’Another way to squeeze more money?’: Uber Pets charges 5 times more than regular cabs; woman’s post sparks debate

Uber recently introduced Uber Pets, a new feature that allows passengers to bring their pets along on rides. On paper, it sounds like a step toward making travel easier for pet owners, but the pricing has sparked backlash.

Anya Rao, a LinkedIn user, shared her experience comparing fares while booking an Uber for a 2-km trip.

A standard ride cost ₹100, while Uber Pets was priced at a shocking ₹530, more than five times higher. This raised an important question: What exactly justifies this massive increase?

Her post quickly gained attention, with several users expressing disbelief at the pricing. One commenter wrote, “The 5.3x price is really unexpected. Don’t think people would choose this over their own vehicle or a better option.”

Another user pointed out that they had travelled with their cat in Uber rides back in 2021-22 without availing any special service. They would simply inform the driver in advance, and most drivers had no objections.

The same user recalled a friend who travelled with her golden retriever without issue. If drivers were already accepting pets before, they wondered, what changed?

Anya, in her post, speculated that the increased fare might be due to additional cleaning fees or just a “premium charge” for pet-friendly drivers.

She also questioned whether it was just another way to “squeeze more money out of pet owners”. One sarcastic commenter remarked, “I guess the phrase ‘Modern Problems Need Modern Solutions’ doesn’t apply here.”

The discussion highlights a broader issue—whether Uber’s move is truly about accessibility or just another way to capitalize on pet owners’ needs.

Meanwhile, as Anya pointed out, many pet parents consider their animals as family, and forcing them to pay an absurd premium just to travel together feels exploitative.

She claims that her local auto driver usually charges only Rs. 60 for a trip of the same distance —and even gives her dog some belly rubs.

Uber has not officially explained the pricing structure of Uber Pets. But with riders questioning whether this is about accessibility or just another cash grab, the debate continues to gain traction.