Following its huge success in Australia with rideshare and on-demand delivery services, Uber is once again expanding its ecosystem by introducing a new service called Uber Valet. This time, the role of the driver is to deliver rental cars owned by Avis to customers or vice versa.
Conceptually, this service looks simple: the driver just needs to pick up a car from Avis and deliver it to the customer’s address, or pick it up from the customer’s home to return it to Avis. However, behind this simplicity, the service has sparked a lot of discussion among drivers regarding the potential benefits and drawbacks they may face.
Extra Income for Gig Drivers?
For drivers, Uber Valet can be seen as another way to increase earnings. There are some potential advantages, such as lighter tasks, since they don’t have to deal with passengers whose behaviour can be unpredictable or face the exhausting queues at busy restaurants. In this service, the driver only focuses on delivering a rental car from point A to point B.
Uber Valet Notification
Just like other Uber services, you, as a driver, can choose whenever you want to accept an order. This service can be helpful when rideshare and food delivery requests are quiet. So your time doesn’t go to waste, and you still earn income.
So if you live near an Avis location or a potential Avis customer area, Uber Valet can be quite an attractive option.
Uber Valet Requirements?
The requirements to be part of Uber Valet aren’t too different from those for being a rideshare driver. Here are the requirements:
- 25 years old
- Full driver’s licence
- Pass a motor vehicle check
- Have an Avis Preferred Account
So if you’re an UberX driver, you might be eligible to get into this program.
Is it worth it?
Uber Valet can be a new alternative for drivers to earn extra income. However, this service also presents several challenges. One of them is transportation before and after the delivery. As we know, Uber does not provide any transportation or special vehicle to take drivers to the Avis location or the customer’s address. Likewise, after the car has been delivered, the driver must find another way to get back.
So, if the delivery location is far from public transport, drivers may have to spend their own money on a taxi, another rideshare, or alternative transport. This cost could eat up a significant portion of the income earned from the Uber Valet order. In fact, if the customer’s location is very far from Avis, in certain situations, the return transport fare could be higher than the fee received.
Pros and Cons for Gig Drivers
Within the gig driver community, this service has sparked quite a debate. Some support it because it’s a new opportunity to fill free time, especially if they happen to be near Avis or the customer’s location. The job is considered lighter compared to waiting for food orders during off-peak hours.
Some are against it and see this service as disadvantageous to drivers. Because without transport support from Uber or Avis, drivers must bear the additional costs themselves. For some, this makes the profit calculation unreasonable.
However, the decision to try Uber Valet actually comes back to each driver. Some things to consider when you want to join this service include: Is there easily accessible public transport in the delivery area? Then, is the extra travel cost worth the payment from Uber Valet?
If the answers to these questions tend to be positive, Uber Valet can be a decent source of extra income. But if not, drivers should stay focused on rideshare and delivery services where the profit calculation is clearer.
Uber Valet brings a new colour to the gig economy in Australia. This service opens up opportunities for drivers to expand their income options, but at the same time also adds extra burdens in the form of transport costs and logistical planning. In my opinion, Uber Valet may be a solution for some people, but it may not suit all drivers.
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