Attention, travellers: Your international Uber rides are about to get more expensive. The good news: You can opt out of the new Preferred Currency Fee—here’s how!
Uber has announced the rollout of a new Preferred Currency Fee starting 27 February 2025. In practical terms, this means that if you're travelling to the U.S., Canada, or the Eurozone, Uber may default to charging you in your home currency instead of the local currency, with a 1.5% currency conversion fee.
For example, if you’re from Australia and using the Uber app in France, your fare may be displayed and charged in AUD instead of EUR, with the 1.5% conversion fee applied.
Uber has not yet confirmed whether this feature will expand beyond these regions. For now, Preferred Currency pricing does not apply outside the U.S., Canada, or the Eurozone. In which case, riders will be charged in the local currency by default.
According to Uber, the new fee is designed to 'make it easier to know how much you’re paying while abroad.' As stated on its Currency Preferences page, keeping your preferred currency as your home currency simplifies pricing by showing consistent fare amounts.
On the surface, this seems reasonable—when you travel, you want simplicity and transparency, and you don’t want to have to constantly be converting currencies in your head. But as is often the case, convenience comes at a cost.
What Uber has introduced isn’t groundbreaking—it’s basically Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). This service, offered by merchants, payment processors, and ATMs, allows you to be charged in your home currency when making purchases abroad or withdrawing cash from foreign ATMs.
Convenient, to be sure. However, conventional wisdom suggests that when travelling, it's smarter to pay in the local currency and let your bank handle the conversion. Banks typically offer lower fees and better exchange rates, and many good credit cards waive conversion fees altogether. DCC is generally something consumers should avoid, as it often results in higher costs due to unfavourable exchange rates and additional service fees—in Uber’s case, a fixed 1.5% fee.
A 1.5% fee per ride may seem minor, but for frequent travellers and Uber users, it can add up quickly and into your travel budget. And in a market where many credit cards no longer even charge foreign transaction fees, it’s an entirely avoidable cost.
Here’s how to avoid the Preferred Currency Fee when using Uber abroad:
A little research and a few taps on your phone screen can go a long way in ensuring you’re not overpaying for essential services when you travel. Small fees can quickly add up if you're not careful—and it’s not just for your Uber rides. One of the most avoidable travel expenses is roaming. International roaming allows you to use your phone for calls, texts, and data abroad by connecting to a foreign network.
However, many travellers default to their phone’s roaming plan, paying high fees simply for convenience—even though travel eSIMs and SIM cards provide viable alternatives. In fact, the best eSIM plans and SIM card plans are often more cost-effective and offer better coverage, making them the smarter choice for staying connected abroad.
