Experience-hailing large Uber is shutting down its free loyalty program, Uber Rewards, so it will probably deal with its subscription-based Uber One membership.
Uber first launched the rewards program in 2018 as a form of frequent flyer scheme that allowed riders to earn factors for each greenback spent on rides or Uber Eats deliveries. These factors may then be used to get reductions on future rides or deliveries. In November 2021, Uber started introducing Uber One, which, for $9.99 per thirty days or $99.99 yearly, permits members perks like 5% off sure rides or supply orders and limitless $0 supply charges on meals orders of over $15 and grocery orders of over $30.
In an electronic mail despatched to prospects that was picked up by The Verge, Uber mentioned customers can nonetheless earn factors through the legacy rewards program till the tip of August, and that they’ll redeem these factors till October 31. Uber Rewards will formally shut down on November 1, 2022, in keeping with an replace posted by the corporate.
The Uber Rewards program allowed customers to earn 1x level for each Uber Pool greenback spent, 2x for each UberX greenback spent and 3x for each $1 spent on Premium. The variety of factors accrued would put members into completely different castes of loyalty, from Blue to Gold to Platinum to Diamond, the latter of which comes with advantages like entry to extremely rated drivers, free supply on three Uber Eats orders, entry to raised customer support and free upgrades.
Whereas telephone help will proceed for Diamond customers, now the one solution to get extra perks with Uber might be to shell out for a subscription. Current Rewards members will get a free one-month subscription to Uber One, however then might be charged for entry. In the event you’re somebody who orders Uber Eats greater than twice a month, you may simply break even with the Uber One subscription, however loads of customers won’t see the cash saving advantages within the swap.
Uber didn’t reply instantly for readability as to why it’s shutting down the Rewards program in favor of the Uber One membership. Maybe the corporate didn’t see the returns and consumer loyalty that it will have anticipated from this system and thinks a subscription providing will present higher returns.