Uber Eats, DoorDash drivers get help as gas prices rise. What to know
With the price of gas on the rise — due to war with Iran and seasonal increases — food delivery services are trying to provide some relief to their drivers.
Both Uber and DoorDash have launched or expanded programs for independent contractors working as drivers in California and across the country.
Delivery services have dropped their base pay for drivers in recent years, Ryan Green, CEO of the gig worker analytics firm Gridwise, told NPR.
“We see that about 50% of the delivery pay to a driver is coming from tips,” Green said.
For rideshare trips, drivers only get about 9% of their pay from tipping.
Here’s what consumers should know:
How is DoorDash helping delivery drivers?
On Monday, March 23, DoorDash announced its emergency relief program for drivers delivering food, groceries and more to “help ease the impact of rising prices at the pump.”
The program is designed to give drivers “real savings at the pump,” Cody Aughney, DoorDash Dasher and logistics vice president, said in a news release.
“Rising gas prices have a real impact on Dashers, especially those who are delivering the most,” Aughney said.
Drivers who have a DoorDash Crimson Visa Card will receive 10% cash back on gas purchases — a significant increase from the standard 2% rate.
That benefit is in effect whether or not drivers are on a delivery. Drivers who don’t have the Visa card already can apply in the Dasher app, subject to eligibility requirements and successful ID verification.
DoorDash is also offering a weekly relief payment based on the number of miles driven actively on deliveries. Drivers can receive up to $15 a week.
The program is expected to end on April 26.
How is Uber Eats providing gas price relief?
Drivers who have an Uber Pro Card can now get an additional 5% cash back at any gas station in the country.
Uber’s program has four different tiers, ranging from 7% to 11% cash back. Uber’s gas program has additional rewards at Exxon and Mobile gas stations and with Shell and Upside fuel rewards programs.
Similar to DoorDash, Uber Eats is offering a weekly relief payment based on the number of miles driven actively on deliveries. Drivers can receive up to $15 a week.
Uber’s program is set to end May 3.
What about GrubHub?
As of Monday, GrubHub had not yet announced any gas relief programs.
The food delivery platform accounts for mileage in the fees paid to drivers.
