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Upfront fares, explained

Find out how upfront price estimates are calculated, what new info you'll get, and how they can help you make money more consistently throughout the day.

Why the move to upfront price estimates?

Because every trip should be your call. You'll get more visibility and control over your earnings.

You'll get extra info about each trip upfront so you can decide which trips are worth your time.

Upfront price estimates adjust to what's happening in real time to help you find more steady opportunities to make money.

How are upfront price estimates calculated?

While most platforms are still calculating fares per minute and mile, at Uber we know there's more to a trip than its length and distance. So we've built the technology to make it happen.

When calculating upfront price estimates, we take 3 key categories into account: details, demand and data.

Trip details

The basic details of a trip will always factor into how upfront price estimates are calculated. These include:

  • Estimated trip length

  • Estimated trip duration

  • Pick-up location

  • Drop-off location

Real-time demand

How much you can make is impacted by the current demand in your area. These include:

  • Surge pricing

  • How busy it is in your area

  • How busy it is at the destination

  • How likely you are to get another trip quickly

  • Traffic

Historic data

Key earnings trends and data help to create more accurate predictions. These include:

  • Areas with high and low demand

  • Areas with high and low earnings

  • Estimated demand at locations

  • Estimated demand at various times throughout the day

What you'll see upfront

Make informed decisions about which trips you confirm.

How much you'll make, including surge pricing

Where you'll go

Time and distance to pick-up location

Time and distance to drop-off location

Upfront price estimates can be higher or lower than the pricing based on fixed time and distance rates. Why is this?

To create more consistent opportunities to make money for everyone in the same area. We look at conditions by the second to make sure every offer you get is just as good as the ones you miss.

When changes happen

Technology can only predict so much. When unexpected traffic, construction or extended wait times happen, you'll get an automatic fare adjustment to help make it right.

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