No—Uber is not generally free on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. You’ll pay the fare shown in the app unless an eligible promotion or Uber credit covers some or all of that specific ride. Holiday demand may also raise fares, so check the price before you request.
Why an Uber ride can cost more on New Year’s
Uber says prices may rise when demand exceeds the number of available cars, including during special events. Surge pricing varies by city and neighborhood and can change as demand and driver availability shift. That does not mean every ride on New Year’s will have a surge.
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The fare shown for a trip can include the base fare, time and distance, applicable surge pricing, and tolls. Uber’s upfront price reflects surge when it applies, so review the quote for your pickup and destination before confirming: Uber’s surge-pricing explanation and upfront pricing information.
How to check whether your ride will be covered
- Enter your pickup and destination in the Uber app. Review the fare displayed for the ride before requesting.
- Check Account or Wallet for promotions or credits. Confirm the offer’s expiration date and restrictions before relying on it.
- Verify the final quote with the offer applied. A discount may cover only part of a fare, and it may not apply to the ride or account you intend to use.
Uber promotions can be limited by rider, city or area, product, payment method, and expiration date. An online code or a promotion shared by another rider may not be valid for your account. See Uber’s promo-code help page and how promotions work.
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What past New Year’s announcements do—and don’t—tell you
Uber’s UK newsroom warned on December 30, 2012, that rides would cost more than usual on that New Year’s Eve. A separate Uber Belgium post also discussed surge pricing on busy nights such as New Year’s Eve. These are historical examples from specific markets, not current forecasts, a universal policy, or evidence of a particular New Year’s fare increase. Current pricing depends on the trip and conditions when you request it.
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Before you request
- Compare the displayed fare with your budget and, if useful, the quoted price for another travel option on the same route and at the same time.
- Consider both availability and wait time as well as price; a lower quote is not useful if the option does not meet your timing needs.
- Do not count on a promotion until you confirm that it applies to your account and the ride shown in the app.
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.
