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Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 8:05 pm
by FoxyBoi
Do you most firms use uber as the transportation means for firm events or working past a certain hour?
If so, what level of Uber is acceptable at your firm (or which does everyone use), e.g. Pool, uberX, Black car, Lux (where available)?
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:34 pm
by dixiecupdrinking
Pretty sure we don't have a policy about it but I have never had a problem getting UberX reimbursed. NYC firm, so the baseline expectation is taking a yellow cab, and UberX is the same or cheaper, so no issues.
Like everything else, you should ask your firm to be sure.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 10:10 pm
by Anonymous User
My firm has a Uber corporate account that lets us bill Uber directly to the firm (and there's no problem reimbursing through normal channels). We're told to use UberX, Uberpool, or Uber Taxi.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 10:13 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:My firm has a Uber corporate account that lets us bill Uber directly to the firm (and there's no problem reimbursing through normal channels). We're told to use UberX, Uberpool, or Uber Taxi.
Same
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 1:31 pm
by Anonymous User
I've used UberSelect (BMW 3 series, etc.) from the airport on client billable matters, especially when I'm pissed about delays, and haven't had any pushback.
As long as the price is within reasonable, I don't think clients actually parse through receipts to check the tiny print that tells you whether it was an UberX, UberSelect, or Uberblack.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 3:20 pm
by 2014
Uber black, even with a moderate surge, is cheaper than taking a car which is per se reasonable so I've never had an issue expensing it.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 3:50 pm
by PvblivsScipio
Anonymous User wrote:I've used UberSelect (BMW 3 series, etc.) from the airport on client billable matters, especially when I'm pissed about delays, and haven't had any pushback.
As long as the price is within reasonable, I don't think clients actually parse through receipts to check the tiny print that tells you whether it was an UberX, UberSelect, or Uberblack.
You've got partner track written all over you. I respect the moxie.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 3:57 pm
by HonestAdvice
Let's take a second to reflect on the impact Uber has had on medallion values. Imagine your grandfather came from Soviet Russia to live the American dream, and your family's used all its savings from 3 generations to buy a taxi medallion for $750,000 that 2 years later is now worth only $250,000. Better yet, imagine you owned 10 such medallions. This is the impact Uber has had. It's created tears for many freedom seekers. I challenge you to figure out how to expense blood, sweat and tears to a client. Although truth be told, I'm pretty sure blood goes for $4/oz in Vietnam, but how will you price sweat and tears?
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 4:12 pm
by Nekrowizard
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Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 4:51 pm
by Actus Reus
What I really want to know is the breakeven surge amount of UberX v. Uber Black.
Also, I've never had an Uber expense rejected.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 5:00 pm
by 20160810
1.) Use Starwood co-branded Amex
2.) Sign up for the promotion that gets you double points on Uber rides during all Starwood stays.
3.) Expense and reimburse.
4.) Profit.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 5:15 pm
by UnicornHunter
HonestAdvice wrote:Let's take a second to reflect on the impact Uber has had on medallion values. Imagine your grandfather came from Soviet Russia to live the American dream, and your family's used all its savings from 3 generations to buy a taxi medallion for $750,000 that 2 years later is now worth only $250,000. Better yet, imagine you owned 10 such medallions. This is the impact Uber has had. It's created tears for many freedom seekers. I challenge you to figure out how to expense blood, sweat and tears to a client. Although truth be told, I'm pretty sure blood goes for $4/oz in Vietnam, but how will you price sweat and tears?
Cabbies disrupted the horse and carriage industry. They just got their comeuppance.
Disruptive technologies don't just create winners. Investments come with risk. Pareto efficiency is not the rule of the free market. It sucks, but stifling innovation or not using an objectively superior service is a retarded response to the problem.
Also, whatever the pricing of sweat and tears, I'm sure it's less than the pricing of blood.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:14 pm
by 20160810
I absolutely love it when cab companies say that Uber isn't safe. Yeah because I've never felt as safe as I have in the back of a cab.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:29 pm
by Anonymous User
The "Way2Ride" app for yellow cabs is pretty legit. As a summer not wanting to be hit off guard by an uber surge, I figure it's safer.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:33 pm
by Nekrowizard
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Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:36 pm
by lordmac69
Nekrowizard wrote:I've had like five Uber drivers and zero cab drivers spout off anti-Semitic theories to me unprompted. I feel like anytime I get into an Uber, I'm going to have to awkwardly agree with them that Jews really did 9/11/ISIS/Paris shootings/etc. So I'm going to conclude that while Uber drivers may not all be rapists, they're probably all anti-Semites. At least cabbies don't want to talk to you about jack shit for the most part.
I am an uber driver....not an anti-semite though.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:41 pm
by Nekrowizard
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Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:44 pm
by lawlorbust
HonestAdvice wrote:Let's take a second to reflect on the impact Uber has had on medallion values. Imagine your grandfather came from Soviet Russia to live the American dream, and your family's used all its savings from 3 generations to buy a taxi medallion for $750,000 that 2 years later is now worth only $250,000. Better yet, imagine you owned 10 such medallions. This is the impact Uber has had. It's created tears for many freedom seekers. I challenge you to figure out how to expense blood, sweat and tears to a client. Although truth be told, I'm pretty sure blood goes for $4/oz in Vietnam, but how will you price sweat and tears?
you win the dumbest fucking argument on TLS of the week award.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 6:54 pm
by smile0751
Nekrowizard wrote:lordmac69 wrote:Nekrowizard wrote:I've had like five Uber drivers and zero cab drivers spout off anti-Semitic theories to me unprompted. I feel like anytime I get into an Uber, I'm going to have to awkwardly agree with them that Jews really did 9/11/ISIS/Paris shootings/etc. So I'm going to conclude that while Uber drivers may not all be rapists, they're probably all anti-Semites. At least cabbies don't want to talk to you about jack shit for the most part.
I am an uber driver....not an anti-semite though.
I also had one guy tell me about how he fucked some prostitutes in Guatemala, but unfortunately, because it was a small town somebody saw him with them on the beach, and everybody including his Christian girlfriend found out. I swear I never used to get this shit with cabbies. I'm not even offended, I just don't want to have a 30-minute long conversation about anything, much less about the finer details of Guatemalan hookers or Jews.
Interesting. I always get these comments/annoyances from Cabbies and uber drivers are always super polite/normal. Must be a Chicago thing.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2016 10:35 pm
by FoxyBoi
Actually, I'm interested in the above too. When I use uber to leave an airport I hate talking to anyone after a flight. Anyone have any strategies for politely avoiding conversation that actually work? It seems like when a driver wants to talk, no subtle polite hints are going to stop him. I've even tried closing my eyes on the guys who want to look at me through the rear view mirror while they talk.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 1:41 am
by UnicornHunter
Actually, I'm interested in the above too, if we're defining the above as talking about Guatemalan hookers. That sounds like a great conversation.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 5:03 am
by Clearly
Play on your phone and say excuse me I just need to handle something.
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 5:17 am
by Nekrowizard
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Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 11:42 am
by UnicornHunter
Nekrowizard wrote:On this same topic, is it typical to expense an Uber to and from the airport when you're first going to your SA?
Ask. But yeah, if they're paying for transportation that's probably part of the gig, right?
Re: Expensing Uber in Biglaw
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 4:29 pm
by Nekrowizard
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