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UBER has released a raft of new features that will make holiday travel a breeze and save riders some cash.
The rideshare app is working overtime to make trips to and from the airport seamless and cheap.
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According to AAA, Thanksgiving this year will be a historic day for travel, as about 79.86 million people are predicted to journey for holiday celebrations.
Around 71.74 million of those will be driving, so finding the best road trip plan is key.
To maximize efficiency, Uber introduced several new features that can help with trips on one of the busiest holidays of the year.
Travelers with large cases of luggage may want to order a brand new UberXXL when they head to the airport.
The cars have ample room for extra baggage and comfortable seating for larger groups.
Plus, they’re available at more than 60 airports globally.
UberX Share offers fliers the opportunity to save money by sharing a ride to the airport.
This feature knocks down prices by up to 25%, and there will only be a maximum of one fellow rider in the car.
Plan-ahead software Uber Reserve guarantees that you’ll be at the airport with ample time to travel to your gate by allowing you to book in advance.
The new feature will provide minute-by-minute flight updates and allow drivers to cancel pre-booked rides if a flight is canceled or delayed.
Uber has designed a home screen widget for iPhones that alerts users of any updates as soon as they open their phones.
This way, riders can book a trip in just two clicks and get flight updates straight on their home screen.
One of Uber’s most exciting new services is a shuttle service to LaGuardia Airport in New York City.
This shuttle costs just $18 and jets off from three locations in Midtown Manhattan.
Uber’s new features
Uber has introduced several new features ahead of the busy holiday season. They include:
- UberXXL – vehicles with larger trunk space that the company insists are perfect for trips to the airport
- UberX Share at airports – so you can pay a lower fare en route to your destination
- New Uber Reserve features – to let rideshare customers schedule airport rides in advance
- Updates to the Uber Shuttle at LaGuardia Airport – which allows people to grab a shared ride from Manhattan to the airport
- Home Screen Widget for iPhone – to request a ride right from your phone’s home screen
For now, the service is only available in NYC, but Uber plans to expand it to other major cities.
Rideshare users were outraged when they realized they would have to foot the bill for a recently passed congestion fee in the Big Apple.
Under the new law, drivers will shell out $9 every time they travel through the Congestion Relief Zone of Manhattan, which covers 60th Street and below.
However, Uber and Lyft users will only have $1.50 tacked on to their bills if they pass through the busy streets.
Meanwhile, taxi passengers will pay only 75 cents more for the fine.
To make the most of holiday travel, drivers should know the 20 “highways from hell” before they hit the roads this Thanksgiving.
