The Uber tip dilemma

You may now see a sign like this in Uber cars

To tip, or not to tip, that is the Uber question.

Corporately, Uber thinks the answer is clear (tipping is not required or expected, and there is no functionality in the Uber app to add a tip).

Drivers and users, not so much.

Many drivers, bless or curse their souls, still crave a tip and will even slip in a scam or 2 to make up for it.

And users... well, many users are just tippers (considering it rude not to), while others "fear" being rated as a lousy ride by Uber drivers, decreasing their chances of getting rides, so tip anyways.

It all creates a hazy quagmire, that doesn't seem to be getting any clearer, despite the outcome of a class-action lawsuit and recent efforts to clarify the company's position. Consider this story posted on the web by Uber last week:

Our approach to tipping - Uber Under the Hood

"Last week, we settled two class-action lawsuits in California and Massachusetts. As part of that settlement, we agreed to clarify our approach to tipping, so here goes. When we started Uber six years ago, we thought long and hard about whether to build a tipping option into the app. In the end, we decided against including one because we felt it would be better for riders and drivers to know for sure what they would pay or earn on each trip — without the uncertainty of tipping. That’s still the case today. Tipping is..." [read the full story direct from Uber on the Under the Hood website]

If that was the end of the story, then that would be that. But take a look at some of these other stories and you'll quickly see that things aren't so black and white in terms of a little green for the good driver:

Uber’s New Tipping Policy Is a Mistake - Harvard Business Review

"Uber recently settled a class action lawsuit brought by drivers claiming unfair wage and labor practices. In addition to paying up to $100 million, the settlement involves clarifying the ride-sharing service’s stance on tipping. Uber has long opposed tipping, claiming riders don’t appreciate the extra hassle of adding a gratuity, as well as citing negative effects including potential racial bias (e.g., customers may leave less for nonwhite drivers). While Uber maintains its policy that “…tips are not included on Uber’s platforms (except on UberTAXI), and that tipping is neither expected nor required” as part of the settlement, it retreats by adding, “…riders are free to offer tips and drivers are welcome to accept them.” Drivers are now allowed to solicit tips by asking passengers or posting signs in their vehicles. An important caveat is that if riders opt to tip, Uber won’t let them do so in its app. Instead, riders will have to ..." [read the full article on the Harvard Business Review website]

That awkward moment with your Uber driver - Boston Globe

"Well, this is uber awkward — I’ve been stiffing my Uber drivers for years, and didn’t even know it. When I first started using the ride-hailing service a few years ago, my tech-savvy partner assured me the driver got 20 percent automatically, or at least that’s what someone told her. In fact, no tip is included in an Uber fare. But the company does not go to great lengths to make this clear to its customers. Its website even says 'there’s no need to tip.'... But the truth about tipping and Uber is out there now, hanging uncomfortably in the space between front seat and back seat. I know from my reporting that some Uber drivers feel their livelihood is marginal, and they badly want a tipping option in the app. But sitting in the back seat while selecting a tip amount or pawing through my backpack for a crumpled bill is exactly the kind of awkward interaction Uber wants to avoid. And judging from the reaction online today, many customers agree with the company..." [read the full article on the Boston Globe website]  

Uber Tips: Why the tipping culture will change - SherpaShare

"One of the non-monetary aspects of the settlement of the class-action lawsuit against Uber was that Uber drivers would now be allowed to put up signs in their cars that tipping wasn’t mandatory but that it would be appreciated. Uber’s rapid growth was in large part prompted by the cashless aspect to all parts of the car hailing experience. However a large part of that was letting passengers believe that Uber had built in a tip into the ride fare. We all know that this is not true. Uber keeps all the fees that they tack on top of the ride and a commission off the fare itself. When Uber first started, rates were 40% higher than they are today. In that sense, adding a tip now can put Uber drivers back at the income level they were first promised when they started driving for Uber. So why has the no-tipping culture been so pervasive with Uber passengers? First, ..." [read the full article on the SherpaShare blog]

Related resources
Does tipping your Uber driver make sense? - Entrepreneur
Uber's New "Tony Soprano-Like" Tipping Policy - Pricing for Profit
Uber got it wrong on tipping! - a reaction from the Uber Driver's Forum
Do I need to tip my driver? -  a suitably vague answer from Uber Help
Exclusive interview with Shannon Liss-Riordan explaining the Uber Settlement - SherpaShare Blog
Why we shelved Uber updates - IHateTaxis
Uber provides the taxi industry a good kick in the pants - IHateTaxis

Taxis in Hong Kong

Taxis in Hong Kong are plentiful, clean and efficient - and quite cheap compared to many other large cities.

