UberPool now available in Manila!

GIF from newsroom.uber.com

Last week, Uber introduced UberPOOL- a ridesharing option that lets you share a ride with others booking from the same area, heading at the same direction. If you're cool with carpooling with strangers, go ahead and try this newest from Uber! It's up to 25% cheaper than UberX 'cos you're technically splitting the bill with a maximum of three others, and it also aims to decongest the road by promoting carpooling.

Still on beta phase, it's set to be available on the app by June 15.

How does it work?

If you're already familiar with requesting an Uber ride, it pretty much follows the same booking procedures.

• Open the app and select UberX, then under that select UberPOOL option
• Key in your pick-up location and destination. A fare estimate will be available at this point.
• Request a ride and enjoy the lower rate and potentially new friends ;)

What are the details?

UberPOOL is set to be available 24/7 starting June 15, 2016 and will cover the entire Metro Manila. Riders can book up to two seats per request. A maximum of four can share a ride.

How different is it from uberHOP?

Very. UberHOP is a scheduled rush hour shuttle to major business districts in Metro Manila. It follows a schedule, a flat rate, and a specific pick-up and drop-off point. It's not on demand like uberPOOL.

Excited to try it?

Be one of the first to try it as it rolls out today and let me know how your experience goes! I'm wondering though if all common UberX cars are allowed to rideshare, a Mirage and an EON may be too small to sit 3 comfortably at the back (and I'm fat) haha #arteLungs

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Not on Uber yet? Register using this promo code: UBERNATICS to get free credits for your first rides. If you're afraid that you need to have a credit card to sign up, don't worry 'cos Uber accepts Visa/Mastercard prepaid cards as payment option. I, for one, am using a Visa prepaid card from BPI. :)

Manila, get ready for UberCHOPPER this Saturday!

Source: http://newsroom.uber.com/manila/2015/11/uberchoppermnl/

Just spreading the news I received in the mail today! Uber Manila has teamed up with Airtrav (a local company operating air charter services) to give us a one of a kind experience of taking off with a chopper and going on an aerial tour of the metro!

This Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 8am to 10am-- fire up your Uber app and request for an UberCHOPPER! Simple right? An UberBLACK will then take you and your friends to the helipad.

Other important information (that I'm quoting from the Uber newsroom):

• When you request, make sure you and your friends are at the same pick-up location and ready to go. Your car will only pick up at one location and will wait a maximum of 5 minutes.
• Strictly limited to 3 passengers per flight (you plus 2 of your friends)
• UberCHOPPER will fly a fixed 10-minute route– you will not be able to request your own destination
• Refreshments will be provided and you’ll get a free UberBLACK ride to take you back home once you’re done
• All fliers must be at least 18 years or older and should be a Filipino citizen
• You must bring a Philippine government-issued ID indicating your date of birth (Please have your Philippine ID with you or you will not be allowed to board the flight)
• Uber is not a direct air carrier
• All air services advertised will be provided free of charge by Airtrav. Uber has no responsibility or liability for any transportation services provided to you by third party providers.
• If the weather doesn’t permit, UberCHOPPER will be rescheduled to a later date

Take note, this isn't a transportation service, it's a TOUR. :D

Thinking of Blade? Let's all hope Uber's heading that way! :D

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Not on Uber yet? Use this promo code, UBERNATICS to get FREE UBER credits when you register! :) Click on the image below to sign up :)

How to use UBER on a desktop

No smartphone, no problem! You can still book a ride by using Uber's mobile site:  http://m.uber.com. It also works on your mobile browser in case you don't have the app. Yep! That's all you need. Just go to the site, log in, and book a ride!

How to use UBER on a desktop:

If you find yourself without a smartphone and need to book a ride, no worries cos you can actually access Uber using your desktop (with internet shempre).

• If you don't have an Uber account yet and want to try this piece of genius, sign up with your credit card at http://uber.com
• But if you don't have a credit card, you can still sign up using a Visa/Mastercard prepaid card, here's how I did it

Don't forget to sign up using promo codes to get free rides!

Here they are, take your pick!

• For new users, you can sign up with this promo code UBERNATICS to get free Uber credits.

• If you're registering using a BPI card, use promo code BPIRIDE to get 2 free rides worth Php 500 each (until October 17 only).

