People are becoming more reliant on rideshare companies to get them where they need to go. Uber is adding comfort to that daily routine with their new service type, Uber Comfort. The new service promises riders extra level of comforts and professionalism on their trip. Uber Comfort has a slightly different set of requirements to offer the service.
For drivers, that might mean higher fares in exchange for going above and beyond.
- What Is Uber Comfort?
- Where Is Uber Comfort Operating?
- What’s New For Drivers?
- Whats New For Vehicles?
- Whats New For Riders?
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What Is Uber Comfort?
Uber Comfort is your typical UberX journey with a few extra comfort perks. Vehicles are usually larger mid-range models with a comfortable clean interior and plenty of leg room. Riders are able to request special services like a quiet-ride and custom temperatures while they are booking the trip.
Drivers must also meet a minimum star-rating of 4.85 to be eligible to drive. Features like these were only previously available with top tier services like Uber Black.
Where Is Uber Comfort Operating?
Uber is currently operating their Comfort service in 44 cities. 43 cities in the USA and 1 City in Canada. Our guess is this city list will grow as popularity of the Uber Comfort service grows. Below you will find the initial list of cities with a Comfort rideshare service.
Atlanta
Austin
Baltimore
Boston
Charleston
Charlotte
Chicago
Connecticut
Dallas
Fresno
Hampton Roads
Houston
Honolulu
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Madison
Memphis
Milwaukee
Nashville
New Jersey
New Orleans
Omaha
Orange County
Ottawa
Palm Springs
Phoenix
Pittsburgh
Portland
Raleigh-Durham
Rhode Island
Richmond
Sacramento
Salt Lake City
San Antonio
San Diego
San Francisco
Seattle
St. Louis
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Tucson
Wichita
Washington D.C.
What’s New For Drivers?
Drivers won’t see anything to crazy in terms of sign-up requirements. The main difference between Uber Comfort and the UberX requirements is that drivers have to have at least 250 trips and a minimum star-rating of 4.85. The star-rating requirements helps ensure that riders are paired with professional and friendly drivers for their trip. The 250 trip minimum ensures that the ride will be matched with an experienced Uber driver.
Standard UberX Driver Requirements
- 21+ years old
- Eligible driver’s license
- Proof of work eligibility
- Proof of vehicle registration
- Vehicle insurance: Insurance must be in your name and name must be legible.
- Clean driving record (typically no more than 2 minor infractions in the last 3 years)
- Clean criminal background check
Additional requirements to drive with Uber Comfort:
- Be eligible to driver for another Uber option such as UberX
- Drivers must have a minimum 4.85 rating and at least 250 trips under their belt
Will Drivers Make More Money?
Higher rates for passengers means high wages for drivers. With the increased cost of an Uber Comfort ride we can assume that drivers will be paid a bit more for the service.
We tested 3 cities to see what the rate increase was over UberX and based on averages of the fare increases we determined the rate increase to be around 34-46%. This should mean that drivers will be paid 30-40% more while driving with Uber Comfort. A Driver on Uberpeople.net shared his findings which prove the 34-46% to be true, as they saw a 38% increase in their wages.
Below are the rates for 3 of the cities we test, we show the Uber Comfort rates vs. the UberX rates.
Ottawa Uber Comfort Comparison
The Comfort rates in Ottawa came in around 38% percent higher than the UberX rates.
Uber Comfort
Base Fare:
CA$2.25
Per Minute:
CA$0.22
Per Km:
CA$.86
Minimum Fare:
CA$10.00
Wait Time Per Minute:
CA$0.60
UberX
Base Fare:
CA$1.50
Per Minute:
CA$0.15
Per Km:
CA$0.75
Minimum Fare:
CA$6.00
Wait Time Per Minute:
CA$0.33
Atlanta Uber Comfort Comparison
Atlanta saw a 46% increase over the UberX rates with a notable wait-time rate increase.
