Mark Halloween night time in your calendar and put a reminder in your cellphone. No, we’re not speaking about sweet or costumes. Quite, it is the final night time it’s important to use your Uber Rewards factors earlier than they disappear.
As TPG first reported earlier this summer season, ride-hailing service Uber is phasing out the older of its loyalty applications, Uber Rewards, and concentrating customers on the Uber One program that launched final yr. Actually, that transition has already begun in earnest: The tip of August marked the top of shoppers’ capacity to earn factors earnings as a part of the Uber Rewards program. Nevertheless, Uber gave riders an extra two months, by means of Oct. 31, to redeem any remaining factors.
With October now right here, take into account this your one-month warning that these factors will disappear if not used.
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Transition away from Uber Rewards
First launched in 2018, Uber Rewards was the primary mechanism by which Uber customers may earn and redeem factors, and obtain elite standing.
Uber clients may typically earn 1 level per greenback on Uber Eats purchases, 2 factors per greenback in your most traditional Uber rides, like UberX and UberXL, and three factors per greenback on Uber Black, Uber Black SUV and Uber Inexperienced.
These factors may earn you reductions and advantages at a number of different retailers like Starbucks and free or discounted Uber rides or Uber Eats deliveries. For example, 2,000 Uber Rewards factors is the same as a free $30 UberX journey.
Incomes sufficient factors throughout a set time period may earn you elite standing, which acquired you larger incomes charges on factors, and — on the program’s highest elite standing ranges — experience upgrades.
However in August, Uber introduced it could finish the Uber Rewards program, pivoting totally to its pay-to-join program, Uber One, which doesn’t have factors or elite standing however does embrace enhanced experiences for paying members.
The Uber Rewards program technically ends on Nov. 1, however Aug. 31 was the final day to earn factors in that program. So, you probably have any unused factors you’d wish to redeem on an Uber experience or an Uber Eats order, you may have till the top of the night time on Oct. 31 to make use of them earlier than they disappear.
Associated: Earn Marriott Bonvoy factors on Uber rides and meals deliveries
A deal with Uber One
With this shift away from Uber Rewards, the corporate is placing its emphasis on Uber One, first launched in 2021.
This system is a membership fee-based program by which members pay a month-to-month payment and may then entry advantages throughout the corporate’s platforms.
With a $9.99 month-to-month payment, Uber One members have entry to limitless free deliveries on Uber Eats orders, and are eligible for as a lot as 10% off eligible deliveries and pickup orders. Uber One members additionally get 5% off rides, and entry to top-rated drivers on Uber.
The place Uber Rewards was a free loyalty program that in some methods behaved extra like an airline loyalty program the place you unlock advantages by means of your loyalty, Uber One is extra akin to a month-to-month membership the place you may have entry to rapid and tangible advantages by paying the month-to-month payment.
For those who’re a former Uber Rewards member that ceaselessly took benefit of elite standing advantages, this figures to be a disappointing shift, since you may now must pay a month-to-month payment to get a reduction in your experience and also you gained’t earn additional rewards. Relying on how a lot you spend with Uber, this shift may signify a notable loss in worth.
Do not forget that Lyft nonetheless helps you to earn bonus Chase Final Rewards factors once you pay with a collaborating Chase card and earn both Delta SkyMiles or Hilton Honors factors in your experience.
That mentioned, carrying the precise card can offset that month-to-month payment totally. For example, cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Categorical stand up to $200 yearly towards Uber — $15 monthly after which an extra $20 in December — so that you’d even have about $5 in Uber Money leftover every month after paying your Uber One month-to-month dues. American Categorical® Gold cardholders additionally get $10 monthly in Uber Money. Enrollment is required.
Backside line
The start of October means we’re within the closing days of the Uber Rewards program. Whereas the times of incomes factors in your rides are already over, the clock is now ticking: All remaining factors should be used up earlier than this system fully disappears in favor of the pay-to-join Uber One program on the finish of the month.