Uber’s New Currency Trick Could Cost You More—Here’s How to Avoid It

Uber is under fire for quietly rolling out a new pricing policy that could cost international travelers more money. The ride-hailing giant has introduced a “preferred currency” setting that defaults to charging fares in the user’s home currency rather than the local one. The catch? Uber applies an automatic 1.5% markup for this so-called convenience.

How the Currency Pricing Works

When booking a ride in a foreign country, Uber now defaults to charging users in their home currency instead of the local currency. This might seem helpful, but the conversion rate is not as favorable as what banks or credit cards typically offer. The result? Travelers end up paying more—sometimes significantly more—than they would if they were charged directly in the local currency.

The upcharge is small but adds up quickly, especially for frequent international travelers. The workaround? Changing the setting back to “local currency” in the Uber app, which eliminates the 1.5% extra charge.

What This Means for Airline Employees and Standby Travelers

For airline employees who frequently travel internationally—including crews on layovers and passriders traveling for fun—this change could result in unnecessary extra charges on airport transfers or city rides.

Standby travelers who prioritize budget-friendly trips should take a moment to check their settings before hailing a ride abroad. Since many passriders use Uber for last-minute airport transfers or overnight layovers, avoiding the currency upcharge could mean extra savings over time.

How to Avoid the Extra Charge

The good news? Fixing the issue is simple:

1. Open the Uber app and go to Account > Wallet.

2. Scroll down and select Set preferred currency.

3. Select No preferred currency to ensure you get the best exchange rate without the 1.5% markup.

This move by Uber has sparked frustration among travelers, many of whom feel the automatic opt-in is deceptive. While 1.5% might not seem like much, it’s a fee that adds up over multiple rides, making it an unnecessary expense for anyone trying to stretch their travel budget.

If you're a frequent traveler—especially a nonrev flier—taking a few seconds to change your Uber settings could save you money on every trip.

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