Uber Rent: Uber unveils new travel features

Uber has just announced a game-changing new feature that will benefit millions of Aussies and tourists.

Uber has just dropped a bunch of new travel features for its 3.8 million Aussies who use the app.

In a first of its kind in Australia, the ride-share company will launch Uber Rent, allowing users to rent a car directly in the Uber app.

It’s ideal for Aussies and tourists alike looking to do a road trip or even just rent a car from the airport to their desired destination.

“Uber Rent will offer a new seamless way to reserve a vehicle at your closest hub or airport, and drop off the car at your destination,” Uber Australia, managing director Emma Foley told news.com.au.

Uber has announced it will launch Uber Rent in August. The feature is already available in US, Canada and Europe – but it’s the first for Australia.

The car rental companies you can hire from include Hertz and Thrifty.

“It’s already available in selected markets globally in the US, Canada and Europe, and from August will become available for Aussies which is great news.”

The new service will be powered by third party partner Car Trawler, giving customers access to almost 30 rental partners including Avis, Hertz in more than 1700 locations across the country. It will include high end EVs to practical everyday cars.

“We believe Aussies will welcome being able to book another aspect of their trip, in one familiar place,” Ms Foley said.

How it works

Under the ‘Rental Cars’ tab in the app, select your dates.

Then you can compare prices.

In the Uber app tap the “Rental Cars” icon. Then, enter the address where you want to pick up or drop off, along with the times and dates for your reservation.

After that, you can browse and compare prices and you won’t be charged right away – payment happens at the rental location when you pick up your vehicle.

You can also filter it to price, distance and car size.

Meanwhile, it is also expanding to several new tourism hotspots, launching dedicated airport pick up zones and scaling Uber Intercity rides.

“We want to be the ultimate companion app for every travel need, helping every Aussie and tourist get seamlessly from A to B,” Ms Foley explained.

“Whether that’s via an Uber convenient experience at the kerbside in Australian airports, enabling riders to easily book long distance rides or renting a car with the tap of a button – we want to give people easy options that help them go anywhere, while fuelling their love for travel.”

New Airport pick-up spots

The company has recently launched dedicated airport pick-up spots in the country’s main airports with it’s Sydney Airport locations having reduced traffic by 36 per cent since its debut earlier this year.

Uber also launched dedicated pick-up zones at major airports across the country. Its Sydney zone (pictured) has reduced traffic by 36 per cent since its launch earlier this year.

The new zones at Melbourne Airport.

“We now have dedicated pick up zones across seven airports in Australia; Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast, Hobart, Cairns and Darwin and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” Ms Foley told news.com.au.

“We know that consumers are increasingly opting for Uber for their ride from the airport to their destination, with rideshare accounting for nearly 48 per cent of all pick-ups at Sydney Airport alone.”

Holidaying locally

For Aussies planning to explore their own backyard, Uber is launching services in several new regional cities and towns from the Whitsundays to Wodonga.

This brings Uber’s presence to a total of 50 Australian cities and towns across the country by the end of next month.

“We’ve received consistent requests for Uber in regional towns and Cities across Australia as the demand for convenient and affordable transport continues to grow,” Ms Foley said.

“We have chosen launch cities based on where demand for trips is high, and where ridesharing can both boost local tourism and complement existing transport options.”

For long distance trips

The ride-share company also launched Uber Intercity to help streamline long distance travel.

To streamline long distance travel, Uber Intercity offers a new ride option on select routes including from Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney with plans to scale in coming months.

It connects you with top-rated drivers for a private trip in a vehicle of your choice.

Ms Foley said the flexible booking options allows travellers to reserve a ride up to 90 days in advance or book on the go, “and you can split costs with friends and family picked up along the way”.

Uber has partnered with leading global foreign exchange brand, Travelex, offering exclusive discounts on both rides and travel money this winter.

For example, customers purchasing travel money from a Travelex bureau in July will be eligible for 50 per cent off their first ride (up to $50) if they are a new Uber rider, or 25 per cent discount on their next Uber ride (up to $25) if they are an existing rider.