Key Takeaways
- Lyft Preferred offers more comfort, spacious cars, and customization for riders.
- Drivers must have a 4.9-star rating and 300 rides to qualify for Lyft Preferred.
- Riders can set preferences like vehicle temperature and quiet rides in-app.
- Available in select cities, with vehicles requiring more than 37” of legroom.
What Is Lyft Preferred?
Lyft Preferred is a premium ride option introduced by Lyft to offer passengers an enhanced travel experience with more comfort and customization options.
This service pairs riders with top-rated drivers and the most spacious, clean, and comfortable vehicles.
For an additional cost, passengers receive guaranteed comfort and greater control over their ride preferences, such as vehicle temperature and conversation levels. These preferences are set through the Lyft app during the booking process.
Lyft Preferred vehicles are newer models with ample legroom, and drivers must meet high standards to qualify, ensuring a superior level of service.
This option not only benefits riders with a more luxurious and tailored experience but also rewards drivers for exceptional customer service. This is essentially Lyft’s answer to Uber Comfort.
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How Big are Lyft Preferred Vehicles?
Lyft Preferred vehicles are notably larger and more spacious than a regular ride, with a requirement for over 37 inches of legroom.
These vehicles have the capacity to accommodate up to three riders, with all passengers seated in the back, thus providing ample space and legroom.
Lyft Preferred is also designed to accommodate luggage, with drivers offering extra assistance for customers with bags.
This includes using an in-app preference tool that allows riders to notify drivers about their luggage, ensuring the driver can park closer for easier loading and unloading of bags.
Lyft Preferred Vehicle List
While there’s no specific list of the vehicle make and models that can drive for Lyft Preferred, there are certain car requirements that all vehicles must have to qualify.
All cars:
- Require 37” or more of legroom
- Must be a car model made in 2015 or newer
- Need to maintain Lyft’s top cleanliness score
Some vehicles that meet this requirement include a Subaru Legacy, a Honda Accord, a BMW 7 Series, or an Audi A8 L.
How Does Lyft Preferred Work for Riders?
To use Lyft Preferred, riders in areas where this service is available can select it as their transportation option either online or through the Lyft app during the ride booking process.
Within the app, riders will encounter a list of available transportation options, from which they can choose Lyft Preferred by selecting the corresponding upgraded option.
After requesting a ride, riders have the opportunity to customize their experience through an in-app tool that allows them to communicate preferences such as desired vehicle temperature, whether they prefer a quiet ride, and whether they are carrying any bags.
This information enables the driver to adjust the ride settings in advance, ensuring that riders can enjoy a ride tailored to their comfort preferences.
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How Does Lyft Preferred Work for Drivers?
In a gig economy, driving for Lyft is already an excellent side gig that allows drivers to earn an additional income.
However, drivers that qualify for Lyft Preferred can enjoy additional bonuses by providing their customers with the best ride and experience possible.
As Lyft Preferred is rolled out in specific pilot cities, drivers that qualify in these areas will be notified by email that they can offer Lyft Preferred rides.
These rides come with an additional fee for customers, which goes towards a bonus on top of a driver’s normal commission from a standard ride.
Can Lyft Preferred Drivers Get Regular Lyft Requests?
In cities where Lyft Preferred is available, drivers can receive both Preferred and regular Lyft requests in the Lyft app.
When qualified drivers receive a ride notification, they’ll be able to see if it’s a Preferred ride with rider preferences or a standard Lyft ride before accepting.
This allows them to adjust the temperature, prepare to assist with luggage, and more to accommodate passengers before pick-up.
After a ride, drivers will be notified of the additional fee they earned by providing a Preferred ride.
How Much Does Lyft Preferred Cost?
When a rider selects Lyft Preferred, an additional fee is added to the overall cost to ensure relaxation and comfort during their ride.
This cost adjustment depends on the standard ride fare, but for only a slightly higher cost, customers can enjoy several benefits that enhance their Lyft experience.
