Uber or Airbnb running on bitcoin

[RealMalatesta]

Uber and Airbnb would need some funds to operate their vehicles. The gas for the vehicles, maintenance, etc would never be free for such vehicles so how could to minimize the charges for these services? And imagine, if ever these services are made free than how vast traffic they would get. Would they even manage to serve each of their customer in this case? I think, NO. That is what makes them remain on the premium line so that they could serve us with extreme benefits.

Some major revolution can make this happen for free but a lot of resources would be needed in order to imply something like this. Also the vehicles should be made maintenance free running on non-renewable sources to cut the costs and make it affordable or free.

[TheUltraElite]

Now i can pay for a ride in Uber using bitcoin? If so, in which country?

No you cant. This topic is a discussion about what if they would start accepting bitcoin.

I think the charges need to cut down but not freed completely, because the driver spends time and energy as well as the cost for picking you up from your place to dropping you to your desired location and so, they deserve something in return. The reason why charges have spiked is because of the mind game these companies play where they'd first build up their customer base and once they see there are enough people on the table to be looted, they move out their "expense" gun on our pockets.

Well come on now, you think the yellow taxi services did not do anything like that previously? They run a racket and now they are unhappy that someone else came up with a better idea and are now the dying breed. Still I prefer to have the AC cab for a medium to longer haul than getting burnt in a metal box with a driver who smells like a pack of low cost cigarettes.

Correct this companies knows how to play a good mind games against the public. Once there are lots of people who entertained the service surely they will adjust and bring the business to go on. They've understand how to market their business and they are good studying to bring manifestation to their benefits.

Still you have to know that this is the future. Although whether they would move to bitcoin is still a big question. Back on topic I dont think they will due to the possible dislike from other companies.

[Ailmand]

Like one day in the same way we say "remember when you had to pay for long distance".... instead people will be saying "remember when you had to pay for a Cab, wasn't that crazy?" I want this to happen somehow soon.  Shocked

I remember when I had to even pay when sending text messages, and now you can do it for free using diffent messaging platform. However, in terms of rising a cab, I doubt if it will ever be free. Uber became a good solution since you can share a ride with other people instead of shouldering the fare solely. It would be great of fares such as taxi fare can be paid through crypto, but there are taxi services that accepts online payment using different online payment platform which I think is a good step.

[hilariousetc]

I remember when both Uber or Airbnb each came out. You could save money using them. Now you can't.

Isn't there any good Uber or Airbnb type products that run on bitcoin?

I was thinking about long distance phone calls. A long time ago you had to pay for that. Then it gradually became free.

I'm surprised that we haven't seen that happen with Ride Sharing or even BnB's. Because think about it, both of those are pretty much commodities in society. By now they should be extremely cheap. They should be just a fraction of what is charged by Uber or Airbnb.

Especially with a ride share product. The driver could just pull over. Pick someone up, and then earn some bitcoin for driving them, to or at least close to their drop off point. But mainly compete heavily on price to disrupt the whole Uber or Airbnb sectors.

Like one day in the same way we say "remember when you had to pay for long distance".... instead people will be saying "remember when you had to pay for a Cab, wasn't that crazy?" I want this to happen somehow soon. 

What do you think?

Why would bitcoin be able to save you money here? It's just another payment medium, but there's really not enough demand right now to use a specific bitcoin-based service, but if you think there's a gap in the market why don't you create one as you could be the next Uber or Air B & B making billions. Things like travel/transportation and property are not cheap though and cost a lot to both purchase and then keep running hence high prices, but Uber and Air B and B are often cheaper than taxis/hotels. Phone calls are a different matter though because once you have the network up and running the calls are practically free. Unless bitcoin becomes very mainstream - as much as cash or cards - then I don't think we'll see these services and I definitely don't see how doing so would make them cheaper than the rest. The best you could hope for is for more and more businesses to start accepting bitcoin but they probably don't see the demand for it right now as bitcoin is still a very niche thing payment-wise.

[MarioV]

Generally few companies try to see what innovations could kill them (and therefore appropriate them before others do, to survive). And that's why Uber and AirB&B could be eaten by some very innovative startup.

[slaman29]

Why would bitcoin be able to save you money here? It's just another payment medium, but there's really not enough demand right now to use a specific bitcoin-based service, but if you think there's a gap in the market why don't you create one as you could be the next Uber or Air B & B making billions. Things like travel/transportation and property are not cheap though and cost a lot to both purchase and then keep running hence high prices, but Uber and Air B and B are often cheaper than taxis/hotels. Phone calls are a different matter though because once you have the network up and running the calls are practically free. Unless bitcoin becomes very mainstream - as much as cash or cards - then I don't think we'll see these services and I definitely don't see how doing so would make them cheaper than the rest. The best you could hope for is for more and more businesses to start accepting bitcoin but they probably don't see the demand for it right now as bitcoin is still a very niche thing payment-wise.

