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When you heavily rely on Uber when traveling to a foreign country to book your ride, it can sometimes be seamless, while sometimes it can be a hassle. Some Uber users complain that a number of Uber drivers cancel on customers that have registered on Uber using an international number (one that is not used in the country the user is trying to book an Uber in).
This can be pesky, especially when you have no other means to travel, and the public transport has already hit the snooze. Thus, in this article, we shall discuss changing the phone number in the Uber app when arriving in a different country.
How to change the phone number in the Uber app when arriving in a country?
Now, you must be thinking that changing the number in the Uber app should be easy. That’s where the problem begins. If you have tried changing the phone number in the Uber app when arriving in a different country, you will know that you will be redirected to the official website. Upon redirection, you will know that the option for changing the number is greyed out.
The very evident question now is, what do you do now? Here is a workaround that will easily let you change your phone number in the Uber app and update it with a local number for feasibility.
- Open the Uber app.
- Go to the Main Menu by tapping on the three-bar button at the extreme top left of the homepage of the Uber app.
- From the Main Menu, choose ‘Sign Out.
- Once you’ve signed out, sign up for Uber using a different phone number (the one that you wish to update the existing number with).
- Upon entering the number, you will receive a verification code on the number. Enter it.
- Next, enter the email address and password that you used for the old account. The old account here implies the account that you used and wish to update the number for.
This will update the phone number for your existing account with the number you entered when signing up for Uber after signing out initially.
Alternatives to changing the phone number in Uber when traveling
Although you can always buy a local number from your destination country and then manually update the Uber app with the local number, here are a few equally feasible alternatives for when you need to use Uber in a foreign country.
Get a VoIP number
A more generalized approach towards the problem is getting a VoIP number. With a VoIP number, you can configure forwarding. Thus, before switching SIMs, you can configure your home-country phone number to be forwarded to the VoIP number and your VoIP number to forward to your local number in your destination country.
You can configure the settings while departing from your home country and even after arriving in the destination country. However, it must be done before switching the SIMs on your device.
The idea behind this is that anybody will be able to reach you on your local number this way, and you will be charged very nominally for all the call forwarding. Usually, you are charged about $0.015 to $0.030 USD per minute for every forwarded call answered when your local number is from the U.S.
Create a Skype number
Another way to go about this is to create a Skype number. This, of course, requires creating a Skype account as well as associating the number with the Skype account.
Having a Skype number will let you go all virtual, and you wouldn’t require a physical SIM to do anything. Even if you accidentally lose the SIM, all you’ll need is an internet connection, and it will all be functional. This number can be used for most services, including Uber.
How to change your country located in the Uber app when traveling?
Are you traveling to another country and planning to use Uber over there? Of course, you will have to change your country’s location in order to use the app.
To change your profile location in Uber when traveling to a different country, follow the steps below:
- Sign in on the official website of uber with your existing account for which you wish to change the Profile Location.
- From the Menu, select the Profile option.
- Next, choose the country you are traveling to, or you are currently in, from the Location section under the Profile option.
- Now, set the postal code for the city you will be residing in for the duration of your trip.
- Confirm the changes once the detail has been added.
That’s it. Your Profile Location will now be updated. An additional advantage of updating the Profile Location in your Uber account is that you will now receive promos and ads for the current place while avoiding ads from the previous place of residence.
How to change destination location in Uber?
It is possible to change your final destination if something comes up during your trip. Modifications can be done before your driver arrives and also while you are on the road.
You and your driver can change the place of arrival, that is, if they choose to do so. You can’t adjust your ride when the driver marks the ‘End Trip’ option on the ride.
Here are the steps you will be required to follow to change your destination location in the Uber app:
- Open the Uber application wherein you have already booked a ride.
- Tap the ‘Enter Destination’ bar. Tap on the ‘Enter Destination’ bar and then type in the updated address.
- Tap on ‘Confirm.’ This should update your Uber ride’s destination location.
Before you confirm your updated destination, it is a good idea to consult your driver since there are streets that have the same name. It’s best to allow the drivers to type the destination.
If your driver is still on the road, you can change your destination by following these steps.
- Open the Uber app. You can see where your driver is when you track them from the homepage of Uber.
- A menu can be found if you move your fingers from the bottom of the screen to the top.
- You will be able to see the section labeled ‘Your current trip.’
- Next to your destination, you can find a ‘Change’ option. Tap on it.
- Choose a different destination.
- Your driver will get a notification that you have changed your location. It’s possible to change your final destination as many times as you want, but keep in mind that the fee will change accordingly.
Note: Changing the destination location once the ride is booked is not available in UberPool.
