When taking a ride-booking vehicle, do you struggle when the tip screen appears on your phone, wondering what the tipping etiquette is? Is a tip customary or just a suggestion? Well, you’re not alone.
Most, if not all, passengers in a ride-booking vehicle have had the same thoughts cross their minds. Let’s avoid the confusion the next time you require ride-booking services by equipping you with some tipping guidelines.
SHOULD YOU TIP YOUR UBER OR LYFT DRIVER?
Although Uber and Lyft say that tips aren’t required, there are some reasons why it makes sense to tip your driver.
Many drivers with families depend on tips to supplement their income since the median income for drivers falls below the average living wage for a family of four. In addition, many drivers rely on tips for expenses not covered by the ride-book service company, such as car maintenance and gas. As a result, drivers pay a lot to operate their vehicles but get reimbursed for almost nothing.
Drivers make less than $15 per hour when these costs are considered. So, they make much less than the fee you pay them for the ride. Therefore, tips are a great way to help drivers offset these costs and earn more money.
HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU TIP YOUR DRIVER?
Not that we’ve established there are reasons to tip, let's discuss how much to tip Uber drivers.
While Uber always suggests $1, $2, or $5 as tip amounts to keep things simple, you should consider the total price of your ride when deciding on a tip. Calculate your tip in proportion to the total, with a tip between 10 and 20 percent of the total ride price.
If you’re using a promo code and getting a discount on your ride, tip on the amount of the ride before the discount.
HOW MUCH TO TIP UBER DRIVERS?
The most convenient way to tip your driver is through the app of the ride-book company. First, you’ll be prompted to rate your driver at the end of your trip. Then, after you’ve provided a rating, you’ll see an option to add a tip. But, of course, giving a cash tip directly to the driver will always be accepted too.
Remember, you can tip drivers up to 30 days after your trip. This tipping time frame is offered so you can have an uninterrupted ride and provide a tip whenever it’s most convenient for you.
IS IT EVER OKAY TO NOT TIP YOUR DRIVER?
Now that we’ve established why it makes sense to tip drivers and suggested tip amounts, does that mean you should always leave a tip? In most cases, you should leave a tip—even if the driver wasn’t particularly friendly or the customer service experience wasn’t entirely up to your standards.
However, if your driver harasses you, threatens you, or tries to extort money, it should go without saying that you should not leave a tip. If you have any of these experiences, you should report the driver immediately.
SHOULD YOU TIP YOUR UBER EATS, DOORDASH, AND POSTMATES DELIVERY DRIVERS?
What about if you’re using services from companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Postmates? Do you tip these drivers (or bike riders)? Yes, just like you would tip someone delivering pizza or Chinese food to you.
While the restaurant industry tipping standard is 15-20% of the total bill, a good rule of thumb is to tip between $4 and $6 for these services.Tipping these workers based on the cost of your food or beverage may not be perceived as fair, as the delivery distance for a $5 latte could be the same as that for a $25 meal, regardless of the item's price.
When tipping, also keep in mind the weather. If the worker has to drive or ride a bike in a thunderstorm, compensate them extra and express your appreciation for their work.
For tipping etiquette while traveling, find out how much to tip in hotels, what to tip around the world, and how tipping on cruises works.
