Uber overhaul to hit users as DoorDash and Menulog ramp up delivery fee rivalry

Uber users are being warned of major changes to the company’s subscription program, with the $0 delivery fee potentially not in use depending on the time of day and distance from the location you’re ordering from.

In an email sent to customers, Uber announced its Uber One membership will be updated on December 7, 2025, to “reflect recent changes in our services.”

The three major changes that are set to hit from next month include:

1. New delivery thresholds

Until now, Uber One members have enjoyed $0 delivery fees once their order hits a set minimum spend. That figure will no longer be fixed.

“The minimum order needed to qualify for $0 Delivery Fee may now depend on factors such as time when you order and how far you are from the store,” the company said in an email to members.

In practice, this means the threshold could rise or fall depending on demand or distance and have a higher threshold during busy dinner periods, lower threshold for local orders.

Uber says the new approach will be “clearly displayed in-app before placing your order,” seemingly saying the company is replacing a simple rule with a sliding scale.

2. Service fee to vary

Uber One members will also see savings that vary from order to order, instead of a consistent discount on every trip or meal.

“Service Fee savings may vary more per order,” Uber said.

“You will see any applicable discount at checkout for being an Uber One member.”

While the company insists benefits like 5 per cent Uber One credits on eligible rides remain unchanged, this tweak suggests Uber is moving toward a more dynamic pricing model, one that reacts to the time, location and type of order.

For frequent users, it means the same meal might not deliver the same savings twice.

3. Potential extra fees

Perhaps the most notable change is the addition of new fees that can appear under certain conditions.

“Additional fees may apply on certain orders, including if you place an order from a store outside the standard delivery area or during times of high demand,” Uber said.

That means customers ordering late at night, during peak dinner rushes or from far-flung restaurants could see their total climb. Uber maintains that “all fees will be shown in-app before placing an order,” but it’s a subtle shift that brings its food service closer to its surge-pricing taxi ride model.

Uber is facing growing competition from rivals DoorDash and Menulog, both of which have introduced more flexible delivery pricing in the past year.

The company insists its goal is to give members “the same core benefits” while offering “more ways to save.” Still, users should expect a little less predictability and a few more variables when they open the app next month.