Free luxury car services.... Why not?
I've had this conversation so many times. I'm going to be straightforward and explain to you the system as it is now (and will most likely be for at least the next few years). Everyone takes cabs. Everyone complains about them. In this entrepreneurial world we live in, there are many similar companies all offering the service of picking you up somewhere and dropping you off at your destination.
With the use of simple smartphone apps, anyone with a debit/credit card can easily order a luxury car service to come pick them up ASAP. They drive to you, call you, when they get there and wait for you until you are ready. They treat you like a VIP and drop you off in style. Makes you feel like an "adult."
Just to let you know, in most cases they are cheaper than a regular taxi even without the referral system they have. More convenient than a regular taxi. Nicer and cleaner than a regular taxi. The drivers are nicer.
People have some weird notion that they are expensive, but because of their marketing techniques that is based almost 100% off referrals, they basically drive you around for free if you tell your friends. They also send random emails/texts with free bonus credits if you are an active customer.
In all cases both you and your friend who you are referring get at minimum of a free ride (of a certain value) for the connection, and that's just the beginning. Free bottled water, seltzer, sodas, snacks, gum... One time I got a free stretch limo! This ain't no joke.
Picking up a girl for a first date in a luxury vehicle with a driver who gives your date a bottle of sparkling water is definitely the most baller way to start off what may be the last first date you'll ever be on! This applies to other situations (going to parties, going to work, and even moving apartments) as well.
I am going to share with you my referral links, and some positive experiences and tips I've had with each company. Also, I'll let you know what to watch out for. I'll scratch your back, sort to speak...
Just as a reminder, we aren't playing a board game with a long list of rules. Download all of the apps, use the cheapest and most convenient one. It's basically a real world example of the invisible hand thing you learned about (or will learn about) in macroeconomics 101.
UBER
Uber is by far the most well known of them all, so I'm putting them first. If you or your friends haven't used it yet, here is the uber referral link:
Click the link. Download. Type in all your personal stuff (name, email, payment stuff, phone number, etc). Go to promotions/payment and type in BBLAH if it didn't already register. Boom. You got your first ride, up to $30 for free. Congrats!
Tips: When selecting what type of car, UberX is the cheapest.
LYFT
LYFT is spreading rapidly and becoming extremely popular. Basically they are the same thing as uber, but it's regular people with commercial liscences who passed some sort of hurdle (most likely a PDF and then a phone interview - but like to be honest, I have no idea how they became lyft drivers).
I've had the best experiences with them, so I'm pro lyft. If you or your friends haven't used it yet, here is the lyft referral link:
Click the link. Download. Type in all your personal stuff (name, email, payment stuff, phone number, etc). Go to promotions/payment and type in BEN8028 if it didn't already register. Boom. You got your first ride, up to $25 for free. Congrats!
Tips: if you need to get a car that holds 6 passengers select their slightly more expensive service. I think it's called lyft plus. You just click a button in the app. Def good for larger groups.
GET TAXI / GETT
Everyone remembers their first. Gett was mine and will always have a place in my heart. If you or your friends haven't used it yet, here is the gett referral link:
Click the link. Download. Type in all your personal stuff (name, email, payment stuff, phone number, etc). Go to promotions/payment and type in GTBENS if it didn't already register. Boom. You got your first ride, up to $20 for free. Congrats!
Tip: They have a new promotion for the remainder of 2014. All rides in manhattan are $10. They go other places too, but just an FYI.
Random things to know / Answers to questions you might have
- If you want it, always ask for bottled water, snacks, gum or whatever. If you don't ask, you will not receive. If you do ask, you might receive.
- If you are going a far distance, it could go over the free allotted amount. Don't freak out. Spending 3-5 bucks on what would have been a $45 taxi is worth it.
- Sign up for and read their emails. I registered some random codes that they emailed me and I didn't think it applied to me. I ended up getting from JFK to the Lower East Side for $13.38. That's would have been a $70 dollar cab ride.
- Everyone who makes an account can share their code. I'm not special. Share my links or the link to this article if you want to hook me up with the referral credit, but if you want the free rides, then you need to share your link found inside the app.
- Don't order rides and then cancel them. It pisses of drivers and makes it harder for you to get a car when you need it because of their internal controls. People canceling rides make it harder for people who need the cars because the drivers are busy.
- You can always type in your destination to check how much the fair is going to be before you even order the car.
- When you open the app, it tells you how long until a car will get to you. Compare the apps if you are in a rush.
- I know Gett let's you order up to 2 weeks in advance. This is great for planning purposes for weddings or airport trips. The others probably have that feature or will soon.
- If you do have a bad experience, call their customer service or write an in-app review. Depending on how frequently you ride, they will give bonus credit (normally between $5 and $25) on top of fixing your issue.
- As a way to check to make sure you have a real credit card, most of the companies at some point charge your credit card $1 dollar and then refunds the money within 48 hours. This can look weird if you take a lot of rides or order a lot of cars, but no worries. They aren't stealing from you. These are established companies with reputations and you'll get those $1 verification charges back.
- Holiday promotions are the $#!&! That's how I got a free limo! Obviously all 10 people who needed a ride to the party were in high spirits.
- Be nice to the drivers and they'll be cool. Most likely let you blast your Skrillex or whatever it is kids listen to today. (I always ask for smooth jazz when I get into the car, but mostly because it makes me feel cool).
- Additional stops are normally about $5 dollars each, which can raise your fair a considerable amount if you have more than one.
- When the cars are in demand, they charge you more. When you open the app and that is the case, it tells you the details. But like in any situation like that (think leaving the bars to go home when it's raining) finding a cab is literally the worst experience in the world. These apps are a God send, even with these added charges.
- When the weather is bad or it's a major holiday (mainly Christmas and New Years Eve) they do charge a fee. Again, it's normally not that much and it's all explained clearly when that is the situation.
- Whenever a friend is in town visiting, make sure to hook them up. By following my advice, they get up to 3 free rides (based on the number of apps they download). That is in addition to the up to 3 free rides you will get for being the referrer. Basically covers the rides all weekend!
- Make sure to use your real email. They send you receipts after every ride. Very easy to keep track.
**Unfortunately, you are only eligible for referral credit and your buddy only gets their new customer credit if he/she is a new customer.
THANKS FOR THE LOVE
I do not have any affiliation with these companies. I'm sharing the knowledge because I like their services and quite frankly I want some free rides.
I will be posting more stuff related to online shopping, clothing, technology and life in general.
Please forgive me for any grammatical mistakes. I wrote this post from my iPad. And I studied Mathematics, not English.
Share the love. Share the links. Take some free luxury cars.
Have a great day, week, month and year!
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