Memorial Day weekend means different things to different people. For some, it’s a day of commemoration and remembrance. For others, it’s a festive three day weekend, and the unofficial start to summer.
One thing is certain though. Memorial Day weekend is chock full of activities that get people out of the house. Whether it’s to a concert or festival, a parade or ceremony, or a sale, people tend to go out more than usual.
So, what’s it like to drive Uber or Lyft over Memorial Day weekend? It’s generally a bit busier than your normal weekend, but with an extra day of weekend level earning on Memorial Day Monday. Even so, it’s usually not quite as busy as driving over July 4th.
What To Expect Driving For Uber Or Lyft Around Memorial Day
The Thursday before memorial day should be steady, if not busy. A lot of people go out of town for the weekend, so expect a higher than average number of airport runs starting Thursday afternoon. Both the Friday and Monday should be particularly lucrative for Lyft and Uber XL drivers. Thursday evening should be a bit busier than normal as there’s always a few people who take the Friday before the holiday off, or just start the holiday weekend a little early.
During the day on Friday, Uber and Lyft traffic should be steady, with a higher number of airport trips. Friday evening should be like most busy Friday evenings when driving Lyft or Uber, but more so. More people tend to go out when they know they have the next Monday off.
If you drive during the day on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, expect to do a lot of rides to and from stores, as people head to the sales. You’ll also have people going to friends houses for barbecues and parties, and people going to attend parades.
Check Event And Parade Schedules & Locations
Check the actual dates and locations of the parades in your area. The various parades and ceremonies may happen on the Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. Knowing when and where the activities are happening in your area will help you avoid getting caught in parade traffic. Knowing the times can help you position yourself to pick up riders going to and from the parades. Also, check the parade routes so you know where you’ll be able to actually drive. Knowing the routes also lets you know if you will be able to pick a passenger. During parades, it’s not always possible to get to every pick up request.
The weekend is also big for concerts and festivals, so check to see when and where the big concerts are happening in your city.
What To Expect Driving Rideshare On Memorial Day
Memorial Day morning will be a bit slower than your average Monday. Most people will be off of work, so the usual morning rush hour will be pretty light. Starting around 11am, things should start to pick up.
Any Special Preparations?
Unlike driving New Year’s eve, you really shouldn’t have to do anything different when driving Memorial Day weekend. However, some drivers keep a bath towel in the trunk. Sometimes passengers are bringing prepared foods over to their friends for a barbecue. While the food is generally in a sealed container, it doesn’t hurt to put a towel underneath it, either in the trunk or on the floor of the backseat. If the container is jostled, or some food drops out, it’ll spill on the towel instead of directly on the interior of your car.
Other drivers may keep some bottles of water in the car, even if they don’t normally. The reason is that with the various parades and ceremonies, there will be a higher number of elderly passengers over the weekend. A lot of them will have been sitting in the sun for much of the day, and may be dehydrated.
If you choose to drive over the weekend, stay safe, and drive defensively and profitably!
https://ridesharecentral.com/wp-content/uploads/uber-memorial-day-lyft-driving.jpg555834Don M.Don M.2019-05-22 06:08:032019-05-22 06:42:21Driving Uber Or Lyft Over Memorial Day Weekend – Driver Pro Tips
(Disclosure – We independently research our content to provide free advice for you. We may get compensation if you sign up with services, or purchase products through our affiliate links.)
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Becoming a Postmates driver (or courier, since you don’t have to deliver for Postmates with a car) can be a great way to make some extra cash. And unlike driving rideshare, you don’t have to deal with passengers, and you can take a friend along if you wish.
Even better, in many of the over 550 Postmates cities, you can deliver using a car, motorcycle, scooter, bike, or even on foot.
Delivery services like Postmates have expanded rapidly over the past couple of years. Postmates is currently available in over 60% of the U.S., and partners with restaurants like Chipotle, Subway, Pink Dot, and many more.
But how do you get a job at Postmates? What’s it like to drive for Postmates? And how much do drivers or couriers earn?
Read on for answers to these questions and more in our complete guide on how to drive for Postmates.
What is Postmates?
Postmates allows users to get their favorite food, drinks, and snacks delivered right to their doorsteps. From restaurants to juice bars to food trucks, Postmates makes it easier for you to satisfy your cravings.
Postmates joins the pool of food delivery services like Doordash and Caviar, out there working to deliver your favorite foods to your door. But where Postmates is a step ahead of the competition is their excellent service.
The service is currently available in over 20 different states throughout the country. Depending on where you drive, there is a great opportunity to make some money. From New York to San Diego to Chicago, you can deliver for Postmates in many locations across the country.
How To Become A Postmates Driver
If you can’t wait to get started, click the button below to start your Postmates application with our referral code link.
If you use our code, you could be eligible for a Postmates sign up guarantee. Generally, you must sign up with a Postmates referral code to be eligible for the guarantee.
What Do Postmates Drivers Do?
Working for postmates means you are the one responsible for filling orders. Because you will be the ones on the front lines, it’s very important for you to provide great customer service.
But what’s the actual Postmates job like?
There are a variety of ways for you to work. Whether you choose to drive a car, a motorcycle or ride a bike is up to you. A lot of this decision also depends on where you live.
Keep in mind that Postmates is not in any way responsible for the maintenance costs of your vehicle. Because of this, having a vehicle that is reliable and that is kept maintained regularly is essential.
As was mentioned before, couriers create their own schedule. This flexibility allows you to choose however much or little you’d like to work.
Using The Postmates Fleet App
After downloading the app and setting up a courier account, you’re able to keep an eye out for orders to start coming in on the Postmates Fleet app. Postmates Fleet is a separate app from the regular customer Postmates app.
From there, you can start accepting orders.
After collecting the items in the customer’s order, simply go to their address and bring them their order.
The job is straightforward, and schedules are very flexible. Whether you’re looking for a part-time gig or something you can do full-time, driving for Postmates is a great opportunity for anyone in need of a little bit of extra cash.