Agree here. Anyone who thinks something is a good idea and really believes in it should just go ahead and do it, or find someone who can do it and tell them how it should be designed.

I think people still need to understand that BTC is just another form of money. And just because it's great doesn't make it suitable for all businesses, especially it's not really easy at the moment for travellers to go around with a bitcoin wallet and risk losing it. To me anyway. It would have to be easy like cards to work.

[Luqueasaur]

I remember when both Uber or Airbnb each came out. You could save money using them. Now you can't.

Isn't there any good Uber or Airbnb type products that run on bitcoin?

I was thinking about long distance phone calls. A long time ago you had to pay for that. Then it gradually became free.

I'm surprised that we haven't seen that happen with Ride Sharing or even BnB's. Because think about it, both of those are pretty much commodities in society. By now they should be extremely cheap. They should be just a fraction of what is charged by Uber or Airbnb.

Especially with a ride share product. The driver could just pull over. Pick someone up, and then earn some bitcoin for driving them, to or at least close to their drop off point. But mainly compete heavily on price to disrupt the whole Uber or Airbnb sectors.

Like one day in the same way we say "remember when you had to pay for long distance".... instead people will be saying "remember when you had to pay for a Cab, wasn't that crazy?" I want this to happen somehow soon. 

What do you think?

Distant phone calls got cheaper by the day because the maintenance to do such deed must've decreased exponentially by the day. In essence, it was probably about an oligopoly controlling a quasi-free technology and charging almost 100% profit for using it. Uber and BNB, in the other hand, actually require serving: pumping gas, driving around, paying tolls, cleaning the room, offering sanitary houses... so it will obviously never be free. For as long as there are costs for driving a cab - the driver's wage and the vehicle's fuel - you'll pay for that. Unless it is subsidized.

[seoincorporation]

The problem with doing this is the legal status of bitcoin on each country, maybe it could work in the places who see bitcoin as money, but in Mexico, you can't make payments of a product or a service with bitcoin because is not money, is called a 'Virtual Active'. So, to have those services and more, first, we need to fix the legal status of bitcoin around the world.

[TheUltraElite]

So, to have those services and more, first, we need to fix the legal status of bitcoin around the world.

Which is obviously going to take a huge time. But once the US starts making bitcoin as legal the other countries will follow suit because they have to stay put with US. Anyway lets not go into the politics of the situation because currently the economic slowdown affected every country and bitcoin legality issues is the least important to them.

There is also the problem with acceptance of bitcoin and its usage for common people, suspicion of being a ponzi which are false. But I guess if it is ever made a legal mode of payment then this barrier might get lifted from the people's mindset and then we might see Cab-hailing services taking bitcoin as payment.

But honestly speaking. I prefer to walk if the place is close or use the public transport, it saves money (almost 10times) and it is good for health.

[MCobian]

Actually there are many companies and merchants who want to provide payment methods with bitcoin. Because they know the potential
of bitcoin as a currency is very good if realized. Especially with the corona pandemic crisis like this is very appropriate for the company
adopt bitcoin. Only the problem lies with the government, which until now is still selfish and does not want to legalize bitcoin as payment.
Because companies must get permission from the government in order to receive payments with bitcoin. Hopefully the government will
soon realize his mistake.

[FanatMonet]

In my opinion, in this situation it is much easier to pay in cash or by credit card, because. The commission for the transfer of Bitcoins will be quite high, and if this is a trip that is very short distance, then this commission may be even more than the amount itself.

[Assface16678]

I think this is kind of good of market strategy that they are using the bitcoin in uber because most of the users today are using this kind of method of payment but the bitcoin before is not too much popular, unlike this time it is just recently that there is a new number of users making included into the world of bitcoin. But today I know they already remove this kind of method of payment because it is not more effective today because most of the people are using the fiat currency, even the online method of payment also they use the debit or the credit card to make payment to their uber which is more convenient today, but still, as a user of the bitcoin, it is good if they are trying to bring back this kind of method if the bitcoin becomes more popular and gained a reputation to their users.

Actually there are many companies and merchants who want to provide payment methods with bitcoin. Because they know the potential
of bitcoin as a currency is very good if realized. Especially with the corona pandemic crisis like this is very appropriate for the company
adopt bitcoin. Only the problem lies with the government, which until now is still selfish and does not want to legalize bitcoin as payment.
Because companies must get permission from the government in order to receive payments with bitcoin. Hopefully the government will
soon realize his mistake.

