Thanks to the new in-app Lyft Preorder feature, the age-old problem of when to request a ride once you’ve landed could be a thing of the past.
Lyft Preorder
Scheduling a ride with Lyft is a feature that rolled out several years ago and is not to be confused with the ride-sharing app’s latest update, Preorder.
When users schedule a Lyft, they can do so 30 days before and specify the required time. Alternatively, Apple iOS users can link their calendars to the Lyft app and get notifications on upcoming bookings and reminders to book a Lyft closer to the travel time.
Preorder is a new feature similar to scheduling but with a more near real-time experience.
Once you arrive at your destination, open the Lyft App (Android | Apple) to order a ride. Comment if you have checked luggage to collect or not, and then confirm the booking.
Now you can preorder your ride and let us handle the timing. Pick up your bags, stretch your legs, and move at your own pace. We’ll match you with a driver as you get closer to the pickup spot.
Lyft
Instead of allocating a rider to you immediately like the app would on a normal request or assigning one just out from a scheduled booking, Preorder is a bit smarter.
Firstly, it locks in the price, even if you require more time to clear the luggage hall. Then it monitors your location in relation to the designated pick-up spot at your destination airport.
Only then does the app assign you a car, intelligently managing the flow and demand for both the rider and driver!
Where & When
To begin with, Lyft Preorder is only available at Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare and Midway (LAX, ORD, MWD) and will shortly roll out to New York, Seattle and Austin-Bergstrom International (JFK, SEA, AUS).
Lyft, the Public Ride Sharing & Travel app, is free to download from the Apple App and Google Play stores.
