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Uber Comfort Guide

Uber Comfort – Quick Guide For Riders And Drivers (Vehicle Requirements)

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For the past few months, Uber has been testing a new offering called Uber Comfort in markets such as Arizona and New Jersey. While there were some issues with the rollout (Uber didn’t tell all the eligible drivers in the pilot area that they were launching a new service), it has proved a popular addition, especially for airport rides.

Now, Uber has expanded the Comfort option to 45 cities, offering riders willing to pay a bit more (~30%), an upgrade over a regular Uber X ride.

What Is Uber Comfort?

Uber Comfort offers newer model (2014 or later), mid-size cars with extra legroom, and the ability to tell the driver your ride preferences in advance.

If you order an Uber Comfort ride, your vehicle will be no more than five years old, and will feature minimum legroom requirements.

Your Uber Comfort driver will have a minimum rating of 4.85 with at least 250 rides given.

On top of that, when you request an Uber Comfort ride, you can tell the driver in advance whether you want to chat or not, and what temperature you want the vehicle to be.

Uber Comfort Ride Preferences

 

Uber started offering these preferences on Uber Black rides previously, and has imported them to the Comfort offering.

The big plus with Comfort is the newer model vehicles and guaranteed legroom, at a lower price point than Uber Black, and usually Uber Select.

Uber Comfort Features

  • Newer cars (2014 or later).
  • Driver rated 4.85 or higher with a minimum of 250 rides given.
  • Extra legroom.
  • Rider preferences for conversation and temperature.

How Does Uber Comfort Differ From Uber Select and Uber Black?

Uber Select Features

  • Newish cars (2010 or later).
  • No minimum driver rating requirement.
  • No rider preferences.

Uber Select offers higher end luxury vehicles (2010 or newer), but no rider preferences. Most Uber Select vehicles will have additional legroom, but can be significantly older than Uber Comfort cars.

Uber Black Features

  • Newer cars (2014 or later).
  • Commercially insured driver rated 4.85 or higher.
  • Vehicle must be black, with leather, and in tip-top condition without cosmetic damage.
  • Rider preferences for conversation, temperature, and baggage.

Uber Black offers high end luxury vehicles no more than five years old, with a licensed commercial livery driver, and additional rider preferences. While you can let a driver know your temperature and conversation wishes with Uber Comfort, with Uber Black, you can also let your driver know if you have bags that you’ll need help with. Uber Black vehicles also must have leather and a black exterior.

It does seem that the addition of  Uber Comfort could eat in to the Uber Select market, or even replace it altogether at some point.

After all, why would you use choose Uber Select, a service with weaker vehicle and driver requirements, when Uber Comfort seems to be a cheaper and better option. Don’t be surprised if Uber phases out Uber Select in favor of Comfort over the coming year.

Does My Vehicle Qualify For Uber Comfort?

If you drive for Uber in a city that offers Uber Comfort, have given more than 250 rides with a 4.85 or higher rating, and have a vehicle that is a 2014 model or newer, it may qualify.

Here is the current list of vehicles that qualify for Uber Comfort (2014 models or newer unless specified):

