps as Lyft just wanted $160 for the same ride to the airport (MCO) that Uber wanted $43 which is contrary to post #7 but sometimes it works like that. It all depends on where you live, etc. Some offer first time rider discounts. I do not believe you now need a credit card to setup an account as you can use Uber gift cards available at Publix for example. I have been both a rider and driver and never had an issue with a credit card being compromised nor heard of others having an issue as it all resides with the Uber app not the driver.

I've probably taken twenty Ubers in the past five years. They were mostly in Albuquerque, NM, and Columbus, OH. I have never had my card compromised. A couple of things to remember, when you get notification your driver is approaching, their picture and license plate number will show up. That is an easy way to identify your driver and especially useful if you're being picked up at an airport. You can't just grab any Uber like a taxi. You're paying for the Uber that accept your ride request. You will be charged for that. If you are a "No show," after agreeing to the Uber, there will be a charge. Also, it is a completely app-based program. If you aren't comfortable using apps, it is probably not for you.

I’ve been using both uber and Lyft for about 25 years now. What’s that old saying. Best thing since sliced bread. BTW. I used to wait tables and there was a server there, big named restaurant in Orlando, the server would use a persons credit card to pay for cash customers, so basically she double charged customers by using the credit card they just paid with. You’re much safer using your cc on file with uber/lyft.

One thing to consider. Uber/Lyft, usually have the same drivers and they’re listed with both companies. Lyft is usually cheaper than Uber and my go to but I do use uber too. I use them all the time and have for years. Just download the apps, put in your information and it’s very easy to use. My golf cart broke down one day in the new area over by Eastport and I just called a Lyft, he was there in about 7 minutes. Nice man who lives here in TV. Also, when you take them TO the airport, it’s expensive but once I had to use them FROM the airport to get here and it was only $60 not including tip. I don’t ever consider a cab unless I’m in a country without uber but even then, I use whatever the local “uber” for that country is. In my entire lifetime, only once have I ever had a card compromised and it was about 30 years ago, my ATM card was compromised from using it at a 7-11 ATM to pull out cash.

Your Villages Uber driver neighbor!
 

I'm a resident Uber driver here in the Villages. you may call me at 407-808-6328 with any questions at all!...I'm also happy to meet with you anywhere you choose and get you up and running with the app!...

I have used both Uber and Lyft for many years in many major cities - Houston, DC, Tampa, Cincinnati, Columbus, Orlando, Atlanta, and more, and have never had any credit card issues. The drivers do NOT have access to the credit card info. Neither Uber or Lyft has had a breach of credit card data which is in contrast to T-Mobile, ATT, etc. Credit card information is as safe as any online service.

Uber Experience
 

I’ve used Uber for many years in major cities in the US, Canada, Korea and several in Europe. The Uber app is great and I’ve never had a problem. Tried once off hours in TV and there were no drivers available.

I have used both Lyft and Uber hundreds of times all over the world, and never had my credit card information compromised as a result. The only times my husband or I had our credit card information compromised was after traveling. Once to NYC and a visit to a late night comedy club. So perhaps that's the correlation the the person who posted above is seeing ... a trip, some Uber or Lyft rides, and stolen credit card information. But Uber and Lyft are not the culprit. The Uber and Lyft drivers never see the credit card. That's actually the VALUE of Lyft and Uber ... all the money (including the tip) changes hands in the app, securely.

25 years? You must been on some beta testing with them and on a flip phone because Lyft, Uber and a smartphone weren’t around yet

There is no "reasonable probability" that your credit card info will be stolen when used with Uber or Lyft. You sound paranoid. I have used both for years with multiple credit cards registered with their services. Never had card compromised.

Risky credit card behavior is letting your restaurant server take your card to the back room to process the bill.

I agree
 

With any online account you could have your credit card information taken, but I to have had an account for about 10 years now and have never had a problem.

When and if you NEED a ride this service is worth having. I’m sorry for people that don’t consider using this service because they live in fear of everything.

Quick question, do you tip in cash? Do you add tip using cc?

more expensive
 

We have not priced Uber/Lyft here in TV, but did calculate the cost back in NC a few years back. Our hometown has about the same population as here. My job was less than 10 miles from our home and was curious if I could use Uber/Lyft instead of maintaining a car. The cost for Uber/Lyft was much more than a car pmt, ins, tags & maintenance for a vehicle. My guess is they would be much cheaper if you live in a big city like New York or Chicago where there are big prices just for parking a vehicle.

I have used both Uber and Lyft without incident in a number of major USA cities while traveling on business and for personal travel. I found Lyft to be a more fluid experience because I receive less paperwork from them, which I appreciate when it comes time to complete my expense account.

