{"id":457851,"date":"2026-02-04T12:58:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T12:58:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/457851\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T12:58:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T12:58:11","slug":"uber-drivers-outrageous-5-fee-for-young-aussie-on-hot-airport-journey-no-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/457851\/","title":{"rendered":"Uber driver’s outrageous $5 fee for young Aussie on hot airport journey: ‘No way’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ordering an Uber<\/a> is a source of comfort and security for many Aussies looking to get from A to B quickly. However, a young woman’s recent experience had her feeling “uncomfortable” and “taken advantage of”.<\/p>\n

Lexie Pickering, a prominent Australian hockey player, told Yahoo News she paid $50 to be taken home from the airport in Perth on a recent hot summer’s day. The journey<\/a> started off smoothly, with her and the driver discussing her recent travels and work as a high-level hockey player.<\/p>\n

Lexie said the temperature that day was well into the 30s, and shortly into the drive, the man told her she would be required to pay $5 to turn on the car’s air conditioning.<\/p>\n

“I was a bit taken aback and laughed,” she told Yahoo News of her reaction, adding, “there’s no way I’m paying more for aircon”.<\/p>\n

Lexie claims the driver, whom she chose not to identify, insisted she could afford it because of her work.<\/p>\n

“I sat in silence the rest of the drive, and he never put the aircon on but rolled his two windows down at the front instead,” she said.<\/p>\n

The request left her feeling “uncomfortable”. She shared the exchange with close friends and shared a video online.<\/p>\n

Lexie said it was because of their conversation about her profession that the man implied she could afford to pay the fee.<\/p>\n

“I hoped it wasn\u2019t anything more malicious but that he just wanted more money out of me,” she said.<\/p>\n

“But it was a hot and quiet drive,” she said, adding that she made it home safely despite the interaction.<\/p>\n

Uber told Yahoo News the passenger should not have been asked to pay extra for air conditioning, and it is investigating the incident.<\/p>\n

“We are shocked by this and apologise to the rider for her experience,” an Uber spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

“We are actively investigating the matter. Fraudulent activity, such as driver-partners encouraging riders to pay for any part of their trip outside of the Uber platform, is a breach of Uber\u2019s Community Guidelines, and this kind of behaviour can result in driver-partners permanently losing access to the app.”<\/p>\n

All riders are encouraged to report any concerns or issues to Uber via the app. Such reports go to Uber’s 24\/7 Incident Response Team.<\/p>\n

\"Lexie<\/p>\n

The hockey player was told by her Uber driver she should be able to afford the $5 fee. Source: Lexie Pickering<\/p>\n

Passengers report drivers requesting payments outside Uber app<\/p>\n

It’s not the first time passengers have been asked to make payments to drivers outside of the app’s requested fare.<\/p>\n

Melbourne woman Gemma Dimond <\/a>previously warned others using the rideshare app to “please be safe”, after she accused her driver of “cancelling” her trip before requesting she pay him directly.<\/p>\n

Dimond ordered the ride after a night out in Melbourne<\/a>, being sure to “check the number plate and everything”.<\/p>\n

After confirming the vehicle, she jumped in, but shortly after, the driver allegedly “cancelled the trip”, blaming a glitch in the app for the interruption, and asked her to bank transfer the fee.<\/p>\n

Others have reported similar experiences when booking a rideshare driver from Melbourne Airport. <\/a><\/p>\n

In a statement to Yahoo News Australia, an Uber spokesperson said at the time, “Fraudulent activity, such as driver-partners encouraging riders to pay directly in exchange for a trip, is a clear breach of Uber\u2019s Community Guidelines”<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>