The Best Ways to Save Money on Your Uber Rides

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Use these hacks to get discounted or cheaper fares on Uber
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Back in the day, Uber offered free rides as part of the new customer and referral promotions, but, unfortunately, these promos no longer exist. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get a free Uber ride, though—but you might have to put in a little work ahead of time (like completing a few paid surveys). We’ll walk you through all your options so you can learn the best way to earn free (or at least discounted) Uber rides.

How to Get a Cheap Uber Ride

Uber no longer offers free rides for new users or user referrals. However, you can get a free ride by being gifted a ride by a friend or family member, or if your neighborhood or community offers free rides at certain times of night. Otherwise, you can get cheaper Uber rides by using promo codes or Uber Share.

Section 1 of 3:

Does Uber offer free rides?

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    In the past, Uber offered free rides as a promotion for new customers and featured free rides as part of their referral programs. Unfortunately, Uber no longer offers free rides for new customers and has since updated their referral program to no longer offer free rides.
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Section 2 of 3:

Alternative Ways to Get Free Rides

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    Uber offers an in-app gifting system that allows users to send gift cards for free Uber rides (or free Uber Eats). If you’re strapped for money at the moment, try cashing in a favor with someone and see if they’d be willing to gift you a free ride.
    • To send a gift, go to the Account page on the app, followed by Send a gift . Then, follow the onscreen instructions.
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    Certain communities and neighborhoods (like college campuses) partner with Uber and Lyft to offer free rides for a certain period, usually at night. Check with your school (or local community) to see what programs are available.
    • In 2018, for instance, Washington Township in New Jersey had a free Uber ride promo for patrons of specific bars within a certain geographical zone. [1]
    • Several well-known universities (like the University of Texas) have partnered with Lyft to give students free rides in the evening. [2]
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    Taking free surveys isn’t particularly lucrative, but with enough time and dedication, it can earn you enough pocket change for an Uber ride (depending on how far you’re hoping to go). Here are a few free survey apps to consider:
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Section 3 of 3:

How to Save Money on Uber Rides

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    Navigate to the Account page of the Uber app, followed by the Refer friends to get deals . Then, tap Invite friends and choose your preferred way to send out the invite code (e.g., over text, social media, etc.). Once your friend uses the referral code, both they and you will get up to a 50% discount on your next 2 Uber rides.
    • This benefit stacks for every friend you successfully refer to Uber. So, if you referred 2 friends, you’d get a discount on your next 4 rides.
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    Promo codes are always changing, so there’s no telling what sort of savings could be just around the corner! While Uber doesn’t have a page dedicated to coupons on their website, it’s easy to shop for the best deals online. Check out popular coupon websites for the latest and greatest deals:
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    For some routes, you might see a Share option pop up in your available rides. The Share option is essentially carpooling, but it gives you a discount on your final ride price (in exchange for riding with strangers). [3]
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    While Uber and Lyft are similar in a lot of ways, their rates often differ slightly. Before settling on an Uber fare, pull up the same route in Lyft and see if it’s a little cheaper.
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    Uber lets you schedule Uber rides long before you actually set foot in the car, which can help you save money from potentially higher rates.
    • Tap the Reserve and relax option on the main page of the Uber app to start reserving your ride.
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    Uber One offers benefits for both Uber and Uber Eats and can be worthwhile if you use both services frequently. Besides 6% Uber Cashback on your rides, Uber One can get you: [4]
    • Free Uber Eats delivery
    • Discounts on Uber Eats orders
    • Special promo codes
    • Cost: Currently, Uber One is $10 a month.
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      Tips

      • At one point, you could get a free Uber ride by ordering your ride through Facebook Messenger. However, it’s unclear if this promo is still available, as it’s not featured on Uber’s main website.
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      • Keep in mind that Uber promo deals and referral deals may vary by location and country—this article is specific to the USA only.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.uber.com/blog/new-york/free-rides-home-in-washington-township/
      2. ↑ https://parking.utexas.edu/transportation/ut-night-rides
      3. ↑ https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/uberx-share/
      4. ↑ https://www.uber.com/us/en/u/uber-one/

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