Waymo adds $29.99 monthly plan with priority robotaxi pickups
The invite-only Waymo Premier membership offers priority pickups, cash back and cancellation perks for frequent robotaxi riders.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Waymo is adding a paid membership plan that gives frequent robotaxi users priority pickups and other perks. The $29.99-a-month program, called Waymo Premier, marks a push by the autonomous ride-hailing company to build loyalty as it expands into more cities.
The company said the invite-only service will first be offered to selected riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix, according to The Verge. Members will be able to use their benefits across the 10 cities where Waymo currently operates.
Waymo Premier includes priority pickups, 10 percent cash back on each ride, early access to robotaxi service in new cities and as many as five free cancellations a month, the company said. The offer is aimed at customers who use Waymo most often.
Membership follows rider surveys
Waymo had already been testing interest in a subscription product among existing users. Harry Campbell of The Driverless Digest reported that he obtained a Waymo survey asking riders about a possible membership plan.
According to Campbell, the survey floated benefits including cash back and discounts for future autonomous rides. It also asked about monthly prices ranging from $9.99 to $29.99, with Waymo’s announced plan landing at the top of that range.
The plan resembles the broader subscription approach used by ride-hailing and delivery companies, though Waymo’s service is limited to far fewer markets. The company said Premier will expand to additional cities as its robotaxi network grows.
Expansion plans frame the rollout
Waymo has said it expects to operate in 20 cities by the end of 2026, according to The Verge. The Premier program gives the company a way to offer extra benefits to regular riders while it builds service in new markets.
The company did not describe the membership as open to all users at launch. The initial invite-only rollout means access will be limited to selected customers in three existing Waymo markets.
For riders who receive an invitation, the main draw is shorter waits through priority pickup access, paired with ride credits through the 10 percent cash-back benefit. The cancellation allowance also gives members more flexibility when changing plans, within the five-cancellation monthly limit announced by Waymo.
The Verge reported that Premier benefits will apply in any current Waymo city, not only in the three cities where invitations are first being sent. That could make the program more useful for frequent riders who use Waymo in multiple markets.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.