Uber-riffic: Five Cool Facts About Uber

Uber. Ahhhh, Uber. We unfortunately do not have theUber car service where I live right now but I have used the service app in other cities while traveling. So far, I'm a fan. I will surely have plenty of emails to the contrary after I post this blog because there are a few worrisome tactics and issues that the company has been facing as of late. (Heads up, Uber: Lyft, another competing car service/app-driven company is out there and they are giving you a run for your money...) But here are five cool things about Uber that you may not know:

1. Your driver rates YOU on a 1-5 point scale.

Yep, that's right. Both parties get to rate each other, but you probably didn't realize that while you were scrutinizing your driver's ability to safely, yet quickly deliver you to your destination, you, too were being scrutinized by your driver. The reality is, though, that drivers normally give riders a 5 unless they are drunk and/or beligerent.

2. Your Uber rating (as explained above) actually MATTERS.

If your overall rating falls below a 4.6 your account can be thrown out. Ouch! Normally, you will not have a low score, however, because drivers don't take the time to even look at a rider's score. If the opportunity for a ride pops up on their phone, drivers only have a few seconds to accept before the opportunity is passed on to another driver.

3. Tips are NOT included.

You heard right! All this time you thought your tip was already included in the fare that you paid through the service. Nope. However, the deal is this: drivers keep 80% of the fare and 20% goes to Uber. But c'mon, tip your driver--actually, insist on it, because drivers are instructed by Uber to NOT accept unless a rider insists.

4. Uber Kitty?...Meow.

So Uber has been participating in some pretty awesome charitable community stuff lately. On national adopt-a-cat day (sorry, unsure of the actual name of this) they actually partnered with the Humane Society in several large cities and brought adoptable animals to customers and allowed them to play with them for 15 minutes for $30.

5. Referrals=free rides, yo!

You probably didn't realize that if some of your friends and family are not using Uber you can get a free ride for every one of them that you refer to the service. So, c'mon, get your mom and dad signed up !

Ok, so there you have it...Some interesting stuff about Uber! So, enjoy the service and tip your driver today!