  • Acura – MDX, RDX, RLX, TLX, ZDX
  • Audi – A6, A7, A8, A8 L, Q5, Q7, S7, S8, SQ5
  • Bentley – SQ5, Flying Spur
  • BMW – 5-series, 5-series 530e, 5-series Gran Turismo, 7-series, ActiveHybrid 7, Alpina B7, M5, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6
  • Buick – Enclave, LaCrosse, Regal
  • Cadillac – CT6, CTS, DTS, Escalade (ESV & EXT also), SRX, XT5, XTS
  • Chevrolet – Equinox (2016), Impala (2016), Suburban, Tahoe, Trailblazer (2016), Traverse (2016)
  • Chrysler – 300, Aspen, Pacifica (2017, Town and Country
  • Dodge – Caravan (2017), Durango (2016), Grand Caravan (2017)
  • Ford – Edge (2016), Escape (2017), Excursion (2016), Expedition, Explorer (2016), F-150 (2016), Flex (2016)
  • Genesis – G70 (2016), G80 (2016), G90 (2016)
  • GMC – Acadia (2016), Acadia Denali (2016), Envoy (2016), Suburban, Terrain (2016), Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, Yukon XL Denali
  • Honda – Accord (2016), CR-V (2017), Odyssey (2017), Pilot (2016)
  • Hyundai – Equus (2016), Genesis (2016), Santa Fe (2016), Santa Fe Sport (2016), Tucson (2016), Veracruz (2016)
  • Infiniti – Q60, Q70, QX50, QX56, QX60, QX70, QX80
  • Jaguar – XF, XJ, XJR
  • Jeep – Cherokee (2016), Compass (2016), Commander (2016), Grand Cherokee (2016), Wrangler (2016)
  • Kia – Borrego (2016), Sorento (2016), Soul (2016)
  • Land Rover – Discovery, LR3, LR4, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport
  • Lexus – GS, GX, LS, LX, NX, RX
  • Lincoln – Aviator, Continental, MKC, MKS, MKT, MKX, MKZ, Nautilus, Navigator, Town Car
  • Mazda – CX-7 (2016), CX-9 (2016), Mazda 5 (2016)
  • Mercedes-Benz – GLC, ML, R, E Class, G Class, GL Class, GLA, GLE, GLK, GLS, M Class, Metris, S Class
  • Mitsubishi – Montero (2016), Outlander (2016), Outlander Sport (2016)
  • Nissan – Armada (2016), Murano (2016), Pathfinder (2016), Quest (2017), Rogue (2017)
  • Porsche – Cayenne
  • Subaru – Ascent (2016), Forrester (2017), Legacy (2016), Outback (2016)
  • Tesla – Model 3, Model S, Model X
  • Toyota – 4Runner (2016), Camry (2016), Highlander (2016), Land Cruiser (2016), RAV4 (2017), Sequoia (2016), Sienna (2017)
  • Volkswagen – Atlas, Tiguan, Touareg
  • Volvo – S90, XC40, XC60, XC90

 

Will Drivers Make More From Giving Uber Comfort Rides?

So, Uber Comfort costs the rider a bit more, but will Uber drivers see any of the extra fare?

Possibly, but probably not much more.

Drivers on an Uber Comfort ride will be paid a higher per minute wait time. For example, in Chicago, the per minute wait time for Uber Comfort is $0.43/minute vs. Uber X at $0.27/minute. However, the per mile and per minute rates for Uber X and Uber Comfort are almost identical.

  • Uber Comfort (Chicago)
  • Per Mile – $0.6696
  • Per Minute – $0.2664
  • Per Minute Wait Time – $0.432
  • Uber X (Chicago)
  • Per Mile – $0.648
  • Per Minute – $0.224
  • Per Minute Wait Time – $0.272

Where Is Uber Comfort Available?

Uber Comfort is currently available in the following markets:

  • Atlanta
  • Austin
  • Baltimore
  • Boston
  • Charleston
  • Charlotte
  • Chicago
  • Connecticut
  • Dallas
  • Fresno
  • Hampton Roads
  • Houston
  • Honolulu
  • Indianapolis
  • Kansas City
  • Las Vegas
  • Los Angeles
  • Madison
  • Memphis
  • Milwaukee
  • Nashville
  • New Jersey
  • New Orleans
  • Omaha
  • Orange County
  • Ottawa
  • Palm Springs
  • Phoenix
  • Pittsburgh
  • Portland
  • Raleigh-Durham
  • Rhode Island
  • Richmond
  • Sacramento
  • Salt Lake City
  • San Antonio
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • St. Louis
  • Tampa Bay
  • Tucson
  • Wichita
  • Washington D.C.

Should you sign up to drive for Uber with an Uber Comfort Vehicle?

It depends.

If you already have a vehicle that qualifies for Uber Comfort, it may make sense to sign up. Additionally, if you already have a 2014 or newer Uber Select vehicle, it probably also qualifies for Uber Comfort.

Otherwise, you’re better off purchasing a vehicle that qualifies for both Uber Select and Uber Comfort, because Uber Select pays significantly more than Uber comfort. Additionally, a car that qualifies for Comfort and Select, may also qualify for Lyft Lux.

We do not recommend buying a vehicle just based on the fact that it qualifies for Uber Comfort. While you get a higher per minute wait time vs. Uber X, the per mile and per minute rates are almost identical, even though riders get charged around 30% more.

