Uber Adds Hotel Bookings, Pushing Its Vision of Becoming a Super App

Uber is checking into the hotel business. 

The ride-hailing company on Wednesday said it'll now let users book hotels directly in the Uber app. You can browse through more than 700,000 hotels around the world via a partnership with Expedia. 

This might be most appealing for Uber One subscribers, who'll score a 20% discount on a rolling list of 10,000 hotels. Members also get 10% back in Uber Credits on all bookings. (Uber One costs $9.99 a month.)

To book a hotel through the Uber app, tap the new Hotels icon on the home screen. Then enter your destination to browse nearby lodging. You can look at options on a map or in a list view. Filters allow you to narrow your search based on metrics such as guest ratings, price, accessibility features and amenities. 

The prices you'll see listed include taxes, fees and any discounts. The app will also show how many Uber Credits you'll be earning if you're an Uber One subscriber. Similar to booking a ride, you can confirm the reservation and pay using the default payment method in your Uber Wallet. 

Uber also plans to launch vacation rentals with Vrbo later this year. 

The company unveiled several other features coming to its ride-hailing app as well as Uber Eats (detailed below). The updates signal the ways in which Uber hopes to fortify its subscription service, which, according to the company, has over 46 million members and is available in 47 countries. Uber One gives members discounts and credits on rides and deliveries -- while bringing in a steady stream of income for the company. (Last year, Uber became embroiled in a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit over alleged deceptive practices tied to Uber One.) Competitor Lyft has its own subscription service with priority pickups and discounts called Lyft Pink. 

Uber Eats launched nearly 10 years ago, allowing the company to branch out beyond ride-hailing -- which undoubtedly came in handy during the COVID-19 pandemic as people stayed home and ordered in. This next foray into hotels, as well as other ventures such as autonomous ride-hailing partnerships, further diversifies Uber's offerings and expands its presence across multiple facets of people's lives. 

It ultimately feeds into Uber's long-standing plan to be a super app and one-stop shop for all your needs. Earlier this month, Uber Eats added a feature for handling customer returns. 

Other Uber and Uber Eats updates

Starting June 1, Uber One members will still be able to earn ride credits and get $0 delivery fees when traveling abroad. You'll be able to use your rewards when you return home.

When traveling outside your home city, you'll see a list of local favorites and tourist attractions, and can tap a button to book a ride to those spots. In the Uber Eats app, a new Room Service hub will show commonly forgotten items such as toiletries as well as items from local favorite businesses that you can have delivered. Food orders will auto-check the option to include utensils, so you're not stuck in your hotel room with no way to eat. Soon, you'll also see an option to book a table through OpenTable. 

An upcoming AI-powered Voice Bookings feature lets you talk to an in-app virtual assistant to book an Uber ride. Tap the microphone icon in the search bar and say where you want to go, along with any preferences, like if you're bringing a pet or want the cheapest ride. The AI agent will show you the best options, and you can confirm your booking.  

Another new feature, if you're opting for a more upscale Uber Black or Uber Black SUV ride, lets you request a favorite drink or snack for the journey. Once your scheduled pickup is confirmed, tap "Add Uber Eats" to choose your coffee, tea or snack, and the driver will pick it up before scooping you. Called Eats for the Way, this feature will launch in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego and San Francisco in the coming weeks. 

The Uber app will now also work more seamlessly with Uber Eats. The bar at the top of the ride-hailing interface will now function as a single search for places, food and items across the platforms. For instance, a search for "ice cream" will show locations you can book a ride to, as well as delivery options through Uber Eats. 

And lastly, you can request items from stores not in the Uber Eats app. A new Shop for Me tab on the home screen lets you provide details and photos of what you want, so a shopper can find the item. You'll pay the in-store price.