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Waymo Premier: Pricey Ride for Less Value?
11 Jun
Summary
- Waymo Premier subscription costs $30 monthly for premium features.
- Competitors like Uber One and Lyft Pink cost $10 monthly.
- Waymo rides are more expensive than competitors even without the subscription.
Waymo, the driverless taxi service owned by Alphabet, has introduced a new rewards program called Waymo Premier. This subscription service is priced at $30 per month and promises subscribers priority pickups, a 10 percent in-app rebate on future rides, and up to five fee-free cancellations monthly. It also offers early access to new service areas.
However, the $30 monthly fee is being criticized as excessive, especially when compared to rivals. Uber One costs $10 per month and includes discounts on hotels, car rentals, and food delivery, along with ride credits. Lyft Pink, also $10 per month, provides discounts on rides and free priority pickup.
Further complicating Waymo's value proposition, a June 2025 report by Obi found that Waymo rides are, on average, more expensive than comparable rides on Uber or Lyft. This means subscribers pay more for the subscription and more per ride, even as the driverless system still requires remote human intervention.
Recent incidents have also raised safety concerns. Waymo recently recalled software for its entire fleet after dangerous behavior during a flood in San Antonio, Texas. This follows other publicized issues, though competitors like Uber have also faced scrutiny over safety and driver issues.
