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Uber checks the hotel business.
The ride-hailing company said Wednesday that it will now allow users to book hotels directly in the Uber app. You can browse more than 700,000 hotels around the world by partnering with Expedia.
This may be more attractive to Uber One Subscribers, who will receive a 20% discount on a rotating list of 10,000 hotels. Members also get 10% Uber credit back on all bookings. (Uber One costs $9.99 per month.)
To book a hotel through the Uber app, tap the new Hotels icon on the home screen. Then enter your destination to browse nearby accommodations. You can see the options on the map or in the list view. Filters allow you to narrow your search based on metrics like guest ratings, price, accessibility features, and amenities.
The prices you’ll see listed include taxes, fees, and any discounts. The app will also show how many Uber points you’ll earn if you’re on Uber One. As with booking a ride, you can confirm your reservation and pay using the default payment method in your Uber Wallet.
Uber also plans to launch vacation rentals with Vrbo later this year.
The company revealed several other features coming to its passenger transportation app as well Uber Eats (Detailed below). The updates point to ways Uber hopes to strengthen its subscription service, which, according to the company, has more than 46 million members and is available in 47 countries. Uber One gives members discounts and credits on rides and deliveries – while providing a steady stream of income for the company. (Last year, Uber became involved with the Federal Trade Commission Lawsuit over alleged deceptive practices Tied to Uber One.) Rival Lyft has its own subscription service with priority pickups and discounts called Left Pink.
Uber Eats launched nearly 10 years ago, allowing the company to branch out beyond ride-hailing services — something that has undoubtedly come in handy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as people stayed home and ordered food. This next foray into hotels, in addition to other projects such as Independent ride-sharing partnershipsworking to further diversify Uber’s offerings and expand its presence across multiple aspects of people’s lives.
It eventually feeds Uber’s long-term plan to be a super app A one-stop shop for all your needs. Earlier this month, Uber Eats added a feature for Handling customer returns.
Other updates for Uber and Uber Eats
Starting June 1, Uber One members will still be able to earn trip credits and receive a $0 delivery fee when traveling abroad. You will be able to use your rewards when you return home.
When you travel outside your home city, you’ll see a list of local favorites and tourist attractions, and you can click a button to book a trip to those locations. In the Uber Eats app, the new room service hub will feature commonly forgotten items like toiletries as well as items from favorite local businesses that you can deliver. Food orders will automatically check the option to include utensils, so you’re not stuck in your hotel room with no way to eat. Soon, you’ll also see an option to reserve a table through OpenTable.
An upcoming AI-powered voice bookings feature will let you talk to a virtual assistant within the app to book an Uber ride. Tap the microphone icon in the search bar and say where you want to go, along with any preferences, like whether you’re bringing a pet or want the cheapest flight. The AI agent will show you the best options, and you can confirm your reservation.
Uber has a more unified search function to pull up results for ride-hailing destinations as well as deliveries.
Another new feature, if you’re opting for a more upscale Uber Black or Uber Black SUV ride, lets you order your favorite drink or snack for the ride. Once you confirm your scheduled delivery time, tap “Add Uber Eats” to choose your coffee, tea, or snack, and the driver will pick it up before picking you up. The feature, called Eats for the Way, will launch in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego and San Francisco in the coming weeks.
The Uber app will also now work more seamlessly with Uber Eats. The bar at the top of the ride booking interface will now function as a single search for places, foods, and items across platforms. For example, searching for “ice cream” will show locations where you can book a ride, as well as delivery options through Uber Eats.
Finally, you can order items from stores that aren’t in the Uber Eats app. The new Shop For Me tab on the home screen lets you provide details and photos of what you want, so a shopper can find the item. You will pay the price in the store.
