Will Uber Wait While You Shop in 2024? The Ultimate Guide
Uber has become the rideshare app of choice for over 75 million monthly active users in recent years. In fact, Uber makes up 69% of total rideshare trips in the U.S.
Many users rely on Uber for quick errands and shopping trips in addition to regular commutes. According to an Uber consumer survey, over 40% of rides are for errands and personal needs.
But Uber wasn’t necessarily designed for extended shopping trips. So will your driver actually stick around while you browse the aisles or try on clothes?
This comprehensive guide examines Uber‘s wait time policies to answer the question once and for all: Will Uber wait while you shop? Read on for a detailed analysis of your options.
Uber Wait Time Rules and Fees
Before looking at how to get an Uber to wait during shopping trips, it‘s important to understand Uber‘s wait time rules.
Uber charges wait time fees before the trip if the rider isn‘t ready at the requested pickup time. The current wait time rate is around $0.12-$0.27 per minute.
During the trip, drivers earn a per-minute rate for time spent waiting for a rider. This aims to compensate drivers for missed fares from waiting instead of picking up new riders.
On regular UberX trips, wait time at stops is free for up to 2 minutes then charged per minute after that. For other services like XL, it may be 3-5 free minutes.
With Uber Hourly, extended wait time is built into the hourly booking rate with no per-minute fees.
Understanding these wait time rules and potential fees is key to successfully getting your Uber driver to stick around during shopping stops without incurring huge charges.
Can You Ask an Uber to Wait?
Requesting that your driver waits for you is the most straightforward option. However, the success rate relies heavily on the driver‘s willingness to accept.
According to an Uber survey, over 70% of riders say they only need 5 minutes or less for errand stops. But almost 50% have had drivers refuse to wait even for short stops.
Some drivers don‘t mind waiting a few extra minutes, especially if you provide cash tips upfront. However, there‘s no guarantee your driver will accept. Refusal is more likely during peak times when earnings from potential new rides incentivize drivers to move on.
Tips for successfully requesting wait time:
- Communicate stop time needs upfront
- Offer $5+ cash tips for waits over 5 minutes
- Select drivers with high ratings who may go above and beyond
While you can always ask, relying solely on the driver‘s generosity has risks. Using Uber‘s built-in features is a more surefire way to guarantee your driver will wait during shopping trips.
Uber Multiple Stops – Convenient but Limited
Uber allows riders to add 1-2 stops along their route when booking. This is convenient for quick pickups and drop-offs during the same ride.
However, there are severe limitations for shopping trips:
- Only 1-2 stops allowed per trip
- 3 minute limit per stop
- Can‘t change stops after requesting ride
The 3 minute cap per stop makes it nearly impossible to complete any serious shopping errands. You‘d have to sprint in and out of stores at world record pace!
Uber multiple stops works for ultra-fast stops like prescription pickups or dropping a package. But it won‘t suffice for buying groceries or clothes shopping.
Uber Hourly – The Best Option for Shopping with Wait Time
Uber Hourly (also called Uber Rental or Uber Blocks) allows you to book a car and driver by the hour, from 1-12 hours. The hourly rate includes unlimited stops with unlimited wait time.
This is hands down the best and most reliable way to get an Uber to wait during shopping trips. Key benefits include:
- Add and edit stops during the trip
- Wait as long as you need at each stop
- Pay only the fixed hourly rate regardless of stops
According to Uber‘s wait time study, Hourly aligns closely with rider needs. Over 75% said optimal wait time is 10-30 minutes.
Uber Hourly allows for this flexibility without surprise fees from extended wait times. The table below summarizes the key differences in Uber options:
| Feature | Regular Ride | Multiple Stops | Uber Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver required to wait | No | Yes | Yes |
| Max wait time per stop | Driver discretion | 3 minutes | No limit |
| Can edit stops after requesting | No | No | Yes |
| Additional fees for waiting | Yes | After 2-3 minutes | No |
Expert Tips to Get Your Uber Driver to Wait
Beyond the Uber features, here are some expert tips to boost your chances of successfully getting a driver to stick around during your shopping:
- Book Hourly for stop flexibility – It‘s the only way to guarantee required wait time.
- Communicate expectations – Politely let the driver know your stop needs upfront.
- Bring cash for tips – Even a small tip helps incentivize extra wait time.
- Check in with your driver – Give occasional updates on your status if running behind.
- Use scheduled rides – Drivers tend to accept wait requests more readily for scheduled bookings.
- Select for service quality – Look for drivers with excellent ratings and numerous trips.
The Bottom Line
While you can try your luck requesting an Uber driver to wait, Uber Hourly is the only surefire way to get a driver to wait for all your shopping stops. The hourly booking structure accounts for extended wait times unlike regular fares.
For quick stops under 5 minutes, multiple stops or asking the driver to wait remain decent options. But for longer grocery runs, shopping sprees, or maximizing your time running errands, Uber Hourly‘s unlimited wait time can‘t be beat.
So next time you need to get your Uber to stick around for shopping or other stops, go Hourly. Then take all the time you need, without watching the meter run or cutting your trips short. Hop in and out of stores stress-free, knowing your Uber has you covered.
