Uber user flags Rs 90 fare difference to same destination on different phones: 'What's the hack?'

The difference in fares on Uber between both the phones ranged from around Rs 50 to Rs 90. (Image credit: @seriousfunnyguy/X)

An Uber user has highlighted a bizarre feature he noticed while using the ride-sharing app that he was being charged a higher fare for a destination while on his daughter's phone, the fare was about Rs 50 lower.

X user Sudhir (@seriousfunnyguy) shared a photo of the different fares on the phones and wrote, "Same pickup point, destination, and time but two different phones get 2 different rates. It happens with me as I always get higher rates on my Uber as compared to my daughter’s phone. So most of the time, I request her to book my Uber. Does this happen with you also?"

Same pickup point, destination & time but 2 different phones get 2 different rates. It happens with me as I always get higher rates on my Uber as compared to my daughters phone. So most of the time, I request her to book my Uber. Does this happen with you also? What is the hack? pic.twitter.com/bFqMT0zZpW
SUDHIR (@seriousfunnyguy) December 23, 2024

Since the picture showed what appeared to be an Android phone and an iPhone, many X users speculated whether the fare difference was because of the phones since many iPhone users had earlier complained on social media of being charged more, but Sudhir clarified in subsequent posts that there was a significant fare difference even when he tried booking a ride to the same destination using two iPhones.

When an X user wondered if he was being charged more because of his iPhone, Sudhir replied, "No, my daughter has the same iPhone I use. Bought together."

Another X user speculated that the more regularly you book, the higher the rates. "Uber incentivises or attracts low users by lower rates [along with] difference of rates on iPhone vs Android. [Also,] at airports, if you walk out 50 meters, the rates would reduce by 10-20 percent for the same destination."

Responding to the incident, Uber stated that the company does not personalise trip pricing based on a rider’s cell phone manufacturer. "Multiple differences in these two rides impact the prices. The pick-up point, ETA, and drop-off point on these requests vary, which will cause different fares," it added.