Uber Wants to Be Your Travel Agent, Hotel Booker, and Personal Shopper

Uber is making a big push into travel, announcing a slew of new features at its annual Go-Get event in New York. The ride-hailing giant is moving beyond its core business to become a one-stop shop for trips, offering hotel bookings, AI-powered voice reservations, and even a personal shopping service.

CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told the audience that Uber already serves as the go-to app for getting around cities. The next logical step, he said, is to simplify the entire travel experience—from booking a hotel to grabbing a forgotten toothbrush at the front desk.

Starting now, U.S. users can book stays at more than 700,000 hotels through a partnership with Expedia Group. Home rentals via Vrbo are expected later this year. Uber One members get 20% off select hotels and 10% back in credits. This puts Uber in direct competition with Booking Holdings and Airbnb.

For those who prefer talking to typing, Uber is rolling out a voice booking chatbot powered by OpenAI. Users can simply say what they need, and the AI handles the rest. The company also plans to add more AI tools, including smarter menu descriptions for Uber Eats.

Another new feature lets users send photos and details to a personal shopper, who will pick up items from stores not even listed on the app. Travelers can also earn ride credits and free delivery abroad, while Uber Black riders in six cities can add coffee orders to their trip.

Uber is also testing a room service feature that delivers essentials like toothbrushes directly to hotel doors. The message is clear: Uber wants to be the app you open before, during, and after your trip.