Uber Comfort
Base Fare:
US$1.37
Per Minute:
US$0.22
Per Mile:
US$0.99
Minimum Fare:
US$11.00
Wait Time Per Minute:
US$0.60
UberX
Base Fare:
US$1.05
Per Minute:
US$0.15
Per Mile:
US$0.81
Minimum Fare:
US$8.40
Wait Time Per Minute:
US$0.26
Chicago Uber Comfort Comparison
Uber Comfort costs 34% percent more than an UberX in Chicago. There is also a significant increase in the minimum fare.
Uber Comfort
Base Fare:
US$2.69
Per Minute:
US$0.37
Per Mile:
US$0.93
Minimum Fare:
US$10.00
Wait Time Per Minute:
US$0.60
UberX
Base Fare:
US$1.79
Per Minute:
US$0.28
Per Mile:
US$0.81
Minimum Fare:
US$4.85
Wait Time Per Minute:
US$0.34
How can drivers be prepared for Uber Comfort Rides?
The success of Uber Comfort is a combined effort between the Driver and the Vehicle. Drivers should come to work with clean, fresh smelling, fully functioning vehicles and a grade A attitude.
Here are some of our suggestions:
- Clean your vehicle just before each shift
- Make sure your temperature controls, music, and other features are working before you go online
- Be prepared for a long quiet ride if the PAX requests a quiet conversation
- Make sure your personal hygiene is on point before you get into your car
- Get excited! PAX love a positive attitude
- Run your Uber account like a business
Most importantly, remember to HAVE FUN! (unless the PAX wants a quiet ride 🙂 )
Whats New For Vehicles?
Uber Comfort is catered to drivers with crossovers or roomier cars. This makes sense since the service is all about comfortable rideshare trips. Your vehicle should be able to accommodate any of the comfort requests riders may have. Whether that be a quiet trip to their destination or custom temperature settings upon arrival.
In general, your vehicle should meet the standard requirements for UberX as well as a couple of additional requirements to guarantee rider comfort. The age of the vehicle is capped out at 5 years old as well (again, inline with offering maximum Comfort to the PAX).
Standard UberX Vehicle Requirements
- 4-door vehicle with independently opening doors
- Seat at least 4 passengers in addition to the driver
- Good condition with no cosmetic damage
- No full-sized vans or trucks
- Taxi cabs, government cars, or commercially marked vehicles are not allowed
- No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
- Pass a vehicle inspection by a licensed mechanic.
Additional vehicle requirements for Uber Comfort
- Vehicle must be 5 years old or newer
- Car must appear on the list below
- Interior should be clean and comfortable for the rider
- Usually vehicles with extra leg and head room
- Working AC and temperature controls
Uber Comfort Car List Example
Uber has listed a number of vehicles which are eligible for providing Comfort service to PAX. Below is an example of some of the vehicles you could use as an Uber Comfort Driver. Be sure to check out our Uber Comfort Car List for the full list of accepted vehicles.
Volkswagen – Atlas
Acura – MDX
Audi – A6,
Bentley – Flying Spur
BMW – 5-series
Buick – Enclave
Cadillac – CT6
Chevrolet – Tahoe
Chrysler – 300
Dodge – Durango
Ford – Expedition
Genesis – G70
GMC – Yukon
Honda – Pilot
Hyundai – Equus
Infiniti – JX
Jaguar – XF
Jeep – Cherokee
Kia – Sorento
Land Rover – Discovery
Lexus – ES
Lincoln – Aviator
Mazda – CX-7
Mercedes-Benz – E-Class
Mitsubishi – Montero
Nissan – Armada
Porche – Cayenne
Subaru – Ascent
Tesla – Model S
Toyota – 4Runner
Volkswagen – Atlas
Volvo – S90
Whats New For Riders?
Uber Comfort is all about the riders. When booking a trip, the PAX can select a few extra options like the temperature and whether or not they would like to have a conversation. Each Uber Comfort trip comes in the form of a larger and more spacious vehicle giving the rider the ultimate comfort environment. To top it all of, riders are greeted with a top-tier, uber-professional driver partner.
