Late to the airport during the holidays? Lyft will pay you for that 'even if you take a taxi'

Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY
·2-min read

In a move to make traveling a little less stressful this holiday season, Lyft is compensating customers who arrive to the airport late.

Scheduled rides to the airport in major markets will be covered by the company’s “on-time pickup promise,” Lyft announced Thursday. The offer, in effect now, runs through Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

If you are not picked up on time for a scheduled ride to airport, then the company will automatically offer credit to help compensate for the delay.

“Every minute counts when you’re on the way to the airport," Lyft CEO David Risher said in a statement. "We’re so confident that we can get you there on time that if we’re more than 10 minutes late for your scheduled pickup, we’ll give you up to $100 in Lyft credits to make up for it – even if you take a taxi or an Uber."

Here’s what you should know:

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How does Lyft’s on-time pickup promise work?

People wait for cars in the Lyft pickup area at JFK Airport on April 28, 2023 in New York City.
People wait for cars in the Lyft pickup area at JFK Airport on April 28, 2023 in New York City.

The “one-time pickup promise” is a kind of insurance for your ride to the airport.

Here’s what you get if your driver is late:

  • $20 in Lyft credit if your driver is more than 10 minutes late

  • $50 in Lyft credit if you are not matched with a driver 10 minutes after your scheduled pickup time

If you end up using another service to get to the airport, you’ll get up to $50 more, with a limit of $100. All you have to do is tap "Help" in the Lyft app and submit the receipt.

Riders can book a trip with Lyft up to 30 days in advance to set their preferred pickup time and lock in the price of the ride, according to Lyft.

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What major markets will offer Lyft’s on-time pickup promise?

Air travelers walk toward a Lyft pickup area at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Aug. 20, 2020 in Los Angeles.
Air travelers walk toward a Lyft pickup area at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Aug. 20, 2020 in Los Angeles.

Here’s a list of the major markets Lyft will offer the on-time pickup promise:

  • Atlanta

  • Boston

  • Chicago

  • Denver

  • Houston

  • Las Vegas

  • Los Angeles

  • Miami

  • Orange County

  • Orlando

  • Philadelphia

  • Phoenix

  • Portland

  • Salt Lake City

  • San Diego

  • San Francisco Bay Area

  • Washington, D.C.

To learn more about Lyft’s on-time pickup promise, visit their website. 

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lyft to pay customers if they're late to airport during holidays

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