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How to Become a Top Dasher on DoorDash (Testimonial March 2023)

Table of Contents

How to Become a Top Dasher on Doordash

As a top dasher on Doordash, I understand the importance of being efficient and effective when it comes to delivering orders. Not only does it benefit the customers who receive their food promptly, but it also helps me earn more money and qualify for perks like Top Dasher status. In this article, I'll share some tips on how to become a top dasher in the fastest time possible, along with some charts and tables to make the information easier to understand.

What is Top Dasher?

For those who may not be familiar, Top Dasher is a status that Doordash offers to its top-performing dashers. To qualify for Top Dasher status, you need to meet certain criteria:

  • Have a customer rating of 4.7 or above
  • Accept at least 95% of the orders offered to you
  • Complete at least 100 deliveries in the previous month
  • Have a completion rate of 95% or higher
  • Be on the schedule for at least 60% of the available shifts in your area

If you meet these criteria, you'll be eligible for Top Dasher status, which comes with perks like being able to Dash Now at any time (even during busy periods when other dashers can't), priority support from Doordash, and the ability to see the total payout for an order before accepting it.

DoorDash is one of the most popular on-demand food delivery services in the United States. As a DoorDash driver, you have the potential to earn a good income if you know how to work the system. One way to increase your earnings as a DoorDash driver is to become a "Top Dasher." In this article, we will explore how to become a Top Dasher by sharing some example orders from Reddit that have helped other drivers earn more money.

What is a Top Dasher?

A Top Dasher is a DoorDash driver who meets certain criteria set by the company, such as having a high acceptance rate and completing a certain number of deliveries per month. Top Dashers are eligible for benefits such as higher pay, priority scheduling, and the ability to Dash Now (meaning they can start dashing without scheduling ahead of time).

Example Orders from Reddit

Reddit is a great resource for DoorDash drivers to learn about the experiences of other drivers and to get tips on how to maximize earnings. Here are some example orders from Reddit that have helped drivers earn more money:

  1. $80+ Order for 1.2 Miles - This driver received a high-paying order for a short distance. The key takeaway here is to keep an eye out for high-paying orders, even if they are for short distances.
  2. Accept Low-Paying Orders to Get High-Paying Orders - This driver shared their experience of accepting a low-paying order, which led to them receiving a high-paying order shortly after. DoorDash rewards drivers with higher-paying orders when they have a high acceptance rate.
  3. $250+ Order for 20 Miles - This driver received a very high-paying order for a long distance. The takeaway here is that it's worth it to accept orders that are farther away if they pay well.
  4. $70+ Order for 1.5 Miles - This driver received a high-paying order for a short distance. The key takeaway here is to keep an eye out for high-paying orders, even if they are for short distances.
  5. $50+ Order for 1.5 Miles - This driver received a high-paying order for a short distance. The key takeaway here is to keep an eye out for high-paying orders, even if they are for short distances.

Tips for Becoming a Top Dasher

  1. Acceptance Rate - To become a Top Dasher, you need to have a high acceptance rate (around 70%). This means you need to accept the majority of the orders that come your way, even if they are low-paying. As the example orders from Reddit show, accepting low-paying orders can sometimes lead to higher-paying orders later on. So, it's important to maintain a high acceptance rate to increase your chances of receiving high-paying orders.
  2. Completion Rate - You also need to have a high completion rate (around 95%). This means you need to complete the majority of the orders that you accept. If you cancel orders or don't complete them, it can hurt your completion rate and make it harder to become a Top Dasher.
  3. Customer Rating - Your customer rating is also important for becoming a Top Dasher. You need to maintain a rating of 4.2 or higher to be eligible for Top Dasher benefits. This means you need to provide excellent service to your customers, including being prompt, polite, and professional.
  4. Number of Deliveries - You also need to complete a certain number of deliveries per month to become a Top Dasher. The exact number can vary depending on your market, but it's typically around 100 deliveries per month. This means you need to be willing to work hard and put in the hours to complete a high volume of deliveries.
  5. Know Your Market - Finally, it's important to know your market and be strategic about when and where you dash. Some areas may have higher demand and more opportunities for high-paying orders. It's also important to pay attention to peak hours and times when demand is highest.

Conclusion

Becoming a Top Dasher can be a great way to increase your earnings as a DoorDash driver. By maintaining a high acceptance rate, completion rate, customer rating, and completing a high volume of deliveries, you can become eligible for Top Dasher benefits such as higher pay, priority scheduling, and the ability to Dash Now. By following the tips in this article and taking inspiration from the example orders from Reddit, you can work towards becoming a Top Dasher and achieving greater success as a DoorDash driver.

Tips for Becoming a Top Dasher

Here's a chart to help you keep track of your progress towards becoming a Top Dasher:

Month Completion Rate Acceptance Rate On-Time Rate Customer Rating
Jan 90% 80% 85% 4.8
Feb 91% 85% 87% 4.9
Mar 92% 87% 90% 5.0

This chart shows how the completion rate, acceptance rate, on-time rate, and customer rating can affect your eligibility for Top Dasher status.

Another useful tool is the DoorDash earnings calculator, which can help you estimate your earnings based on your delivery volume, order value, and other factors. Here's an example of how the calculator works:

Metric Value
Total Orders 200
Order Value $30
Delivery Fee $5
Peak Pay $2
Promotions $20
Tips $100
Taxes and Fees $20
Total Earnings $1,400
Earnings per Hour $23

This table shows how you can use the DoorDash earnings calculator to estimate your earnings based on your delivery volume, order value, and other factors.

Now that you know what it takes to become a Top Dasher, let's talk about some tips for achieving that status as quickly as possible:

Focus on Customer Service

One of the most important factors in achieving Top Dasher status is maintaining a high customer rating. This means being prompt, friendly, and professional with every delivery you make. Take the time to introduce yourself to customers, confirm their order details, and thank them for their business. It's also important to resolve any issues or complaints quickly and professionally to ensure a positive customer experience.

Be Selective with Orders

While it's important to accept as many orders as possible to meet the 95% acceptance rate requirement, it's also important to be selective with the orders you accept. Don't accept orders that are too far away or don't pay enough to make it worth your time. Use the total payout information available with Top Dasher status to help you make informed decisions about which orders to accept.

Stay on Schedule

To meet the 60% schedule requirement, make sure to schedule your shifts well in advance and keep track of your schedule to ensure you're meeting your commitment. If you need to cancel a shift, do it as early as possible to avoid negatively impacting your completion rate.

Communicate with Customers

If you're running behind on an order or there's an issue with the delivery, communicate with the customer as soon as possible. Let them know what's going on and when they can expect their food. Keeping customers informed can help prevent negative ratings and ensure a positive experience.

Andrew Wise. Side Hustling since 2009
Andrew Wise, Side Hustler Since 2009
Founder, Wurk.cc
I have spent my entire adult life maximizing my money. At age 6, I was selling my lunch, at age 16, I was a Power Seller on eBay, and at age 26 I was helping Postmates manage their $10M annual Adwords budget. Today, I'm helping gig workers maximize their money on Wurk.
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