Amazon is letting customers tip their delivery drivers at no extra charge. The company is bringing back Thank My Driver, a holiday promotion that allows anyone who shops on Amazon the ability to give a $5 tip to the drivers dropping packages on their doorsteps.
“Starting December 4, when a customer says, ‘Alexa, thank my driver,’ from an Alexa-enabled device or searches ‘thank my driver’ on Amazon (app or web), the driver who completed their most recent delivery will be notified of the customer’s appreciation,” the company explained in the announcement. “With each of the first 2 million thank-yous, drivers will also receive $5 at no cost to the customer.”
After the first 2 million thank-yous are dolled out, customers can continue to use the feature to thank drivers the whole year through. Employees will see the note of appreciation in the app, but it will no longer be accompanied by a tip. You’ll have to hand those out in person to keep the financial thank-yous going.
The promotion is painless, and the freebie means there’s no reason not to partake while it lasts. It’s the season of giving, after all. And for Amazon delivery drivers, it’s also the season of hustling. Drivers work longer and harder during the holidays. In the past, Amazon drivers have opened up about the surge in deliveries they have to make during the giving season.
This year is expected to be even busier for drivers. Consumers are leaning on Amazon more than ever this year. Amazon’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, which took place from November 21 through December 2, smashed records. According to Facteus, Amazon saw sales rise 6% compared to 2023’s Black Friday.
Now, the company is promoting more holiday sales. “We know how much our customers appreciate saving money, and our customers saved billions with us during this year’s holiday shopping event,” said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, in a press release. “And we have many more fun and exciting ways for them to continue to save this holiday season.”
If you’re considering participating in the promotion, you’re not alone. Thank My Driver has been around since 2022’s holiday season, and, according to Amazon’s recent announcement, the promotion has been used 40 million times since. So, even if you’ve never used Thank My Driver before, with a lot of extra deliveries coming up, it’s really the perfect time to take part.