For more information on vehicle requirements for other Uber services such as X, XL, Uber Select and Uber Black, be sure to check out our Uber Vehicle Requirements page.

 

Uber Expands Uber Comfort, Waymo to Participate in New AV Pilot Program

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This week, Softbank injects $250 million into Ola Electric, Waymo will begin participating in California’s EV Pilot Program, and Uber Comfort gives special attention to customers at a lower price point than Uber Black.

Uber Unveils New Level of Service

Some Uber riders have long complained about not having enough legroom during their rides or drivers who want to talk during the entire trip.

In response to these egregious offenses, Uber recently launched a new service tier called Uber Comfort. Pricing falls just below Uber Black, their flagship service tier.

Features of Uber Comfort rides include more legroom and “Quiet Mode,” which allows riders to request a silent ride. Riders can also request specific temperature settings within the app. Drivers will set the temperature prior to picking riders up, so it’s not too hot or cold.

Uber Comfort drivers are required to have a rating of 4.85 or higher and a late-model, midsize sedan to participate.

Uber Comfort is now available in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago, Connecticut, Dallas, Fresno, Hampton Roads, Houston, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Madison, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Jersey, New Orleans, Omaha, Orange County, Ottawa, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, Rhode Island, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Tucson, Wichita, and Washington D.C.

How well will the service do? With a lower price point than Uber Black but higher than the popular Uber X service, it’s too early to tell.

Softbank Injects $250M Into Ola Electric

After the Indian Government ordered both Ola and Uber to convert 40% of its fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2026, Ola Electric has been working hard to beef up its program.

Ola Electric’s latest Series B financing round led by Softbank included a $250-million investment in the company.

Ola Electric has already been working on electric vehicles for years. This latest cash infusion will allow them to put 10,000 electric vehicles on the road by the end of this year. They plan to put a million similar vehicles on the road in the “coming” years.

Ride-sharing giant Ola, the parent company of Ola Electric, recently partnered with EV manufacturers to meet Ola Electric’s government mandate.

With this recent investment by Softbank, as well as a $300-million investment from Hyundai and Kia into parent company Ola, Ola Electric will continue to dominate India’s ride-hailing market and make a significant impact on carbon emissions at the same time.

California Permits Waymo to Participate in AV Pilot Program

Autonomous vehicle operator Waymo recently received permission from the California Public Utilities Commission to participate in their AV Passenger Service Pilot.

The program allows Waymo to operate AV services in specific areas of California with a safety driver in the car.

Four companies have received permits, including Zoox, Pony.ai, Autox, and Waymo. The companies are not allowed to be paid for rides.

The government program was passed in California last year and includes two programs: one with a safety driver and one without. So far, no permits have been issued for the driverless portion of the program.

Waymo is already a leader in AV programs after opening the first commercial autonomous car service in Phoenix, Arizona.

Though the company can’t yet charge for rides, participating in a government pilot program in Arizona was how they found their first riders for the Waymo One service. They are quickly on their way to becoming the Uber of AV programs.

Indian Government Provides Tax Incentives to EV Buyers

India is getting serious about reducing emissions.

In addition to requiring Uber and Ola to convert 40% of their fleet to EVs by 2026, the Indian government announced a tax rebate for electric vehicle buyers.

The rebate will provide ₹1.5 lakh (about $2,000 in USD) to any driver that purchases an electric vehicle in the country.

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced the government’s intention to develop a local manufacturing hub for EV parts in the country.

With a population of over one billion, it’s wonderful to see India taking steps to help reduce the amount of pollution created by the country’s drivers. By encouraging drivers to take advantage of the tax rebate, they are well on their way to helping the world become a greener place.

Food Delivery Apps Will Have 38M Users by Next Year

According to the data scientists at eMarketer, food delivery services will have approximately 38 million users in the US by the end of the year. This is a 21.8% jump over 2018’s numbers.

DoorDash (27.6%) and Grubhub (26.7%) continue to dominate the market, with a relatively new player on the scene, Caviar, appearing in the bottom slot with 2.7% of market share.

As the number of smartphone users increases, eMarketer estimates 60 million smartphone users will order food delivery at least once a month.

With the rise of “ghost kitchens” being used for food delivery, the industry could well surpass expectations. As with ride-hailing platforms, services like these continue to help reduce carbon emissions in the United States and beyond.