• If you're a Smart subscriber, go here to get vouchers that will give you 2 free rides worth Php 300 each! :D


Login, book, and enjoy your ride!

Open http://m.uber.com and allow location service
When your browser prompts you to enable location tracking, click Allow or Ok. This will make it easier for you select a location.

Now you may login and get a ride!
Login, select your pick-up and drop-off locations, and request for a ride! It's that easy. The interface is pretty much the same as the app so you won't get lost if you're already familiar with it. :)

From BPI: Register at UBER Manila without a credit card!

Because of Uber, I almost wanted to get a credit card. Two months ago, I inquired about why they haven't implemented non-credit card payment options in the Philippines yet, and they said they're looking into it... so I waited! After all, other countries have it, so i thought it's only a matter of time before it gets rolled out in our country.

@yanbirog Hi Yan! I’m sorry, but currently we only accept credit cards. We’re hoping to expand further in the future though!

— Uber Manila (@Uber_Manila) May 14, 2015

That was last May, and true enough, they've explored that option! Now we can register at Uber using Visa or Mastercard debit/prepaid cards! Yahoooo!

Most Visa or Mastercard debit/prepaid cards are allowed now, but it's still a matter of trying it out!
You may check this site for more insights about allowable cards to use! :)

If you're a BPI card holder though, more treats are in for you! This promo is the reason I remembered to sign up for Uber :

Sign up to UBER using your BPI Card and your first 2 rides are FREE!

Each free ride is worth up to P500.

Promo is valid from July 17, 2015 - October 17, 2015 (promo code: BPIRIDE)

2 FREE RIDES UP TO 500 EACH?! Oh come on. Get that card and REGISTER NOW. You wouldn't want to pass up on this! So yeah, I registered using my BPI More Fun Visa prepaid card and it was successful!

If you don't have a card yet just apply for a BPI prepaid card and sign up to Uber using it! Here are your options:

1. Apply for BPI My E-prepaid Mastercard
Php 500 valid for 2 years.
2. Apply for BPI More Fun Visa Prepaid Card
Php 350 valid for 18 months. Personalized card design.

Both of these prepaid cards can be used to register with Uber, and it's really easy to apply for them. Just go to the nearest BPI, fill out a form, present a valid ID, pay the processing fee, and wait for the card to be available for pickup. It's that easy!

But you know, when I registered my card at Uber, I encountered a lot of errors! It was frustrating. AND MY CARD WAS BLOCKED TOO. HAHAHA nakakainis lang. So, if you don't want the same to happen to you, heed the following tips:

• Type your card number accurately. Every card detail you supply in the sign-up form must be typed with utmost care and certainty. Card verification goes through a super secure process, you wouldn't wanna mess your chances with erroneous inputs. This could lead to your card getting blocked, so be very careful!
• Load your card beforehand. I don't know what the required minimum amount is, but at least put 500 pesos in it. I was charged 10 pesos for card verification.
• In case you get this error message, "It looks like your bank is having trouble processing this card. Please check with your bank and try again. If this continues to happen. Please try a different card." DON'T FRET. It means your card was blocked due to invalid sign-up attempts. But it will be lifted in 24-hours so don't worry. Note that it's the bank who does this and not Uber, so that means you won't be able to use your card for 24 hours. :) I ran through this problem and called BPI customer service cos I was freaking out that I can't use my card to pay for food, right when I've already transferred money to it. Sobrang hassle, you know you can't withdraw money from it so I have to spend it elsewhere. huhu

As far as registering at Uber using a BPI prepaid card, I guess that's it! :D Excited to try Uber!

By the way, don't just play around with your UBER app, cancellation of booked rides costs 100 pesos!

Additional tip when you're using a prepaid card to book for an Uber ride:

Before requesting, make sure you load your card with an amount greater than on equal to the maximum fare estimate of your ride, otherwise your request will be invalidated. But don't worry, just load it up and you can request again. :) Apparently, Uber does a balance check for prepaid card holders before hooking you up with your ride. :)

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FREEBIE (for non-BPI card holders): Use this promo code, UBERNATICS to get FREE UBER credits when you register! :) Click on the image below to sign up :)