Uber is launching a new ride type designed to appeal to the business traveller. Uber Business Black “reimagines the traditional black car experience”, an Uber newsroom release says, giving customers the comfort they expect as well as flexible on-demand services.
Corporate travellers can use Uber Reserve to schedule their rides, whether it is for setting the entire travel itinerary at once or making an on-demand request to cater for last-minute changes.
A growing and target segment
The move by Uber follows last year’s introduction of Uber Business Comfort, an Uber business-class service. The world’s largest ride-hailing company is responding to what it calls a “trend towards premium experiences”. That trend manifested itself in a 90% surge in Uber Business Comfort trips globally from 2023 to 2024, a growing tranche of customers that are increasingly demanding “enhanced support, comfort, and reliability” when undertaking work travel and “are an extremely attractive target for Uber,” Josh Butler, Global GM of Uber for Business told Skift.
“Corporate leaders are navigating demanding schedules when they travel for work. They’re often attending high-stakes meetings or connecting at conferences, operating on tight timelines and in unfamiliar cities. They can’t afford to worry about their transportation,” said Butler.
What does Business Black offer?
“Uber Business Black is designed to improve the business travel experience and provide much-needed peace of mind. The new ride type combines the luxury and comfort executives need to unwind between meetings with the flexibility and convenience of Uber to ensure a smoother, more reliable experience.”
As well as riding in newer, more spacious, luxury vehicles, like Mercedes G-Class or Rivian R1S, corporate travellers using Business Black benefit from professional drivers, on-time pickup protection, extended boarding times, and a 24/7 customer support line for up to 72 hours post-ride—a perk exclusive to Uber Business Black riders. Simplified e-receipts and directly reported expenses help to streamline the process.
In addition, Uber Business Black “joins a robust suite of products, features, and offers”, the newsroom states, including short-notice 30-minute to 90-day advance reservations, a business hub and delegate profile set-up so assistants can manage bookings, plus Uber One membership discounts that give access to Uber Cash perks. The company is keen to lure business clients to its other products because, according to Butler, “The multi-product usage is huge for Uber for Business and continues to grow really quickly. And as we know, multi-product users spend more than three times more than a single product user.”
