Team Blue
$156 in “lifetime value.” WTF, Lyft?
How many shitty rides is $156 in “lifetime value” supposed to justify?
Lyft says I’m missing out on rewards, citing an average of $156 in lifetime perks redeemed by local drivers. The other qualifiers are easy for me. But taking bad rides to keep my acceptance rate up? That badge could cost more than it’s worth.
Lyft says I’m missing out.
According to the message on my screen, typical drivers in my region redeemed an average of $156 in lifetime value from Lyft Rewards perks.
How long is that lifetime? Which perks make up that number? How much would I actually use? This screen doesn’t explain.
But it does tell me to get my acceptance rate up.
The other qualifiers are easy for me. I drive safely. I keep my phone mounted. I follow through on the rides I accept. Those are things I’m happy to do anyway.
The acceptance rate is where you lose me.
I’m not taking shitty rides to earn a rewards badge.
Here’s a hypothetical: if chasing rewards leaves me just $5 worse off per shift, after 32 shifts I’ve given up $160. There goes the entire $156 this screen is using to convince me I’m missing out.
I have a limited window to drive. Four kids, four schools, sports, and a calendar that doesn’t care what color my driver badge is. I need those hours to earn.
Maybe the perks work for your driving pattern. If you qualify while taking rides you already want, great.
For me, a rewards badge has to earn its keep. Raising my acceptance rate isn’t a business goal. Making the hours worthwhile is.
For drivers keeping their acceptance rate up for rewards: are the perks actually worth the rides you would otherwise pass on?