We recently used the Lyft application while in TV and found the driver to be capable and experienced. As for risk of PII/NPPI information compromises using any credit platform it is a simple reality of modern life. The list of entities and locations that have been and will be compromised is nearly endless.

For those of us that use digital media it's not a question of if rather a question of when your credit information will be compromised. Credit monitoring and alerts should be part of everyone's personal risk management along with hurricane evacuation, etc. I use multifactor authentication where possible, strong pw and other tools to mitigate the risk, however nothing is foolproof.

Welcome to the modern digital world!

[B]

"reasonable probability"? That's false information! I'm sorry your CC info was compromised around the time you signed up for Uber but I assure you it has nothing to do with Uber or Lyft. Those companies have a legal responsibility to have a secure CC data storage system. Uber (alone) does over 30 million rides per day, there's no way you can do that volume and not have a secure system.

My advice is to have a youngster teach you how to use both (Uber & Lyft) apps and always check how much a ride costs on both apps that way you can be sure you have the best deal.
It's super easy - Good luck!

Add tip in the app and get one single charge for the entire ride on your cc. Simple and easy to do; you can tip nothing, a percentage, or a dollar amount.

With Lyft you can get one single charge for an entire day on your cc rather than each individual ride.

Agree, have used Uber many times.

That possibility exists for any use of the credit card.

I've used Uber and Lyft all over the U.S. I've never had an issue with my personal info stolen. I can't say the same for Home Depot or my orthopedic doctor.

Both, normally 10 dollars in cash. Fly a lot. Worth every dollar.

We have used both Uber and Lyft for many years, all over the country, and including here in TV, with never any problem. The drivers do not have access to your credit card info; only the company (Lyft or Uber) does. These services are a wonderful option at times. We choose to only have one car (plus a golf cart); and on the rare occasions that we each need a car at the same time, Lyft or Uber are a wonderful help. Way less expensive than maintaining two cars. Also, you can schedule a ride in advance; such as for an important ride - going to the airport etc.

One thing I love about UBER, is that it is available almost everywhere in the world (with the notable exception of China, and few other places with their own ride sharing services). You don't need local currency, you don't need to speak local language to the driver. You just press a button on your phone and you are transported to where you want to go, with fares denominated in dollars.

Uber/Lyft
 

Use PayPal. No need to give your credit card info to every Tom, Dick, & Harry

I have used Uber/Lyft many times all over the country and in Europe. Never had my credit card compromised. Also when you open your app you put in the address or location you want to go to. It will give you several different options for Uber, including style of vehicle and how many people it will hold. You simply select the option that best suits you. When you have arrived at your destination it will ask you if you would like to add a tip. Uber drivers make very little money off the fee. The tip is really necessary for them to actually make decent money while working for Uber. Hope this helps.

Several people mentioned the risk of credit card information being compromised when using online services.

Doesn't anybody remember the TJX (TJMaxx and Marshall's) and Home Depot credit card breaches? Those were huge and involved millions of users who had used their credit cards in stores. Gas station pumps are frequently an iffy proposition for getting compromised.

Yes, credit card data breaches happen, and yes, your credit card provider will always reverse those charges. Not so with a debit card, but that's a different discussion.

As far as Uber and Lyft, they are good, solid options in major metropolitan areas. I'm not sure how many actual drivers there are in The Villages. I don't remember ever seeing an Uber or Lyft driver in my travels throughout the bubble.

Excellent,detailed response. I'd add that a ride can be scheduled weeks in advance. We use Uber for rides to the Orlando Airport. Never had a problem, never had CC info stolen.

How do you know that it was uber that stole the CC info?

Uber is abundant at airports, and fare is less, to TV. Finding Uber in TV is like winning the lottery. Unless driver is close not worth them driving here.

Yes, I tried Uber and I had to close down my credit card even before I got my first ride because of fraudulent charges. I tried calling Uber and guess what, they DO NOT have a customer service phone number. Emails got me nowhere. As a result I have no Uber account.

. You dont have proof it was from Uber/Lyft. Its just an unfortunate event with any credit card transaction

I tried to get an Uber from the Brownwood Hotel one night. I was waiting 15 mins before a driver was assigned to me. I did not cancel the ride from the app (never had to do this before) and uber charged me a fee. I was able to get the fee reversed. Uber does not have a lot of drivers around here. Right now at 4:04 pm, Uber shows I can a ride in 11 mins (normally in major cities I wait 3-5 mins). Plus, a short ride here costs $15 which is high.

From what I hear, they don't have phone numbers. Not for me!

Uber has been around since 2009. Lyft 2012, so, they were off a little. BUT, the smartphone has been around since 1994. One out of three ain't bad.