Uber Manila is trying out a new vehicle class this January, and they're calling it UberHOP.

UberHOP is almost similar to Uberpool in the US. Uberpool is where one or two riders can book the same uber car. Then as long as they are going in roughly the same direction and they'll split the cost of the fare. For UberHOP, the main difference is that there can be up to 6 total riders and each rider must have their own Uber account. If you want to bring a friend, you'll have to get them to sign up with Uber and request for the same trip. :)

The idea is pretty simple. Here's how it works:

The app will group riders coming from the same origin and who are going to the same destination.
Each rider needs to walk to the suggested meet up spot
The fare is flat: each rider will pay P75
The driver will only wait the scheduled time provided in the app
You won’t be able to contact your driver to make alternative arrangements

Just watch the GIF below and you'll see how it works ideally:

Imagine it like a super expensive Jeepney ride limited to just 6 passengers.

I think this should be a great way to help lessen traffic, by having up to 6 riders take 1 car as long as they're going to the same location.

Noticed a few issues right off the bat tho:

You won't be able to contact the driver. Which means, the driver will be the one contacting each rider. Imagine having to wait for 5 other strangers to show up. That's going to waste some time.

There is a suggested meet up spot. Good luck with finding the driver/ubercar if you can't contact him.

You'll be riding the UberHOP with strangers. Yes, you also ride with strangers when you ride a bus or a jeepney but that beats the point of getting an Uber ride. The slogan says "Your private driver". You can't call it private anymore.

Limited availability, Makati Only. Is the area limitation, based on the GPS of the app or the discretion of the driver? Or are there predetermined pickup or drop off points in the city? There should be more information about this, I think.

That's that. I do hope they have plans in the future for people going north bound or south bound along EDSA.

Here's when it'll be available:

WHEN: Weekdays (excluding non-working holidays) between 6-10AM and 4-9PM
WHERE: Using real rider data, uberHOP is able to determine the locations where rider demand is high. uberHOP is currently available within Makati and BGC.
PRICING: Introductory flat fare of PHP 75

If you want to try out UberHOP, there will be free rides from January 25 to 29!

All photos from Uber Manila's Blog: https://newsroom.uber.com/manila/uberhopmnl/

Mark your calendars!!! Uber has teamed up with Airtrav to bring you free UberChopper Rides on November 21, 2015!

Make sure you update your app! :)

Trip is absolutely Free, if you are lucky. *Wink

HOW DOES #UBERCHOPPER WORK?

• Fire-up the Uber app from 8am to 10am on Saturday, November 21, 2015 and slide to the ‘UberCHOPPER’ option
• Set your pick-up location and press the request button
• An UberBLACK will take you and your friends to the helipad.
• Demand for UberCHOPPER will be sky-high (no pun intended) and supply will be limited. If at first you don’t see any Ubers available, keep trying!

MORE IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• 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

If you just want a free ride with Uber you can install the app and enter this promo code:

UBERLIBRE200

Do you want a chance to win a free Samsung Galaxy Note 5?

If yes, then all you have to do is ride with Uber this week!!

Quick Promo Mechanics:

Request for a ride with Uber between 12:01 am of October 26, 2015 and 3:00 pm of October 30, 2015. 

Promo is limited within Metro Manila only.

One (1) lucky passenger in the following areas will have the chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Note 5:

DATE DAY LOCATION
26-Oct Monday Mandaluyong
27-Oct Tuesday Manila
28-Oct Wednesday Eastwood
29-Oct Thursday Makati
30-Oct Friday Bonifacio Global City

For more details on the promo, you can visit this website:
http://www.samsung.com/ph/offer/be-one-of-the-lucky-5

You can also get a free ride worth P200 if you enter code UBERLIBRE200.

If you haven't signed up for Uber yet, click on the link below.https://get.uber.com/invite/uberlibre200

Today is August 19 and Uber is helping you celebrate the 137th Birth Anniversary of Former President Manuel L. Quezon by giving you a discount today! 

Just enter the promo code:
QUEZON137

Promo rums from 12 noon until 5 pm of August 19, 2015
Promo is only valid for trips TO QUEZON CITY
Doesn't matter if you're also from Quezon City, as long as the destination is Quezon City you can get the discount. :D

If you are not going to Quezon City today and you are new to Uber,
register thru the link below to get free 200 credits on your FIRST RIDE!
https://www.uber.com/invite/uberlibre200  

Or you can use promo code:

UBERLIBRE200

Happy Quezon Day!

MLQ art on banner from Pia Samson on Tumblr

FREE TRIPS ON SUNDAY IF PACQUIAO WINS!

This Sunday, May 3, Manny Pacquiao faces off against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in what's said to be the most anticipated fight of the decade.  

