Uber driver tips have crossed $600 Million since last June when the company first launched in-app tipping, and Uber says that tips for drivers have only increased since it launched the capability to tip drivers mid-way through the trip in May of this year. According to Uber Product Manager Dhruv Tyagi, that increase was by about 30-percent compared to driver tips prior to the change, which seems to suggest that riders are more likely to tip their drivers now that they’re allowed to do so before reaching their destination.
Uber launched in-app tipping exactly a year and one day ago as the feature was rolled out on June 20 of 2017, and its second full month of being available was a reportedly good month, reach $50 million in tips. Uber drivers have also made more in tips than those who drive for Lyft, though part of this can likely be attributed to the fact that Uber is available for drivers in more countries, where as Lyft is only available in the U.S. and Canada, so by contrast Uber has many more opportunities here.
There’s not exactly a science to how to obtain the best tips if you’re a driver for Uber but it does seem like there are some guidelines to when ad where to expect the most in tips. Certain times for example reportedly garner the best tips, such as 5:17 AM on a Sunday morning, or 10:33 PM the night before, which are perhaps when people might be going home after a night out or right in the middle evening activities. Certain cities also play host to better tips for those looking to drive for Uber. Salt Lake City, Kansas City, New Orleans, and Nashville are said to have the best tips in the Uber business, though that doesn’t mean all drivers in those locations are making better tips than drivers in other cities.