I have never had a desire to use ride-sharing services, as they were either too expensive; unavailable in whatever area in which I was located; or there was a better alternative to me. Even after using Uber for the first time — with which I was unimpressed, to say the least — the second time, and several times afterwards, I am still somewhat hesitant about using them…
My First and Second Experiences With Lyft — And The Verdict Is…
…but on a trip which occurred earlier today, Wednesday, September 7, 2022 to New York which was paid by Hilton — please note the disclosure — I was given a credit to use Lyft via a prepaid Lyft Pass; and my first ride was to the international airport which serves the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.
What I already liked better about Lyft instead of Uber is that Lyft allowed me to schedule a ride in advance on their mobile software application program, which Uber did not allow me to do on numerous occasions despite the technological capability to do so. When I woke up to start my day of travel, I did not have the extra task of first requesting a ride like I had to do with Uber because I had already scheduled the ride the night before.
Moreover, the driver arrived 15 minutes early in a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, which was nice. She was rather chatty during the ride, which was okay; but I usually prefer to be quiet and enjoy the ride without having the worries of driving.
Including traffic, the ride lasted 66 minutes and cost a total of $73.85, which included a fuel surcharge of 55 cents and a gratuity.
The Second Experience — in New York
Although taking public transportation from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan is not difficult, it is not the most seamless connection, either — so using Lyft to take me from LaGuardia Airport to the Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea hotel property was already a more palatable option. Although the stay was also covered by Hilton, I intend to give a review as though I paid for the room — but I digress.
Like the driver in Atlanta earlier in the morning, the driver arrived at LaGuardia Airport a few minutes early in a 2015 Toyota Camry. Unlike the first driver, he barely spoke, which was okay as well.
Including traffic, the ride lasted 42 minutes and cost a total of $57.88, which included a gratuity — plus:
- Black Car Fund Surcharge of $1.12
- LaGuardia Airport Surcharge of $2.50
- Congestion Surcharge of $2.75
- New York Sales Tax of $3.32
Final Boarding Call
Although both rides were pleasant and uneventful — and I arrived at my destinations on time — I still do not like the idea of rating the driver or the driver rating me. I rated both drivers the full five stars, as they both deserved it.
I personally thought that the rides were a bit on the expensive side, though — but they were convenient.
Remember that you can earn three Hilton Honors points with every dollar spent on Lyft rides; or you can earn two Delta Air Lines SkyMiles with every dollar spent on Lyft rides.
Price will still play a role in my decision in the future to drive to the airport and park a vehicle; use public transportation; or use a ride-sharing service such as Lyft, which I seem to prefer over Uber — based solely on my experiences — at the time this article was written.
After all, no one size fits all…
All photographs ©2022 by Brian Cohen.