Here’s a great little video that shows exactly what using the Postmates Fleet app and delivering for Postmates is really like.
What Is Postmates Driver Pay Like?
It really depends on your market and which hours you work. One survey says Postmates drivers make $19.11 per hour.
Postmates itself says drivers can make up to $27 per hour, although that’s probably too optimistic for many markets. While you may be able to make that (or more) in certain cities, the national average is lower.
Simply put, driver pay can vary a lot from market to market.
In most small to medium size markets, Postmates couriers make around $10 – $15 per hour before expenses.
If you sign up to drive for Postmates in a larger market like Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York City, you can expect to earn more, especially during busy hours.
There are also cities where delivery services are incredibly popular, which of course pushes demand for couriers higher.
Delivery services like Postmates are are heavily in demand in Brooklyn, Ft. Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Miami, and Phoenix.
But no matter your city, delivering for Postmates can be a very lucrative opportunity for anyone, during certain hours. And the ability to work as much or as little as you want can be a great chance to make some money.
Working for Postmates allows you to create your own schedule.
Instead of reporting to a single location to work every day, Postmates couriers work whenever they have time. This is perfect for those who are looking for a side hustle or for anyone that is currently in between jobs.
Drivers are simply expected to provide great service and complete orders quickly. It’s very important that you’re able to keep your orders organized and that you stay focused.
Postmates offers a unique opportunity for people to work on their own time. But how does this actually work?
Postmates Tipping
One of the most important aspects of the job is getting tips.
If you work for Postmates, you keep 100% of the tips you make on deliveries. And on Postmates, the amount a customer tips does not decrease the amount a courier earns.
Tips can make a big difference in how much money you end up making per order. While it can be great when people do give you tips, you are likely to run into some cheap customers. Without tips, the job ends up paying a little bit less. However, most Postmates customers tip. So, if you’re using Postmates as a customer and not tipping, you’re doing it wrong.
In addition to relying on tips, there are also different fees that you need to consider about the job. Between vehicle maintenance and fees deducted from each order, it’s vital that you’re organized and focused when taking orders.
While working for Postmates can be a wonderful opportunity, not everyone can get a job with Postmates. It’s important to take some time to find out whether you’re qualified before you go through the application process.
What Are the Postmates Courier Requirements?
Working for Postmates can be great for a variety of different people. But what does it take to join the team?
Before you get started with working through the application process, there somethings that you can do to make sure you qualify.
Not only will you have to apply normally, but there are a few requirements for the job. While it may seem like common sense, it doesn’t hurt to know.
These requirements to drive for Postmates include:
Being 18 or older
Having a valid driver’s license as well as a vehicle that is insured (if you’ll be driving)
Passing a criminal background check
If you meet these requirements, it’s time to move onto the actual application process.
Apply For Postmates – What’s The Application Process Like?
The account creation process will ask for basic information like your name, date of birth, and phone number. You will also be asked to select which market you’re located in, the type vehicle you’ll be using, and to enter a referral code if you have one.
You will also be asked to enter a home address so you can be sent a pre-paid Postmates credit card. This card is for you to use when picking up orders. This especially comes in handy when customers haven’t paid for their orders.
The next step to joining the Postmates fleet is looking through the Fleet Agreement. This is essentially a terms and conditions document that goes provides an in-depth look at the job itself.
After reviewing this information, the next step is to authorize a background check. It’s important for customers to feel safe and comfortable using Postmates. This check will search various Federal and State databases for a personal criminal history.
From there, you simply need to complete the registration process. This includes uploading a nice profile picture and setting up a location and method for receiving payment.
After creating your Postmates Fleet account and receiving your Postmates welcome kit, you’ll be ready to go online and start delivering orders. Now that you’re a part of the Postmates Fleet, it’s up to you to uphold the company’s standards.
But what can you do to ensure you’re doing your job well?
What Makes a Great Postmates Courier?
The best Postmates couriers provide the best service they can. This is an important part of the job, especially for new couriers.
Not only do couriers act as the face of the company, but customers also expect their orders to arrive on-time. The job can sometimes be a very high-pressure, but it’s important to step back and try to enjoy yourself.
The key to success as a driver for Postmates is being prepared, completing orders quickly, and getting tips.
Postmates courier making a delivery.
Becoming a great Postmates driver means working hard to always get orders done and engaging with customers. Check out these helpful tips to get you started as a driver. Not only will these tips help you better understand what it means to be a part of the Postmates Fleet, but they will also help you make the most of your time, so you can drive profitably.
Know Your City
One of the most important steps to becoming a great driver is knowing your way around town. Getting familiar with the ins and outs of your city can help minimize your navigation time.
While you probably won’t be able to master every street in your city, you can take a minute to familiarize yourself with how neighborhoods and areas are laid out. Locations like New York City have very specific ways in which areas are sectioned from one another. Understanding these divisions can help you navigate quickly.
However, there is a very good chance you’ll still have to rely on a GPS of some kind for most of your orders. In this case, it’s best to have a mount of some kind for your phone to navigate hands-free. While getting orders completed on time is a big part of your job, safety is the number one priority.
It also helps to know where the more expensive restaurants are. These places usually have more expensive items on their menu, which means more money for you.
At the end of the day, the best way to get familiar with your surroundings is to go out and explore. Whether it’s while you’re working or just for fun, it never hurts to see what’s around you.
Customer Service
Customer service is an important part of driving for Postmates. Not only does it reflect well on the company as a whole, but it can also say a lot about you.
Good customer service is more than just doing what is expected. Going that extra mile can result in more tips and repeated orders from the customer.
In addition to double checking your orders to make sure you get everything, there are other little things that you can do to take your job to the next level.
For starters, grabbing extra napkins, utensils, and additional sauces can make a difference. While some may not even notice this, there will be some that appreciate the gesture, and tip accordingly.
Delivering the order in person is another way to make the customer’s experience more personal. While there will be situations where you’ll have to leave the order at a leasing office or have them meet you halfway, it’s always nice to try to bring the order right to their doorstep.
