Calling an Uber is so well-fixed and second nature these days ( at least for the people the company doesn’trandomly ban from the app without account ) – but with gamy requirement come luxuriously - priced event . Surge pricing during peak traveling time can get out youshelling out hundreds of bucksfor what would otherwise be a totally fairish fare . But here ’s the good news show : there are a few ready to hand tricks to get around the price hikes . Keep these in head next time you ’re faced with the dreaded 2x .
Walk to a nearby surge-free zone
Seriously , if you get a surge telling , sometimes walk a few blocks and render again makes all the difference . Every city service by Uber is break up into designated " surge zones , " each with its own independent cost based on the strength of demand at a gift moment . Manhattan , for example , is break in up into 16 distinct zones , which mean that you could easily fend off yield a surge fare by but walk to a different geographical zone to request your car . That ’s wherethe brilliant SurgeProtector appcomes into play . It intercept into the Uber API to show you where you need to go to span into a zone with depressed surge pricing ( or none at all ) .
Try requesting a fancier vehicle
As the most popular service Uber offers , UberX is especially vulnerable to surge . However , if the surge rate for an UberX is exceptionally high , consider bespeak one of the more elite option like Select , Black , or XL . It ’s very potential that one of those alternate is n’t presently surging , so not only will you end up paying less to get where you ’re going relative to the UberX rate , but you ’ll seem like a baller doing it .
If you’re willing to wait a few minutes, tap the Surge Drop feature
To its quotation , Uber has at least acknowledged that surge pricing is a pain in the ass and gives you the choice to look out the price hike by tap " send word Me If Surge Ends " rather than cast over and accept the higher fare . If you enable it , it will post you a get-up-and-go presentment the blink of an eye the billow is over , as long as it ends within the next 30 bit .
Check if Lyft would be cheaper
If you ’re an equal - opportunity rider and are signed up for Lyft as well , it ’s worth investigating whether a ride with the pink moustache gang is a better option . While Lyft rides are generally pricey than UberX , when a surge is in effect all bets are off . What ’s the Fareis a website whose sole purpose is to estimate and equate the monetary value of your ride in an Uber , Lyft , or taxicab . There ’s no app translation of the web site , which is crippled , but you’re able to bookmark it on your earpiece to quickly make the call when a upsurge strikes .
Joe McGauleyis a senior writer for Thrillist who is still mysteriously banned from Uber .
Screenshot via Uber/Cole Saladino
Screenshot via Surge Protector/Shutterstock
Screenshot via Uber/Shutterstock
