Many people undermine Uber’s functionality of being able to reserve rides. While they think it’s not something special, it can give you a better time and experience. So, in this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about it!
We’ll go ahead and focus on the following:
- Is it Possible to Reserve an Uber?
- How Much Would an Uber Reserve Ride Be?
- Uber Reserve vs. Scheduled Uber Ride
- How to Schedule Uber Rides?
- Are Reserve Rides Reliable?
- Can You Edit the Time or Cancel Scheduled Rides?
- And Many More!
Is a Scheduled Uber Ride Possible?
Yes! The scheduling feature is called Uber Reserve, where you can have a ride request a few days ahead of time — even weeks! Like other ride-hailing services, Uber allows its customers to schedule rides in advance via the Uber app or the website! We’ll tackle more of that later!
How Long Can You Schedule an Uber Ride?
Uber Reserve allows customers to reserve a ride for up to 90 days! On the other hand, scheduling an Uber ride will enable people to book a ride in advance for up to 30 days. They are two different services, which we’ll dive right into.
Uber Reserve vs. Uber Scheduled Ride
Many people need clarification in distinguishing Uber Reserve from a standard Uber scheduled ride. But let’s break it down for you!
Both services will allow you to book a ride ahead of time. There are subtleties of difference for both, though.
Uber Reserve allows you to book at least 90 days ahead, while a regular scheduled Uber ride only gives you a 30-day allowance.
Furthermore, with Uber Reserve, you can choose a specific time and your favorite Uber driver and be assured that you’ll get picked up! Talk about luxury partnered with functionality!
An advance booking of a standard Uber ride is just like how you would book during the time of your departure.
Scheduled rides actually have the following reminders or pointers:
- Extra wait time because it will depend on driver availability
- Flexibility on pickup time
- Freedom to cancel for up to one hour in advance
How Much Would an Uber Reserve Ride Be?
The fees for this specific ride request are more outstanding or more than many people expect. Unlike an Uber scheduled ride, Uber Reserve is a different service. With this service, you have to pay a reservation fee because you’re guaranteed a future trip, the driver of your choice (complete with driver details), and the exact time slots.
NOTE: This is different from surge pricing. Surge pricing happens when the trips you are to get are in a situation of traffic, congestion, or bad weather. For clarity, the Reserve fee is different from surge pricing.
Uber Reserve Availability
As much as we want this service to be, it’s only available in select regions. If you are still looking for the option in your current location, that means it’s not available in your city.
In addition, Uber Reserve is also only available at a few selected airports, along with the favorite driver feature.
The app is automated to give you available drivers that accept Reserve if the area is eligible for it.
How to Reserve Uber in Advance?
Reserving an Uber in advance can be done in both the Uber app and website. We laid out the step-by-step process of doing it below! The best part? We separated the process via the Uber app and the website!
Reserve Feature via the Uber App
Most of us would have the app, and to take advantage of the Reserve function, here’s what you have to do:
- Access the Uber app on your device.
- Then, choose Reserve from the menu.
- After that, enter the trip details and information, and select the ride/driver of your choice (if available).
- Once done, confirm the pickup location, scheduled pickup time, and the trip itself.
- You can revisit the scheduled trip at any time by going to the Reserve function on the Uber app.
Scheduling Feature via the Website
If you’re on the website, here’s the step-by-step procedure for reserving an upcoming trip!
- Access Uber Reserve.
- From there, enter the date and time you wish to be picked up and click on Next.
- Once done, enter the pickup location and drop off location and click on Reserve a Ride.
NOTE: Reserve might not be available in your location. If it’s not, you can try out Uber’s schedule a-ride feature. It also allows you to book in advance; it’s just a bit different from Reserve in terms of reliability and flexibility.
How to Cancel Ride Request?
Whether it’s canceling a standard Uber ride or a Reserved one, you can do it via the Uber app. Here’s how you can do it:
- On the app, click the three horizontal lines on the top-left corner of the screen.
- Then, choose Your Trips > Past in the top-right corner.
- From there, you’ll see a list of trip categories by time. Choose Upcoming from the list.
When you do that, you’ll see the upcoming trip you just scheduled, and you can click on Cancel Ride to cancel it.
