How do Uber and Lyft work (read details)?

Oh – it looks like maybe they ask your credit card info when you use it the first time and then store it? Anyone know?

They ask for a card number. You probably missed something or they did.

But then again, what are the chances that in order to compete better with Uber, they give you a free ride the first time and then ask for your card info later?

Yeah at some point before you ride – maybe not until you go to request your first ride? – the app will ask for your card info and then store it. When you request the ride, it will tell you the cost and that’s what you’ll pay, even if you hit traffic or something else happens that makes the ride longer than expected. You do not have to give a card or cash to your driver at any time, including for a tip – all of that is handled in app.

Yeah – looks to me like when you book your first ride. Thanks. Should i give a card I don’t use often so as to not worry about fraud – or just not worry about that?

I wouldn’t worry about that personally, Uber and Lyft are big business and have great interest in handling your payment info securely.

On an iPhone UBer uses Apple pay if you have it set up. If you do, the app wont ask for any payment details.

I wouldn’t worry too much about using a credit card at any time in a secure transaction with a legitimate vendor. What they do with the information and how well they protect it after that is up to them. That is, since it is a “credit” (not debit) card, and I do monitor my statements. If the number is used fraudulently after that, all you have to do – even though it might be annoying – is to dispute the charges in writing to have them removed. The credit card issuer will be responsible for the loss, if there is one, and for taking up the fight against the bad use.

Aside from that, however, if you use a card “that you don’t use very often”, you have exactly as much financial risk as if you use a card that you frequently use. The risk to you is no different in any way. (The one reason that I would agree with you might be that the loss of an infrequently-used account – that is, to have that account closed because of fraudulent use while the credit card issuer sends you a new card for a new account – would be much less inconvenient than to lose the most frequently used card / account.)