Profitable Uber Rides (/w “Freebird”)

I normally hate to post about deals like this that others have already posted about, but I’m throwing this up as a non “Featured post” because I’m just excited after I got $20 cash back on a $7 Uber ride.

 

The concept:

There is an app called “Freebird” that basically has sponsors for your Uber or Lyft ride (only hook up one for now).

It typically gives 250 to 500 points for a ride and when you earn 5,000 points you can cash out for $10 (giving a typical ride an additional $0.50 to $1).

You link a debit card and can deposit the cash to your checking (takes a few days, but did show up).

Two Promo Codes At Once

However, you can currently use two promo codes at once.

Download here, and then:

1. A referral code – “lbb12” (gives $5 off first 2 rides)
2. And “3TENBACK”    (gives $10 off first 3 rides)

So far, this is basically getting $15 off your first 2 rides, and $5 of the 3rd.

(“5for5” is still working if “3tenback” does not, but you can only choose one).

 

Update: Two additional codes for existing users, can add any time!

• “URBDAY1” (gives $5) ht: DOC

 

We already have $55 in cashback value, most in the first two rides!

Some of these seem to come and go, so add em when you can.

 

I believe Freebird works by verifying the payment with your card that’s on file with Uber as well. And it basically calls an Uber with your account using their app (using Uber’s APIs? are they open now?), which is kind of annoying because Uber is way more user-friendly.

But the important thing is that it is actually using your Uber account and card on file. Which means…

 

The Restaurant Thing

Even after you’ve burned through your bonuses, you can still get cashback bonuses on rides!

When you log into Freebird you’ll see a bunch of restaurants offering $4 or $5 cash back to spend money there (as sponsors?).

It totally looks like all you have to do is eat there, and there are barely any terms to clarify that you have to click that link to order a ride there… But I believe you do!

Try to find the restaurant you were going to Uber/Lyft to and if it offers $4 cashback, you click through to order the car and then make sure you use a card on file (with Freebird) to spend a dollar there.

For me, this $4 was pending for a day or two, but it did show up!

I could be wrong, but it seems this is instead of the 250 points (which is a way better deal anyhow).

Again, you only qualify for the advertised bonus if you call a ride through that link and spend on a card on file.

 

The Points System Thing

I totally expected myself to delete the app as soon as I got all my cashback, after all, Uber’s system is way more user-friendly and this app is missing many of its drop-pin features, location features, etc… 

But now that I’m 2,500 points out of 5,000, I might as well keep going to get that extra $10 back!

 

Stacks with Uber promos

For whatever reason, I’m constantly targeted with 50% off Uber rides (up to $6 off). My first ride was $4 (half off) just because that’s what Uber was going to charge me, and I got the $5 cash back.

• Stacks with Uber promo codes.
• Stacks with Uber rewards.
• Obviously, you still earn based on Uber spend charged (before cashback).

Uber Rewards is basically an additional 2% back, plus your card spend bonus. 5% isn’t a ton, but I’m telling you… I always have 30% to 50% off my Uber account (my wife never does, maybe because I’m Android and she’s Apple?).

 

Works in other countries

This is quite unusual for startups that are clearly using US-based sponsors, nonetheless… I was able to use it in CDMX. My 40 minute Uber ride from downtown Mexico City to the Airport was $11, so $5 to $10 cash back, is a big deal.

 

Conclusion

My wife and I have already earned $60 cashback this month and have $20 in bonuses left, and we’re both halfway to $10 in cashback from the points. Will be the easiest $100 cash, as we did everything as we normally would’ve, just via a different app. That’s it.