This process doesn’t only work for Reserve or a scheduled Uber ride. If you’ve scheduled Uber Comfort, Uber X, Uber Black, or whatever on-demand service, here is how you can cancel it.
Now that we know the its and bits of reserving an Uber, how do you cancel it? Not everything is perfect, so it’s good to anticipate that cancelations may and will happen. Here’s how you can cancel your ride!
Who is Reserve For?
You might be wondering why would such a service be possible. Well, it’s for a select group of people who need security and reliability.
Uber reserve can be for a number of people who need to be at that exact moment without missing. As we know, Uber is dependent on traffic and congestion. It doesn’t have its own time, so, with Reserve, passengers can be carefree knowing they will be where they need to be with Uber Reserve.
Ideally, though, you’ll want to schedule a Reserve if:
- You want smoother and more seamless airport trips (back and forth)
- You have business travel and being late isn’t an option
- The Uber schedule isn’t great for you, and you need more flexibility
- Your pickup address is on-demand and houses more people
- It’s hard to get a trip request because of how congested the area is
When You Need Uber Reserve
Uber Reserve is a specifically-designed service for people who need to leave in a strict amount of time. So, the best instances to use Reserve would be:
- If you are coming from or going to the airport (airport trips)
- When you don’t want to leave extremely early
- During bad or unpleasant weather
- When you want your ride to be 100% sure
NOTE: Reserve is different from the typical scheduled rides. With Uber Reserve, Uber drivers will be battling to get your booking, whereas with scheduled rides, there’s a chance that drivers might not accept it.
When You Shouldn’t Get Uber Reserve
There are instances, however, when an Uber Reserve is not as necessary. These times are:
- When you live in the suburbs (it’ll most likely be unavailable)
- If you want to save money
- If you were able to plan ahead of time
Reserve is good if you’re leaving during rush hour or if you don’t think that a nearby driver will easily be able to come to your aid during the date of your departure. In these cases, a scheduled pickup might just be the best balance of service and luxury for you.
Uber Reserve’s Cancellation Fee and Rulings
One thing to note is that the cancellation fees for Uber Reserve are higher than the standard Uber ride. However, you can cancel the ride at 0 charges up to an hour before the pick-up time.
However, you wouldn’t be charged for canceling if no driver has accepted or confirmed the booking yet.
Cancelling Uber X, XL, Comfort, Electric, Black and Black SUV Hourly, Green, and WAV would incur a minimum fare cancellation fee. On the other hand, Uber Black, Black SUV, and Premiere would incur a full fare for cancellation.
Is There an Uber Guarantee For Reserve?
Uber does not guarantee that your scheduled ride (reserved ride) will be accepted. Once your booking has been confirmed, you’ll receive your ride details as well as your driver’s.
Moreover, Uber Reserve is only available at selected airports and cities. However, scheduled Uber rides are mostly available if standard Uber services are.
FAQs
In case you still have questions about reserving an Uber ride, here are a few of the most common questions asked:
How Long Does Uber Reserve Take?
You can reserve a scheduled ride for up to 90 days. Whether you plan ahead of time and ride tomorrow, a month in advance, or if you’re leaving in the next hour, you can use this. Reserve-booked drivers will also arrive 5 minutes earlier and will have ample wait time.
Why Can’t I Reserve an Uber in Advance?
You can only use Reserve if the area you are in has that particular service. It’s only available in a few regions of the country, including some airports.
Is Uber Reserve the Same as Scheduled Rides?
Uber Reserve is an entirely different service than just a standard Uber ride. The scheduled rides feature is a standard feature added to all Uber car and vehicle services. Moreover, Reserve is bookable for up to 90 days, while scheduled rides are only for 30.
How do I Know if My Scheduled Uber Ride is Confirmed?
You’ll know that your Reserve is confirmed when you receive the details of your driver. That means that a driver accepted the booking. For scheduled rides, you’ll receive a confirmation on how you would receive a standard Uber ride.
The Bottom Line
If you want to reserve Uber in advance, you have to ensure you are in an area where it’s accepted. Otherwise, you’ll have to opt to schedule a regular Uber ride.
Being an on-demand service, Uber is constantly improving its services.
