Uber charges twice (why, how + more)
Ride-hailing services like Uber build on their promise of convenience, allowing users to use electronic payment methods that are processed behind the scenes.
However, this sometimes results in payments not being processed the way the customer expects, such as being overcharged. So if you’re wondering why Uber charges you twice, here’s what you should know!
Why is Uber charging me twice in 2022?
Uber may charge you twice for a number of reasons, one of which is a technical issue with the company in 2022. For example, Uber previously found a problem with tipping riders equal to the fare. Another reason Uber might charge you twice is that the authorization hold is not being processed as expected.
Read on to learn all about why Uber is charging you twice, including what you can do, other fees you may not know about, and more!
What is Uber’s Authorized Hold?
An authorization hold on Uber effectively limits the amount you can get with the payment method of your choice, such as your debit card account balance or credit limit.
This is done at the start of the trip, when the final fare is still unknown, to ensure you have enough funds to cover the final trip cost.
A common example of this happening elsewhere is at a gas station, when you swipe your card before filling up.
Because the waiter doesn’t know how much you’re going to get, your account is suspended from authorization.
This ensures that even if you pump oil and then immediately withdraw all the funds you have, they will still get paid.
How long does an Uber authorization last?
According to Uber, the authorization hold should expire immediately after the trip, and it will take up to a few days for your bank to release the authorization.
At the same time, your account will show that you have been charged twice until the bank has fully processed the payment.
However, we have found various reports of users being charged twice, as the fee considered to be an authorization hold was never voided.
What if Uber charges me twice?
If Uber charges you twice, you can do three things:
- Waiting to see if it’s an authorization hold that resolves itself
- Contact the support team and report
- Dispute charges with your bank
How do I contact Uber for false charges?
You can contact Uber to make false allegations through the company’s website or verified social media accounts on major platforms.
We recommend both, as emails or phone calls are usually not very quick to get a response.
That said, Uber Support doesn’t always provide the help users need, as most responses are automatic.
How do I dispute Uber’s charges?
You can dispute Uber’s charges by reporting it to the customer support team on social media or on the company website. However, this does not always yield results.
For this reason, you need to dispute the charge directly through your bank or whatever payment processor you use (such as PayPal).
Does Uber have hidden fees?
Some of Uber’s hidden fees that users believe may result in being charged more than they expected include the following:
- Surge Pricing – A common reason Uber fares go up is because a surge can make the same ride cost different fares, depending on the ride time
- Booking and Market Fees – These are charged for economy ride types like UberX and Pool, but only in certain states, which is why not everyone knows about them.They zoom in or out based on the estimated distance of the trip
- toll fee– Your driver experiences the inevitable toll while you are in the car, you will be charged and they will be compensated for that
- Additional fee- These are charged in exceptional circumstances, such as riding in an electric or hybrid car or a car with a guaranteed car seat.Fees are also charged where governments charge ride-sharing companies to offset those costs
- Route-Based Adjustments— If your driver chooses a longer route than the system originally expected, you will be charged more.This also applies to trips that take longer than expected due to heavy traffic
- Waiting fee – All ride types have a waiting period, after which you will be charged by the minute.This period is higher in more premium rides
- Cancellation Fees – If you cancel your trip at any time after you’ve been matched with a driver, you’ll still be charged whether or not you actually started the trip
In addition to that, Uber may charge you, such as $9.99 for a premium subscription, even if you don’t use or sign up for the service.
In these cases, you should report the charges to your bank and dispute the charges, as this is more efficient than going through the support team.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on What Is My Uber Rating, Does Uber Charge Cancellation Fees, and Uber Passes.
in conclusion
Uber may bill you twice due to the authorization suspension. These charges are credited to your account until final charges are determined, after which they should be immediately voided.
If a long period of time has passed and the fee has not cleared automatically, you should dispute the fee with your bank.
