If you are looking for a flexible way to earn extra cash in 2023, you might want to consider becoming an Amazon Flex driver. Amazon Flex is a program that allows you to deliver packages for Amazon using your own vehicle and smartphone. You can set your own schedule, work as much or as little as you want, and get paid twice a week.
In this article, we will explain what Amazon Flex is, how it works, and how you can become an Amazon Flex driver in 2023.
What is Amazon Flex?
Amazon Flex is a delivery service that lets you use your own car and phone to deliver packages for Amazon. You can choose from different types of deliveries, such as:
- Amazon.com: Deliver packages from local warehouses or stores to customers’ homes or businesses.
- Prime Now: Deliver groceries, household items, and other products from local stores or warehouses within two hours of ordering.
- Amazon Fresh: Deliver fresh produce, meat, dairy, and other groceries from local warehouses or stores within a few hours of ordering.
- Store Orders: Deliver items from local stores such as Whole Foods Market, Petco, or Best Buy within a few hours of ordering.
- Instant Offers: Accept on-demand delivery requests from nearby customers who need their orders delivered quickly.
As an Amazon Flex driver, you are not an employee of Amazon, but an independent contractor. This means that you are responsible for your own expenses, taxes, insurance, and maintenance. You also have the freedom to choose when and where you want to work, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and follow the program guidelines.
How Does Amazon Flex Work?
To become an Amazon Flex driver, you need to have a qualified vehicle, a smartphone, and a valid driver’s license. You also need to pass a background check and watch some training videos. Once you are approved, you can start reserving blocks for deliveries.
Reserving blocks for deliveries
A block is a time slot that ranges from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the type of delivery. You can reserve blocks in advance or pick up available blocks on the same day. You can also cancel or swap blocks if your plans change. You can see the estimated earnings and duration of each block before you accept it.
To reserve a block, you need to open the Amazon Flex app on your phone and tap on “Offers”. You will see a list of available blocks in your area. You can filter the blocks by date, time, location, and type of delivery. You can also turn on notifications to get alerts when new blocks become available.
To accept a block, you need to tap on it and confirm your acceptance. You will then see the details of the block, such as the start time, end time, pickup location, and delivery area. You will also see the guaranteed minimum earnings for the block. This is the amount that you will earn regardless of how many deliveries you complete or how long it takes you. However, you may earn more if you receive tips from customers or complete more deliveries than expected.
Completing deliveries
To complete a delivery, you need to follow the instructions on the Amazon Flex app. You will need to:
- Arrive at the pickup location at least 15 minutes before your block starts.
- Scan the packages that are assigned to you using your phone’s camera.
- Load the packages into your vehicle in an organized manner.
- Navigate to the delivery locations using the app’s GPS.
- Scan the packages again when you arrive at each destination.
- Deliver the packages to the customers according to their preferences (e.g., leave at the door, hand to customer, etc.).
- Confirm each delivery on the app and collect any signatures or photos if required.
- Return any undelivered packages to the pickup location at the end of your block.
Getting paid and rewards
As an Amazon Flex driver, you will get paid twice a week via direct deposit. Your earnings will depend on how many blocks you complete and how much tips you receive. The average hourly earnings for Amazon Flex drivers are around $18-$25, but this may vary depending on your location, demand, and performance.
In addition to getting paid, you can also earn rewards with Amazon Flex Rewards. This is a program that lets you earn points for every completed delivery block. You can redeem these points for perks such as:
- Cash bonuses
- Gift cards
- Discounts on fuel, car maintenance, insurance, and more
- Access to exclusive offers and events
You can also level up your status with Amazon Flex Rewards by completing more blocks and maintaining a high rating. The higher your status, the more benefits you can enjoy.
Steps to Become an Amazon Flex Driver
If you are interested in becoming an Amazon Flex driver, you need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Check if Flex operates in your city
Amazon Flex is available in more than 50 cities across the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Spain, and other countries. You can check if Flex operates in your city by visiting the Amazon Flex website and entering your zip code or postal code. You can also sign up for email updates to get notified when Flex launches in new locations.
Step 2: Meet age and license requirements
To become an Amazon Flex driver, you need to be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. You also need to have a clean driving record and pass a background check. The background check will verify your identity, criminal history, and driving history. It may take up to 5 days to complete the background check.
Step 3: Have a qualified vehicle and smartphone
To become an Amazon Flex driver, you need to have a qualified vehicle and smartphone. The vehicle requirements vary depending on the type of delivery. For example, for Amazon.com deliveries, you need to have a mid-sized sedan or larger that can fit at least 20 packages. For Prime Now and Amazon Fresh deliveries, you need to have a car that can fit at least 30 packages. For Store Orders and Instant Offers, you need to have a car that can fit at least 15 packages. You also need to have valid insurance and registration for your vehicle.
The smartphone requirements are the same for all types of deliveries. You need to have an Android phone with version 6.0 or higher or an iPhone with iOS 11 or higher. You also need to have at least 2 GB of RAM and a camera with flash. You need to have a data plan that can support GPS navigation and scanning packages.
Step 4: Set up your account and fill in details
To become an Amazon Flex driver, you need to set up your account and fill in some details. You can do this by downloading the Amazon Flex app from the Google Play Store or the App Store. You will need to:
- Enter your name, email address, phone number, and password.
- Agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
- Provide your social security number or tax identification number.
- Provide your bank account information for direct deposit.
- Upload a photo of yourself and your driver’s license.
- Choose the type of delivery you want to do (e.g., Amazon.com, Prime Now, etc.).
- Watch some training videos on how to use the app and how to deliver packages.
Earning Potential and Benefits of Being an Amazon Flex Driver
Becoming an Amazon Flex driver can be a great way to earn extra cash in 2023. Here are some of the earning potential and benefits of being an Amazon Flex driver:
Earning potential
As an Amazon Flex driver, you can earn between $18-$25 per hour on average. However, this may vary depending on factors such as:
- Your location: Some cities may have higher demand and pay rates than others.
- The type of delivery: Some types of delivery may have higher base pay or tips than others.
- The time of day: Some time slots may have higher demand and pay rates than others.
- The number of deliveries: The more deliveries you complete, the more you can earn.
- The tips: The tips you receive from customers can boost your earnings significantly.
You can also increase your earning potential by taking advantage of the Amazon Flex Rewards program. This program lets you earn points for every completed delivery block. You can redeem these points for cash bonuses, gift cards, discounts, and more.
Benefits
As an Amazon Flex driver, you can enjoy the following benefits:
- Flexibility: You can set your own schedule and work as much or as little as you want. You can also choose the type of delivery that suits your preferences and availability.
- Independence: You can work on your own terms and be your own boss. You can also use your own vehicle and phone to deliver packages.
- Variety: You can deliver different types of products from different locations to different customers. You can also explore new places and meet new people along the way.
- Satisfaction: You can provide a valuable service to customers who rely on Amazon for their shopping needs. You can also receive positive feedback and ratings from customers who appreciate your service.
Conclusion
Amazon Flex is a great way to earn extra cash or make a full-time income. Drivers can choose their own hours and work as much or as little as they want. Amazon Flex is available in over 180 cities in the United States. To become an Amazon Flex driver, you must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license, have a smartphone with the Amazon Flex app installed, and have a qualified vehicle.
