Lyft and DoorDash Have a New Subscription. Why You Should Read the Fine Print First

Lyft and DoorDash are teaming up for a new plan that essentially gives you two subscriptions for the price of one. But is it worth it? Lyft announced the Lyft Go with DashPass subscription Thursday. Lyft says you’ll earn 8% back in credits to use toward your next Lyft ride or DoorDash order. Lyft Go with DashPass includes DashPass, DoorDash’s $10 monthly subscription — which includes no delivery fees and additional savings on select DoorDash orders. Lyft is accounting for common mishaps. Lyft Go allows three trip cancellations per month and unlimited use of the Lost Item Fee Waiver in case you leave something behind in somebody’s car. Lyft currently charges $20 for drivers to make the return trip. And if you opt in to Lyft’s Round Up and Donate feature, Lyft will match 100% of your charitable donation. Since Lyft Go with DashPass is $10 per month, you’ll basically get DashPass and Lyft Go for one price. Lyft also has Lyft Go Core, a lower-tier monthly subscription that’s $5 per month. It won’t include DashPass, and you’ll earn 5% instead of 8% in credits. You’ll still get three ride cancellations and donation matching. There are some caveats that may make you think twice. You won’t be able to earn credits through DoorDash orders and then redeem them with Lyft. And credits expire after 60 days. If you cancel your Lyft Go subscription, those credits may also expire sooner or become unavailable. And these subscriptions only work in the US. Lyft and DoorDash didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. So if you earn credits within your free trial, you may want to use them before the trial ends if you’re considering canceling before your card is charged. Lyft Go with DashPass costs $10 per month, while Lyft Go Core is $5 per month.Rob Longert/Lyft The new subscriptions give me pause given what we already know about US adults and subscriptions. CNET’s annual subscription survey found that only 10% of US adults are paying for meal and food delivery subscriptions and even fewer (3%) for automotive subscriptions. However, subscription spending is up 23% compared to last year’s average of $1,080. Now, US adults are spending an average of $1,332 annually on subscriptions. However, most are paying for streaming services (61%), retail platforms (48%) and music (35%). If this isn’t a subscription you’ll use regularly enough to redeem the credits, it could be another subscription that sucks $10 out of your monthly budget. And you’ll need to do the math to see if the savings add up enough to justify paying for the rides, your DoorDash orders and the monthly subscription. Both Lyft Go with DashPass and Lyft Go Core are now available in the Lyft app nationwide, and a one-month free trial is available. However, if you already have DashPass, you can link your account with Lyft to have Lyft Go with DashPass at no extra cost. And if you have Lyft Pink, you’ll automatically be transitioned to Lyft Go with DashPass at no extra cost to the current price. However, Lyft Pink All-Access and Lyft Business Travel Rewards aren’t changing.