You can now book restaurant reservations and even reserve concert tickets using Uber.
The popular ride-hailing app recently introduced "Uber Explore," a new feature that will allow customers to browse and book experiences, per Uber's release. People can access this new feature through the new "Explore" tab in the app.
According to an Uber spokesperson, Uber's goal with the new "Explore" feature is to drive incremental trips through increased user engagement and use cases, which can result in increased revenue for Uber, per a Tech Crunch report.
How Uber Explore Works
Tapping the newly-added Explore tab will give users a list of recommended places based on categories as well as restaurant reviews, photos, and directions. According to The Verge, the reviews part of the new feature is handled by integrating Yelp's reviews into the app. This integration started in 2016 when Uber added Yelp and other similar services to its app in 2016, per Buzzfeed.
Users of the app will be able to enjoy the new feature's benefits such as one-click rides to destinations featured in Explore, discounts to top restaurants and bars depending on what's popular in your area, and the ability to purchase tickets to events and experiences online through Uber Wallet & Payment profile.
Additionally, the new Explore feature would also tweak its suggestions based on a user's past use of Uber and Uber Eats. According to Uber, it'll use your favorite places to go and things to eat to "suggest the best places to explore in your city automatically."
The new feature of recommending live events was made possible through Uber's integration with PredictHQ, a New Zealand-based global demand intelligence and data platform, per The Verge.
Meanwhile, although Uber is offering a 15 percent discount for the rides to the places featured in Explore, the discount would not affect drivers, according to Tech Crunch. However, there may be hope as Uber did not elaborate on this exception when it told Tech Crunch.
Additionally, the new Explore feature would also tweak its suggestions based on a user's past use of Uber and Uber Eats. According to Uber, it'll use your favorite places to go and things to eat to "suggest the best places to explore in your city automatically."
Why Can't I See Uber Explore in my App?
The new Explore feature is currently live in only 14 states in the U.S. and Mexico City as a pilot test, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New Orleans, New Jersey, Upstate New York, Orlando, San Antonio, San Francisco, and Seattle.
However, Uber intends to expand its new feature to more cities in the coming weeks and months, along with adding "more event opportunities and experiences offerings." Unfortunately, Uber did not say how soon it would be expanding its Explore feature, per Tech Crunch.