When the customer receives their order, make sure you give them a receipt. Each receipt will have your name printed on it, making it easy for them to call in case there was something wrong with the order.
Providing customers with this kind of service not only increases your chances of getting tipped well, but it encourages them to order again.
Time and Location
Where you’re located can play a major role in what kind of Postmates orders you receive. If you’re located in major Postmates cities like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, you’re more likely to have better luck with getting more orders.
But that’s not to say there isn’t anything in smaller cities. As Postmates continues to grow, more people will begin using it.
An important part of this growth revolves around great customer service. When one customer has a great experience, they are likely to recommend it to a friend.
While you might not be able to do much about where you live, you can do something about when you work. Because Postmates lets you make your own schedule, you can choose to work when you know it’ll be busy.
This might take some trial and error to figure out, but it can also be the most beneficial for you. In most Postmates markets, the busy times are during the lunch and dinner hours. A good number of drivers for Lyft or Uber often drive delivery for Postmates during lunch or other times when Uber or Lyft aren’t as busy.
However, when it gets busy really differs from market to market. Some Postmates markets are busy during normal mealtimes, while others actually get busy in the mornings or late at night. It ultimately depends on where you live and how customers around you behave.
Managing Orders
A big part of doing well at Postmates is how you choose to manage your time. Deciding which orders to accept and how many you take on at one time can make a huge difference.
Some choose to accept multiple orders at once. This way, you can pick up all the items at once and deliver them one after another. While it is a great way to complete a lot of orders quickly, you will have to deliver them in the order they were received. It’s an annoying quirk of the Postmates system.
Another strategy is to enable the “auto-accept” function on the app. This will automatically add deliveries to your route.
At the end of the day, maximizing your profits depends on how you choose to manage your orders. However, the more orders you take, the more your take is likely to be.
Should You Become a Postmates Driver?
Services like Postmates are allowing more people to make their own work schedules. The freedom and flexibility that comes with driving for Postmates can be tricky to manage at first. But over time, you will get the hang of how to use your time wisely.
But how do you know if you should drive for Postmates? This depends on your personal situation. If this flexibility is something you need in a job, then it may be the perfect fit.
If you’re ready, click the button below to get started as a Postmates courier!
https://ridesharecentral.com/wp-content/uploads/become-a-postmates-driver.jpg557834Avery BaxterAvery Baxter2019-01-27 08:00:212019-07-24 08:54:59Postmates Driver: How To Become A Postmates Courier
Earning extra money in today’s economy is a challenge.
If you apply to be Doordash driver, you can discover how easy it is to work a flexible job, set your own hours, and earn money in an easy-going setting. Even better, driving for Doordash means less wear and tear on your car versus driving for Uber or Lyft. And to top it off, you don’t even need a car to deliver for doordash. In most markets, motorcycles and bicycles are ok.
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(Disclosure – We independently research our content to provide free advice for you. We may get compensation if you sign up with services, or purchase products through our affiliate links.)
Doordash Driver – How To Get A Doordash Delivery Job
While you can make as much as $25 per hour as a Dasher, as the company refers to its delivery workers, average full-time pay is more likely to be in the $14 – $20/hr range, and can vary substantially by location.
In 2019, to qualify to drive Doordash jobs, you will to meet the following requirements:
Be 18 years of age or older.
If you’re driving, you’ll need a U.S. driver’s license and a vehicle insurance policy.
Doordash Vehicle Requirements For 2019
There are no specific Doordash vehicle requirements. You can pretty much use any car for Doordash. In most markets, you are also able to use a motorcycle, scooter, bike, or even walk while dashing.
These are basic requirements that every Doordash dasher needs to meet. Much of the process you’ll go through is similar to what drivers for Uber and Lyft go through, but you don’t need to worry about specifics such as having a four-door car since you’re delivering food, not people.
Doordash jobs aren’t as complicated as you might expect. Once you fill out your application and get approved, you’re ready to start signing up for shifts and getting paid.
There’s usually no orientation or the need to shadow someone else. And because you’re setting your own hours, you’ll have greater freedom over deciding what days and times work best for your needs.
One important aspect to be aware of is you should know your city. The more efficient you are in getting around town, the more you’ll earn as a Doordash dasher.
So, if you’re new in town, get used to driving around, finding out where restaurants are and know your way around.
This includes learning about neighborhoods and residential roads, too. After all, you’ll need to drive to your customers once you’ve picked up food from the restaurant of their choice.
Doordash dashers are independent contractors, so you’ll need to supply a few items. That includes your smartphone, car, insurance, and any supplies you might need for your work.
The good news is, all the supplies you purchase and the use of your phone, can get deducted for work purposes come tax time.
The dasher app is where you’ll perform the majority of your work as a driver.
Once you pass your background check and are approved to start dashing, the first thing you’ll need to do is choose when and where you want to dash. You can schedule dash shifts up to five days in advance, or six once you qualify for Dasher early access.
Peak times to drive doordash are usually on weekdays between 11:00AM – 2:00PM and 5:00PM – 9:00PM.
Once you start your shift, you’ll log in to the Doordash dasher app when you’re ready and tap “Dash Now.”
Each Doordash market is divided into zones. While you can choose to dash in different zones within your market, you must start in the zone you selected for your shift.
Demand in the Doordash app is color coded. The darker the red, the more need for dashers in that zone.
Once you start your shift, you’ll have the opportunity to take orders as they come in.
You’ll always be able to see the guaranteed earnings for the individual delivery up front.
Doordash Driver Pay – How Much Do Doordash Drivers Make?
When Doordash first started, they offered dashers a set amount per hour.
Doordash driver pay changed in 2017, and now Doordash no longer offers a minimum payout. This means it’s important to figure out what times you’ll make the most money.
However, Doordash does still tell you the minimum you’ll earn on each individual delivery, before you accept it.
Here are a few things to remember about driver pay when you’re venturing out for the first time.
There are certain peak periods where you are likely to earn the most. Generally, these are during lunch and dinner hours.
