What does it take to keep you driving for one rideshare or delivery app, or the other? That’s the question Uber had in mind when Uber Pro was created. What is Uber Pro, and what is the benefit of Uber Pro? In this post, we’ll tell you what you need to know and whether it’s worth the hype that surrounds it. Here’s what we’ll examine:
- What is Uber Pro for drivers?
- What is the Uber Pro card, and how does it work?
- How easy is it to keep or improve your Uber Pro status?
- Is there such a thing as Uber Eats Pro?
What is Uber Pro for drivers?
Uber Pro is Uber’s way of getting drivers to be loyal and consistent to the platform. There’s a big push to offer incentives like this to drivers in 2024, and Uber has a long list of benefits for drivers to enjoy. They include
- exclusive offers at 7-Eleven
- cash back on gas and EV charging (using the Uber Pro card)
- up to 25¢ off per gallon of gas (through Uber’s partnership with Upside)
- up to 7¢ off per gallon with the Fuel Rewards® Program at Shell
- up to 7¢ off per gallon at BP and Amoco gas stations
- up to 35% off car maintenance
- free 24/7 roadside assistance, including rescues
- $1,000 from TrueCar when you go electric
- savings on health insurance
- discounts on fast charging
- $30 savings with Starship’s investment plan
- TurboTax self-employed discounts
- discount on QuickBooks self-employed
- 15% savings on select maintenance services from Jiffy Lube
- consecutive trips promotions
- $1 extra per EV ride
That’s quite a collection of benefits! Now, you might ask, “How do I get to be an Uber Pro driver and earn all those extras?” It’s pretty easy. All Uber drivers are welcomed into the Uber Pro program simply by driving for Uber. Everyone starts at entry level, which is Uber Pro Blue. From there you need to keep your status, and possibly achieve higher levels by making a set number of trips and maintaining high acceptance rates and top-notch customer ratings.
So what is Uber Pro doing as such a big part of the Uber driver experience? It’s pretty easy to see that this program is put in place to give drivers the incentive to take more rides, stay loyal to Uber, and work hard to satisfy Uber customers. The Uber Pro Blue level offers all the incentives listed above. Drivers have 90 days to prove they can sustain their level, or qualify for a higher one.
Even more rewards await drivers that attain the higher levels of Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. All tiers require a certain number of points, which are accrued by giving rides. Rides given at any time are one point. Rides given at certain peak hours can be worth three points.
All Uber Pro drivers must also attain these “great service” metrics:
- star rating of 4.85 or above
- acceptance rate of 85% or above
- cancellation rate of 4% or lower
Here are the point requirements and extra benefits for each of the higher tiers.
Uber Pro Gold (300 points)
- 100% tuition coverage at ASU Online for the driver or an eligible family member. (This benefit requires drivers to complete at least 2,000 lifetime trips as well as Gold status or above.)
- free language lessons with Rosetta Stone
- recognition in your rider’s app, meaning the rider sees your status before choosing you
- ability to see trip duration
Uber Pro Platinum (600 points)
- one-year Costco Gold Star membership
- access to area preferences (choose the areas where you wish trips to begin and end on the map)
- extra destination (an additional option to set a destination when you’re stuck in a slow zone after a long trip)
- dedicated customer support (service from highly trained agents)
Uber Pro Diamond (1,200 points)
- Uber Pro cash reward for being a Diamond driver (one time only, in any Uber Pro period before October 31, 2023. Amounts vary and can be seen through your Uber app.)
- Diamond VIP support (priority service from the support team)
What is the Uber Pro card, and how does it work?
The Uber Pro card comes as part of the Uber Pro program. It’s a new generation of the Uber debit card. It is, in essence, a checking account powered by Branch. With the card, Uber drivers can have their earnings direct deposited, and the funds can be accessed through the card.
