Uber Class Action Says Cancellation Fees Are Unfair

A class action lawsuit claims that Uber’s cancellation fees and Terms of Use are unfair and violate Florida law.

The Uber cancellation fees class action lawsuit was filed by Nicolas A. Manzini who says he was unfairly charged a “cancellation fee.” 

Allegedly, Uber misleads customers into believing that a cancellation fee is charged when a customer cancels a ride, in order to compensate drivers for their time.

However, Manzini says Uber charges a cancellation fee of $5 even when it is the driver, not the customer, who cancels the ride.

The Uber cancellation fee class action lawsuit then goes on to state that Uber will not refund the cancellation fee to a customer until and unless the customer asks Uber to review the cancellation fee.

Additionally, the cancellation fee is allegedly not refunded in the original payment method, but instead the fee is refunded in the form of “Uber credit” or “Uber cash.”

This practice reportedly financially harms customers because the amount of a cancellation fee in the form of Uber credit is rarely enough to spend on Uber fare — as it cannot be used on its own in most cases, and must be used with more Uber cash.

Allegedly, customers who wish to use Uber cash gained from a cancellation fee return must either purchase more Uber cash, usually in the increments of $25, or cannot use it at all. 

The Uber cancellation fee class action lawsuit states that the Uber cancellation method further inconveniences customers by not making refunded cancellation fees available as Uber cash for between three and five business days. Allegedly, this is in line with Uber’s stated polices, but Manzini says that Uber unlawfully holds and detains customers’ funds.

Though Uber customers do accept the Terms of Use when agreeing to use Uber, allegedly they accept these terms unwittingly.

Allegedly, customers don’t realize that they are waiving their right to trial by jury against Uber. The Uber cancellation fee class action lawsuit calls this contract unenforceable, saying that customers should not be bound by these terms.

The plaintiff is seeking damages in the form of the return of the fees to all similarly affected Uber customers.

In addition to compensatory damages on behalf of himself and all similarly affected individuals, Manzini also seeks injunctive relief that would require Uber Technologies Inc. to change its policies around cancellation fees.

The Uber class action lawsuit was originally filed in state court but was recently removed to Florida federal court.

Have you ever been charged an Uber cancellation fee that you believed to be unfair? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Manzini is representing himself in this litigation.

The Uber Unfair Cancellation Fee Class Action Lawsuit is Nicolas A. Manzini v. Uber Technologies Inc., Case No. 1:19-cv-24387-PCH, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division.

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