Waymo Premier Perks
Waymo Rolls Out $29.99 Premier Subscription for Frequent Users, Prioritizing Pickups and Cash Back
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Key Points
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Waymo said Premier is “for those who rely on us most,” and positioned the program as a response to customer feedback, quoting: “You spoke, and we listened to how we can offer an even more elevated experience for you, our top riders.”
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A Phoenix rider, Sarah Paige Roland, described Premier as valuable for the privacy and commuting reliability it adds, saying Waymo gives her “privacy, time back, a safe ride, and I’m not obligated to talk to someone that I don’t want to talk to,” and that the added cash back and priority pickups make Premier a “no-brainer.”
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Waymo’s spokesperson said “priority pickups” are intended to deliver a “preferred estimated time of arrival and faster pickups,” and explained that nonmembers should see little impact because Premier membership numbers will be limited at first.
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Waymo clarified the Uber limitation with examples: Premier benefits “will not apply in cities where Waymo rides are hailed through Uber, including Austin and Atlanta.”
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The Verge reported Waymo surveyed users before launching the subscription, asking about monthly plans ranging from $9.99 to $29.99; it also said Waymo expects to be operating in 20 cities by the end of 2026 and that Premier benefits are usable across the cities Waymo is already operating in.
Waymo launched an invite-only subscription called Waymo Premier on June 11, costing $29.99 per month. The program gives frequent riders priority pickups, 10% cash back on trips, and early access when Waymo enters new cities, according to Waymo.
The program starts in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Waymo said tens of thousands of riders will receive invites. The company framed it as a direct response to user demand, saying: "You spoke, and we listened to how we can offer an even more elevated experience for you, our top riders."
What Premier Members Actually Get for $29.99
Subscribers get four main perks. First, priority pickups — Waymo says this means a "preferred estimated time of arrival and faster pickups." Second, 10% cash back on every ride, with higher rates during busy periods. Third, up to five free trip cancellations per month. Fourth, early access to new cities before the general public, according to CNBC.
There is one big catch. Premier benefits do not work in cities where rides are booked through Uber. That means Austin and Atlanta riders are excluded, The Verge reported. Waymo currently handles over 400,000 paid trips per week across its active markets.
Riders Who Already Use Waymo Daily Call It a No-Brainer
Phoenix commuter Sarah Paige Roland is one of the riders Waymo highlighted to promote the launch. She said Waymo gives her "privacy, time back, a safe ride" and that she is "not obligated to talk to someone that I don't want to talk to." She called the added cash back and priority pickups a "no-brainer," according to MarketWatch.
The Verge noted that Waymo surveyed users before the launch. It asked about monthly plans ranging from $9.99 to $29.99. Waymo landed on the top price point — three times higher than Uber One or Lyft Pink, both priced at $9.99 per month.
Waymo Bets on Loyalty as It Races Toward 20 Cities
Waymo raised $16 billion in February 2026, valuing the company at $126 billion. It plans to operate in 20 cities by the end of 2026. The Premier program lets members use their benefits across all cities where Waymo runs its own app, according to The Verge. Early access perks could help members skip waitlists in new markets.
CNBC reported that by generating $360 per member each year before a single mile is driven, Waymo builds a more stable revenue base. Waymo already holds roughly 5% of consumer rideshare spending in the San Francisco Bay Area, a sign its loyal base is real and growing.
Non-Members Warned Not to Worry — For Now
Waymo said membership numbers will stay small at the start. A Waymo spokesperson said non-members should see "little impact" because of the limited rollout size. MarketWatch reported that tens of thousands of riders are expected to receive invites in this first wave.
Still, some observers question the timing. The Verge noted that launching a membership program while operating in only a handful of cities could look premature. The Transport Workers Union has also raised concerns that Waymo's rapid scaling will displace human drivers as the company pushes toward 1 million rides per week.
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