LYFT -some timing questions

[Goldelpack]

I usually take Mears because it's a much lower price - but for some reasons I'm planning to use LYFT to/from going and to/from coming. Short story explaining my qualms about this: Several trips ago, I pre-reserved a LYFT using the app thinking it would insure a ride from Edgewater, NJ to LaGuardia Airport, in NYC. At most it is a 35 minute drive but it's over a river so there's a bridge or tunnel. I reserved the car and got a confirmation email. Then a push notification saying my driver Driverio (not real name) was on their way. A map appeared and I could see Driverio's car near the George Washington Bridge - NY side. I live just over the bridge on the NJ side. It's getting closer and closer to my time and Driverio hasn't moved. I call LYFT and I'm told they can't guarantee a driver. Then the guy says he hopes my family is doing well.... I ended up using UBER for that trip and my driver explained that it was pretty likely that because I pre-reserved the ride the driver thought they were getting a lower rate and/or didn't understand that parts of NJ are virtually in NYC.
I have been using a completely different service - but the prices are way higher and the service is about the same. So I would like to go back to LYFT - and if I'm going to use it exclusively I'd like to try their LYFT pink service - which gives small discounts and perks. To do this however, I need to decide that I'm going to use LYFT for all legs of my trip. I get decent skymiles using lyft..

Here's the question - can anyone give me an average cost if you've used LYFT from MCO to Port Orleans (or any other place on property) because I want to get an idea of how much more it'll cost rather than Mears. I understand surge pricing can have a huge effect.. but that's ok. Saving time is also great - and going up the steps into the Mears bus is a challenge for me but I prefer it to using the lift for my scooter.

 

[Mle8308]

Lyft can vary greatly depending on time of day and demand. I would say the rough cost from MCO to POR is about $50 before tip (average), could be a little less or a little more. Looking at Lyft right now, 4:05pm on 7/15, an XL one way, which you would probably need to accommodate your scooter, is $53. A smaller car is $49. One thing to consider, the driver may not be willing to put your scooter in the car, will you have someone with you who can do it? They may do it for you, but you can't count on it. I've had drivers who wouldn't even put luggage in the car... But also others who went out of their way to help (and the tip reflected it). Even reserving a Lyft/Uber doesn't mean it's guaranteed, the driver can back out and send the request back into the queue. Good luck!

 

[Goldelpack]

Thankfully as far as the scooter goes - I can disassemble it and lift it into most cars by myself. I drive a tiny-ish Honda Fit - and it fits nicely into the hatch back. Totally assembled it's 77 lbs. The most heavy part alone is under 30 lbs. Worst case is I put it in the back seat where I can fit it easily on 1 side.
I learned the hard way that the drivers can and do back out - but the trip I described - they didn't cancel. If they had I would have just rebooked it. Because the app indicated that Driverio was on the way.. I kept waiting like a moron!
So anyway - I'm figuring the cost to be in the area of $60 to $80 each trip.
Thanks for the info!

 

[Anthony1971]

Can not comment on the price as I think it will be all over the map. Check once in a while before you go and you will likely find the low price. You can wait a few minutes if the price is high - Go between uber and lyft for best results.
Crossing the bridge in NY is whole different animal. Some will do it and some will not. Uber and Lyft can deny any ride as they are not given the destination before they arrive...... Have seen drivers flat out come as close as 50 feet and leave when going to/from NJ from/to NY. While I do not agree once they cross the bridge it is unlikely to get a fair back so most drivers who drive in NY will want to stay there and NJ the same. The big exception is Newark being if they wait they are likely to get a fair back to NYC or vice versa to absorb the tolls. LGA and JFK likely not. However you will get one.... eventually as you found out.
I can only suggest book out of Newark, Pay a regular car service to NY airports, Drive your own car, Take a bus or train to NYC and go from there otherwise you will run into above 5 out of 10 times maybe consecutive maybe not.

 

[Jimsig]

From MCO to/from Coronado Springs and All Star Sports over the past two years (8 ow trips) I have usually paid between $35 and $42 including tip. The most expensive trip was $52 going from All Star to MCO.

I always check both Lyft and Uber to see if one is less then the other.

As an FYI you can not reserve ride shares going from MCO. They can only be reserved once you are ready.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I always check both Lyft and Uber to see if one is less then the other.

^THIS^ always compare both apps at airports.

One doesn't have better drivers than the other, many drivers at MCO drive for both.

 

[_19disnA]

Used Lyft/Minnie van one time when were at Disney and going somewhere to dinner a few years ago. Was my first time using their app. Maybe it works better now or they have improved the app, but you had to be VERY careful you didn't inadvertently create a ride request. Unlike airline websites where you can check out flights/dates/times/prices and aren't actually buying anything until you get to the final screen and it says 'purchase'...................the Lyft app created a ride request for me when I pushed buttons just trying to see how it worked. You also could NOT cancel a request once made. Fortunately, I found a phone # for Lyft you could call and was able to resolve that without getting charged.

Haven't used it lately, so I have no idea how far into the reservation screens you can go when searching for pricing before you actually make a reservation you CANNOT cancel. Hopefully it no longer works that way, but if it still does and this is your first time using the app, be aware of what can happen.