You're going to switch to Lyft, which has had a tipping model for ages, because a competitor is just now adding tipping?

Sure. If Lyft is otherwise better, and Uber is getting rid of the one thing that keeps me using it, doesn't it make sense to switch?

Perfectly logical if that was main reason not to use Lyft, now on a leveled field Uber may seem worse and Lyft wins the business. No tipping was kinda big difference for Uber.

I realized that and just edited my post

Agreed, this is the only feature that kept me from using Lyft. Given every other reason not to use Uber as of late, now that the two platforms are basically the same, this is probably what does it for me.

"Also having to deal with some of the shadier/creepier drivers expecting tips sounds like something I'd rather not deal with." What makes you think you won't get them with Lyft? Pretty much same people drive for both services. I just look at both apps and pick a cheaper one.

why not just ignore the tipping option, you don't have to.

I loved Lyft's tipping feature and used it over Uber because many times I had to take my cats to the vet and it was nice to be able to tip the driver for the extra hassle. Same was true if I ever took Lyft while taking my sick wife from her work to home and she threw up in the car.

Except, my Lyft ratings kept on tanking, and I didn't even know. At one time I tipped a guy nearly 60% of the tab. Despite of this, my Uber rating were 4.8 and Lyft ratings were 4.0.

Eventually I figured out, it is the way Lyft implemented their tipping mechanism. All tips are combined and given to the driver at the end of the week. I mean what is the point of tipping then?

Since then I only give cash tips.