Upfront pay is here
Upfront pay makes earning simpler by removing the guesswork. Now you can see what you'll make before you accept a ride. Knowing all the ride details will help you decide if the ride is worth it.
Know what you’ll earn: Now you see the fare up front, before you accept.
See the destination: Preview the estimated time, distance, and a map view of the full ride when you receive the request.
Get paid for the pickup. The fare includes getting to the pickup point, so you start earning on your way to pick up your rider.
How is this different?
Since you see what you’ll earn up front, your earnings are no longer based on your rate card after the ride is complete. The fare for each ride is now based on the details of the ride, such as estimated time and distance to complete the ride and distance to pickup. The fare also depends on what’s going on in your area, such as the number of ride requests, how many drivers are on the road, and how busy it is at the destination.
By seeing all of the ride details in advance, you can decide what works for you. One of the best strategies is to stay busy earning by accepting all the ride requests you receive. Our data shows that drivers with upfront pay who accepted almost all of their ride requests typically had higher hourly earnings than those who were more selective.*
How does upfront pay work?
1. When you get a ride request, you’ll see all the details up front, including:
The amount you’ll earn
The pickup and drop-off locations
The estimated time and distance to complete the ride
A map view of the full ride
2. If you accept the ride, you’ll earn the amount shown.
3. Once the ride is complete, you’ll be paid the earnings you saw up front. You’ll also receive any tips, tolls, and multi-ride bonuses, and GST/HST you earned. GST/HST is only applicable in Canada.
FAQ
Am I still paid based on the rate card?
No, your earnings are no longer based on your rate card after each ride is complete. Instead, the fare for each ride is based on the details of the ride, such as estimated time and distance to complete the ride and distance to pickup. The fare also depends on what’s going on in your area, such as the number of ride requests, how many drivers are on the road, and how busy it is at the destination.
What happens if a rider changes the ride, or it ends up being longer than expected?
You’ll always receive the earnings you were shown up front, unless there is a significant change to the ride. In that case, we’ll adjust your earnings after the ride is complete. You’ll see the adjustment in your post-ride receipt.
For example, if a rider adds a stop in-app, or if the ride ends up being much longer than expected, we'll increase your earnings for that ride. This isn’t common, and these adjustments only occur in about 4% of rides.
Factors that don’t significantly change the ride won’t be adjusted for. These could include making a stop that wasn’t added in-app, or a minor detour.
If a rider cancels before you get to the pickup point, the standard cancel policy applies.
How is upfront pay calculated?
The upfront earnings you see on the accept screen is based on the details of the ride, such as estimated time and distance to complete the ride and distance to pickup. The fare also depends on what’s going on in your area, such as the number of ride requests, how many drivers are on the road, and how busy it is at the destination. If the ride has a bonus, it will be included in your upfront earnings.
How can I maximize my earnings with upfront pay?
One of the best strategies is to stay busy earning by accepting all the ride requests you receive.
Our data shows that drivers with upfront pay who accepted almost all of their ride requests typically had higher hourly earnings than those who were more selective.*
What’s included in upfront pay?
If the ride has a bonus, it will be included in the fare you see on the accept screen. Tips, tolls, multi-ride bonuses or GST/HST will be added to your earnings after the ride is complete and shown in the post-ride earnings summary. GST/HST is only applicable in Canada.
Is upfront pay available for all ride types?
Upfront pay is available for all Lyft rides, including standard, Extra Comfort, Black, and XL rides.
Is upfront pay available everywhere?
Upfront pay is available in most regions. Because upfront pay is based on a ride’s pickup and dropoff location, it may not be available everywhere you drive.
Can I switch back to the old experience?
No, drivers cannot switch back to the old experience. But with upfront pay, you can see all of the ride details in advance, so you can decide what works for you.
*For illustrative purposes only; results may vary. Based on earnings data for drivers utilizing Upfront Pay from 05/07/23 to 05/06/24. Drivers using Lyft earn by the job, not by the hour. The hourly earnings communicated are no guarantee of future performance and not indicative of any specific driver's earnings, and calculated before taxes, insurance, depreciation, and other costs associated with being a rideshare driver. This calculation includes all online platform time for drivers, including any potential time spent engaged with other app-based services. Current calculations do not include drivers who drove zero rideshare miles with Lyft.