What is Waymo Premier and how much does it cost?

Waymo Premier is an invite-only membership launched June 11, 2026 at $29.99/month. It includes priority pickups, 10% cash back as ride credits, up to five free cancellations a month, and higher rewards during busy times — paid on top of per-ride fares (Electrek; Bloomberg). It started in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.

Do I have to pay a subscription to get a priority ride?

With Waymo Premier, priority pickups are a paid membership perk. With a local car service like Elite Green Transportation, there is no subscription or tier — you book a flat-rate ride and you're the priority because you're the customer. The price is locked at booking, with no monthly fee.

Do You Need Another Subscription? Waymo Premier vs. Flat-Rate Local Car Service (San Diego)

TL;DR

On June 11, 2026 Waymo launched Premier — a $29.99/month membership for priority pickups, cash-back credits, and higher rewards during busy times (Electrek; Bloomberg). A local car service has no membership and no tiers — flat rate, locked at booking, every customer a priority. And here's the kicker: EGT's free 1K program gives you 10% back too — and you choose how to redeem it, with no subscription. Same reward, more freedom, zero monthly fee. Call (858) 522-0264.

Subscription creep comes for the ride home

You already subscribe to streaming, music, storage, maybe groceries. Now getting picked up faster when it's busy is a monthly fee too. Waymo Premier costs $29.99/month and the perks — priority pickups, bigger rewards — kick in exactly when demand is high. In other words: pay the membership, or wait longer when everyone needs a ride.

To be fair

For a heavy rider in a Waymo city, the 10% cash back and free cancellations could pencil out. If you take many in-zone robotaxi trips a month, the math might work for you — that's a real consideration, not a trick. The question is whether you are that rider, or whether you're paying a subscription to fix a problem a flat-rate booking doesn't have.

The no-subscription alternative

No monthly fee. Book when you need a ride; pay only for the ride.
Flat rate, locked at booking. No surge, no "busy-time" penalty, no tier that bumps you down if you didn't pay.
You're always the priority — a reserved vehicle and a named driver, because you're the customer.
10% back — free, and your way. Waymo charges $29.99/month for 10% cash back that comes only as ride credits (usable solely on more Waymo rides). EGT's 1K loyalty program gives you 10% back with no subscription, no app, and no monthly fee — and when you hit a milestone, you choose the reward that best fits you, not whatever locks you back in. Just ask to join on any ride.
A human handles luggage, flight tracking, changes of plan — no app paywall between you and getting home.