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Lyft Will Test Turning Its Airport Pickups Into Taxi Lines

April 16, 2019
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3 min read
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Lyft Will Test Turning Its Airport Pickups Into Taxi Lines
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Ending a trip is an exhausting process. You've been in transit for hours, you still need to collect your bags and belongings and then there's the tedious commute to your home or hotel.

Well, Lyft believes that "leaving the airport should be the simplest part" of reaching your destination. The popular ride-hailing app is debuting a new feature with taxi stand-style pickup service, where riders queue up and connect with their drivers using a unique code upon pickup.

The beta launch will take place at Terminal 2 of the San Diego International Airport (SAN) beginning mid-May, and Lyft plans to expand to other airports down the road depending on how well the new feature is received. Select Lyft riders may also be invited to test out the service before the May launch date.

The service will direct all travelers to a clearly-marked Lyft pickup area in Terminal 2 where riders will wait in line to be connected with a Lyft ride.

It's a bit ironic that Lyft, which's seen by many as an innovative technology company that's disrupted the cab industry, is essentially creating its own taxi line. However, it's fair to say that this could be a useful feature at crowded airports like New York JFK, where it can sometimes take more than 15 minutes for a ride-hail vehicle to reach your location.

Here's how the new Lyft pickup format will work:

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First, enter your destination and request a standard Lyft ride.

If available, you’ll see the above screen pop up in your app. Tap "Get code" to receive your unique four-digit code. Then follow the directions to Terminal 2 and join the Lyft pickup area line, where a Lyft ambassador can answer any questions.

Once you reach the front of the line, show your code to the driver. After your accounts sync up, you'll be on your merry way.

As of now, Lyft has not disclosed additional airports slated for future roll-out.

Lyft has other incentives to make airport ride more rewarding, including its partnerships with JetBlue and Delta where you can earn rewards points with both airline's loyalty programs. Mastercard also just launched a program where cardholders can earn $10 in Lyft credit each month when using a World Elite credit card for Lyft purchases.

Featured image by NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Why We Chose It

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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