Uber is slashing the price of its subscription service: Is it a good deal?

If you frequently use Uber, you’ve likely heard of Uber Pass. Similar to Lyft Pink, this subscription service provides discounted rides and complimentary food delivery for a monthly charge.

Since its inception in 2018, the program has expanded to over 200 cities in the U.S., including New York City, Seattle, Portland, St. Louis, Honolulu, Madison, Milwaukee, and Nashville. While membership typically costs $24.99 per month, Uber is currently offering it at half price for a limited time.

Is it worth it to sign up? Let’s take a closer look to see!

Uber Pass flash sale

Uber provides two subscription options: Uber Pass, which includes perks for rides and Uber Eats orders, and Eats Pass, which focuses solely on Eats benefits. Typically, Uber Pass is priced at $24.99 per month, while Eats Pass costs $9.99 monthly. Both subscriptions are billed on a monthly basis, allowing you to cancel at any time. However, if you commit to an annual subscription, you can enjoy Uber Pass at half the regular price for a limited time.

From December 10 to December 31, 2021, Uber will offer annual Uber Pass memberships for $150 for those willing to prepay. This equates to $12.50 per month—approximately 50% off the standard price.

To subscribe, open the Uber app, navigate to the menu bar, and select "Uber Pass." Then, click the button labeled "Get a Pass." Ensure you pay with a credit card that earns additional rewards on ride-hailing services.

This marks the first significant promotion Uber has offered for its subscription service. The company states that this initiative is a gesture of gratitude towards its customers.

"We recognize that this year has been incredibly challenging, and we wanted to express our gratitude to customers who are depending on Uber's services to navigate the new normal," stated Dan Bilen, Senior Product Manager for Uber Pass, to TPG. "It's essential that we continue to offer savings through programs like Uber Pass, which will provide even greater value to members with initiatives like the upcoming flash sale."

Benefits of Uber Pass

As a subscriber to Uber Pass, you will enjoy a 10% discount on UberX, UberXL, and Uber Comfort rides, and a 15% discount on Uber Black, Uber Premier, and Uber Black SUV rides. Uber has confirmed to TPG that these discounts can be combined with other offers, such as those from the Uber Rewards program, with no limit on your potential savings.

For food delivery, Uber Pass provides free delivery on Uber Eats orders over $15, along with a 5% discount (applicable to pickup orders as well). This discount is also combinable with other promotions, matching the benefits offered by an Eats Pass subscription.

Uber is also beginning to offer grocery delivery in collaboration with Cornershop. If this service is available in your area, you will receive free delivery on grocery purchases of $30 or more.

Uber Pass benefits are offered across the nation, with the exception of California. You will also accumulate Uber Rewards points as usual when you book rides or order food, though points cannot be earned on the subscription fee itself. Additionally, the Uber Rewards program is undergoing a major overhaul, introducing a variety of new redemption options that include free coffee from Starbucks, complimentary rides, and free food orders among others.

Is signing up the right choice for you?

This promotion is unprecedented for Uber and is notably generous. Deciding if it’s worthwhile to sign up will largely depend on your individual usage patterns.

Uber Pass is perfect for individuals who frequently use Uber for rides and food deliveries. To make the subscription under the promotional rate worthwhile, you would likely need to spend about $100 on UberX rides and place a few orders on Uber Eats each month — spending more than that would ensure you're saving money.

Uber Pass could also be an excellent choice for those aiming to maximize the value of the monthly U.S. Uber Cash credit available with The Platinum Card® from American Express. Starting in 2021, this benefit will also be applicable for the American Express® Gold Card (ensure to add the Gold card to the Uber app to access the Uber Cash feature).

However, if you primarily use Uber for food delivery, it may be challenging to justify the higher cost of an Uber Pass compared to an Eats Pass subscription. The $10-a-month Eats Pass gives you free delivery on orders over $15 from Uber Eats and a 5% discount on your total order. Additionally, certain Amex cards now offer 12 months of complimentary access to Eats Pass if you sign up by Dec. 31, 2021. After the initial 12 months, Uber Eats Pass will begin auto-billing at the current monthly rate.

In contrast, Lyft Pink is priced at $19.99 per month, or it can be obtained for free for one year with the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It offers up to 15% off Lyft rides, three complimentary rides on Lyft bikes and scooters each month, and a free Grubhub+ membership, among other perks. Unlike Uber, it does not include free grocery delivery.