The car-sharing app Uber has been growing wildly over the last few years, with presences springing up in cities large and small around the world. They're also expanding digitally; just this past May, Google updated its apps for iOS and Android with direct Uber integration, allowing users to call a car directly when searching for directions.
Integration with Uber is a natural fit for a broad spectrum of travel apps beyond
This week, United and Hyatt became the first major players in the airline and hotel spaces respectively to begin integration with Uber. According to a statement from United, the app will "display Uber information, including types of available vehicles, estimated wait times and prices. After customers select a ride, the United app will automatically transfer them to the Uber app or Uber website to complete the transaction."
Though integration with United's API is pretty straightforward this is a significant milestone on several levels. On the surface, the embedded Uber technology allows the traveler to simplify their journey through one single app. But the marketing potential is much larger. Users of the Hyatt and United apps will now directly see the Uber logo and integration right in their apps, imprinting the brand and engendering business down the road. Hyatt and United can also boast collaborating with a bleeding edge technology, increasing their appeal to tech-forward communities.
United and Hyatt are just two of almost a dozen apps most recently integrating Uber technology. Others include OpenTable and Tripadvisor.