Also today the bitcoin is one of the good payment methods because of the pandemic outbreak we all know that the cash or the physical money is came from the different people and it came from different hands which the money may contain dirt or virus already and it is not good because it is only helps the virus widely spreading and one of the beet good to do is adopt the use of online payment and the bitcoin which is more effective.

[Lorence.xD]

Services integrating cryptocurrency payment is a good move for many businesses that are trying to rise above their competitors. But the problem with these is not that people are charging high prices for the services offered but with the current status of cryptocurrency market, with an unstable fluctuations that are always looming over the market is making the fee for services hanging in balance, we can all understand that businesses are in need of revenue and integrating another system of payment is all part of their strategy and so that means that both ends of the spectrum are in need of addressing with their respected problems.

[BitcoinsGreat]

I remember when both Uber or Airbnb each came out. You could save money using them. Now you can't.

Isn't there any good Uber or Airbnb type products that run on bitcoin?

Uber, Airbnb and Careem do offer different offers to attracted customers but they do not use bitcoins yet. There is a lot of competition between Uber and Careem services and if anyone of these two started using bitcoins and introduced bitcoin in their payment method, this could seriously boost their sales and customers.

[Sanugarid]

In my opinion, in this situation it is much easier to pay in cash or by credit card, because. The commission for the transfer of Bitcoins will be quite high, and if this is a trip that is very short distance, then this commission may be even more than the amount itself.

That's why I doubt the use of bitcoin as payment method, it sounds so futuristic and elegant but the question is, does it save you from anything? from fees and time? Peer to peer transaction will just take a seconds but how about the data connectivity you got on your phone? And for the count, people only use as bitcoin as form of investment or just for making profit through trading and holding, if you see people spending bitcoin then consider him in tight situation or just ignorant enough to waste it.

[TheUltraElite]

In my opinion, in this situation it is much easier to pay in cash or by credit card, because. The commission for the transfer of Bitcoins will be quite high, and if this is a trip that is very short distance, then this commission may be even more than the amount itself.

For a short distance, use your common sense, would you not prefer to use the public transport, leaving out this lockdown crisis that is if things were normal? It both easier on the pocket and better for your health.

For a medium to long distance travel you would want to have a nice seat with AC and amenities and thus a cab or a privately booked car would be good, thats where the biggest payment is there. For those who use ride hailing every day, it is mostly medium range travel distances. There the hypothetical "fee" would be good enough. But again that is way beyond the current line of thought since first bitcoin needs to be made a tradable and transcatable asset for users which is already a big hurdle.

[bgaf]

Uber, Airbnb and Careem do offer different offers to attracted customers but they do not use bitcoins yet. There is a lot of competition between Uber and Careem services and if anyone of these two started using bitcoins and introduced bitcoin in their payment method, this could seriously boost their sales and customers.

Like any mode of payment. Additional payment system to their companies will do good in terms of convenience. Yes clients are not yet using bitcoin or some of them doesnt have an idea about bitcoin, but time will tell that most people can adopt it sooner or later they will. Remember before, we dont have smartphones and just using the model of ever famous phones of nokia modelled 3310, 5110 and so on. But now we are availing those smart phones which are more hard to use than nokia phones before, at first these people will probably have confusion on bitcoin but later they will tell you, "I thought its hard to use its simple and easier than brushing my teeth"

[slaman29]

Sort of a misleading title but let me share the experience of Uber in my place, where it competes with 2 other similar ridehailing services (and is the worst of them all).

- most expensive
- rudest drivers
- before the app allowed card payment, you can say cash or card. But going into the car, they tell you only cash. Happened so many times.

I never paid, it was always company use when we missed our public bus, but I always thought, how do people use BTC when even simple card payments are hard?

[SatsLife]

cryptocribs.com is what you are looking for. not sure if they are still functioning.

[TheUltraElite]

I never paid, it was always company use when we missed our public bus, but I always thought, how do people use BTC when even simple card payments are hard?

Sorry to hear about your bad Uber experience, I am lucky enough to have polite and accomdating drivers till date but I know many people have faced similar issues. But I wont comment more on that because I believe every problem can be solved in a diplomatic manner without the need for rudeness.

Anyway bitcoin use in Uber/airbnb can only be if the provider is going to accept it. It might be nice to ask the driver if they are accepting bitcoin or not when starting the ride, in case they fumble just give them cash or kind.

But still bitcoin transaction will take time and often we are in a hurry to pay and leave and linger by the cab. So it does not seem feasible unless the lightning network in brought in place.