I want to know what businesses who partner with UBER receive for sign-ups through their links!
This morning I received an email from Pilots & Captain – the company that makes some really cool airport-inspired t-shirts – offering free $20 off rides for new UBER members.
The email says:
FREE RIDE FROM UBER AND PILOT & CAPTAIN!
We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with Uber Philly to offer our valued Pilot & Captain customers a first Uber ride in Philadephia for free! Just enter the code … in the Uber app or by going to this site …
Uber is an iPhone/Android app that lets you tag your location and summon a professional driver to your side within minutes. Once in the car, the driver will take you wherever you need to go. The fare is billed to your card, with no need to tip, so you don’t have to worry about handling cash.
Just click the promo code above and sign up! You’ll be riding in style in no time at all!
UBER makes it easy for us to send emails, or post our links on social media. It’s a win-win. I get something – you get something. The email/Twitter/Facebook message does not mention the payback to the referrer, but most of us already know this (e.g., my link – which you are welcome to use to sign up for UBER – says Use my Uber code, agrw0, and get $20 off your first Uber ride. Redeem it at https://www.uber.com/invite/
UBER is actively recruiting and partnering with businesses. United Airlines and Hyatt Hotels come to mind. Get a free ride to the airport for your United flight. Get a lift to your Hyatt hotel. It’s easy, it’s convenient and it’s right on the iPhone/Android app.
But what do companies, such as United and Hyatt (and Spotify, and even the Pubs that offer free UBER rides home after a night of drinking … for that matter) earn from UBER for these sign-ups? Where is the disclosure?
Personally, I feel that, unless the business offers an extra incentive to sign up through it’s link – such as a greater UBER sign-up bonus, a credit with the promoting entity of some sort, or even additional points or miles (such as the UA 1,000 Miles for signing up), one should think about instead giving the referral bonus to a friend (or to me, thank you very much)!
This brings me to the Pilot & Captain email. I am troubled by it. I want to know more – what does Pilot & Captain earn for each new UBER membership through their link? Is this more than a new UBER member in Philly would otherwise get if they signed up on their own, or through a friend’s link?
Just as I disclose what I earn if you use my UBER referral link, I think that business entities should also disclose this information. What do you think?
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
What business is it of yours? Sure, as a consumer you can make choices on who to do business with, but you’re not a party to any contract or agreement between these two entities (or any other) so, really, it’s none of your business (or mine!).
I was asking people’s opinions on this topic and I thank you for sharing yours!
I understand why the transparency would be nice, but it’s not like travel bloggers disclose specifically how much they receive from each credit card company for sign up referrals. Wouldn’t you agree that this is a similar if not identical issue?
Ken, I see your point, but I also think that the business model for the credit card companies and Uber are quite different. So, I see the similarity, but also the dissimilarity…