Looking for ways to boost your earnings as a Grubhub driver? I've found that referring other drivers is one of the easiest ways to earn extra cash, especially when you're already out making deliveries.

Let me share what I've learned after two years of referring other drivers.

Getting Started with Driver Referrals

Here's what you need to know about the current referral program: Grubhub offers bonuses that vary by city and season.

In my area (Chicago), I recently earned $100 for bringing in a new driver who completed 25 deliveries in their first two weeks.

My friend in Austin got $150 for each referral last month during a special promotion.

The program changes based on driver demand in your area.

Just last week, a driver in my local Facebook group shared that his bonus went up from $75 to $125 overnight. That's why it pays to keep an eye on current offers in your market.

What You Need to Be Eligible

Before you start sharing your referral code, make sure you qualify. From my experience working with other drivers, here's what you need:

• You've reached Pro or Partner status with Grubhub. This took me about three months of consistent deliveries to achieve.

• You're at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license and insurance. Pretty straightforward - the same requirements you met when you first signed up.

• You're delivering in a market where the referral program is active. Not every city offers referrals year-round, so it's worth checking your driver app to see if it's available in your area.

What makes this program stand out from other delivery apps is that there's no limit to how many drivers you can refer.

Getting Your Referral Code

The first step is finding your unique referral code in the app. Open your Grubhub Driver app and look for the "Earnings" tab.

You'll see a "Refer Drivers" button - that's where you'll find your personal code. I keep mine saved in my phone's notes app so it's always handy.

Each code is unique to you, and Grubhub tracks every referral through this code. When someone uses it to sign up, they're linked to your account automatically.

I learned this the hard way when I first started - I had three friends sign up without using my code, and there was no way to add them afterward.

Making Successful Referrals

I've found that timing and approach make a big difference in referral success.

When I talk to potential drivers, I share my real earnings - both from deliveries and referrals.

Here's a real conversation that worked for me: I was chatting with a college student who was looking for flexible work.

Instead of just pushing my code, I showed him my earnings screen and explained how I schedule my hours around classes.

He signed up that night and completed his required deliveries within a week.

Tracking Your Referrals

Keep track of your referrals - it's crucial for follow-up. I use a simple notes app to record:

• The person's name and when they signed up

• The number of deliveries they need to complete

• The deadline for completing those deliveries

• The bonus amount I'm expecting

Stay in touch with your referrals while they complete their required deliveries. One of my most successful referrals almost gave up after their third delivery, but after I shared some busy hotspots in our area, they stuck with it and we both got our bonuses.

What makes this program stand out from other delivery apps is that there's no limit to how many drivers you can refer. One driver I know earned over $800 in a single month by referring drivers during a summer promotion.

Dealing with Common Challenges

Every referral program has its quirks, and Grubhub's is no different. Here's what I've learned from experience:

Sometimes the app glitches and doesn't record a referral right away. When this happened to me, I took screenshots of everything and reached out to driver support. They fixed it within 48 hours once I showed proof that my friend used my code.

Bonus amounts can change while your referral is completing their deliveries. Good news - you'll always get the higher amount that was offered when they first signed up. My last referral started when the bonus was $100, and even though it dropped to $75 in our area, I still got the full $100.

The biggest challenge is often keeping new drivers motivated. I've started sharing my delivery schedule with my referrals so we can work the same areas.

This buddy system has worked great - my last three referrals all completed their requirements ahead of schedule.

Planning for Long-term Success

Think beyond just sharing your code. I treat my referrals like I'm building a team.

We have a group chat where we share busy spots and warn each other about road closures or big events.

This approach has turned several of my referrals into regular delivery buddies.

The best part is that some of my referrals have started referring others too.

We share strategies and compare which promotional messages work best.

One driver I referred in March has already brought in four more drivers - that's the kind of ripple effect that can really boost your earnings.

Building Your Referral Success

Looking back at my two years with Grubhub's referral program, the extra earnings have really added up. Just tracking my own numbers, I've earned an additional $2,400 through referrals alone - that's on top of my regular delivery earnings. But what's even better are the connections I've made with other drivers.

Start small - focus on helping one new driver succeed. Share your actual experiences, both good and challenging. When I started out, I wish someone had told me that building a network of delivery buddies would be just as valuable as the referral bonuses.

Keep in mind that market conditions change. What works in summer might not work during winter months. Stay flexible with your approach and keep an eye on those bonus amounts - they're a good indicator of when to put more effort into finding referrals.

Got questions about making referrals work for you? Join your local Grubhub driver Facebook group - that's where I learned most of my strategies. You'll find other drivers sharing their experiences and tips that work in your specific area.

Quick Tips for Success

Here's what's working right now in my market:

• Screenshot bonus offers when you see them spike

• Share actual earnings examples when talking to potential drivers

• Schedule one meal delivery shift with each new referral

• Check in with referrals at the 5, 15, and 20 delivery marks

• Save chat logs with driver support about any bonus questions

Most importantly, be real with people about what it's like to deliver for Grubhub. I always tell potential referrals about both the busy and slow times. This honesty has led to more successful referrals and some great friendships along the way.