If Manny wins, Uber Manila will give you TWO FREE TRIPS, which you can use for the rest of Sunday after the fight. Just enter the following promo code on the app -- be sure to share it with your friends and family! 

This is wonderful! I hope we can all support Manny in his fight to crush Mayweather tomorrow!

Share the promo code below to get 2 free trips!

UBERMANILA4MANNY 

Share the code with your friends and family!
Let's support Manny and get free rides!!

Important Reminders:

You have to enter the promo code before you can avail of the promo.
Each free ride can cost up to P300.
The free rides will only be activated after the fight, all trips taken before then will not fall under this promotion.

#MAYPAC
#UBERMANILA4MANNY
+Uber Manila

Sign up today or anytime this week with Uber and get free unlimited rides for your Lunch Break from 10 am to 2 pm.

You can use only one promo code for the day you choose. 
Remember that each new sign-up can only use one promo code, so choose well. :D

LUNCHTRIPMON for Monday

LUNCHTRIPTUE for Tuesday

LUNCHTRIPWED for Wednesday

LUNCHTRIPTHU for Thursday

LUNCHTRIPFRI for Friday

This Promo is only for this week so hurry!

If you want to get 200 free Credits instead of free rides on a certain time, use this promo code:

UBERLIBRE200


Travel Safe!

If you're living or traveling in Manila right now, you should definitely give Uber a try.

Uber is an alternative mode of transport here in Manila. Like in many other countries, Uber is an efficient way to travel with an UberBlack or UberX car. Unlike regular taxis, you get to ride a private car which is clean, new and safe.

If you have the Uber app, you can get P200 P100 free when you sign up. Just search Uber on the app store of your phone. 

Use this promo code to get 200 pesos:
UBERLIBRE200

You get to ride different kinds of cars depending on the type of Uber you will choose:
UberX or UberBlack

www.uber.com/cities/manila

www.uber.com/cities/manila

With Uber you don't even have to pay in cash. The payment is processed via the app itself, all you need to enter is your credit card info. Don't worry, the card info is stored in an encrypted server where it's safe. :)  It's also cheaper compared to the taxi booking apps because there's no Booking fee :)

Here's an estimate of a ride from NAIA Terminal 3 to SM MoA:

With Uber, you don't need to worry about bringing enough "barya" to make the exact payment for the ride. All transactions are charged on your card with the exact amount. No more "Walang panukli" moments!

Uber also has feedback features both for the drivers and the riders. If you ride with a driver who doesn't listen to you, is rude or is overall lost when it comes to directions you can give him a lower rating. You can also file a complaint if the driver does anything to you. On the other hand, if you are a drunk rider and you puke all over their car or if you destroy anything in the car like the seats, they may also give you a low rating.

Another great feature is the Share your ETA link. While on the way to your destination on an Uber car, tap the clock icon to share your ETA. The app will then generate a map with your Uber car details as well as your destination and ETA. the map also has an animated car that will update your location on the map while you're travelling. It also shows when you have arrived at your destination. Pretty cool huh?

So why try Uber?

It's Cheaper

It's Convenient

It's Cool

Use my promo code to get free credits:
UBERLIBRE200

You can also register thru this link:
https://get.uber.com/invite/uberlibre200

Travel Safe.

+Uber

Usually when you share an Uber promo code with a friend, it will give them 300 free credits in the app. But starting December 1, 2014 the free credit in Manila will only be 200.

From an email of Uber last week, they made a slight change to the free credits you get when you sign up and enter a promo code.

Which sucks so baaaaaaad. Whhhhyyyyyyyy Uber??? Whyyyyyyy???? T_T

Anyway, the promo code is still usable.
Just expect to see 200 credits instead of 300 moving forward. :D

Click on the link to register with Uber:
https://get.uber.com/invite/uberlibre200

Or enter the code below:
UBERLIBRE200

From November 14-16, Uber is giving away 2 free rides to select SMART Stores.
The new iPhones will be released by Smart communications starting November 14.
Get a free ride using Uber to your nearest mall, and get your new iPhone from Smart.

Here's how it works:

1. Open up the Uber app and go to "Promotions"
2. Type in the promotion code for your nearest mall:
• SM Aura : SMARTIPHONE6AURA
• SM Megamall : SMARTIPHONE6MEGA
• Shangri-La Plaza EDSA : SMARTIPHONE6SHANGRILA
• Powerplant : SMARTIPHONE6POWERPLANT
• Robinson's Galleria : SMARTIPHONE6GALLERIA
• Greenhills Shopping Center : SMARTIPHONE6GREENHILLS
• Podium : SMARTIPHONE6PODIUM
3. Request an Uber

The details on your 2 free rides:
The trip must begin from or end in the mall of your choice to be free of charge
Applicable only on November 14, 15 and 16, 2014
Includes both UberBLACK and uberX
Only 2 free rides per account
The rides are free only up to P800 in total for 2 trips

If you also want to get free 200 credits, you can enter this promo code:

UBERLIBRE200

+Uber

This weekend, you can request for an Uber to and from Greenhills Shopping Center completely for free. Yup. That's right. FREE! Weekend retail-therapy has never been this convenient.

