Not even that comparison is fair to uber. From Uber's point of view, his actions are indistinguishable from someone who hailed an uber and changed their minds.
Now, I don't know why uber didn't offer him the benefit of the doubt, but they were well within their rights not to refund. They did nothing unethical.
Now, I don't know why uber didn't offer him the benefit of the doubt, but they were well within their rights not to refund. They did nothing unethical.