Certain periods may have bonuses attached to them.
Doordash will send you notifications that tell you about any specials for drivers going on.
Just as there are sign-on bonuses and promos for Lyft drivers who sign up, certain markets offer a sign up bonus or guaranteed earnings.
Doordash pays all dashers weekly by direct deposit. Any tips you received through the app get transferred during this time and are deposited with the rest of the money earned while driving. Drivers / Dashers on Doordash keep 100% of their tips.
Although the pay structure operates differently than it used to, you can still make a good part or full-time job out of driving for Doordash.
Find Out About Dasher Busy Pay Bonus Opportunities
As touched on earlier, there are certain times where you can earn extra working for Doordash than you normally would. Known as bonus periods, these get indicated on the app and vary based on where you’re located, what time of day it is, and if it’s a holiday.
Doordash calls these special times busy pay. They normally expect more customers to order during this period than there are drivers to serve them. As a consequence, dashers who drive during those times are likely to make more.
They want to encourage more drivers to come out during this time period, so they use this pay structure as a way for them to earn extra. This is a win-win for everyone since customers get their food and drivers make extra.
If you get a Busy Pay order, it’ll come up on the driver app when you’re alerted, so there’s no mistaking what it is. Take advantage of these when you can.
Learn How Tips Work for Drivers
While driving or dashing for Doordash, there’s more than one way to get a tip. While cash tips are always nice, customers can also tip directly in the Doordash delivery app.
If you bring your delivery to the customer and don’t get anything more than thanks, don’t assume they don’t appreciate your hard work or didn’t tip you. Many people don’t carry cash on them and look for alternative ways to tip servers and delivery drivers.
Also, the customer may not leave the tip in the Doordash customer app right away. If you don’t see the tip right away, check your Doordash earnings the next day.
Tips are often dependent on how quickly you bring the food to the customer, the time of day, if the order was checked for accuracy, and sometimes your personality. Gain a better understanding of what drives people to tip you, but understand that unfortunately, not everyone follows proper tipping etiquette.
People can rate drivers based on their delivery, so make sure to leave every customer with a smile and thank them for their business.
Know How Dashing Affects Your Vehicle
Because we’ve established you’ll work as an independent contractor, figure out how this impacts your car, motorcycle or bike. Some considerations to think about are:
How often you drive or deliver for Doordash
How far you’re driving or riding when you’re Dashing
The condition of the roads in your area
The weather and type of climate you live in
What kind of condition your vehicle is currently in
Understanding Taxes and Being an Independent Contractor
If you’re used to bing an employee, you know that a certain amount gets withheld from your paycheck each week. That means you don’t have to set aside money come tax time.
When you’re working as an independent contractor for Doordash, you’ll notice taxes aren’t taken out. This sounds nice at first and can trick you into thinking you’re making more money.
Be careful, and make sure you’re setting aside part of your Doordash earnings. Setting aside money for tax time is important since you’ll likely owe taxes at the end of the year. Also, be sure to take every tax deduction you’re allowed to, including the mileage tax deduction.
Doordash Driver Tips to Help You Make the Most As A Dasher
As you get ready to embark on your journey of being a delivery driver for Doordash, you’re sure to learn a lot. No two days are ever the same, and you’ll be astounded by the variety of people you come in contact with.
Taking note of these tips makes life easier and ensures you’ll have fun while on the job. Doing so can help you walk away with more in tips and ensure your time gets spent in an effective manner.
1. Find the right times to schedule yourself. This is a cross between when people need drivers and when you have free time.
2. Even if a customer or someone in the restaurant you’re picking food up from come off as rude or unprofessional, don’t let that set the tone for your day. People have bad days, but you don’t have to let their attitude affect you.
3. Take advantage of bonus pay and working during busy hours whenever you can. This maximizes how much you’ll get paid, and you stand the chance of getting bigger tips if it’s a holiday or there’s a major event going on in your town.
4. If you’re having problems working or the company’s red card that allows you to pay for an order isn’t working, contact driver support. This ensures that there’s a record of the issue, and the problem gets solved in a quick manner.
Learn More About Working with Doordash
If you think you want to give it a shot and become a Doordash driver, there’s no time like the present to get started. Apply to Doordash today; then you can start working and getting paid on a schedule that works for you.
If you’re ready to start driving for Doordash, click the button below to start your application. In certain markets, you may be eligible for a Doordash sign up bonus guarantee.
https://ridesharecentral.com/wp-content/uploads/doordash-driver-picking-up-with-dasher-app.jpg556834Avery BaxterAvery Baxter2019-01-04 01:04:262020-04-14 08:46:58Doordash Driver Jobs – Should You Sign Up In 2019?
Driving for Uber or Lyft on New Year’s Eve 2018 should result in good, but not spectacular money.
In most markets, if you start in the early evening and drive until a few hours after midnight, you’ll probably make more money than you would on a busy weekend night in your market.
Driving Lyft Or Uber On New Year’s Eve Is Not What It Used To Be
However, the days when all of us could go out on New Year’s and make $700 – $1000 are over.
In fact, the last New Year’s Eve when drivers really cleaned up was in 2014.
That year, a lot of Lyft and UberX drivers cleared well over $500 in a few hours, and many of those who started earlier topped $1000.
On the other hand, New Year’s Eve 2015 was a disaster for drivers in most Uber and Lyft markets. Both companies hyped the evening too heavily. In 2014, both companies surged like crazy on New Year’s and a lot of people complained.
In order to avoid that, Lyft and Uber wanted to have as many drivers on the road as possible for New Years 2015. Unfortunately, it worked. On New Year’s Eve 2015, it seemed like every single Lyft and Uber driver in the world was on the road, and very few drivers made a lot of money.
The next year, both companies learned from their 2015 mistake. In 2016, Lyft and Uber hyped New Year’s, but not as much as the year before.
As a result, most drivers did well, but those that were expecting to make $500 in the hours after midnight were pretty disappointed.
