Back in November, Uber introduced a new rewards program for its U.S.-based drivers, offering perks such as vehicle maintenance discounts, personalized healthcare recommendations, and discounts on wireless services. And today, Uber has revealed it’s looking to woo drivers internationally, starting with the U.K.
With Momentum’s UK launch, Uber is tweaking the available perks for the local market, as there’s no real need for healthcare recommendations in a country that already offers free healthcare.
Instead, Uber drivers may qualify for free MOTs and car servicing discounts of “up to” 35 percent. There’s also discounts available for car washing and valeting.
hfg Elsewhere, Uber is offering what it calls “lifestyle” perks such as online accountancy discounts, but it serves as a gentle nudge for drivers to be wary of their annual tax obligations.
While the perks available at launch aren’t particularly extensive, Uber says that more will be added over time, with the potential for more than £900 worth of benefits each year.
250 Uber trips
To qualify for Momentum, Uber drivers must have completed 250 trips or more, though it doesn’t specify how many hours a week they must work thereafter. However, it does say that it “reserves the right to recall any Momentum Card from any Uber Partner” if they “don’t maintain an active status on the Uber platform.”
Although Uber divides the perks into “Business” and “Lifestyle”, the rewards are largely related to drivers’ work with Uber, so it will be interesting to see whether it introduces significant perks to the mix not related to work, such as gym discounts. As things stand, there isn’t a great deal in there to lure more drivers on board, though for those already plying their trade with Uber it’s certainly better than nothing.
Prior to the launch of Momentum, Uber has offered other “perks” such as car-financing plans as it looks to encourage more drivers to sign up, though these have come in for criticism in recent times for facilitating subprime lending.
Though it’s only available to UK drivers for now, Uber says Momentum will be rolling out to other European countries moving forward.