The app you use to catch a ride to the airport now wants to help with a hotel stay on the other end. Starting today, Uber will offer the ability to book hotels directly in-app, a feature powered by Expedia. Travelers have access to a catalog that will eventually grow to more than 700,000 properties around the world.
"Bringing hotel bookings to the Uber app marks a major step towards our vision of becoming one app for everything," Amit Fulay, vice president of product at Uber, told Travel + Leisure in an emailed statement.
Even better: Uber One, the company's premium membership offering, unlocks additional perks. Members receive 20 percent off a curated list of 10,000 hotels, and earn 10 percent back in Uber One credits on every room booking. Those credits can be applied to future rides and Uber Eats orders, like the trip home from the airport.
Beyond the hotel feature, starting June 1, Uber One benefits will go international. Members can earn credits on rides and enjoy $0 delivery fees abroad. Uber One is included as a perk on select American Express travel credit cards, like the Amex Platinum, which offers up to $120 in annual statement credits to cover the full cost of a membership.
"By making it easier to search, book, and plan your trips, we're able to help you reclaim your valuable time—plus, the discounts for Uber One members make it a no-brainer," Fulay added.
To make a hotel booking, Uber users should tap the new Hotels icon on the home screen and enter their desired destination. Similar to an Expedia search, filters include guest rating, brand, hotel class, and accessibility, as well as amenities like pools, spas, and gyms. The upfront price shown includes taxes and fees, and travelers will see exactly how much in Uber One credit they'll earn prior to booking. Reservations live inside the app alongside ride history.
In addition to hotels, Vrbo home rentals are slated to join the Uber platform later this year. Meanwhile, a new Travel Mode feature positions the app as a pocket concierge in unfamiliar cities, surfacing local recommendations, popular attractions, and OpenTable reservations directly in the app.
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