Blog shared from https://www.hyrecar.com/blog/how-to-earn-more-tips-driving-for-uber/

When you work an on-demand economy gig like being an Uber or Uber Eats driver, Uber pays you a set amount of money for every passenger pick-up or food delivery that you make. Monetary tips from your customers, also known as gratuities, means more cash in your pocket, but remember, tipping is completely up to your customers. It’s 100% optional.

The possibility exists that some customers ask themselves “Do you tip Uber drivers?” Or, “Are you supposed to tip Uber Eats drivers?” We’ll get into that a little later in this article. First, let’s focus on how a hardworking rideshare driver like yourself can earn a hard-earned tip from a satisfied customer.

10 Tricks for Drivers to Earn More Uber Tips:

If you’re not receiving a lot of tips, or none at all, here are a few easy steps you can take that might encourage a customer to reward you with a gratuity. Think about it. Would you give a good tip to an unprofessional waiter who provides you with bad service? Probably not. Provide your passengers with high quality Uber customer service by paying them some extra attention. They just might pay you with some extra cash!

• Greet your passenger with a smile and a friendly hello using their name, which is provided to you in the Uber app. Don’t just say “Are you ______?” A personalized greeting shows that you see them as a person, and not just another fare.
• Once the passenger is settled in your Uber car, ask if they’re comfortable with regards to temperature, legroom, and the volume/type of music you have playing. Ask if they have any music requests that you can accommodate, like a favorite local or streaming music station. Perhaps start off by always having soft jazz or peaceful classical music playing. After all, getting into an Uber that’s blasting death metal just might ruin your tip chances.
• Let the passenger know how long the trip to their destination will take. That helps to let your customers know what to expect. Driver safety is extremely important. Don’t speed like you’re in a hurry to pick up your next passenger, or make any sudden stops or accelerations.
• Make sure your vehicle is clean and in good working order. Remember, you’re providing a relaxing, comfortable, and safe service to your customer, not just a ride from point A to point B. In general, make your passenger welcome in your personal vehicle, like you’re giving a helpful lift to a friend.
• Practice good Uber etiquette and show off your “Yes” attitude while on the job. If your customer asks you to use an alternate route to a destination, or makes some small requests, respond in a positive way to accommodate them.
• Keep your car (and yourself) smelling fresh and clean by not eating smelly or messy meals in your vehicle that might get all over the seats, your face, and your clothes. Your customer should feel like they’re in a relaxing environment and not in someone’s dirty kitchen.
• This should go without saying, but practice good hygiene. Use deodorant, avoid strong perfumes or colognes, and keep some breath mints or gum handy for after you eat. Your air conditioning vents might send noxious odors into the back seat and right into your passenger’s face.
• Help your passengers load and unload shopping bags or luggage into your car or trunk. That courtesy is always appreciated.
• Ask if your customers would like gum, mints, or a chilled water bottle, if you have some on hand. Offer to charge their phone while your driving.
• If your customer wants to talk, be a good listener. If they ask you questions about yourself, answer them politely and enthusiastically. If you sense that they want to just sit back, rest, work, or not engage in a conversation, don’t force it by talking too much. Sometimes, silence is golden.

How Uber Eats Drivers Can Earn More Tips:

If you’re an Uber Eats driver, most of the above suggestions will work as well. Here are a few more suggestions that might encourage a passenger to answer the question “Are you supposed to tip Uber Eats drivers?” with a resounding “Yes!”

• • If meeting your customer by the curb or in an office parking lot, try getting out of your car, greeting your customer by name, and handing them their meal. This is a much more personal touch than passing the take out bag through an open window and driving off.
  • If there was a delay picking up an Uber Eats order from a restaurant, or you got stuck in unexpected traffic, let your delivery customer know why it took a little longer to get their order when you drop it off. Apologize for the delay, even if it wasn’t your fault. This shows that you care about your customer’s satisfaction. 
  • Always tell your customers it was nice to meet them, encourage them to enjoy their meal and wish them a great rest of the day.
  • If you’re familiar with the restaurant or type of food your customer ordered, offer some friendly suggestions. Say something like “I love this restaurant, too. Have you tried their gyro wraps? They’re amazing!” Or, “That Indian food smells so good. Did you ever go to (insert restaurant name)? They make the best Tandoori chicken!” This way you come across as an enthusiastic fellow foodie, not just a delivery guy looking for a tip.

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Tipping Information For Passengers:

If you’ve been an Uber passenger, or received a food delivery from an Uber Eats driver, the question “Should I Tip My Uber Driver?” has probably popped into your head several times. Or, maybe you’ve asked your rideshare savvy friends, “Do you tip your Uber drivers? If so, how much should I tip my Uber driver?” Well, the answers are, “Of course!,” and “As much as you want!”

• Tipping has always traditionally been a part of the American car service business industry, whether it be taxis or limos, so it definitely applies to drivers who work for rideshare companies like Uber.
• Is it customary to tip Uber drivers? Tipping your Uber driver is completely up to you, but consider this: Uber drivers work hard to provide you with a personalized on-demand ridesharing service that’s both safe and comfortable.
• Offering a gratuity to your friendly driver will make their day, plus it helps pay for gas, a driver’s personal auto insurance, (Uber only covers a driver with insurance while picking up and dropping off passengers) and vehicle maintenance. And it’s just a nice thing to do.

How To Tip Your Uber Driver:

Compared to a taxi ride, an Uber ride is usually much less expensive, so offering a dollar or two to per ride doesn’t take much out of your budget in the long run. Don’t worry, if you forget to tip right away, you have up to 30 days after a ride to tip your driver! Of course, tipping immediately after a ride is completed is preferred.

Here’s a handy “how to” guide to Uber tipping:

• Can you pay Uber with cash? When it comes to a tip, yes!  When it comes to the ride itself, no. Your ride itself has to be paid through the Uber app on your phone. But your driver will happily accept a cash gratuity at the end of your ride.
• You can also tip your driver directly on the Uber driver app when the ride is done. It’s easy:
  • When your ride is over, a window will pop up on your Uber app asking you to rate your driver. If you liked them, be generous and give 4 or 5 stars.
  • Then, look on the bottom of the screen and you’ll see a banner that says, “After rating, you can add a tip.” Tap it, and you’ll have the option of leaving a pre-set percentage or your own custom amount.

• A standard tip for car service drivers is normally:
  • 20% for outstanding service
  • 15% for pretty good
  • 10% for average

Or, add your own custom amount. Every little bit helps, even a couple of bucks.

Do You Have to Tip Uber Eats Drivers?

Just like a regular Uber driver, an Uber Eats driver works hard to provide you with a personalized on-demand service, delivering a take-out order to you in a safe and timely manner. Tips are not included in the Uber Eats fee that you pay when you place an order, so if the delivery driver goes out of their way to be friendly and efficient, why not reward them with a cash gratuity or an Uber Eats tip through the phone app? The tipping process and the Uber tip calculator are pretty much the same.

So, here’s a tip just for you: the next time a helpful Uber driver takes you to your destination, or a friendly Uber Eats driver brings you your favorite take-out food, consider giving them a nice monetary tip. In this way, you’re letting them know they’re doing a job well done.