Uber Brisbane launches with free rides, $10 credit promo code

The Uber chauffeur drive service has launched in Brisbane and is offering free rides during the 'soft launch' phase.

Uber, which lets you use a simple smartphone app to book and pay for a private hire car at 'near-taxi' prices, warns that "availability will be extremely limited" during the trial period.

The free rides are limited to trips "within metro Brisbane" and two rides per Uber account per week.

"Your best chance of nabbing an Uber is in the CBD, Fortitude Valley, New Farm and Paddington areas" during the early test phase, the company suggests, adding that it is "working extremely hard to expand our coverage and get more cars on the road."

New Uber customers in Brisbane (or anywhere else for that matter) can sign up for the service at uber.com and enter the special Australian Business Traveller promotion code of uberAusBT to add $10 free Uber credit to their account, which will count against your first paid ride in an Uber car.

(Disclaimer: we'll also pick up $10 of Uber credit when you take that ride, so it's a win-win.)

Read: Get $10 discount with our Uber promo code

Uber doesn't actually employ the drivers or own the cars, but rather provides a go-between to link drivers who have some downtime between booked jobs with people seeking a quality ride that's a cut above a taxi.

Uber counts many business travellers among its customers, especially for runs to and from the airport.

Read: Our review of Uber in Sydney

Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.