Valerian Ho dives into the pros and cons of regulated cab services versus ride-sharing newcomers

It’s been less than a decade since Uber was launched (2009), and just five years since it expanded to Asia (in Taipei, ironically, given Uber has currently suspended operations in the Republic of China).

While in many cities there is fast, convenient public transport to transfer you from the airport and whisk you around town, often a taxi is still the preferable (or only) option. But where taxi charges are on the high side, or finding a cab when you need one is difficult, ride-sharing companies like Uber have gained a foothold.

In Australia Uber is officially permitted by the government, with major city airports even offering dedicated Uber pick-up zones. Hong Kong allows Uber to operate if its drivers have a proper permit, but worries about suitable third-party insurance coverage remain a big issue.

Not all countries are as welcoming, however. In India, New Delhi has banned Uber, and the app-based service is facing serious roadblocks in other major cities. The company’s extensive battles with the Taiwanese government and taxi drivers resulted in its withdrawal from that marketplace, and over on mainland China, Uber sold out to national ride-sharing firm Didi Chuxing after struggling to compete in the PRC.

There are ethical and safety concerns about looser regulations related to ride-share apps that have been flagged by readers on businesstraveller.com/forum. But if money is your main concern, the following table shows relative costs:

City

 

 Distance from airport to downtown (km) Taxi cost (US$) Uber cost (US$)
Auckland 27 61.99 33.38
Bangalore 36 8.04 6.58
Bangkok 35 9.69 7.76
Hanoi 28 10.62 9.17
Hong Kong 39 34.6 26.7
Jakarta 37 10.51 8.66
Kuala Lumpur 70 13.83 12.72
Melbourne 24 43.55 27.40
Mumbai 10 2.80 3.40
Singapore 23 17.81 15.91
Sydney 17 42.03 30.10
Tokyo 21 61.93 62.61

Ride with benefits

Of course Uber’s initial success has spawned a host of similar enterprises, including:

  • Taxify – available in Melbourne, Sydney, European and African cities
  • Lyft – available in the US
  • Cabify – available in South America, Portugal and Spain
  • Gett – available in the UK, US, Russia and Israel
  • Ola – available in India
  • Grab – available in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Myanmar and Cambodia
  • Didi – available in China
  • Careem – available in Dubai

Airlines and hotel groups have seen the potential benefits from partnering with ride-sharing companies. Frequent-flyer programmes (FFPs) offering points or miles through partnerships include:

Airline FFP Ride-sharing company Benefits and details Sign up bonus
Qantas’s Frequent Flyer Uber Earn points when riding with Uber to or from Australian airports using the Qantas app:

Gold, Platinum One members earn 3 points per A$1 spent

Silver members earn 2 points per A$1 spent

Bronze members earn 1 point per A$1 spent

  
SIA’s Krisflyer Grab SIA customers can now book Grab rides through the Singapore Air mobile app

Grab Rewards members can convert their Grab Rewards points into Krisflyer miles.

  
Delta’s Skymiles Lyft By linking Skymiles and Lyft accounts, you can earn:

2 miles per US$1 spent on airport rides

1 mile per US$1 spent on all other rides

 Up to US$20 in ride credit as a new Lyft user
Jetblue’s Trueblue Lyft By linking your Trueblue and Lyft accounts, you can earn 30 Trueblue points for every airport ride 750 Trueblue points or US$15 off when signing up and taking first ride.
Iberia Plus, BA Executive Plus, Vueling Club Cabify Get 1 Avios per 1km in Spain and 1 Avios per 2km in Mexico, Portugal, Chile and Brazil New users get 400 Avios for first ride
Aeromexico’s Club Premier Cabify Earn 1.5 Premier Points for each kilometre travelled  

Over on the hotel side, Uber users travelling to Singapore can book the “Stay & Ride with Uber” package at one of Millennium Hotel and Resorts’ six properties, allowing one complimentary Uber ride daily, as well as other benefits including free room upgrades and 20 per cent discount on F&B.

And if you’re an IHG Rewards Club member, you’ll receive four Didi Premier coupons every month, with Club and Gold Elite members getting 15 per cent, Platinum Elite 20 per cent and Spire Elite level 25 per cent discount coupons (promotion runs until end of the month).