Uber adds parking reservations after buying SpotHero

Uber said it is introducing parking reservations and payments through its app, initially targeting commuters who drive their own cars. The rollout follows its purchase of SpotHero, announced in February, which the company said provides access to 13,000 parking facilities in more than 400 cities.

The initial service will cover 15 U.S. cities, among them New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin and Washington, DC. Customers can search near a destination, compare prices on a map and choose among garages, surface lots, valet services and self-parking.

Reservations require vehicle details and can be paid for through the Uber wallet. Entry will use either a QR code or license plate recognition. Uber said customers can cancel without a fee before their reservation begins.

Uber One members can earn 10% back as credits on eligible reservations, with those credits available for rides and Uber Eats purchases. The membership program had more than 55 million members as of September 30.

Beyond serving drivers, Uber plans to use the parking network to support its autonomous-vehicle partners. The company said the locations could provide places for vehicles to wait or stage, potentially reducing congestion and travel without paying passengers or cargo.

CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said during Uber’s third-quarter earnings call that commuting is among the company’s largest categories. He described parking as another option for commuters alongside rides and passes that avoid surge pricing.