Uber Pool FLL Scam is part of the Rum Rum Caribbean Castaway Trip Report.
You know what really grinds my gears? Trying to save money by wasting my time in the process. I landed at FLL for a one night stopover on my Rum Rum Tour. (Ironically, to get to the Caribbean, I had to leave the Caribbean.) Instead of taking the FLL train (see The Tri Rail: The Best Deal in Miami/Fort Lauderdale), I opted for instinct. And by instinct I mean Uber Pool. Based on my bad NY Uber Pool experiences, you’d think me stupid for trying to save a buck on the tread of others. I’m starting to agree, but this time I thought it would be different. FLL has a specific pool just for the airport, which led me to assume that drivers wouldn’t be so angry about pool rides and might even pick me up, as is their job!
Here’s how it went down:
Driver 1: Canceled. Uber charged me $6 fee.
Driver 2: Driver 2 was 9 minutes away. I canceled. No fee.
In between 2 and 3, I asked if I was in the right place. Indeed I was.
Driver 3: Your driver is arriving! Canceled.
Driver A: Yes, Driver A, not 4. I took Lyft instead. Amex credits be damned.
Landing in FLL? Don’t pool your luck. Take Lyft.
Had a very similar experience with a late night arrival – ride accepted and the driver was just stuck at 10 minutes away. After waiting for ~10 minutes, I cancelled for free and got a Lyft instead.
BTW, have you heard of the Freebird app? Seems like you’re not using it and it’s an excellent way to save money (with little-to-no waste time) on Uber and Lyft.
No let me Google
Basically you order Uber/Lyft from the app and get some cashback, which is especially lucrative during special promos and the sign up bonus time.
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/freebird-uber-rewards-app-for-specific-retail/
If you decide to give it a shot, my referral is cab91. After signing up promo code GOLONG should give a free ride (100% cashback) up to $10. All stackable.
Can you email me so I don’t forget to give you the referral?
What is it with you and taxis? They know who you are. I’ll get the ride next time…
Please do.
Well deserved.
Thanks James. Hope your bracket gets busted.
Uber drivers are getting shady… and Uber is letting them. The new scam around here is them charging you a waiting time. Every-time they pick me up from my house or the airport in San Antonio, The drivers have been tacking on a 5 to 10 minute waiting charge… Problem is, in none of these cases did the driver wait a single second for me; I always waited outside for them and watched them pull up. I of course dispute the charge each time and Uber credits it back after a few emails back and forth… But I would think their system shouldn’t allow such a charge since times are logged and the math can’t make since.
And Uber credits back Uber cash, another scam
Another scam (I know, I’m a driver and still bother me) is that Uber adds miles to trips unnecessarily. Most people may think an extra mile is no big deal because it is about $1. Well, multiply that by the 6 million or so rides per day and Uber is making a killing. I am just waiting for the class action lawsuit …
i think the scam is charging me dollars but refunding me uber cash. uber cash is not currency!
Uber definitely has a problem vetting their drivers. I’ve had some issues with Lyft also. Flying out of MIA, I wish there were other ride share than just Uber or Lyft.
I had a very similar experience with Uber in FLL. The driver kept saying he was at my pickup point and couldn’t find me. I was in the exact spot that I was supposed to be. I kept calling him and he kept saying I wasn’t there. Finally, I sensed this was a scam and I said I was going to report this incident to Uber. His reply: Go ahead, they don’t really care.
I was charged $5 for canceling. I this was a service aberration but apparently not.
same same
Had the same experience with lyft at JFk trying to get a ride home which is 10 minutes away from the airport and it wasn’t even a pool ride. I ended up having to get some from home and lose our parking spot to come and pick me up.
Definitely some shady business going on at FLL. B E W A R E!!!!
Uber drivers refusing to pick us up, Instructing us to go to a different part of the terminal because they didn’t want to wait in line, Driver canceled when we refused, and then we were charged $75.00 + 2x $16 for cancellations
for A trip that we did not take.
The wheelchair guy at the airport appeared to be in cahoots with Uber drivers who were operating ” off the clock” for cash.
We’ll not put ourselves in this position again!!
we have a handicapped situation and we felt very exposed and very vulnerable…. really sucked. Next time we’ll take a taxi probably no more expensive and a lot less trouble.