Are you an Uber VIP?

Over the last few weeks and months, we've brought you news and updates on Uber in India, and sometimes globally. You can find out if you're an Uber high-roller, view your personalised Uber analyltics and visualisation, replacing surge pricing with fixed prices (which, if you ask me, is ripe for misuse and maybe Uber is already doing it), or scheduling future rides with Uber.

Now, as Uber celebrates 3 years in India, we bring you Uber VIP. Actually, it is more Vinay than we, given he's our resident Uber expert! So, over to him.


I was in Dubai recently with a friend, and while looking to hail a taxi, I came across a ride category that I've only heard of before but never actually seen appear on the app - Uber VIP. And that is really what triggered this post.

What does it take to be an Uber VIP?

In the Dubai area, it takes 10 Uber rides within a certain period to unlock this VIP category. I wasn't going to hit the 10 mark on that trip, but the concept is as intriguing as it is engaging.

Uber rolled out this feature only earlier this year, and that too only in a select few cities globally. Interestingly, they offered the this for a brief period closer to home, in Hyderabad and Bangalore.

The benchmark for one getting selected for this also seems to vary by region.

What are the VIP benefits?

Once you've either been invited or have unlocked this category, you're automatically assigned one of Uber's top crop of drivers (read, ones with really high ratings) and also their best grade of cars. I'm not too sure what kind of cars were being offered here in India for this category, but I reckon it might be Toyota Innovas for the most part (not because they're the largest of the vehicle categories, but possibly because of their ubiquity).

Uber VIPs are also offered exclusive goodies, such as this one for an AR Rahman performance (again in Hyderabad). 


However, Uber VIP isn't a permanent thing. Rather, it is an exclusive set of benefits (either within Uber or outside), that's available for a limited period. You'll know if you're an Uber VIP if one of your vehicle options that you can actually select, is Uber VIP.

Conclusion

At the time of writing this post, Uber VIP isn't on offer for any of the Indian metros. That said, this is interesting twist to their product offering for sure, particularly for someone like me who uses Uber a lot. I'm looking forward to riding with Uber as a VIP, and/or using some of their other VIP offers, to see if it really makes such a big difference as advertised.

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