There are perks that come with the Uber Pro debit card, and some of these tie into the driver’s Uber Pro status. Uber Pro card benefits include guaranteed cash back on gas and EV charging. Depending on the driver’s Uber Pro tier, it’s possible to get between 2%–6% cash back on gas or 4%–12% on EV charging. If drivers select the Mastercard Easy Savings benefit as part of their Uber Pro card package, they can receive 1% cash back on gas at some locations, and also get savings on dining and travel.
With the Uber Pro card, drivers can save on Instant Pay fees by getting free automatic cashouts. Earnings will be added to their Uber Pro Card after each trip. Drivers who activate automatic cash-outs can benefit from the Backup Balance feature, should they overdraw. There are additional terms and conditions, of course, and it’s always a good idea to read each and every word of any financial agreement.
Here’s how to get the Uber Pro Card:
Go to your Uber driver app and tap on
- wallet
- payment methods
- banner for Uber Pro Card
then
- submit your application
- download the Uber Pro Card app
- finish setting up your account
Once Branch approves your application, you’ll be in business. Wait for your card to come in the mail, and activate it by scanning the QR code that comes with the card.
How easy is it to keep or improve your Uber Pro status?
There are two things you’ll need to do in order to keep or improve your Uber Pro status. One is to drive a lot, and the other is to provide excellent service. With Upfront Fares in place, it’s easy to see what rides will be worth taking. However, if you let your acceptance rate slip, you could harm your Uber Pro status.
You’ll have to decide if the benefits offered by Uber Pro are worth taking almost every ride that comes your way. The only way to do this is to see how difficult it is to maintain that high acceptance rate and limit the number of low-yielding trips you take.
Uber is taking an aggressive stance with their Uber Pro program in 2023. You can see showy videos on the app that tout the new benefits and features. The company has obviously gone to great lengths to partner with various corporations to offer discounts to Uber drivers as well. The cash incentive for Diamond drivers is attractive, to be sure—and Uber is even offering drivers who have not been active for some time the opportunity to restore their status and requalify for it.
Obviously, Uber wants to keep drivers loyal to the brand and raise their standards with regard to the quality of service they offer customers. The Uber Pro program we’ve described thus far is for rideshare drivers. But what about Uber Eats delivery drivers?
Is there such a thing as Uber Eats Pro?
Yes! So what is Uber Eats Pro? Uber is rolling out a new rewards program for delivery drivers in select cities. If the program offering Uber Eats Pro benefits is available in your area, you will be invited. The program has four tiers, which are
- Green (the basic level)
- Gold
- Platinum
- Diamond
Like Uber Pro, each level features additional benefits and discounts.
The points system is different from Uber Pro. Here’s how it breaks down:
– Lunch deliveries (11 AM–2 PM) are worth three points.
– Dinner deliveries (5 PM–9PM) are worth six points.
– Deliveries at all other times are worth one point.
To unlock Gold, Platinum, and Diamond levels, drivers must have at least a 95% satisfaction rate from restaurants and customers. You can read more about Uber Eats Pro on the Uber website, and keep watching for Uber to develop it further as 2023 continues to unfold.
Uber doesn’t seem to have a separate Uber Eats Pro card, but Uber Eats drivers are eligible to apply for the regular Uber Pro card. Uber Eats Pro rewards will also be similar to those offered to Uber rideshare drivers.
As we said, you’ll need to decide whether the benefits of Uber Pro are worth working so hard for, to maintain the numbers you need to get all those goodies. And, if you decide you’d rather be more selective about your rides than the Uber Pro program’s requirements allow, there is a great alternative.
Gridwise offers most of the same benefits listed in the Uber Pro program, and more. Gridwise tracks your mileage from the time you begin your shift until you’re done and seamlessly records your earnings from Uber and any other app you work with.
Take a look at Gridwise Benefits to discover the many ways Gridwise can make your life easier. And, if you want to see all the deals and discounts Gridwise offers, from gas and car maintenance to financial tools and counseling for legal matters, debt, and even housing …
