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This article was co-authored by Marc Freccero and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Marc Freccero is a Gig Economy Expert and YouTuber based in Los Angeles, CA. After becoming a rideshare driver, he fell in love with driving and started his YouTube channel @BuckLiving to make content to help out other rideshare drivers. Marc shares optimization tips, news, and education based on the rapidly changing rideshare landscape. He is well-versed in Uber, Lyft, Uber Eats, Doordash, Waymo, and more. Marc also provides advice to freelancers on exploring the gig economy and a variety of side hustles.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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Back in the day, Uber offered free rides as part of the new customer and referral promotions, but, unfortunately, these promos no longer exist. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get a free Uber ride, though—but you might have to put in a little work ahead of time (like completing a few paid surveys). We’ll walk you through all your options so you can learn the best way to earn free (or at least discounted) Uber rides.
How to Get a Cheap Uber Ride
Uber no longer offers free rides for new users or user referrals. However, you can get a free ride by being gifted a ride by a friend or family member, or if your neighborhood or community offers free rides at certain times of night. Otherwise, you can get cheaper Uber rides by using promo codes or Uber Share.
Steps
How to Save Money on Uber Rides
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Save 50% on 2 rides with Uber’s referral code system. Navigate to the Account page of the Uber app, followed by the Refer friends to get deals. Then, tap Invite friends and choose your preferred way to send out the invite code (e.g., over text, social media, etc.). Once your friend uses the referral code, both they and you will get up to a 50% discount on your next 2 Uber rides.- This benefit stacks for every friend you successfully refer to Uber. So, if you referred 2 friends, you’d get a discount on your next 4 rides.
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Keep an eye out for new promo codes. Promo codes are always changing, so there’s no telling what sort of savings could be just around the corner! While Uber doesn’t have a page dedicated to coupons on their website, it’s easy to shop for the best deals online. Check out popular coupon websites for the latest and greatest deals: -
Opt for the Uber Share option. For some routes, you might see a Share option pop up in your available rides. The Share option is essentially carpooling, but it gives you a discount on your final ride price (in exchange for riding with strangers).[3] -
Check out Lyft rates before buying an Uber ride. While Uber and Lyft are similar in a lot of ways, their rates often differ slightly. Before settling on an Uber fare, pull up the same route in Lyft and see if it’s a little cheaper. -
Reserve Uber rides long before you have to travel. Uber lets you schedule Uber rides long before you actually set foot in the car, which can help you save money from potentially higher rates.- Tap the Reserve and relax option on the main page of the Uber app to start reserving your ride.
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Sign up for Uber One if you use Uber a lot. Uber One offers benefits for both Uber and Uber Eats and can be worthwhile if you use both services frequently. Besides 6% Uber Cashback on your rides, Uber One can get you:[4]- Free Uber Eats delivery
- Discounts on Uber Eats orders
- Special promo codes
- Cost: Currently, Uber One is $10 a month.
Expert Q&A
Tips
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At one point, you could get a free Uber ride by ordering your ride through Facebook Messenger. However, it’s unclear if this promo is still available, as it’s not featured on Uber’s main website.Thanks
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Keep in mind that Uber promo deals and referral deals may vary by location and country—this article is specific to the USA only.Thanks
References
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