How it works:
Open up the Uber app and go to promotions
Type in the promotion code:
UBERONSANJUAN
Request an Uber

The details on your free rides:
Every trip that begins from or ends in Greenhills Shopping Center will be free of charge
Applicable only on November 8 and 9 2014
Includes both UberBLACK and uberX

*original post from email

If you haven't tried Uber yet, click on the link below to register:

https://get.uber.com/invite/uberlibre200

Or enter this code when you register on the app itself:

UBERLIBRE200

A recent update to the Uber app on November 3 introduced a new ride for Uber Riders in Manila.

Uber Riders who need wheelchair accessible cars can now ride with Uber thru Wheelmobile. 

Wheelmobile partnered with Uber to provide assistance to passengers with disablities or the elderly.

The option is now available on the app and is just like the other uber options.

Except that it is more expensive:

On this screenshot, the minimum fare is 450 Php. 

And the rate per minute is 7.50 Php.

This will be really convenient for families who don't have access to cars and want to take a family member who is on a wheelchair on a trip around town.

But in my opinion this is far too expensive. 

I hope they can reduce the price of the service at some point. Otherwise they should think of something else. 

If you haven't tried Uber yet, get free 200 pesos on your first ride with my code:
UBERLIBRE200

Or you can register from this website:
https://get.uber.com/invite/uberlibre200

+Uber 

Hey, want free 200 credits? Here you go.
You're welcome!

https://get.uber.com/invite/uberlibre200

In a recent update of the Uber app. You can now check for the fare quote easily without having to click on the Request for Pickup button.

All you have to do now is select the car icon you will ride with. Either Black Car or UberX then you will see the screen showing a field where you can enter the destination

After selecting or searching for the proper destination, the fare quote will show the approximate charge for your ride.

Another important thing to note in the latest update is that the location for the uberX and Black Car buttons have been switched.
The UberX button used to be on the left, and the Black Car button used to be on the right.
Now they switched it so the the Black Car is on the left and Uber X is on the right.

Before the update:

After the update:

It almost got me! Luckily, I always look again before selecting request for uberX
Just be careful which option you select and you'll be fine.

If you haven't tried Uber yet, get free 200 pesos on your first ride with my code:
UBERLIBRE200

Uber On! And Happy Halloween!

+Uber  +Uber Manila

The old design of the Uber invite page used to be a boring all black page with where you can enter your info and register for the app.

But it looks so much cooler now!!!

See it for yourself! And get 200 pesos free credits when you register!

https://get.uber.com/invite/uberlibre200

or you can register in the app and enter this code:
UBERLIBRE200

Here are some tips on using the Uber app to get around the city. This is mostly from my experience and I make sure to do them every time I request for an Uber car to ensure efficiency and to save time.

Tip No. 1

Set the pin as accurately as you can on the map of the app.

Don't just rely on the GPS of the application to set your pickup location.

Make sure that you align it as close to your actual location as possible.

Try to zoom in on the map as much as you can so that the name of the building is already visible. If it doesn't show the name of the building in Uber, check your Google Maps app for the right area. It should look exactly the same on Uber, sans the name of the area.

Tip No. 2

Don't ride during Surge periods!

Surge prices are crazy. They range from x1.25 of the regular fare to x3.

Cray cray! So if you can still wait, let the surge price end. Just check the app every 10 minutes or so until the surge ends.

Tip No. 3

Contact the driver immediately after requesting pickup

One sure way of wasting time is just letting the driver figure out where you are exactly. and figuring out how to get there. Try to send him a message with your exact location, any landmarks nearby and anything he has to know in your area. 

In my case when I request for an Uber car in UP Ayala Technohub aka UPA, I always tell the driver to stay on the right lane of the high way. There is this low barricade that starts before he gets to UPA and keeps going until welcome rotonda. Which is already past UPA. If the driver doesn't stay on the right side of the barricade he won't be able to turn right into the UPA entrance. Two drivers ended up going around welcome rotonda and taking a U turn under Tandang Sora all over again, just because they didn't stay in the right side of the road. From then on, I make sure to send them a text message immediately so they'll know.

Tip No. 4

If sharing a ride, don't use the split fare option in the app.

If you ride with Uber, I don't immediately think that you are the frugal type. But Uber is used mostly for convenience. Specially when there are no available taxis and there is no other way to get from point A to B. But hear me out. The split fare option in the app charges an additional 10 pesos to both your card and your friend's card and whoever else you split the fare with. So to lessen the charges going around. Just split the fare between each other manually. If I use my uber app, and it charges on my card. I'll expect my friend to pay his/her share after. And if we use my friend's phone, I'll pay him/her for my share in cash. 