There are three types of taxis in Hong Kong, easily identified by their colours: red, green and blue. It's important to know the difference, as was highlighted in Week 3 of The Amazing Race Canada's 2nd season!
RED TAXIS (Urban)

The Urban (red) taxis can travel most destinations in Hong Kong and are also the most expensive. Note that on Lantau Island, red taxis are only permitted to go to the airport, Tung Chung and Hong Kong Disneyland.


GREEN TAXIS (New Territories)

NT (green) taxis are slightly cheaper than the red ones but are fundamentally confined to rural areas in the New Territories (NT), the airport, and Hong Kong Disneyland.


BLUE TAXIS (Lantau)

Lantau (blue) taxis (the cheapest of the three) operate only on Lantau Island (including the airport and Hong Kong Disneyland).

FROM THE AIRPORT

The airport will have taxis with all three colours, however both signs and attendants will make it (relatively) easy for you to make the right choice. If you are unsure, just ask making sure you have your final destination ready.

TO THE AIRPORT

All three taxi types (red, green and blue) serve the airport and Hong Kong Disneyland.

IN THE CITY

Cross-harbour taxi stand

What you need to know about taking a taxi in Hong Kong:

• By law, Hong Kong taxis must take you to your destination, however in practice they tend to ignore this rule if it isn't convenient to them. However unless it is raining extremely hard, then there will be no issue finding another taxi close by to take you.
• All taxis are equipped with mobile phones and can be reserved and requested via an operator for a token fee of $5 (Hong Kong Dollars), payable to the driver. You are unlikely to need to call a taxi, though, as they are plentiful. 
• Only during Friday night rush hour in central you might find long lines on taxi stands.
• The wearing of seat belts is required by law, the driver has the right to refuse to carry the passenger if they fail to comply. In practice this is rarely observed.
• Drivers are required to provide change for $100 notes, but not for higher denominations.
• If you only have a $500 or $1,000 note and are going through a tunnel, let the driver know beforehand and he will change it when paying at the toll booth. 
• Some taxis accept credit cards and Octopus cards to avoid hassles with small change although these are still very rare. If you are unsure, or cannot paid cash, then flash your credit card at the driver before getting in and you'll know if it will be accepted or not.
• Paying with foreign currency is illegal in China, although some taxi drivers may accept US Dollars for payment, but you will be quoted an unfavourable rate. It is always best to have HK dollars with you.
• There are no extra late-night charges nor peak-hour surcharges.
• Luggage carried in the boot ("trunk" in American and Canadian English) will cost you $5 per piece, except for wheelchairs.
• No charges are levied for travel to/from the airport or within downtown but all toll charges for tunnels are added to the bill. The driver will normally pay on your behalf at the toll booth and you just need to reimburse him at the end of the journey. But you can also just pass the driver the money before the toll booth too.
• Be aware that crossing the harbour is considered a relatively significant trip, and some taxi drivers may be reluctant to take you. To do this you can stand at a cross-harbour taxi rank (there are not many), by hailing a taxi by making an arm movement like an ocean wave (They will not stop if they don't want to go) or just asking your hotel to call a taxi firm with your destination. Harbour crossing passengers are expected to pay the tolls (add around $70 for your trip).
• All taxi drivers are required to display inside the vehicle an official name card that includes the driver's photograph and the license plate number. 
• Unless a taxi has an out of service sign displayed, they are legally required to take you to your destination. 
• Taxis are required to provide you a receipt upon request.
• If you think you have been "toured" around the city, or if they refuse to either carry you to your destination or provide for a receipt, you may file a complain to the Transport Complaints Unit Complaint Hotline (Voice mail service after office hours) at 2889-9999.

Tips:

• Unless you are fluent in Cantonese, it is good practice to get a local person to write the name or address of your destination in Chinese for you to hand to the taxi driver, as many drivers speak limited English.
• If you wish to take a journey back to your hotel, ask a receptionist for the hotel's business card.
• It also helps if you have the phone number of your destination, so you can give it to the driver to call there and ask for directions.
• Nevertheless, even if you don't take these steps, most taxi drivers know enough English to communicate the basics.
• Be aware that buildings might have an English name used by foreigners and a different English name used by locals. The HSBC building in Central is called "Hong Kong Bank" by taxi drivers for example.
• Tipping is not expected in taxis but passengers will often round up the fare to the nearest dollar.
• During a typhoon, when any loss is not covered by insurance, a tip will be expected, or the taxi driver will ask you to pay a surcharge.
• Read more in our Hong Kong Airport transportation guide's taxi section

Related resources

• The Amazing Race Canada's Season 2 visit to Hong Kong
• Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) transportation guide
• Layover City: Hong Kong - advice and options from our sister brand
• Hong Kong Layover Ideas and Things to Do in Hong Kong
• Private Hong Kong Layover Tour: City Sightseeing with Round-Trip Airport Transport

Airport Arrival Advice

We at IHateTaxis.com are regularly visiting new locations and over the years, we have found following a routine works well and makes your arrival more stress-free. Here is our list of recommendations for arriving at a destination that you have never been before as stress-free as possible.

