Did You Notice Uber’s Sneaky Currency Scam to Charge You More?
Ah, Uber. The ride-hailing hero that swoops in when you need a lift after one too many margaritas. The app that makes sure you don’t end up taking a sketchy tuk-tuk in a foreign land. And now—your friendly, neighborhood currency converter… with an oh-so-generous 1.5% fee!
Yes, in a brilliant (read: totally unnecessary) move, Uber has decided to assign a default currency to your account. Meaning that when you're in Paris, Buenos Aires, or anywhere outside your home turf, your fare will be converted into your default currency before Uber ever hands it off to your bank. And guess what? This delightful “service” comes with a 1.5% bonus fee—you know, just for funsies.
But don’t worry, you can outsmart them. Here’s how.
How to Shut Down Uber’s Default Currency Nonsense
Uber kindly allows you to turn this off, but they sure don’t make it obvious. Follow these steps to take back control of your hard-earned cash:
Open the Uber app and tap your profile (you know, that little circle with your face or whatever Uber thinks is you).
Select "Wallet"—at least it’s hidden in the right spot as they’re actually trying to pick your pocket.
Find "Preferred Currency" and tap on whatever currency is displayed there.
Switch to "No Preferred Currency" instead of the default currency Uber sneakily assigned you.
Hit “Confirm” and celebrate your newfound financial independence.
By doing this, you ensure Uber isn’t taking an extra 1.5% cut just because they can. Instead, your credit card (aka, your actual financial provider) will handle the exchange rate, which brings us to our next point…
Why Letting Your Credit Card Handle Currency Conversion Is the Smarter Move
Lower Fees: Most travel-friendly credit cards charge 0% on foreign transactions. Compare that to Uber’s 1.5%, and it’s like paying a premium for a service you never asked for.
Better Exchange Rates: Uber’s rates? They will almost certainly be higher than your bank’s rate even without the extra service charge.
Rewards and Points: Many travel credit cards give bonus points for purchases in foreign currencies. If Uber converts your ride first, congrats—you just lost out on those sweet, sweet miles.
Because, Principle: They tried to sneak this extra surcharge in hoping we wouldn’t notice. Uber should have at least been polite enough to provide us with the option to switch along with some kind of language that tricked us into thinking that they were doing us a favor.
How Much Could This Sneaky Fee Cost You?
Let’s say you’re on a month-long adventure hopping between London, Tokyo, and Bangkok. You take, oh, 50 Uber rides (because sometimes your brain can’t be bothered to figure out public transit). If your total Uber spend abroad is $500, Uber’s conversion fee alone would cost you $7.50—that’s almost two happy hour drinks, and an entire meal in Southeast Asia!
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Uber Nickel-and-Dime You
Look, we already deal with surge pricing, random booking fees, and drivers canceling after making us wait 10 minutes—do we really need an extra 1.5% charge just for paying in another country? No, we do not.
Take 30 seconds to change this setting and keep that money where it belongs: in your pocket (or, let’s be real, spent on more travel and food). Uber doesn’t need your extra $7.50—but you sure as hell do! Happy travels, and may your fares be surcharge-free.
When you are abroad and need to look for a place to stay, do what I do and check Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo for the best prices and the widest options available.
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