Waymos new membership program gets you a bunch of perks. For a price.
Article excerpt
Waymo has launched a $29.99 monthly subscription service bundling various perks for its robotaxi users. The membership program marks the autonomous vehicle company's latest push to build recurring revenue streams beyond per-ride fees. Details on what specific benefits subscribers receive, discounts on rides, priority access to vehicles, or other features, remain light, though the move signals Waymo's confidence in its San Francisco and Phoenix operations. The pricing sits between ride-hailing freemium tiers and premium car-service offerings, positioning Waymo as it courts both daily commuters and regular users.
Are you using Waymo so much that you'd pay thirty bucks per month to get a 10 percent cashback and some fancy perks on top? If so, you're in luck.
On Thursday, the robotaxi company announced Waymo Premier, an invite-only membership program that Waymo says its users asked for.
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The highlight perk of the program is the cashback, with users earning 10 percent Waymo Cash on every trip, and "even more during busy times."
Other perks include priority pickups that allow you to skip the waiting line, early access to Waymo in new cities as the company expands coverage, and up to five free ride cancellations per month.
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The price is pretty steep: $29.99 per month. In comparison, Uber and Lyft have similar programs (Uber One and Lyft Pink), both of which cost $9.99 per month. Uber One cashback is only six percent, so the math favors Waymo Premier, but only if you ride very, very often.
Waymo Premier will initially be offered to "select riders" in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. The program will be expanded to more cities sometime in the future, the company said.