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Uber conundrum


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Joe

Joe

VIP Whale
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Sep 11, 2009
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Wisconsin
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We don't have smart phones, but we have tablets. Our charge card company is offering a free $30 ride for first time users, so I created an account and signed up. In order to confirm, they sent a text to my cell phone but we don't get texts. I tried to find a help # with no luck. Email message hasn't had a reply.

Our plan was to order Uber from our room at MSS, using the wifi, then go down and wait for the driver to take us to Orleans.

Any thoughts beside saying buy a phone.
 
Unfortunately, this is a downside to all the tech out there. In order to use Lyft and Uber you pretty much need to have a smart cell phone. I noticed also that they can see your actual location and will tell you that you're at the wrong entrance/exit for pickup. Pretty amazing stuff that only works with a smartphone device. I was dragged kicking and screaming into the smart phone era, but now I use it more than my tablet!
 
Uber and lyft are very, very fast. This week, I've never had to wait more than 2-3 minutes to get picked up, even when off strip (but not too far off). Ordering a ride from the room then walking out front will be too long. They would have come and gone and you'll be charged. I don't know if there's a way to make it work. Some drivers do call once they're out front. Even when you're done the ride, within a minute of getting outside of the car, you have to confirm the total charges and tip if you want. All electronic...no cash, plus rate the driver with comments too. It may seem like a lot but it's really a slick system.

Perhaps it's possible if you can carry a tablet with you. Are you one of those people that tour around taking pictures with tablets? I hate those people, lol. I was surprised by all the free wifi on the strip these days so you may have access that way.
 
use your tablet to download an app called "textfree" it will basically give you a bogus phone number that will work for free as long as you have wifi. Then you can do the promo and receive a text on your tablet..
 
DBear said:
Uber and lyft are very, very fast. This week, I've never had to wait more than 2-3 minutes to get picked up, even when off strip (but not too far off). Ordering a ride from the room then walking out front will be too long. They would have come and gone and you'll be charged. I don't know if there's a way to make it work. Some drivers do call once they're out front. Even when you're done the ride, within a minute of getting outside of the car, you have to confirm the total charges and tip if you want. All electronic...no cash, plus rate the driver with comments too. It may seem like a lot but it's really a slick system.

Perhaps it's possible if you can carry a tablet with you. Are you one of those people that tour around taking pictures with tablets? I hate those people, lol. I was surprised by all the free wifi on the strip these days so you may have access that way.
Click to expand...

I took an Uber from Orleans and GN. I hit the go button on the Uber app and the driver was already there waiting for me.
 
Google Voice number could also allow you to get a number and send texts through that number via wifi
 
I could state the obvious answer, but that is already obvious or maybe rude....

You can buy older versions of smart phones really cheap that pretty much do everything all the new ones do.
 
nostresshere said:
I could state the obvious answer, but that is already obvious or maybe rude....

You can buy older versions of smart phones really cheap that pretty much do everything all the new ones do.
Click to expand...

yeah I'd recommend this as well; a pre-paid plan would also suffice for your light smartphone needs
 
DBear said:
Uber and lyft are very, very fast. This week, I've never had to wait more than 2-3 minutes to get picked up, even when off strip (but not too far off). Ordering a ride from the room then walking out front will be too long. They would have come and gone and you'll be charged. I don't know if there's a way to make it work. Some drivers do call once they're out front. Even when you're done the ride, within a minute of getting outside of the car, you have to confirm the total charges and tip if you want. All electronic...no cash, plus rate the driver with comments too. It may seem like a lot but it's really a slick system.

Perhaps it's possible if you can carry a tablet with you. Are you one of those people that tour around taking pictures with tablets? I hate those people, lol. I was surprised by all the free wifi on the strip these days so you may have access that way.
Click to expand...

Once you order an Uber/Lyft - it will tell you how long the pickup time is. If its only 2-3 minutes because they are there, a quick call to the driver to tell them you are heading down will work just fine.
 
Joe said:
Any thoughts beside saying buy a phone.
Click to expand...

Joe - you are a veteran here, so I know you can take the heat... 2006 called, they are saying it is time to buy a real phone. :poke:

In all seriousness, Uber/Lyft are both built on the premise of using a smart phone. Your phone uses the locator feature to better request drivers, and the drivers may often call you to confirm pickup location. You are really setting yourself back if you cannot either take calls or receive texts on a mobile device from the drivers.

Good luck!
 
often or most times you will get a call or text from the driver on your smart phone, it is really convenient. but not wanting another device or bill I can understand.
 
Hi Joe, happy Thanksgiving! I know you said not to say buy a phone, but what about a burner phone? You can pick them up cheap and just pay 10$ a month, only when you go to Vegas. No commitment and just turn it on for Vegas trips! Plus it beats lugging a table around.

P.S. no problem with you not having a cell phone. I unlinked my work email from my cell phone years ago. Cord-cutters unite...I want my work-life balance!

https://www.puretalkusa.com/buy-cell-phones-online.php

notice the ZTE is only 25 bucks....

Plus you can feel like Jason Bourne or some other under-the-radar action star!
 
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