How Does Lyft Preferred Pricing Work?
Lyft Preferred takes the standard base pay for an economy ride and adds an extra fee for passengers to guarantee their comfort and space throughout their ride.
Drivers then receive their base pay along with a percentage of this fee as an additional bonus for providing additional luxuries for their passengers.
Does Lyft Preferred Charge per Person?
Like other Lyft options, Lyft Preferred does not charge per person. Instead, it calculates the fare based on the route, ride type, availability, and demand and adds a bonus fee.
Not only can drivers enjoy their rides more for just a little extra money, but drivers get rewarded for providing exceptional service and clean, spacious rides through Lyft.
Lyft Preferred Cost vs. Regular Lyft Cost
A regular Lyft is the most affordable ride option you can find on the rideshare app.
The fare is calculated based on several factors, but it is generally the cheapest way to ride with Lyft.
However, a regular Lyft doesn’t guarantee legroom, space for luggage and bags, and a top-rated driver.
If you’re looking for additional comfort, you can pay a couple of dollars difference for a Lyft Preferred ride.
Lyft Preferred Cost vs. Lyft Lux Cost
Lyft Lux rides match riders with a top-rated driver with a high-end sedan or SUV.
These vehicles can seat up to three people.
While Lyft Lux offers similar benefits to Lyft Preferred when it comes to comfort and exceptional customer service, it’s also one of the most luxurious and expensive options on Lyft.
It can lead to high earnings and larger tips for drivers but comes with a higher cost for customers.
If you’re looking for that extra comfort at a lower price, Lyft Preferred might be a better option.
It rewards drivers with bonuses and higher fares but comes with a lower price than other luxurious Lyft rides.
How To Qualify To Become a Lyft Preferred Driver
There are several qualifications for all Lyft drivers hoping to provide Lyft Preferred rides.
These include:
- An average rating of 4.9 stars or above
- A minimum of 300 drives completed with Lyft
- No unclean vehicle violations in the last 20 rides provided
As a new program, Lyft Preferred drivers must also be located in one of the qualifying pilot cities.
These include San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and more.
Lyft Preferred Driver Application Process
Currently, there is no application process for Lyft Preferred drivers.
Instead, as the program rolls out in cities throughout the United States and Canada, drivers will be notified via email if they are qualified to become Lyft Preferred drivers.
Lyft Preferred Vehicle Requirements
Along with the driver’s ratings and experience driving for Lyft, several vehicle requirements also determine if a Lyft driver can provide these upgraded rides.
Because these rides are centered around comfort and relaxation for customers, cars must be spacious, new, and clean.
They must have 37” or more legroom, be created after 2015, and must maintain the highest standard of cleanliness.
The Lyft Vehicle Inspection
Along with offering comfort and support through rides, the safety of both drivers and passengers is another major concern with rideshare apps such as Lyft.
Along with the specific vehicle requirements for Lyft Preferred, all vehicles also have to pass a state auto inspection.
This inspection ensures that all the safety features of your car are working correctly to prevent any breakdowns or unsafe experiences during rides.
Vehicle regulations, including the minimum vehicle age requirement, can also vary by state and city.
Be sure to take a look at specific area requirements, as well as qualifications for specific Lyft services, before getting started as a rideshare driver.
Final Thoughts
As rideshare apps are becoming more popular as a means of getting around cities, companies such as Uber and Lyft are continuously looking for new ways to expand their reach and provide a better experience for both riders and Lyft and Uber drivers.
Services such as Lyft Lux, Uber Comfort, Uber Black, Lyft XL, and more have led the way in this field, offering new and more luxurious ways for riders to get to where they need to go.
With the rollout of Lyft Preferred in select cities, riders and drivers can enjoy additional benefits when using the Lyft platform.
As customers find rides that suit all their needs and preferences, drivers are acknowledged and rewarded for their top ratings, clean and spacious vehicles, and great service.
