Uber emailed me with what they called a “personalized promo.” I have questions.
I opened the email expecting something relevant — maybe a discount for rides where I actually am right now. Like Orlando. Or New York City, since we literally used Uber there last week.
Instead, the email enthusiastically announces that I can get up to 25% off rides… in the United Kingdom.
So let’s break this down.
- The subject line knows I’m Joseph.
- The email body greets someone named Grace.
- The promo is only valid in the United Kingdom.
To be clear, Uber is not wrong that I used their service in the U.K. and the Netherlands two months ago. And back then, the app knew my exact location instantly (it couldn’t wait to alert me about Preferred Currency Pricing, which is totally not a confusing currency conversion gimmick).
But since then, we’ve taken multiple Uber rides in New York City.
Apparently, Uber can track my GPS down to the intersection I’m standing on… but cannot figure out that I am no longer in Europe, and that my name is not Grace.
I checked the app to see if the promo was actually there.
It wasn’t.
What was in my app:
- A promo for rides in The Netherlands
- A promo for Uber Shuttle in NYC
- Still no mention of an U.K. discount
Then it got better.
Because Uber sent me another “personalized” email to Grace.
Two separate emails. Both addressed to Grace. Both offering promos in the U.K.
Meanwhile, I’m here in the United States, completely promo-less, watching Uber build a whole new life for Grace across the Atlantic.
At one point, I genuinely wondered whether my account had been hacked — or whether Uber had assigned me a European alter ego with a better social life.
But then I noticed this line at the very bottom of the email:
“Images or text may have been created or edited with AI.”
Ah. Mystery solved.
So apparently, AI now writes Uber’s marketing emails. And it has decided that:
- I’m still in the United Kingdom, despite all evidence to the contrary.
- My name is Joseph… unless it wants me to be Grace.
At this rate, next week’s “personalized” email will probably say:
“Hi, Eduardo! Enjoy a special discount on your next trip to Dubai.”
Yeah… about that. We’re not going to Dubai.
Final Thought
I’m not against AI helping with marketing. But if it could stop inventing names for me and start tracking the fact that I have, in fact, returned to the United States — that would be great. And while you’re at it, please stop sending my ride offers in Florida to Grace in the UK. Thanks.
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