Today, Uber does not need to entice people to drive for them as they did in the beginning. As a result, they do not offer the same sign-up bonuses as they once did. However, that does not mean you can’t get some extra cash in your pocket by taking the proper steps; namely, by taking advantage of the referral program’s sign-up guarantee.
How to Become Eligible for the Uber Sign-Up Bonus
Many companies compensate people for referring their friends, and Uber is no different. Drivers can share their referral codes with friends, family, or even strangers, giving both themselves and the new driver a chance to earn some extra money.
One way to become eligible for the Uber sign-up bonus is to use a referral code. This means you would need to connect with someone who already drives for the company or conduct a quick internet search to find a code.
Luckily, whose code you use doesn’t matter. They do not have to be in your city, and you do not have to know them personally. The important part is to find a code. Once you have a referral code, you need to complete the Uber driver application. Make sure to input the referral code in the right blank.
It is important to note that, if you use a referral code, that person earns a bonus off of your driving. Since that is the case, you may want to track down one from a person you like, as you are essentially putting free money in their pocket.
However, a referral code is not your only option. If you want to sign up without a code and get the guaranteed earnings offer, you can. Just head over to the Uber New Driver Guarantees Page, and you can get started.
How the Uber Sign-Up Bonus Works
The Uber sign-up guarantee isn’t a traditional bonus. They do not just hand over a specific amount of cash to thank you for joining as a driver. Instead, you gain access to a program that can make your start with Uber more lucrative.
As you sign up, you will see an offer. Usually, it says you can earn X amount of money for completing Y number of trips in Z days.
For example, yours might say, “Earn $300 guaranteed for completing your first 30 trips,” followed by, “Trips must be completed within 90 days of sign up.”
Exactly what your offer looks like may depend on a number of factors, though your location is the biggest one. The sign-on guarantees vary by city, so new drivers in Seattle will see something different than a new driver in Miami.
Now, what the verbiage means is universal. You are not getting an “extra” amount of money (like the $300 mentioned above). Instead, the total amount you make from your first trips will be at least that amount.
Continuing with the example above, that $300 would mean that you would earn at least $10 for each of your first 30 trips ($300 / 30 trips = $10 per trip) as long as you finish them all in 90 days. If you do not finish them in 90 days, the $10 per trip guarantee only applies to those you drive during those 90 days.
Essentially, no matter how much the trip would normally make you, you will earn at least $10.
Maximize Your Uber Sign-Up Guarantee
If you are eligible for a sign-up guarantee, then you want to make the most of it. Just how do you do that? By driving the cheapest (usually, the shortest) rides possible, that’s how.
The goal is to find trips where you would earn less than $10, allowing you to bank more for less work. For example, with the guarantee in place, a $5.60 trip lands you $10, so you get an extra $4.40 thanks to the guarantee. In contrast, a $10.50 trip is already over $10, so you lose out on the benefit of the guarantee for that trip (but it still counts as one of your first trips, meaning it is a missed opportunity).
Now, Uber drivers do not get full control over the rides they land. Once you are signed on and ready to drive, you often have to take what is available.
However, by adjusting when and where you drive, you can increase your odds of getting shorter trips. For example, avoiding early mornings (when people are commuting to work or more commonly heading to the airport), you might avoid long trips.
Instead, by driving later at night, when the bar scene is hopping, you might find people moving between bars or around their own neighborhood, which are typically shorter jaunts. Midday can also work, especially if you connect with people heading to lunch near their workplaces or running errands close to home.
Along the way, you also want to keep your expenses as low as possible. The cost of gas and impact of mileage on your vehicle cut into your profits, so you do not want to drive around a lot between rides looking for short ones or drive a long way to get to a place where there are short rides. If you did, you would burn through fuel and increase wear and tear during times you were not making anything, which is not cost-effective.
Find Out About Your City’s Sign-Up Guarantee
The Uber sign-up guarantee for any city can change frequently. If you want to find out about the current offer, you will need to head over to Uber’s site and see what is available.
Luckily, you can check out the guarantee in advance by heading to the guarantee page and inputting your city. You can also review the terms that go along with the guarantee, giving you a chance to plan ahead to make sure you can make the most of the opportunity.
What About Uber Eats?
If you prefer working for Uber’s food delivery service, Uber Eats and still hope to get a sign on bonus, well you’re in luck. You can use an invite (referral code) from another driver to get signed up and receive a bonus. Just remember, you must complete a certain number of rides in order to receive the bonus. Read the invite information prior to signing up and happy driving!
Do you drive for Uber? Did you get a sign-up bonus? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
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Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.
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