Tip Lyft/Uber Driver - Question on Standards

[Sparrow'sLady]

Seriously wondering how others tip for Lyft? I am not cheap, pretty generous with tipping for good service, but this tip crazed society we live in is out of control. (like expecting a 20% tip for carry-out orders, for start)

I believe 20% is the average for a Lyft or Uber? We had a ride that was $11, we tipped $5 and the driver was seriously offended. Upset. We gave him cash. He asked if we would be adding more in the app.

What am I missing here on the expectation or standard?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I guess that's a big reason to tip on the app and not with cash. If the driver is offended by a 45% tip, that sounds like a 1-star rating!

We tend to use Uber/Lyft of airport trips, to/from. If our driver is on time, friendly, drives safely, and helps with bags, I'll often go up to 25%. If there's no extra effort or they're rude (which really doesn't happy much), much less on the tipping.

 

[kylenne]

In all the years I've been taking rideshares at home and while traveling I've never had a driver shake me down for a bigger tip. That would have earned them a 1 star rating on the trip tbqh.

I tend to stick to 18-20% as baseline minimum, higher than that if exceptional service. Drivers who don't bother to get out to help me with luggage get 18%. I go up from there depending. The highest I've given was 30% on a Toronto trip because the weather was truly atrocious that night (which is why we booked one despite just going home down the street, just walking in it was treacherous) and his driving in it was fantastic.

I know Uber tends to suggest a tip based on your tipping patterns. I'd only go less than 18% if someone was exceptionally nasty or rude. Thankfully I've never had to do that.

 

[GoingSince1990]

On ride apps I will tip 20%, with a $5 minimum, if everything goes well, always through the app.

 

[Lewisc]

I believe 20% is the average for a Lyft or Uber? We had a ride that was $11, we tipped $5 and the driver was seriously offended. Upset. We gave him cash. He asked if we would be adding more in the app.

$5 is generous UNLESS you kept the driver waiting at pick up. UNLESS the driver and unloaded several heavy bags.

Not enough if the driver spent 5 minutes fitting your luggage in the vehicle, jigsaw puzzle style.

None if that. The driver was putting on an act as a shake down, trolling for a bigger tip

 

[MIChessGuy]

Let's say there is a suitcase and a carry-on for a $30 airport trip, and the driver does the loading and unloading. How about then?

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

On ride apps I will tip 20%, with a $5 minimum, if everything goes well, always through the app.

I guess that's a big reason to tip on the app and not with cash. If the driver is offended by a 45% tip, that sounds like a 1-star rating!

We did not have a choice to use the app. The ride was complimentary, paid by the business that booked it. They did not pay the tip portion, however. So, we gave him $5 in cash. It was almost 50% of the ride cost.

 

[Lewisc]

Let's say there is a suitcase and a carry-on for a $30 airport trip, and the driver does the loading and unloading. How about then?

Tipping on the app I'd probably go with $6.

If my ride was paid for and I couldn't tip on the app. At least $6. If I didn't have any singles I might give him $10

 

[SteveH]

I tip in the app and if they are above and beyond I tip extra cash, usually $5, but still always tip in the app.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

With inflation, many are expecting 20% for average service and more for good/outstanding service. I know many people in the service industry and they complain about people who tip 20% when they do a great job servicing them. I am not suggesting you did not tip enough; I believe it is just a part of what you mentioned.... the tipping culture has become excessive. I think I read about something called "tipflation".

Personally, I would tip 20% for great service, 22% if it is excellent and somewhere between 15% - 17% if I receive service with an attitude/inattentive service. In the case of a ride, I would tip 20%, however if the driver made me feel unsafe, the car was gross inside (dirty or odor) or they were rude, I would certainly not tip 20%.

 

[EACarlson]

I'd have taken the cash back and said I'll tip in the app, and the tipped $0.01 along with a one star review. I generally tip 15-20% for an average ride, more if the driver goes above and less if something is wrong. Had a driver at the TPA airport that picked up me and two colleagues in the airport with his trunk full. We had to ride out to St. Pete Beach with our suitcases in our laps. He only 10%

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I'd have taken the cash back and said I'll tip in the app, and the tipped $0.01 along with a one star review. I generally tip 15-20% for an average ride, more if the driver goes above and less if something is wrong. Had a driver at the TPA airport that picked up me and two colleagues in the airport with his trunk full. We had to ride out to St. Pete Beach with our suitcases in our laps. He only 10%

Wow, that's not very good planning by the driver. If that happened to us, I don't think there would be any tip involved. Might've even cancelled and scheduled a different driver. What driver would go to an airport for a pickup without any trunk space available?!

 

[Miffy]

I had a rideshare driver give me a less-than-perfect rating and I'm pretty sure it was because I tipped him in cash and by the time he rated me he'd forgotten about that and thought I'd stiffed him. But I still usually tip in cash--and $5 for an $11 ride is a good tip.

 

[Lewisc]

Wow, that's not very good planning by the driver. If that happened to us, I don't think there would be any tip involved. Might've even cancelled and scheduled a different driver. What driver would go to an airport for a pickup without any trunk space available?!

I might have canceled the ride.

That's why drivers don't generally offer car seats. When not used much of the trunk.space is lost

 

[jimmymc]

It's always been customary in the US to tip 20% on taxi or private car rides. For Uber and Lyft, I normally pick the lowest default option unless the driver did something over the top. Tipping $5 on an $11 ride is absolutely over the top, and the driver was out of line complaining. I would also give a low review.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

Had a driver at the TPA airport that picked up me and two colleagues in the airport with his trunk full. We had to ride out to St. Pete Beach with our suitcases in our laps. He only 10%

I would have skipped the tip.

 

[greeneyedchick]

I tip in the app and if they are above and beyond I tip extra cash, usually $5, but still always tip in the app.

May I ask why you should tip in the app? Ialways try to tip with cash because I thought that the drivers would prefer it and I can be sure that they are getting the tip that they are owed.

 

[eticketplease]

May I ask why you should tip in the app? Ialways try to tip with cash because I thought that the drivers would prefer it and I can be sure that they are getting the tip that they are owed.

For me there are a couple of reasons.
1st and foremost using a cc that earns rewards or credits for the rideshare.
2nd this allows me to actually see how much if I spent when planning for my next trip. I won’t remember how much I tipped in cash.

 

[SteveH]

May I ask why you should tip in the app? Ialways try to tip with cash because I thought that the drivers would prefer it and I can be sure that they are getting the tip that they are owed.

Reason for me and based on my understanding is that as a consumer we can rate the drivers, and in turn the drivers can rate the consumer. If you don't tip in the app the company has no idea if you tipped in cash, so if the driver has a beef they can knock you down for not tipping. Plus, for me, I'd guess 80% of my ride share use is for work, so I want it in the app. I've had a few outstanding drivers, so I tipped in app and handed cash as well.

 

[RedHead0186]

I tip a couple of dollars. If it's an airport trip and they help me with heavy suitcases, I'll tip a little more. If they're extra friendly I might also tip a couple extra.