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Uber Drivers Reveal Secrets That Will Change How You Ride | Travel Unfiltered

Travel + Leisure

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Every Uber or Lyft ride comes with a set of unwritten rules most passengers never think about. In this episode of Travel Unfiltered, experienced rideshare drivers reveal the industry secrets, unwritten rules, and travel hacks that can save you money, earn you better ratings, and make every trip smoother.

Discover the surprising rules drivers live by and why your trip might get declined before it even begins. Drivers also break down how surge pricing really works, explain the little-known ways passengers can accidentally damage their ratings, and share the etiquette they wish every rider knew. Along the way, they reveal what years behind the wheel have taught them about reading people, staying safe, and why every shift offers a window into the lives of complete strangers.

0:00 Rideshare Drivers Reveal Industry Secrets
1:56 The Money
4:47 How to Be a Better Passenger

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20 Comments

@ausxau 2 months ago

Uber drivers aren’t here to hurt you, but Uber as a company is here to hurt us all.

@Matt-fl8uy 2 months ago

I tip well but the "if you aren't a 4.9 I won't give you a ride" is awful.

@christopherecosta 2 months ago

I've ridden in cars with more than a few drivers who have dirty cars with ripped up seats and strong body odor and still give them 5 stars because we usually have nice conversations, but haven't gotten the same consideration in return. In fact, I've NEVER given fewer than 5 stars and somehow my rating is less than 5.

@gyptax 2 months ago

"Uber drivers are like... how do I put this... doctors." 🤨

@lyricwilberg 2 months ago

I'm always nice and polite and I tip - my rating is 4.77. I would love to know how each driver has been rating me.

@BlurbNRambles 2 months ago

Please pick up flight attendants! They really are stranded and are strongly discouraged from acting unpleasantly.

@hikili0 2 months ago

Who else immediately checked their Uber rating? 😂
☝🏻

@dolly_hood 2 months ago

I had 5.0 for 12 years!! Until recently. Guy gave me a 1 star & it brought me down to a 4.9. He drove like he was baked or something so I was p rude bc I was drunk too ( which is why I called an uber ). I wasn’t wasted tho; he was swerving!

@khausere7 2 months ago

Maybe interview a few drivers that aren't in NYC.

@teamilo4669 2 months ago

I have a 4.89 rating on uber. I am always so kind, and speak when spoken too and always tip. I have no idea what I did but one day I got a low rating and I have zero clue why, which I felt like it was unfair cuz im always so cautious to be kind😭

@arusharahman3346 2 months ago

Such a disgusting thing to say that I would not take someone who has the reading lower than 4.9 then

@LegendDC9 2 months ago

Very interesting topic!
I've only Ubered like 12-15 times; all of my rides have been great experiences, but my score is a 4.75, and I'm not sure why it's that low. Especially after the one driver said that she'd only accept riders with a 4.9 or higher... not sure what I've done to deserve that hypothetical rejection.

@MzDezB1 2 months ago

I always say, "hi, how are you?" Back inna day, Uber drivers were courteous. Now, I barely get an answer. Maybe because many times, they might not even speak English. I do notice that when I get an Uber down south, it'll be someone born and raised in that city. In NY or in Cali, it'll be someone who's just arrived here from somewhere else. I'm quiet unless the driver wants to talk. I always tip more than 20%. My rating is 4.73. There have been times, I've wanted to give a driver less than 5 stars but then Uber asks why. Most times, I'll just give 5 stars to get on with my life unless it was a horrible experience.

@CherryBlossomHouse 2 months ago

I usually tip more than 20% and make sure to stay courteous throughout the ride. Sometimes, I notice that drivers pick me up in the wrong spot even though the app clearly shows my location. A few don't even offer to help with my luggage. I saw that my rating is 4.86, which I think isn't very fair.

@bmkzRocks 2 months ago

I’ve had 5stars for years. One night my phone fell from my pocket and I forgot it in the car so I asked the driver if he could bring it back and showed gratitude by giving him an extra 10, the highest tip and a 5 stars rating. When I checked my rating after that it had dropped to 4.6 😅

@solotraveler3 2 months ago

An eye opening video and some great comments here. After more than 50 rides I don't understand why I have a 4.77. I always leave a 5 star and a 20% tip. I always open up a conversation but if the driver clearly doesn't want to talk I shut up. I've never been late to the pick-up, never slammed the door, never talked on phone while riding. I've listened to drivers complain about the pay and other riders and even their personal situation. I always say "Thank you" after the ride.
My rating hasn't changed in over a year. I find myself taking Waymo more and more...

@dennisd9554 2 months ago

I use Uber maybe a couple times a year, mostly when traveling. I am always polite, but not too talkative. I always tip too, usually the recommended, but sometimes a dollar or two more depending. Never rude. Never had a SINGLE issue with any driver. Always give 5 stars unless its something like a crazy driver or a dirty or broken car. Just looked and my rating is 4.89. So by that driver's "cutoff" of 4.9 she wouldn't pick me up. Have no idea why I'm at 4.89. Again, NEVER had any incident with a driver. Maybe I'm too quiet, who knows.