Using UBER -- No SmartPhone?

[Ranger111]

Title says it all.

Mostly out of stubborn mindset (wife says cheap), I have only a basic "dumb" cell phone and see no reason to get a SmartPhone.

However, I am going on a quick overnight trip and thought I might use Uber.

According to their Web site, I need a smartphone.

I did find a Web site called go granny go, or something like that, which purports to serve geezers who have no smartphone. You phone them, they book Uber for you.

But they charge 13 percent of your Uber Fare, plus so much per mile -- again -- all on top of the Uber fare.

Since my Uber fare would be around $120 (roundtrip), I would like to avoid that site, which would probably add $25 or more to the bill.

Is there any reason that someone else with a SmartPhone, who may be a few hundred miles away, could not call Uber for me when I am ready.

Or any other ideas (if it comes down to it, I will probably go ahead with the go granny site, but then again, a penny saved...).

 

[Soulsearching]

I believe you may be able to have someone call an Uber for you.

You call your friend, wife, cousin, etc. and ask them to order an Uber for you through their Smartphone and you pay them when you get back.

Since you don't Uber a lot and don't want a Smartphone, this may be your only option.

"You can use your app to request a ride for someone else. Enter your friend's pickup location and destination. Once the ride request has been accepted, it's helpful to contact the driver and confirm your friend's details. Your app includes features that help you share trip details with your friend."

 

[squirrel]

I tried last year when I was in the US using my ipad mini. You have to have a cell # or phone # that accepts phone codes. I didn't have my old cell (flip) so I couldn't set it up on my ipad.

My old phone (flip) was so old that I had to get a new phone as it didn't even have a SIM card. Since I had to buy a new one I decided to upgrade to a smartphone. I really didn't think I was going to use it much other than the camera. Oh how I was wrong. I love it. I still have it on a pay as you go plan. I keep everything on Wi-Fi and if needed can make a call without paying too much.

I can't wait to use it in WDW & SeaWorld. I hope to use Uber this year. My phone will not work for some features as it's a Canadian cell, unless I purchase a SIM card that works in the US.

 

[gottalovepluto]

That gets really complicated if you and your friend are not proficient in Uber.

Stick to taxis and think about all the money you save not having a smartphone! You may have to pay more for taxis but it's not as much as a smartphone bill!

 

[momma2ethan]

With it being a quick overnight trip it would be much cheaper to just rest a car than the $120 you expect to pay for the uber.

 

[Ranger111]

Thanks all. I think I like the taxi advice best. Rental car is not practical for a variety of reasons too boring to go into, but including I would have to drive it into San Francisco, where driving is an exercise in sheer terror and parking is next to impossible.

So, Yellow Cab -- or whatever -- seems like the best bet.

Still not ready to take the SmartPhone plunge. Other than this Uber thing, I have never had any sort of need for a smart phone. I spend less than $50 a year on my legacy T-Mobile pay-as-you-go phone.

Again, thanks for the help. Oh, and the friend who would help would be my wife. And while she is great with texting and talking on her IPhone, she has never used any sort of "app" on her phone, at least that I know of.

 

[Sagginit]

Uber drivers are not always reliable. Sometimes if they can't quite find you or for some other unknown reason they cancel en route after the ride is confirmed. A smart phone is generally needed to track your location. In your scenario I can see a lot going wrong so do spend more on a taxi or ride service, I think using Uber with someone else setting it up may cause more trouble than its worth.

Another idea is depending on the area you can search to see what taxi companies are in the area. Sometimes smaller companies charge less than the big flashy ones with up to date cars. I got a deal in my area on a trip to the airport by using a taxi company called "Rapido". I survived and the car did, not sure I would use them again but saved a ton over the black car services around here.