Uber And Lyft Passengers Got Smarter In 2016
In 2016, customers became more patient and waited until the post midnight Surge and Prime Time rush to die down.
Even so, in a lot of the larger markets, many experienced drivers who drove a full shift (8 hour or more) cleared over $500.
In 2017 though, it became clear that making $500 on New Year’s Eve driving Lyft or Uber was not going to happen except in the busiest and most expensive markets. Even then, it was only really possible if you started in the early evening and drove for 8 – 10 hours.
However, as always, drivers who were driving an XL, Black, or Lux vehicle earned more. On New Year’s, people like to live it up, and that often means opting for the fancier ride.
People also go out in large groups on New Year’s Eve, so it’s usually a pretty good night if you drive an Uber or Lyft XL vehicle.
What To Expect Driving For Lyft Or Uber On New Year’s Eve 2018
If you Drive With Lyft and Uber on New Year’s Eve 2018, expect it to be similar to 2017.
In most markets, if you drive a full shift starting in the afternoon around 4pm, you should be able to make in the $250 – $500 range, depending on how late, and where you drive.
Business should be relatively steady, and both Lyft and Uber are offering guarantees and incentives in a number of markets.
However, Keep In Mind New Year’s Eve Has Lulls
Don’t expect it to be too busy between 10pm and 12:30am. Between 8pm and 10, most people are where they want to be at midnight or on their way there. If they’re not, they’ll be close to where they want to be, so expect a lot of quick, short rides.
If you’re going to drive Uber or Lyft on New Year’s Eve this year, here’s a few tips to help you have a profitable, and relatively stress free evening.
Drive Prepared – What To Have In Your Car
On New Year’s Eve, people will be drunk (especially later in the evening), so be sure to keep the following items in your car:
Now, in all likelihood, you won’t need the items above. However, if by chance someone gets sick (and you’re not able to pull over in time), you’ll want something for them to get sick in.
Normally, I don’t keep CareBags in plain view of riders, but on New Year’s around 9pm, I stick them in the pockets behind the front seats. That way, the riders know that if they’re feeling sick, they can grab the vomit bag sitting right in front of them.
In general, your passengers will be in a pretty festive mood. However, later in the evening, you may run into some passengers who aren’t having a great New Year’s. So, if you want to be realistic, expect a little bit of drama, and maybe an occasional crying passenger later in the evening.
People generally have a really good time, or a really bad time on New Year’s, and you’ll probably run into examples of both. However, the payoff for the drama from people who are having a crappy new year is that you’ll be making good money.
What To Expect Driving For Uber Or Lyft – New Year’s Eve Daytime
I’ve driven during the day on New Year’s Eve multiple times, and it’s generally pretty steady, but nowhere near as busy as the evening. Although I have even done a couple of airport runs on December 31st, you should expect a lot of short trips mostly.
People will be headed to the grocery store, or to their friends, but that’s about it. It’s not a big shopping day, and not a big commuter day. However, traffic will be very light, so it’s easy to get a lot of rides done in a quick and efficient manner.
What To Expect Driving For Uber Or Lyft – New Year’s Eve Late Afternoon And Early Evening (4PM – 10PM)
Starting around 4pm, it should start getting increasingly busy. At this point, it will be like any other weekend evening, although many people will be dressed a lot nicer. Earlier in the evening, you’ll be taking people to friends places for New Year’s Eve pregame. Starting around 5:30pm, you’ll be dropping people off at restaurants and hotels mostly. Business should be brisk until around 10PM. At that point, things will likely slow to a crawl. This is when you take your break. Get a coffee, go to the bathroom, eat a quick bite, and relax for a little bit.
NYE Drama Generally Starts After Midnight
Be prepared for at least one passenger who didn’t have a good New Year’s. In general, these passengers will just be looking for a sympathetic ear, and won’t be very troublesome.
What To Expect – New Year’s – After Midnight
About twenty to thirty minutes after midnight, you should start getting requests. Some drivers actually go offline at midnight, and come back online around 12:15am – 12:30am.
Surge and Prime Time guarantees will likely be in effect at this time. Expect to be busy until about 3:00 – 4:00am in most markets.
Of course, you will very likely have some intoxicated passengers. However, it’s usually not an issue. If a passenger gets sick, take many pictures, submit it for a cleaning fee, and decide whether to call it a night, or get back on the road.
Should You Drive Uber Or Lyft On New Year’s Eve?
It’s your choice. If you do, you’ll make money. However, don’t go out thinking you’re going to be able to pay a month’s rent in one night. Sure, it could happen, but it’s not likely. That being said, your earnings should be higher than a regular weekend evening. And who knows, you may actually have fun and meet some nice people.
One Final Tip
While you should always drive defensively, it’s even more important on New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, there are many idiots in our world, and some of them are going to drink and drive on New Year’s Eve. So, always be aware of your surroundings, and constantly scan the road ahead, and check your mirrors.
Drive with a little extra caution, and you should be fine.
If you plan on driving for Lyft or Uber this New Year’s Eve, hopefully this guide helps you a bit.
Best of luck out there and have a very Happy New Year and a wonderful 2019.
Stay safe and drive profitably!
https://ridesharecentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/new-years-eve-uber-lyft.jpg555833DaveDave2018-12-29 12:26:472018-12-29 18:55:20Driving Uber Or Lyft On New Year’s Eve – Driver Pro Tips
Driving around Christmas usually results in decent to good money. This year should be a little better because Christmas falls right after a weekend. Overall, business should be steady most of the time this coming weekend, with some periods of really busy ridership.
In most markets, Friday, Saturday will probably be the busiest days overall, although don’t count on the evenings being busier than a normal weekend evening.
Expect a fair number of airport runs throughout the weekend and even on Christmas Eve.
Christmas itself should be okay, but most of the driving money will be made in the days before and after Christmas
Here’s what you can expect, and how to have a successful Christmas if you choose to drive Uber or Lyft this weekend.
