Do you guys remember Sidecar, the long lost step-sister of Uber and Lyft? I haven’t written about them much in the past couple months because I’ve been so focused on Uber and Lyft but it seems like more and more drivers are using Sidecar these days to earn a little extra cash.
Related: All of My Articles About Sidecar
I actually read about this bonus a few weeks ago but had too much other important stuff to write and podcast about so I put it on the back burner for a while. But after looking over the details of this latest bonus offer, and talking to a few drivers, it actually looks like a pretty decent and very achievable bonus. Just in time for Christmas too!
$100 After 10 Rides
The current sign-up bonus for Uber is $100 after 20 rides and the current bonus for Lyft is $50 after 20 rides (although if you are a Lyft driver Uber is still offering $500 bonuses that you need to take advantage of). This Sidecar bonus actually beats them both though since it will pay out $100 after just 10 rides.
Now you might be thinking 10 rides, no problem. But unless you’re in San Francisco, you’ll probably have to dedicate at least a few days to hitting this number. Although, you can and should drive for Uber or Lyft while you’re waiting for your Sidecar requests. I’ve only gotten a handful of Sidecar rides driving in LA and most of the time I can’t be all that picky with my pick-up and/or drop-off radius.
If you’d like to use my code (HARRY86) to sign up, I will also receive a $100 bonus if and when you complete the 10 rides. I’ve actually only had a couple drivers ever successfully use my code and complete the required number of rides so best of luck to you on this quest! And if you do end up using my code and completing the 10 rides, please let me know so that I can personally thank you.
How To Leverage Sidecar
By now you guys should know that I’m all about figuring out ways to work smarter, not harder. And I think Sidecar can fit into that strategy nicely for a couple different reasons. I know it’s not in every city yet, but here’s how I currently use Sidecar: any time I’m out driving for Lyft or Uber (or both), I always turn on Sidecar and set the multiplier at 2-3x. That way, if I do get a call, it will earn me more than I would have made on a similar Lyft or Uber call.
I think it would be difficult to manage three apps at once but by setting your Sidecar multiplier a little higher, any rides you do get with Sidecar will just be icing on the cake. If Uber starts surging though or Lyft goes to Prime Time, I generally turn off Sidecar since it isn’t worth my time at that point.
Who knows though? You may find that in your city Sidecar is a booming business. Either way, it’s very easy to get signed up with Sidecar and you can use your existing vehicle inspection to get approved. So really, there’s no risk and it’s just another way to earn an easy $100 bonus and diversify your income.
Pre-Arranged Rides
I know some drivers are also using Sidecar to set up pre-arranged rides with their network of passengers. Since you get 100% of the fares of all new passengers that you refer, you could effectively give commission free rides to people you know. So if you took my advice (and I know many of you have) and started building a network of passengers, this would be a good way to leverage that network going forward.
Get a $100 bonus after 10 rides when you sign up using my referral code (HARRY86).
Drivers, what do you think about Sidecar’s latest bonus? If you already drive for them what’s your experience been like so far? And if you don’t drive for them yet, will this bonus encourage you to sign up and give them a try?
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