Uber has announced a series of new features designed to turn its app into a broader travel platform, introducing hotel booking, AI-powered ride requests and new food delivery options for travelers.

The updates were unveiled during Uber’s sixth annual GO-GET product showcase and include a new partnership with Expedia, expanded Uber Eats capabilities and several features that could influence how riders use the platform before, during and after a trip.

For rideshare drivers, the changes signal Uber’s continued push to keep customers inside its ecosystem for more of their travel experience.

Expedia Partnership Brings Hotel Booking to Uber

One of the biggest announcements is Uber’s new partnership with Expedia, allowing U.S. users to search, compare, and book more than 700,000 hotels directly through the Uber app.

Travelers can filter hotels by price, amenities, guest ratings, hotel brand and other preferences before completing a reservation without leaving the platform.

Uber says users will also earn Uber Credits on eligible bookings, which can be redeemed for future rides and food orders. Later this year, the company plans to add vacation rentals from Vrbo.

For drivers, the partnership could encourage more travelers to rely on Uber throughout an entire trip, from booking accommodations to requesting airport transportation and local rides.

New Travel Mode Aims to Help Visitors Navigate New Cities

Uber is also introducing Travel Mode, a feature that automatically adapts the app when users are away from home.

In addition to showing local ride options and pricing, the feature will recommend popular attractions, restaurants and points of interest that riders can book or visit through the app.

While the feature is designed for travelers, it may also increase ride requests in tourism-heavy markets by making it easier for visitors to explore unfamiliar cities.

Uber Eats Expands into Reserved Rides

Another new feature, called Eats for the Way, allows riders using Uber Reserve with Uber Black or Uber Black SUV to add food or drinks to their trip before pickup.

Once a reservation is confirmed, riders can select items through Uber Eats, and the driver will pick up the order before arriving at the passenger’s location.

Uber says the feature will launch first in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego and San Francisco before expanding to additional cities.

Although Eats for the Way is currently limited to premium reserved rides, it reflects Uber’s broader strategy of combining transportation and delivery into a single customer experience.

AI Voice Booking Comes to the Uber App

Uber also introduced an AI-powered voice assistant that allows users to request rides using natural conversation instead of typing.

By tapping the microphone icon, riders can tell the app where they want to go and include preferences such as traveling with a pet or selecting a specific ride type. The assistant then recommends available options before confirming the trip.

The company says the goal is to make requesting a ride faster while reducing the number of steps required to complete a booking.

One Search Connects Rides, Food and Shopping

A redesigned search bar will also allow users to search for destinations, restaurants, food delivery and shopping requests from one place within the app.

The update supports Uber’s broader effort to combine rides, food delivery and local commerce into a single platform instead of requiring users to switch between different services.

What It Means for Rideshare Drivers

None of the newly announced features change how drivers accept trips or receive ride requests today. Instead, they expand the ways customers interact with Uber before and during a trip.

If more travelers begin using Uber to book hotels, reserve transportation and plan activities in one place, drivers in airport markets, convention destinations and major tourist cities could see additional demand from visitors who remain within Uber’s ecosystem throughout their stay.

Several features, including hotel booking, are rolling out now, while others will become available in phases over the coming months.

The ProDriverPoint editorial team creates practical content covering industry news, operations, technology, safety, and workforce developments for professional drivers and transportation businesses. Each article is written to help readers understand the changes affecting passenger transportation and the services they provide.

Last Updated: August 11, 2026

Source: ABC News