While Kiwis have multiple options for ride-sharing and food delivery apps, Uber is hoping a new paid membership option offering perks can combine the best of both worlds.
New Zealand is one of the first countries in the world to get Uber Pass, a NZ$14.99 per month subscription that gives discounts across both Uber's ride-sharing app and delivery apps.
Zoomy, Didi and Ola provide alternatives to Uber's ride-sharing business in Aotearoa, while the likes of Menulog and delivereasy will pick up your takeaways and take them to your front door - but no other service offers both functions as Uber does.
At launch, Uber Pass will offer the following:
- At least 10 percent off rides (excluding Pool and Hourly)
- No delivery fee from select restaurants with a $20 minimum basket
- No delivery fee on from select grocery and convenience stores with a $20 minimum basket
The company says the service will also offer a "refreshed carousel of exclusive member perks" which will include special deals from restaurants and stores, along with offers from other partners.
Uber expects most New Zealanders will have access to Uber Pass by the end of the week and can sign up on either the Uber or Uber Eats app.
The subsciption service is launching after Uber Eats was accused of charging fees that put New Zealand businesses at risk.
"Uber Eats charges the hospitality provider around 30 to 35 percent of the cost of the order [depending on scale, some may pay less]," a business owner told Newshub last year.
"Given the slim margins that exist in hospitality, this level of delivery cost is unsustainable if it is to apply to most of the food prepared in a retail hospitality premise."
A spokesperson for Uber Eats at the time said: "Our goal is to support restaurants to stay open for business for as long as they can and to continue to capture the demand from customers through pick up and delivery."
