Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →In 2021, some Uber drivers reported that completed trips left them with negative earnings, no fare, or only a tip. Uber told Business Insider that certain advance-booked Uber Reserve fares had been miscalculated because of a software bug, but the drivers interviewed said their affected rides were standard UberX trips. The reporting did not resolve that mismatch, and it does not establish that the problem exists today.
What drivers said happened
Business Insider reported on July 4, 2021, that drivers said some completed rides appeared to cost them money rather than earn them a fare. One Illinois driver described a Chicago-to-Midway airport trip that left his app showing a negative balance. Business Insider said it reviewed screenshots he provided.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Uber eGift Card | $200.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Uber eGift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Uber eGift Card | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Uber Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Uber eGift Card | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The Illinois driver’s reported fare breakdown
The driver said the app showed an estimated fare of $36.67 when he accepted the trip. He said the passenger was ultimately charged $9.06 and Uber deducted an $11.26 service fee, leaving him $2.20 out of pocket. These figures describe one driver’s account, not a typical fare or an average loss.
Other reported outcomes
Former Atlanta driver Brianna Woodham told Business Insider she was charged $49.54 for one trip and received no fare for another. The outlet said screenshots supported the described outcomes. Its article later updated that Woodham received $148.91 after publication; that later payment was separate from what she initially reported.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute#1 Best Overall
- 24/7 safe pickups
- Order from hundreds of local restaurants
- Low-cost and premium options
- Track delivery
- Redemption: Online
Business Insider also described a separate screenshot account involving a $56.71 deduction on a Chicago ride. Futurism’s July 1, 2021 story referenced that figure while citing Insider; it was not an independent investigation of the incident.
Uber’s explanation—and the unresolved UberX discrepancy
An Uber spokesperson told Business Insider that fares on certain trips booked through Uber Reserve, the company’s advance-booking service, were miscalculated “due to a software bug.” The spokesperson said, “This was a terrible customer experience for drivers, and for that we apologize,” and said affected drivers had been paid in full, the bug fixed, and safeguards added. Those are Uber’s statements as reported in July 2021; the article did not independently verify the fix.
Rank #2
- 24/7 safe pickups
- Order from hundreds of local restaurants
- Low-cost and premium options
- Track delivery
- Redemption: Online
The drivers interviewed by Business Insider said their affected rides were UberX trips, not Uber Reserve bookings. The reporting does not explain why Uber’s description of the affected trip type differed from the drivers’ accounts.
What the reports say about payment and support
The Illinois driver said he received the original $36.67 estimated fare and an additional $25 after a public post drew Uber’s attention. Woodham told Business Insider she had sought help multiple times; the outlet’s post-publication update reported that she received $148.91. These are accounts of individual support and reimbursement outcomes, not evidence of how every affected driver was handled.
Rank #3
- This card is redeemable via the Uber app within the U.S. in cities where Uber is available.
- Redemption: Mobile App
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
What is—and is not—established
- The reports document individual drivers’ claims of negative or missing earnings on some rides in 2021, with screenshots described or reviewed by Business Insider.
- Uber attributed affected fare calculations to certain Uber Reserve trips and said it had reimbursed drivers, fixed the bug, and added safeguards.
- The interviewed drivers said their affected rides were UberX, leaving a material discrepancy unresolved.
- The articles do not provide a reliable count of affected drivers or rides, an incidence rate, or a measured estimate of the total losses.
- The July 2021 reporting does not establish whether a similar fare-calculation problem exists now.
For the detailed accounts and Uber’s response, see Business Insider’s July 4, 2021 report. Futurism’s July 1, 2021 article cites Insider and repeats some of its reporting.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 24/7 safe pickups
- Order from hundreds of local restaurants
- Low-cost and premium options
- Ratings ensure premium quality
- Track delivery
Rank #4
- 24/7 safe pickups
- Order from hundreds of local restaurants
- Low-cost and premium options
- Ratings ensure premium quality
- Track delivery
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
