Can you book your Uber ride in advance and stay on schedule? This question is top of your mind when you want to find a ride an hour in advance.
And the answer is Yes! With just a few taps, you’re all set. You can schedule an Uber in advance with Uber Reserve. You can reserve a trip up to 90 days in advance. This is specifically important for Uber for business or doctor’s visits.
The Uber Reserve trip allows you to book a ride in advance.
In this Uber blog, we will discuss everything about Uber Reserve including Pick-up time, extra cost fir booking, options for every budget, and the difference in the pricing.
Let’s get to it.
How to Book an Uber Ride Ahead of Time
So, you want to schedule your ride 30 days in advance, introducing Uber Reserve.
This feature called Uber Reserve allows you to request a ride up to 90 days in advance. It allows you to schedule a ride for yourself or someone else, and choose from different ride options and prices, even request your favorite driver if they are available.
Steps to book an Uber Rider or ride in advance
Here are the steps to book an Uber ride in advance using the Uber app:
- Tap the Reserve icon in the app and select Reserve a ride.
- Enter your pickup location, destination, date, and time. You can also add a note for your driver or select a preferred driver, ensuring you’re all set for your trip.
- Tap Next to review your ride details and fare estimate. The price of your ride will be locked in ahead of time if you schedule at least 60 minutes in advance, so you’ll know the cost without any surprises. If you schedule less than 60 minutes in advance, you’ll know the fare estimate and you’ll be notified of the updated fare when your driver is assigned to you.
- Tap Reserve to confirm your reservation. You can cancel at no charge up to one hour before your pickup time, which means there’s no need to worry if your plans change.
You will receive a confirmation of your reservation in the app and by email, ensuring you’ve clicked and secured your ride.
View and edit your upcoming reservations in the app by tapping Your Trips and then Upcoming. You get a notification when your driver is on the way and when they arrive at your pickup location.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Booking an Uber Ride in Advance
Booking an Uber ride in advance can have some advantages and disadvantages depending on your situation and preferences. Here are some of the pros and cons of using Uber Reserve:
Pros
- You can plan ahead and have peace of mind that you have a ride ready for your trip, especially if you need to catch a flight, attend an important meeting, or have a special occasion.
- You can avoid surge pricing and dynamic fares by locking in your price ahead of time if you schedule at least 60 minutes in advance.
- You can choose your preferred driver and ride option, and enjoy a personalized and comfortable service.
- You can benefit from a reliable and on-time service, as Uber uses technology to ensure that you are picked up within the 10-minute window you selected. You also have up to 15 minutes of wait time included in your reservation.
- You can book a ride for someone else, such as a family member, friend, or client, and share the trip details and status with them.
Cons
- This option might be a little more expensive than booking on demand due to the reservation fee, which is an additional charge for the convenience and reliability of scheduling a ride in advance, and a potential higher cancellation fee if you cancel less than 60 minutes before your pickup time.
- You may not be able to find a driver or a ride option that matches your preferences, especially if you book at short notice or during peak hours.
- You may have to deal with unexpected delays or changes in your plans, such as traffic, weather, or flight disruptions, that may affect your scheduled ride.
FAQ on Using Uber App to Get a Ride
Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers about booking an Uber ride in advance:
Q: Can I book an Uber ride in advance for any location?
A: You can book an Uber ride in advance in nearly all cities where Uber is available. However, some areas may not support this feature, and you may not see the Reserve icon or receive an error message when you try to schedule a ride.
Q: Can I book an Uber ride in advance for any time?
A: You can book an Uber ride in advance 24/7, as long as you schedule at least 30 minutes in advance. The earliest you can book a ride is 90 days in advance, and the latest is 30 minutes before your desired pickup time.
Q: Can I book an Uber ride in advance for any ride option?
A: You can book an Uber ride in advance for any ride option that is available in your area, such as UberX, UberXL, Uber Comfort, Uber Black, Uber Green, etc.
Q: How much does it cost to schedule a ride in advance?
A: The cost of booking an Uber ride in advance depends on several factors, such as the distance, duration, traffic, demand, and reservation fee. If you book at least 60 minutes in advance, you will see the exact price of your ride before confirming your reservation, and it will not change unless you make changes to your trip.
Q: How can I cancel or change my Uber reserve?
A: You can cancel or change your Uber reservation at any time before being matched with a driver without any charge. To do so, go to Your Trips in the app, select Upcoming, and tap Edit time or Cancel ride.
Conclusion
Booking an Uber ride in advance can be a convenient and reliable way to get a ride when you need it, especially for important or special trips.
However, it also comes with some costs and risks that you should be aware of and weigh against your needs and preferences. If you decide to use Uber Reserve, make sure you follow the steps and tips we shared in this blog post, and enjoy your ride!
If you are looking for other options to get a taxi in London, you may want to check out this article: How to get a taxi in London, which compares Uber with other services such as black cabs and minicabs. You can also use the find a UK taxi or minicab from with Tappaxi.