I Tried Uber’s New Travel Features and it’s First Class all the Way

I have a love-hate relationship with travel. While I often dream of adventures involving hopping from region to region, the logistical reality often overwhelms my disorganised brain. While some people get aroused by the idea of planning an itinerary, taking notes and filing sheets of paper into travel folders (shout out, Mum), that isn’t me. Whether coordinating transport to and from the airport or keeping a tab on all the different email bookings, the whole process is personally draining. Unfortunately, teleportation technology is yet to be invented, and I don’t have the budget to fly over a personal travel assistant like Jennifer Coolidge’s character in White Lotus season 2. However, the tech-focused transportation lords at Uber have just launched several new features that made my latest trip effortless. Even for a battler like me…

New Travel Features

It’s no secret that travel is booming, and it won’t be slowing down as we head into summer. With this in mind, Uber has rolled out a suite of new innovations to provide Aussies with a seamless door-to-door travel experience. As of today, riders will now be able to take full advantage while they explore neighbouring states and reunite with loved ones over the sunny months. So what are they, you ask?

Uber Reserve Airport Pickups

We’ve all experienced the nightmare of airport transport. The last thing we want after a flight is to suffer a headache en route to our final destination, yet it’s been accepted as just part of the process. However, Uber Reserve Airport Pickups is for those wanting a stress-free and premium service. Firstly, the feature allows riders to schedule a trip up to 30 days in advance, so you know you’re set once you land. From there, flight tracking technology automatically adjusts your reservation time based on flight information and notifies the driver so they can be ready, whether on time, early or delayed. Furthermore, it allows 60 minutes of wait time included in your fare, which gives travellers more than enough riggle room upon landing. Then, when you’re ready to go, all you have to do is select the ‘Yes, pick me up’ prompt in the pre-trip screen, and they will pick you up kerb side so that you can step straight off the terminal and into your ride.

Uber Travel

Whether you’re an organisation enthusiast or want all your important information in one place, Uber Travel is a game-changer for your itinerary. By linking your Google and Microsoft accounts, Uber Travel enables riders to see all legs of their travel, such as flights, hotels and rides, in one place. Furthermore, it allows users to consolidate disparate and disjointed confirmations they receive into easily applicable travel itineraries. Best of all, Aussies can reserve rides through the feature and, for a limited time, receive 10% back in Uber credit.

Uber Carshare

Earlier this year, Uber acquired the car-sharing network Car Next Door and integrated the service into its suite of mobility products. If you’re unfamiliar with how this all works, think Airbnb but for cars. Boasting ultimate flexibility and convenience, you can book various vehicles in your neighbourhood by the hour, day or however long you need. Uber Carshare will walk you through a few simple steps, and then you’re off to the races with the contactless key collection and instant key access.

“From the moment you book your outbound flight to the moment you return home, our vision is to become a one-stop shop for every travel need, by integrating that Uber ease and convenience that Aussies know and love,” said Margarita Peker, Head of Rider Operations ANZ.

Thanks to Uber’s new technological innovations, the process of travelling has become utterly effortless. This simple yet revolutionary toolkit allowed me to see my entire itinerary and book relevant rides all in one location, making for a highly streamlined experience when on the move. Best of all, it means you spend less time stressing over unimportant stuff, giving you more time to enjoy precious moments with friends and family.

Disclaimer: The author of this article, Sam Mangioni, was invited to test out the next features as a guest of Uber.