Most of us have come to depend to some degree in our daily lives on rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. What we may not realize, however, are the significant benefits these services might offer when traveling Internationally.
While public transportation is a valuable means of getting around for travelers in most major urban centers around the world, there are times — like during off hours or when you’re in a rush — when only a taxi or ride-share will do the trick. Unfortunately, depending on what country you’re visiting, taking a cab can be a highly stressful undertaking as you struggle to avoid less-than-scrupulous drivers whose main desire is to part you from your money rather than to make sure you get to your destination quickly and safely. After all, there’s a reason guide books, tourist bureaus and airports provide detailed information and warnings about how to ensure tourists get a legitimate taxi.
Here are some of the benefits worth considering the next time you’re traveling outside of the country
Firm and Fair Pricing
Most international travelers have had at least one experience arguing with an obstinate cab driver who refuses to turn on the meter (which could even be rigged in any case) or, at the end of the ride, being suddenly presented with a bunch of undisclosed, illegal fees. With Lyft and Uber, you have a reliable estimate of the charge and don’t just have to grit your teeth and hope the taxi driver will actually stick to the agreed on price or meter. With Uber, you also don’t even have to worry about tipping.
No Language Barrier
Of course, winning an argument about a disputed charge with a taxi driver is all the more difficult when you don’t speak the language. Using Lyft and Uber removes any potential complications that could result from linguistic misunderstandings.
Ease of Payment
With Uber and Lyft, payment is a breeze because your charge is automatically processed via the service’s app. This form of no-cash payment can come in very handy if you’ve just arrived in a new country and are unfamiliar with the currency or don’t have small enough bills to easily pay a taxi driver. It also forgoes any issues with cab drivers who may refuse to take a credit card or add a surcharge.
The Right Way
You can follow your drive with the Uber and Lyft app and thereby at least have an idea – even if you aren’t familiar with the area – whether your driver is going the best way, rather than taking you on a circuitous route to increase the fee.
Dispute Resolution
Both Uber and Lyft allow users to rate their drivers. If you have an issue with your ride you can also follow up directly with the company. In general, both companies have a good reputation for maintaining customer satisfaction.
Possible Credit Card Rewards
Another reason to consider using Lyft or Uber when traveling abroad is that some credit cards (like Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express) categorize the ride-service program as travel so the charge is eligible for increased points, depending on your card. With Amex, you may even be able to redeem points for an Uber ride.
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While there may be times where taking a taxi is your best choice when traveling, it’s important to be aware of all of your transportation options to ensure you’re getting the most from your travels.3
[Image via Getty]