Driving Uber Or Lyft Christmas Week – What To Have In Your Car
This weekend you should have in your car whatever you would normally have with the one exception. On Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, keep the following items in your car:
paper towels
plastic bags
Clorox wipes
You’ll need these items because on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, people may be transporting food to other peoples houses. If possible, have the passenger put the food in the trunk.
Just in case, you want some paper towels around (and a plastic bag to put them in) to take care of any inadvertent spills that may occur during transport.
Better safe than sorry.
What To Expect – Driving Uber Or Lyft The Weekend Before Christmas
The whole weekend should be steady, with some busy spikes.
You should expect a fair number of airport rides as people start leaving and coming into town throughout Friday.
Saturday should be steady all day and get increasingly busy towards the evening. The morning and early afternoon should see a pretty good brunch crowd, along with a lot of shoppers.
While Friday and Saturday nights should be busy, don’t expect them to busier than an average weekend night. While a lot of people will be going out, they usually do anyways.
And for every person visiting, someone else probably left town.
Shopping areas should also be busy all weekend as people get their last minute Christmas gifts. Many people will have Monday off, so expect a busier Sunday evening than normal.
Another consequence of many people taking Monday off is that the morning commute that day won’t be super busy.
However, a lot of people will still be headed to the airport. Expect things to start getting busier around noon as even more people catch their Christmas eve flights, and people who did have to go to work, go home early.
Monday night should be steady throughout, but not overwhelming. People who stayed in town will likely be going out. People who flew in, and already need a break from their families will also be going out.
Expect A Lot Of Last Minute Shoppers
What To Expect – Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, expect to be driving around tons of last-minute shoppers. You may also get a couple of airport runs during the day. Towards the late afternoon and early evening, many of your rights will be taking people to other peoples houses for Christmas Eve get togethers.
Don’t Wait At Grocery Stores
If any passengers want you to wait while they pick up just one thing from the grocery store, politely decline.
Starting Sunday, supermarkets are going to get busy, and going in to get one or two items can wind up taking twenty minutes.
So, end the ride, and move on to the next one.
What To Expect – Christmas Day
In most markets, Christmas Day is steady (but not spectacular) in the morning and early afternoon. Business tends to die down a bit from the late afternoon until later in the evening.
In the morning, don’t be surprised if you get at least one airport run.
More and more people fly home on Christmas day, because it’s usually cheaper than flying the couple of days beforehand.
Other than that, you’ll be taking a steady stream of riders to their friends and families places to celebrate Christmas.
If you drive later in the evening, after 7 PM, you’ll have a steady stream of riders going home. Oh, and if it seems slow out, head to a multiplex.
A lot of people actually go to the movies on Christmas Day.
What To Expect – The Day After Christmas
In most markets, the day after Christmas should be decent, but not super busy. However, traffic will be light, and there will be a lot of people going to the airport.
The morning should be steady, and rush hour traffic will be lighter than normal most places. If you plan on driving the day after Christmas, your best bet is to be on the road by 7 or 8am.
One Final Tip
While you should always drive defensively, it’s even more important this week. Unfortunately, there are likely to be a few people drink, and then get behind the wheel this weekend. So, always be aware of your surroundings, and constantly scan the road ahead.
If you plan on driving for Lyft or Uber this Christmas weekend, hopefully this guide helps you drive profitably.
Best of luck out there and have a merry Christmas.
Looking For The Best Rideshare Company To Sign Up With?
https://ridesharecentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/driving-uber-lyft-christmas.jpg555833Don PritchettDon Pritchett2018-12-20 00:03:372019-09-03 11:10:42Driving Lyft Or Uber Around Christmas – What To Expect
(Disclosure – We independently research our content to provide free advice for you. We may get compensation if you sign up with services, or purchase products through our affiliate links.)
If you’ve ever wanted to pick up food from your favorite restaurant but found yourself frustrated that they didn’t deliver, apps like DoorDash are a match made in heaven for you. Available on iOS and Android, DoorDash is a third-party delivery service that connects its users with restaurants in and around their area.
The app is designed to determine both delivery time and delivery distance for its fleet of drivers. Doordash developers continually work to more accurately predict how long each of the restaurants it works with will take to prepare food and how long it will take the driver to arrive at their address.
It also uses these predictive services to determine the maximum delivery radius for a particular restaurant; this varies by location, however.
DoorDash distinguishes itself from other delivery services like Caviar and Amazon Flex in a few ways.
First and foremost, it’s not solely open to people who own a car. Cyclists are also able to sign up for the delivery service. It also features Group Ordering, which allows multiple DoorDash users to collaborate with one another on a single order, splitting the check and keeping all their orders to a single delivery driver.
If you want to try ordering through Doordash, use our promo code and get a few bucks off your first delivery by clicking the button below.
Like most delivery services, DoorDash adds a small premium to each delivery order. Though it varies by restaurant, city, and delivery distance, this fee is usually somewhere between $3 and $7. It also has a few sources of revenue aside from this service fee.
Participating restaurants must generally pay a commission (usually around 20%) on orders delivered by DoorDash’s drivers. Though this may seem somewhat steep, it’s worth remembering that this is business those restaurants might not otherwise enjoy.
Doordash Restaurant Partner Deliveries Dashboard
Aside from commission, DoorDash also charges restaurants for marketing and advertising through the app. Like on yelp, a business owner can choose to pay a fee to move itself to the top of the list of restaurants.
How Much Do DoorDash Drivers Make?
The short answer is that ‘it depends.’ When DoorDash first launched, Dashers, as delivery-people are known, were paid a flat rate per order, plus whatever they received as a tip. More recently, DoorDash has changed to a more flexible, scaling payment model.
For each delivery, a Dasher makes a certain amount, plus their tip, along with what’s known as a “pay boost.” This boost accounts for various factors, including delivery distance, order size, and traffic.
Rates are also subject to the city in which you operate – as you might expect, larger cities mean better pay. Generally speaking, this averages out to an hourly rate of between $14 and $20. Hourly rates can be higher in certain markets during busy hours. Click here to see the rates in your Doordash market.