You each save 10 pesos!

Tip No. 5

Get the driver's contact number

The company says you can get a "Private Driver" right? So why not get the driver's contact number? I do this when I need to get the car that I rode in last time. And the driver is the same guy who will be driving that car at a later date. So I always save the driver's number for future use. 

So that's it. Those are my tips on using Uber here in Manila.

If I have more tips for you, I'll make another blog post for it!

Use this code to get free 200 pesos in credits:
UBERLIBRE200

Or you can register here:
https://get.uber.com/invite/uberlibre200

Hey there!

This is an overall review of my experience riding with Uber for the past few months.

History

First time I heard of Uber was back in May 2014, because of an article that popped up in my News Feed about Black Taxis in London having a protest against Uber.

So I went ahead and read more about this app that's causing so much trouble in another country. I then found out that it's just a car service that get payment thru credit cards.

I thought to myself,"I have a credit card! Why not?" So I signed up. And I just used a random free code posted by someone who left a review on the app download page.

And that was when it all started. 

The first time I rode was just for a short distance because the rate of Uber at that time was still pretty pricey.

It was at 120 for the base fare. So it cost me 129 credits out of the free 300.

It was a quick ride. The driver was very nice. The car was new and the idea of the app really appealed to me.

I then signed up my sister's phone and we got 600 credits total. 300 for her and 300 for me since I used my share code. 

And from then on, we kept using Uber. Every weekend.

Drivers

The uber drivers are mostly family driver or previous taxi drivers and most of them know their way around the city. Some don't. So you have to direct them turn by turn.

I prefer the tenured drivers of course, always give them 5 stars in feedback.

Twice I rode with stupid drivers who have no idea where we are going. They went all around the city hiking up the uber fare up to 200+
But after a Fare Review I got the right fare which should be 150 and got my money back. ^_^

Cars

The first cars we got were just the regular sedans, nothing too fancy.
But you can see that the cars are new and even have plastic on some parts of it. 

The nicest cars I got to ride were probably the Red Mini Cooper and the Nissan Teana. Didn't get to take a photo of the Teana though. We were too preoccupied with the moon roof feature. hahaha

Me and My sister next to the Uber Red Mini Cooper

Here's a photo of a Nissan Teana's roof in case you're wondering:

Nissan Teana Image from the Nissan website

Fare

The regular fare of Uber is generally affordable for someone who usually rides a taxi.
Taxi rates are now at 45 pesos for flag down. Just not sure about their rate per km and minute. 

But for UberX it's cheaper or just the same rate. But you're riding a car! ^_^

This is the rate of Uber X:

This is the rate of Uber Black

The only part that I hate with uber is the Surge Pricing, where they have an increase in the fare when there is high demand for cars. Usually during rush hour.

Payment
Some people have apprehensions entering their credit card number in anything a website or an app. And I don't blame them. There are a lot of malicious apps and websites out there. But Uber is not a malicious app. It's totally legit. I only get charged when I don't have free credits. And it always has a receipt after I ride an uber car. You can also check your trips on the rider page of uber.com

https://riders.uber.com/trips

Here's a photo of a trip summary:

The trip summary has everything you need to know about your trip. The time and date of the trip, where you were picked up, where you got dropped off, amount per minute and amount per kilometer. Car type, driver, trip duration, total distance. It also shows here that I didn't get charged coz I only used my free credit. ^_^


Overall: Uber is Awesome
I've told almost everyone at work about it. 
I posted about it on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.
Also posted on Couchsurfing. Most of my co workers now use Uber regularly because of me. ^_^

I want everyone in Manila to know and try out Uber.
If you haven't tried Uber yet, please don't waste any more of your time and try it out now!

Use this code to get free 200 pesos in credits:
UBERLIBRE200

Or you can register here:
https://get.uber.com/invite/uberlibre200

You can ride just a short distance, and keep using the free credits while it lasts. 

Uber on!

Hey there! 

Image from 99designs.com

I just discovered Uber and it has changed the way I think about getting around the city. Using the iPhone/Android app,  or m.uber.com, you can request a swanky car and professional private driver to pick you up and take you anywhere you want to go. 

The drivers arrive in just minutes, you can watch them approach on the map within the app, and payment is automatically charged to a credit card you add on the app. No need to pay booking fees or tip the driver!

The best part? If you sign up using my invite link below, Uber will credit your account for ₱200 off your first ride:  https://www.uber.com/invite/uberlibre200 

You can also download and sign up from the Uber iPhone or Android app, and just enter this invite code on the sign up screen: 

UBERLIBRE200