Introduction

On June 2nd, Uber announced that it will be trialling its world-first car rental service in Australia. The service is called Uber Rent and has been launched in association with a car rental company CarTrawler. Using Uber Rent will allow its users to hire a car on a rental basis for interstate road trips.

Uber’s car rental service has been launched after research from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries indicated that car sales in Australia dropped by 48.5% in April 2020 as compared to the same time last year.

More about Uber Rent

At first, Uber Rent will be available only in Brisbane for only 50% of regular Uber users. The Uber car rental service will then be made available in Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth from next week on a randomized limited basis. The feature, for now, is also not available in other capital cities such as Canberra, Hobart or Darwin as Uber first wants to see how the service performs. 

An Uber spokesperson said that as this is a completely new product and hasn’t been tested internationally ever before, they want to see what the response is before they expand it to rest of the cities in Australia and to other users on the app.

How to hire a car using Uber Rent 

Note that users will be able to use the Uber Rent service only if they are a part of the initial rollout. To use the rental service, the Uber app needs to be updated. Once the app is updated, the ‘Rentals’ option will be available where users will find a search page provided by CarTrawler. After selecting the vehicle, the user will have to add the date of journey and the pickup and drop locations. Once the details are added, the ride will be booked.

There is an additional benefit of riding with Uber Rent. Users are to receive 10% of the cost of their first rental back as Uber Credits. Additionally, for every car rental after the first ride, the user will get at least 1 Uber rewards point for every dollar spent. 

General Manager of Uber Australia and New Zealand, Dom Taylor says that while many Australians will drive to a wine region or explore the mountains in their own car, not every Australian has access to a private vehicle. He adds that at Uber, they believe everyone should always be able to get around, even if they don’t own a car, and hiring an Uber Rent car is one of the many ways of helping people do just that.

See Also: Uber trades food delivery company in India to Zomato

How to Proceed with Renting a Car Using Uber Rent:

  1. Update the Uber App: Ensure that you have the latest version of the Uber app installed on your phone. Uber Rent will be available as an option in the updated app.
  2. Select the ‘Rentals’ Option: Once your app is updated, open the app and look for the “Rentals” option, which will redirect you to a search page powered by CarTrawler.
  3. Choose Your Vehicle: Browse through the available vehicles and select the one that suits your needs for the trip.
  4. Enter Your Journey Details: After selecting the car, you’ll need to add the date of your journey, along with pickup and drop-off locations.
  5. Book the Rental: Once all the details are entered, proceed to confirm your booking and reserve the car for your trip.
  6. Enjoy the Benefits: For your first rental, you’ll receive 10% back in Uber Credits. For every subsequent rental, you’ll earn 1 Uber rewards point for every dollar spent.
  7. Collect and Return the Car: On the day of your trip, pick up the car at the designated location and drop it off when your rental period ends.

Benefits of Using Uber Rent:

  1. Convenience: Uber Rent allows users to rent a car directly through the Uber app, making the process more convenient for people who need a vehicle without having to go through a traditional rental agency.
  2. Rewards Program: With Uber Rent, you earn Uber Credits and rewards points. You get 10% of the cost of your first rental back as Uber Credits, and for every subsequent car rental, you earn 1 Uber rewards point for every dollar spent.
  3. No Need for Car Ownership: Uber Rent is designed for people who don’t own a vehicle but need one for trips or special occasions, providing an accessible and flexible solution for transportation needs.
  4. Access to High-Quality Vehicles: By partnering with CarTrawler, Uber Rent ensures that customers have access to a variety of well-maintained vehicles for their travel needs.
  5. Ideal for Road Trips: Uber Rent offers a great option for interstate road trips, allowing people to hire a car for a journey without worrying about long-term ownership.
  6. Wide Range of Locations: Uber Rent is gradually expanding across major Australian cities, starting in Brisbane and moving to other cities like Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. This ensures a broad reach for users in different regions.

Conclusion

Uber Rent’s trial launch in Australia signifies a new chapter for the global ride-sharing company as it ventures into the car rental market. With the added convenience for Australians who don’t own a vehicle or those looking for a car for road trips, Uber Rent is a promising addition to Uber’s existing services. It not only offers flexibility but also gives users the chance to earn rewards with every car rental. If the service proves successful in Brisbane and other Australian cities, it could be a major milestone in Uber’s expansion into new markets and services globally.

FAQs

1. What is Uber Rent?
Uber Rent is a new car rental service launched by Uber in partnership with CarTrawler. It allows users to rent a car for interstate road trips via the Uber app.

2. Where is Uber Rent currently available in Australia?
Uber Rent is initially available only in Brisbane to 50% of regular Uber users. The service will then expand to Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth in the coming weeks.

3. How do I hire a car using Uber Rent?
To use Uber Rent, you need to update your Uber app, where you’ll find a ‘Rentals’ option. From there, you can select your vehicle, add journey details, and book the ride.

4. Are there any benefits to using Uber Rent?
Yes! Users receive 10% back in Uber Credits on their first rental and 1 Uber rewards point for every dollar spent on subsequent rentals.

5. Will Uber Rent expand to other cities in Australia?
The service is currently limited to a few cities for testing purposes, but Uber plans to assess the demand before expanding it further within Australia and possibly to other countries.

6. Can I rent a car using Uber Rent if I don’t own a car?
Yes! Uber Rent is specifically designed for people who don’t own a vehicle but want to travel by car, such as for road trips or special occasions.

7. Is Uber Rent only available for road trips or can it be used for other purposes?
While it’s initially targeted for road trips, Uber Rent can be used for any purpose requiring a rental vehicle, provided the service is available in your city.