That said, it’s also important to consider additional costs that might crop up for you as a Dasher. First, it’s important to remember that you’re a contractor, not a full-time employee – that means taxes are entirely your responsibility, and ignoring them can be quite costly.
Other costs you’ll want to consider are gas and insurance.
Does The DoorDash Delivery Fee Go To The Driver?
Generally, no. The delivery fee is part of DoorDash’s revenue stream. As already described, Dashers receive a pay boost, though Door Dash is somewhat mum on the specifics of where the money is drawn from.
How Do I Become a DoorDash Driver?
To work with DoorDash, you need to be eighteen years of age or older, own an iPhone or Android device, and be willing to volunteer your social security number and submit to a background check.
Unlike many other delivery services, DoorDash does not require its employees to own a car, and no vehicle inspection is required.
What’s Required To Become A DoorDash Driver?
Depending on where a Dasher is located, they may be able to use a motorcycle, bicycle, or scooter. In some scenarios, they may even be able to deliver on foot. DoorDash provides more information about the different vehicle types in each market on their website.
Note that you will be required to have an auto insurance policy, and DoorDash also provides its own commercial auto insurance policy covering up to $1,000,000 in bodily injury or property damage from accidents while on active delivery.
How Do I Start Delivering For DoorDash?
To sign up to become a DoorDash driver, simply click the button below to start your application.
Generally speaking, there are two ways to deliver through the DoorDash app. The first is known as scheduled delivery. Though the interface is slightly different depending on your operating system, the basic steps remain the same between both iOS and Android.
First, open up your menu, and click on “Schedule.” On this page, you can see all available dashes and can sign up for whichever happen to catch your attention.
Doordash Driver Schedule
Once you’ve signed up for a Dash, you’ll see it at the bottom of your app’s homepage.
You can also Dash without using the Schedule. Open up the DoorDash map, and press “Dash Now.” Before hitting “Dash,” be sure to look at your map; if the area you’re in is gray or yellow, DoorDash does not require more dashers. If, on the other hand, it’s pink or red, that means more dashers are required.
Doordash - Dash Now
Note that during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there will almost always be work available for you. You can learn more by watching this video.
How Do I Get Paid Through DoorDash?
Configuring your payment information in DoorDash is relatively simple. From your smartphone, launch the Dasher app and navigate to the Earnings tab.
In the top right corner of your screen, you’ll see a red bank symbol – click on it, and fill out the following information:
The name on the bank account you want to use
Your Social Security Number
Your bank’s routing number – you can generally find this by contacting your branch.
Your bank’s account number. This can be found on a check, or through online banking.
From here, just tap Submit Bank Details. Verify that the information you’ve entered is correct, and you should be good to go.
Doordash Driver - Add Bank Info
Once you’ve made 25 deliveries and worked with DoorDash for two weeks, you’ll have access to a service known as Fast Pay. This allows you to cash out your earnings daily for a withdrawal fee of $1.99. To configure Fast Pay, navigate to the Earnings section of your app, and click on “Use Fast Pay.”
This will immediately transfer your earnings to the debit card you’ve configured with your account.
How Does the DoorDash Rating System Work?
DoorDash rates its employees (known as Dashers) based on three categories, each averaged from your 100 most recent deliveries. Each DoorDash market has a different minimum score for each of these ratings. Check on the DoorDash website to determine what the minimum is where you work.
Customer Rating is essentially what it sounds like. When a customer receives an order through DoorDash, they rate both the driver and the restaurant separately, giving each a score between one and five stars. The rating is only applied once it has been received, so a Dasher may see their overall score change long after they’ve completed a delivery.
If your Customer Rating drops too low, you may be removed as a Dasher.
Acceptance Rate measures how often you accept delivery opportunities you receive. When a delivery is assigned to you by DoorDash, it’s because you’re the best choice for the job. Consistently declining such orders leads to a low Acceptance Rate.
As with customer rating, if this gets too low, it can potentially impact your access to the platform.
Completion Rate is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the number of deliveries you have completed, divided by the number of deliveries you’ve accepted. Canceled orders count as completed deliveries for the purposes of this statistic.
Not surprisingly, it’s somewhat difficult to lower your completion rate. The only way to really do it is by removing yourself from a delivery after accepting it. It’s generally expected that you’ll cancel a delivery every now and then, so you needn’t stress too much if you need to ditch a job because of an emergency.
Acceptance Rate and Completion Rate are fairly easy to control. Accept the majority of the deliveries that come your way, and don’t cancel jobs once you’ve picked them up. Customer Rating can be a bit trickier.
To keep your customers happy and get your rating up, the most important thing is communication. Be friendly and personable, and always serve people with a smile. You might also consider texting your customers when you’re on the way – keep them up-to-date about where you are and what you’re doing.
Avoid accepting orders that are already late, and where possible, avoid contacting customers to ask for directions or further instructions on where to deliver their food. But most importantly, understand that sometimes, you’re going to get a low rating. Some people will be unpleasant to you through no fault of your own.
Don’t stress about that – as long as you’re pleasant, quick, and capable, you’ll be just fine.
Thanksgiving weekend is usually a great weekend for rideshare driving. With the exception of the day before Thanksgiving, traffic should be pretty light.
Also, most drivers take most of the weekend off, so the drivers that are out should be pretty busy.
Here’s what to expect, along with a few tips, if you’re planning on driving Uber or Lyft this weekend.
Drive Prepared – What To Have In Your Car
One or two bath towels
Some paper towels, plastic bags, and Clorox wipes
Besides the items above, your trunk should be pretty empty.
What To Expect Wednesday – The Day Before Thanksgiving
Driving Lyft or Uber on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, expect a few airport runs. This is one reason why you’ll want a pretty empty trunk. You’ll also have an above average number of rides to and from grocery stores.
If you get a request going to the grocery store, on occasion, the passenger may ask you to wait while they shop. Do not wait, even if they say they’re just getting a couple of things.
Why You Don’t Wait At Grocery Stores: By the early afternoon, most grocery stores will be crowded. Even if the passenger is just getting a couple of things, you will be waiting for twenty minutes because of long checkout lines.
