Uber is launching a loyalty program, Uber Rewards, which earns 1 point per dollar spent on UberPool rides and Uber Eats orders, 2 points per dollar spent on UberX and UberXL rides, and 3 points per dollar for UberBlack.
If you reach 500 points in a 6-month period, you’ll get Gold status, which includes “flexible cancellations” — a refund on your cancellation fee if you rebook within 15 minutes. At 2,500 points, you’ll get Platinum status, including price protection on a specific route, “letting you lock in lower prices between your two favorite places on UberX, even during traffic or busy times of day.” Diamond status at 7,500 points includes phone support, the ability to request only highly-rated drivers, and “complimentary surprise upgrades.”
Uber will also give you a $5 credit for every 500 points earned — 2% back on your UberX spending.
The benefits sound fine, but nothing special. I’ll probably continue choosing rides on a one-off basis — between Uber, Lyft, taxis, and Juno in New York — depending on price and availability.