 

Arriving and Claiming Your Luggage

You will need some local currency when you arrive. You should be thinking about this well before you land. Are you going to exchange some Euros or US Dollars for local currency or are you going to visit an ATM? How much local currency will you initially need?

Go through immigration. Make sure you have your passport and visa (if required) ready.

Claim your luggage and make sure that it is yours! It is amazing how  many bags are black in colour. If you have common looking luggage then place a colourful ribbon or some other easy marker on it. Or better yet, only take carry-on luggage.

If your luggage is lost, visit the lost luggage office immediately.

Study the Local Currency

• If there is an option of changing currency or using an ATM before going through customs then we highly recommend doing this now. The reasons are simple as you are in a secure area of the airport and will likely not have problems or be hassled.
• If you now have local currency and are not familiar with it, take some time to study the local currency. Are the bills different colours? Are they different sizes? Stash most of your money away, but have enough for getting yourself to your hotel. If you do not have small bills or change, plan on purchasing something or asking for smaller denominations.
• Go through customs.

 

 

Being a Smart Traveller in the Airport Chaos





Shanghai chaos

Now the chaos begins and the reason behind IHateTaxis.com was created. In many countries around the world, expect to be hassled as soon as you exit the customs area. Touts live here and make very good money preying on the fresh new tourists that come through the customs area.

• Ignore all touts. You don't need to tell them your name, where you are going, where you are from, what hotel you are staying at, or anything else. Would you tell this to someone at an airport at home? Not likely, so don't do it here either. In some locations they will follow you like hungry mosquitoes, meaning that they stand to earn a healthy commission if you fall for their ploy. If they are persistent, then telling them that you have a friend picking you up or you are catching a connecting flight shortly might work. See our tips on dealing with touts for more information.
• If you did not have the opportunity to visit a currency exchange or ATM then go ahead and find one now. If you have touts following you then get rid of them, as they pose a serious security risk to you exchanging or withdrawing money. Sometimes heading up to the departures level will work "I need to catch a flight now". If you need to duck into a bathroom to check the money or load a money belt then go right ahead.

Airport Ground Transportation Options

Taxi queue at Singapore Airport

• You likely have studied your transportation options before arriving and have an idea of how you want to get to your hotel or next destination. If you are ready then follow the directions to get that taxi, airport shuttle, train, or just about anything else.
• If you are taking a taxi, some airports have a taxi desk to manage incoming taxis. They will take down your destination, possibly translate it, and tell the next available driver where you need to go. You may need to pay the desk for the taxi service or you will pay the driver when you get to your destination. Some airports will change a nominal taxi desk service fee that will be added to your bill.
• Almost all airport shuttle services have a desk where you may purchase tickets. Rarely will you pay the driver directly.
• If you are taking a public bus, then you may need to purchase bus tickets in advance of boarding from a vendor in the airport. Ask at the information desk in the airport, but be cautious of anyone hanging around the desk that is very helpful of taking you to buy these tickets (usually these are touts). Some public buses will make change, but it is always best to have exact change in the local currency.
• On any airport transfer service, ensure that you hand your luggage directly to the taxi or shuttle driver and you see that it is loaded or just load it yourself. In some countries there are scams between drivers and 'luggage loaders', which involves you handing your luggage to someone next to the taxi (or shuttle) to load it into the taxi. Then a tip is demanded for couple of seconds of services. The taxi driver will not leave until the tip is paid to the loader.

What do you do when you arrive at a new airport to navigate your way? How do you ensure you arrive stress free?

PS: if you want to do more to research ground transportation before you leave home, be sure to check out our 500+ free ground transportation guides to airports worldwide. We'd love to help you arrive stress free!

Read the other posts in our Smart Travel Advice series:

• Dealing with Touts
• Dealing with Taxi Drivers
• Taxi Rates & Fares: Airport Taxi Advice

If you've missed it, you might also enjoy reading this story about how we got our name: Do We Really Hate Taxis?