How to change pick-up location in Uber?
You could only cancel the ride and request a new one if you messed up the pick-up location in the past. You would waste a lot of time waiting for a new car, and you wouldn’t have time to request another one. The driver’s effort is wasted at the same time.
If you want to change the location of your Uber ride now, you can easily do it. Simply follow the steps once you notice that the pick-up place is not right and update your pick-up location.
- Choose the pick-up location you want to swap the original pick-up location with and then edit the initial pick-up location. Tap the Edit button to edit the location for your current ride. You can do this before the driver has reached your initial pick-up location.
- Once you tap the Edit button, a dialog box appears. Now search for the new location and add it. Alternatively, you can hold and move the pin since the radius of the gray circle on your screen wherein you are editing the location.
- Confirm the new pick-up location, and the driver will change their route accordingly.
You are allowed to change the pick-up point only once during the ride. You can’t change your mind again, so make sure you know the exact place this time.
Your driver will receive a notification on the ride-sharing app when you change your pick-up location. The notification will say ‘Pickup Location Updated.’ The driver will be provided with the fastest way to a new address by their GPS.
When you plan on changing your pick-up location, you should know that there is a limit to the distance from the wrong pick-up location within which you will have to pick another location. A five-minute drive from your primary location can be seen in the grey circular area. You can’t change the location of the pick-up from one part of the city to another.
You can either call the driver and explain your mistake or cancel your ride if your new location is outside of the circle. If they are willing to drive you to the location, they can try to find their own way.
You can not change your pick-up location on UberPool.
Can you use a multi-currency card to book an Uber in the U.S.?
Yes, you can use a multi-currency card to book an Uber in the U.S. Keep in mind that you should use your primary multi-currency card for setting up a payment in Uber and not the secondary one. This is because the secondary card is activated only when the primary card is reported as lost by the owner.
It is also recommended to set up payment using the multi-currency card while you are still in your home country so that you do not face any complications when you are traveling to the U.S. or another country with Uber services. If your card is not set up with Uber, you can call the customer care of your card provider, and they will likely come up with a resolution for the same.
What about international debit/credit cards?
If you hold an international debit card, or credit card, even a MASTERCARD or VISA, you should be able to make use of it to pay for your Uber ride in a different country, especially in the U.S. When a trip completes in the U.S., the application directly charges you the fare, and then a receipt is sent via mail to your registered mail account.
Additional tips that make the whole process easier
Here are a few tips on changing your phone number for Uber when traveling:
Tip 1:
You should make sure you have access to the ride-booking service in the city you are visiting. You can find an up-to-date list of cities that are serviceable by Uber at https://www.uber.com/cities.
Tip 2:
Inquire about international purchases with your credit card company. If you are traveling to a country where you will be using Uber, make sure you use a payment method that works in that country. Many credit card companies will have no problem with overseas payments if you use a credit card, even to pay for Uber rides. Some cards may not allow international purchases, and that may affect your use of Uber.
If you live in the U.S. or Canada, your phone is compatible with the networks of T-Mobile, AT&T, or Bell and Rogers, i.e., GSM. Some CDMA providers offer a range of “world phones” that are compatible with both CDMA and GSM networks.
If you have access to a wireless internet connection, you can still use the Uber app on your phone, in case your phone is not GSM-compliant. WiFi networks are not always available on the go, and even when they are, there are chances that the connectivity may not be so great; therefore, totally relying on WiFi access to use Uber is unreliable and inconvenient.
Tip 3:
If you have an unlocked phone and want to use it in another country, you can purchase a local phone number from the country where you plan to use it. It will save you money and make sure your driver can call when he can’t find you.
If possible, you should call your carrier’s customer service phone number a few weeks in advance to inquire if your phone is locked. Suppose it isn’t, great!
The phone can be unlocked for international travel if the phone is locked.
An international roaming plan may be an alternative to the current plan offered by the customer executive. These plans that you are prompted to purchase do not include a local phone number in the company you are traveling in, which will cost you much more money than you are used to paying for calls, texts, and data. You should still be able to use the Uber app to make reservations if you decide that the international plan is right for you.
Tip 4:
You can purchase a card and then use it to pick a plan. If you stay in the country for less than one month, you’ll need to pay anywhere between 15 and 40 dollars for a SIM card, data credit, etc.
You can view your options at a mobile, electronics, or department store if you have already arrived at your destination. Most stores will be able to give you your new phone number on the spot.
You can buy a local SIM for the country you are traveling to online as well. This allows you to research before making the purchase. It’s easy to purchase a Sim card from one of the popular international providers such as LycaMobile and Lebara.
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