The day before Thanksgiving, the afternoon rush hour will start earlier than normal. Traffic will start getting heavier around 1pm. Expect more airport runs in the afternoon through the early evening.
When the evening rolls around, expect a lot of requests going to bars.
Thanksgiving is the beginning of the holiday season, which for many people means dealing with their family. In order to prepare for this, many choose to drink the night before.
While most people don’t get too drunk the day before Thanksgiving, you want the paper towels and plastic bags handy just in case.
What To Expect – Thanksgiving Day
In the morning, the airports are sometimes still busy. Flying on Thanksgiving morning is often cheaper than the day before, so you may be able to catch a rider going to or from the airport.
From the late morning until the early afternoon, you’ll mostly be taking passengers to Thanksgiving gatherings.
Often, they may be bringing containers of food to that gathering. This is why you want to have a bath towel to lay across your trunk, or the floor of your car.
People are generally pretty good about making sure the food containers are sealed or covered. However, stuff happens. If you have to stop short, and some food gets shaken out of the pan or baking dish, it’s better that it lands on a towel, as opposed to the floor of your car or trunk.
What To Expect – Friday to Sunday
The rest of the holiday weekend will be pretty busy, although there may be a few lulls. With the exception of Sunday afternoon, traffic should be very light.
On Friday, expect a lot of runs to and from malls. You want to keep your trunk empty because people really love to buy appliances and large electronics on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Make sure you have room in case someone needs to transport a television or other large item.
You’ll also have some airport runs, especially on Sunday. Throughout the weekend, expect an above average number of rides from the city to the burbs, and vice versa.
Other than that, it really won’t be much different from your average rideshare weekend, with people going to movies, restaurants, and stores.
Alright, that’s about it.
And if you know other drivers who could use these tips, share this article with them.
Have a safe, happy, and profitable Thanksgiving.
https://ridesharecentral.com/wp-content/uploads/driving-uber-thanksgiving.jpg562834Tracy BallardTracy Ballard2018-11-19 05:50:192019-05-21 15:30:10Driving For Lyft or Uber on Thanksgiving Weekend
In an effort to improve driver relations and boost incentives, Uber is launching a new program aimed at recognizing their top quality drivers. The Uber Pro rewards program allows Uber drivers to unlock certain benefits like extra pay and free tuition based on their ratings and cancellation rates. This new program could be a gamechanger for those who want to maximize rewards as a rideshare driver.
What Is the Uber Pro Rewards Program?
Uber Pro is a new rewards program to help recognize the commitment and effort of outstanding drivers. This program is not just for full-time drivers. Uber wants to reward all drivers who emphasize quality customer service, from drivers that make a living on Uber to the part-time worker who drives as a side gig.
With this program, drivers earn points for every trip they complete. These points are measured over time, putting drivers into different tiers, each with different types of rewards. The faster drivers accumulate points, the faster they reach a higher program tier, allowing them to unlock more and better rewards over time.
How Do Uber Pro Rewards Work?
Uber Pro rewards use a point-based system. Drivers accumulate one point for each trip they complete and three points per ride when driving during designated three-point hours. Uber drivers have to keep their star rating at 4.85 and above and keep their cancellation rate at 4 percent or below to be eligible to earn rewards. The points and ratings are measured over a fixed three-month period which determines the driver’s tier level. The fixed three-month periods are:
November 1 – January 31.
February 1 – April 30.
May 1 – July 31.
August 1 – October 31.
The points you earn during the period determine your rewards for the next period. You cannot carry over points from previous periods. For example, if you reach Gold status by the end of April 30, you can then enjoy Gold tier rewards from May 1 – July 31. If you want to continue to enjoy these rewards in the next period, you’ll need to maintain a high star rating and low cancellation rate.
Here are what each tier’s rewards look like in more detail:
Partner
Partner status is available to all Uber drivers. Rewards include:
1.5 percent cash back on gas at all gas stations
3 percent cash back on gas at Exxon and Mobil stations
Up to 25 percent off car maintenance through CarAdvise
The ability to earn extra by completing multiple consecutive trips during busy hours
Gold
Gold status is available to drivers with 300 to 600 points. Benefits include:
3 percent cash back on gas at all stations
4.5 percent cash back on gas at Exxon and Mobil stations
Up to 25 percent off car maintenance
Consecutive trips promotion
Riders will see Uber Pro status in the rider app
Eligibility for Quest promotions
Priority support and free 24/7 roadside assistance
Platinum
Platinum status is available to drivers with 600 to 1,200 points. Benefits include:
Everything included in the Gold status
Earn up to 3 percent extra on time and distance rides
4 percent cash back on gas at all stations
5.5 percent cash back on gas at Exxon and Mobil stations
100 percent tuition coverage through ASU Online
Diamond
Diamond status is the top tier, available to drivers with 1,200 to 1,800 points. Rewards include:
Everything included in the Platinum status
Earn up to 6 percent extra on time and distance rides
5 percent cash back on gas at all stations
6.5 percent cash back on gas at Exxon and Mobil stations
Faster pickups at airports
Free dent repair
How to Get Started with Uber Pro Rewards
Unfortunately, the Uber Pro Rewards Program isn’t rolling out across the nation just yet. Right now, Uber is testing the program. They’ve made it available for 100 percent of drivers in Seattle, Chicago, New Orleans, and Phoenix and 50 percent of drivers in Denver, New Jersey, Orlando, and Tampa.
Eligible drivers can find out more about the program and start tracking their goal progress under “Rewards” in the Uber Driver App. If rewards are not currently live in your city, don’t worry. Uber plans to make improvements to the reward program based on the beta testing and will roll out the program to even more locations in the coming months.
https://ridesharecentral.com/wp-content/uploads/Uber-Pro-Rewards-Drivers.jpg607834Frank GFrank G2018-11-06 09:22:522018-11-06 09:22:52Uber Pro Rewards Program: What You Need to Know
