New to Lyft Rides

[MIChessGuy]

I anticipate using ride-hailing, probably Lyft, for the first time next month while in Orlando. Are there any "gotchas" or odd things that Lyft and/or its app does that a first-timer might not be ready for? I have read a couple of explanatory articles and will try to have everything set up well ahead of time, but I am not a tech-proficient person and am a little worried about it.

 

[EACarlson]

Have both Lyft and Uber on your phone and play around with them a little before you leave home. Check to see if you get any bonuses or discounts with memberships or credit cards you may have. Don't book your ride until you're ready to leave and check both apps before you book. I've had one be twice the price of the other. Tip in the app, and anything less than 5 star review of the driver is considered an unsatisfactory ride.

 

[MIChessGuy]

Thank you very much. I hadn't given much thought to the tipping procedure, as I adhere to a more old-school 'cash up front' approach but I gather that is not necessary here.

 

[EACarlson]

Thank you very much. I hadn't given much thought to the tipping procedure, as I adhere to a more old-school 'cash up front' approach but I gather that is not necessary here.

There are some drivers that will knock you for not tipping in the app. Why they would do this when they got tipped is a mystery, but there are some that do.

 

[Akck]

The only thing I’d add is to test the pricing on both apps for when you’ll arrive in Orlando, even trying to do it on the same day of the week. It will give you an idea of the cost and give you an idea if surge pricing is in effect. If it is, try testing 15-30 minutes after. I’ve times where surge prices are 50-100% higher, only to go down a short while later. I’m willing to sit a few minutes to save $$$.

 

[NothingClever]

Make sure that your driver is there to pick you up and not someone else. Once we were being picked up at MCO and I said "are you here for Mitchell?" He said (in an accent) "yes, here for Miguel." Neither of us realized the mistake until about 20 minutes into a ride in the wrong direction. Now I pay extra attention to the license plate number and even show them my Lyft app to make sure I have the correct ride.

 

[Jimsig]

Florida only requires a rear license plate so it makes it tough to make sure the car approaching is yours, especially in a crowed place like MCO. Like the PP said be sure to check the license plate.

 

[EACarlson]

Florida only requires a rear license plate so it makes it tough to make sure the car approaching is yours, especially in a crowed place like MCO. Like the PP said be sure to check the license plate.

Vehicle make, model, color and driver name are all easy to check. If PP would have asked the driver for their name, it would have been an easy fix.

 

[MIChessGuy]

Michigan also has the one-plate rule. Interesting.

Anyhoo, I already goofed up: the sign-up promo code had an expiration date that's before my trip, so I can't use it. I was starting to zone out after reading through a lot of 'intro to'-type stuff. Have to get better at paying attention.

 

[Mle8308]

There are some drivers that will knock you for not tipping in the app. Why they would do this when they got tipped is a mystery, but there are some that do.

I ask the driver if they prefer their tip in cash or in the app, 95% of the time the driver has asked for cash (not tracked for taxes). I'm good with either way and so far, I still have a 5 star rating on both apps.

 

[Best Aunt]

understand the different vehicle types and sizes. understand how to swipe or scroll, if necessary, to see all available vehicle types when making your choice.

realize that the drivers are rating you, not just the other way around.

as pps said; you need to get in the correct vehicle. i always look at the license plate number.

when I get in the car, the driver usually says, "are you [my first name]".

once in nyc, a driver had a Lyft sign in his window. He was calling out to people, trying to convince anybody to get in his car. i was worried that an inexperienced person might do that. it's not like hailing a cab, and getting in the first cab you see.

some airline frequent flyer/hotel frequent stay accounts might be affiliated with them. you can google to find partnerships.

 

[AngieInOH]

First of all, it is easy, second, you will love it. Getting rid of Magical Express forced me into using and I haven't looked back. I think generally rates are very reasonable.

The only problem I have ever had was in Lyft I ordered an XL thinking I would get something big enough for 5 passengers and it was not. I immediately cancelled and rebooked with another driver. I also had an experience where a vehicle showed up at night with a headlight out and the vehicle was not in good shape. I don't know what the proper thing to do is when that happens, but we told the driver we were not getting in.

 

[Mle8308]

understand the different vehicle types and sizes. understand how to swipe or scroll, if necessary, to see all available vehicle types when making your choice.

realize that the drivers are rating you, not just the other way around.

as pps said; you need to get in the correct vehicle. i always look at the license plate number.

when I get in the car, the driver usually says, "are you [my first name]".

once in nyc, a driver had a Lyft sign in his window. He was calling out to people, trying to convince anybody to get in his car. i was worried that an inexperienced person might do that. it's not like hailing a cab, and getting in the first cab you see.

some airline frequent flyer/hotel frequent stay accounts might be affiliated with them. you can google to find partnerships.

Correct. Both can rate! The driver can rate the passenger and the passenger can rate the driver.

 

[Lewisc]

Anyhoo, I already goofed up: the sign-up promo code had an expiration date that's before my trip, so I can't use it. I

Have your wife sign up a week before your trip.

once in nyc, a driver had a Lyft sign in his window. He was calling out to people, trying to convince anybody to get in his car. i was worried that an inexperienced person might do that. it's not like hailing a cab, and getting in the first cab you see.

Yes and no. Lyft and taxi drivers are generally independent contractors. The few times I used Lyft in Manhattan the driver was a taxi driver with a meter. I paid Lyft and the meter wasn't used.

 

[jimmymc]

I use it all the time, and it's my preferred way to get from the airport to and from WDW.

You'll want to download Uber and Lyft ahead of time, create your profile, and add a credit card for payment. Read through the ride categories to see what they are and so you know which to request at the airport, then see if they're offering any promotions or sales.

I wait until I have my bags before requesting, and the wait at MCO is usually 5 minutes or less.

 

[Mle8308]

If anyone is planning to use Uber or Lyft and does not currently have an account, wait until about a week before your trip to create one. Uber and Lyft almost always send ride discounts to new customers, but they will expire in 1-2 weeks. I use both and compare prices (it is strange how sometimes the price can vary a lot and then other times, not at all - guess it depends on the number of drivers in the area). In Orlando, I find the majority of the time, Lyft is less than Uber. I also look at the expected wait, if it's a big difference, I will usually pay more to be picked up sooner.

 

[Gurkensalat]

How difficult is it to get a Lyft or Uber ride at 5.30h in the morning? Should I try to reserve or will that be much more expensive?

 

[Akck]

How difficult is it to get a Lyft or Uber ride at 5.30h in the morning? Should I try to reserve or will that be much more expensive?

The best way to check on it is to make a simulated trip on the apps, from the pickup location to the destination at the time you want to go. The apps will give you the rate and the map will give you an indication of how many vehicles are in the area. We did this for our midnight arrival time at the airport and there were several rides available, so I didn’t even consider making a reservation.

 

[Lewisc]

map will give you an indication of how many vehicles are in the area.

At one time, I don't lnow if it's still true, the drivers on the map were hypothetical.

 

[honeymo78]

Even without the indication of how many drivers, you should still be able to see how long the wait is for the vehicle and the estimated arrival time at your destination. While this may not be an exact match to your travel day, a short wait for a ride would tend to indicate that drivers will be available at that time of day.