Tips for Couriers in Poland: How Much Do You Actually Earn, and What Factors Affect It?

There’s no one-size-fits-all figure. Some people receive tips almost every day. Others—once every few shifts. Qiwi Partner will analyze tips on Glovo, Uber Eats, and Wolt. We’ll show what factors influence them. We’ll explain why customers do and don’t tip. And how to calculate your own share, not someone else’s.

Why a Certain Number Doesn't Exist

Tips depend on many factors at once. That's why average figures from reviews aren't very helpful.

• Platform. Some apps remind customers about tips more often.
• City and County. The city center, residential areas, and suburbs each have their own distinct characteristics.
• Order Type. A large order and complicated delivery usually offer better odds.
• Weather. When it's raining or freezing, customers are more likely to say thank you.
• Payment method. Cash orders result in cash tips.
• Time of day. Evenings and weekends are different from weekday lunches.

Qiwi Partner does not specify an average amount. That would be misleading. It's better to calculate your own.

How tipping works on platforms

The rules and process for obtaining it vary. The terms and conditions are subject to change, so please check them in your app.

Conditions are currently changing for couriers. So be sure to check the latest rules before you start.

Tips and delivery fees are not the same thing

Customers often confuse these two things. The delivery fee is payment for the platform’s service. The courier receives a base rate for the order according to the platform’s rules. Tips are a separate gesture of appreciation from the customer. They do not replace the base rate.

So take a look at the report. Base pay, bonuses, and tips are listed on separate lines. Find them in the "Income" section of your app. That way, you'll see what makes up the total.

There’s one more observation. Some Glovo couriers have noticed that the base rate for orders with tips is sometimes lower. This is a personal observation; the platform does not confirm it. This is another reason to look at the total amount, not just the tips.

Why Do Customers Tip—and Why Don't They?

Customers have different habits. That's why tips don't depend solely on your performance.

According to reports in the Polish media, opinions on tipping couriers are divided. Some believe that couriers are simply doing their job. Others express gratitude for going above and beyond:

• delivery in the rain or cold;
• a heavy or large order;
• a high floor without an elevator;
• Fast delivery of hot meals.

There's no set percentage. The amounts are usually small. So don't expect a tip for every order.

Cash tips and tips via the app

The difference is important for accounting purposes.

• In the app. Tips appear in the report and payment. They are visible. Sometimes they are added late: a customer may add them after delivery.
• In cash. You receive them right away. But they don't show up in the report. Be sure to record them yourself.

It's easy to forget about cash tips. A month later, you'll find that part of your income hasn't been accounted for. Making a habit of writing them down solves the problem.

When there are more tips

This is based on couriers' observations, not a rule. But certain patterns are evident.

• Bad weather.
• More orders.
• The customer pays in cash.
• Delivery is more like «from a restaurant» than «from an app.».
• There is a tipping culture within the app. According to couriers, this is most noticeable on Glovo.

For example, cash tips are more common on Stuart. Couriers explain it this way: Orders often come through the restaurants’ own apps. Customers perceive the courier as an employee of the restaurant. This is an assumption, not a confirmed fact.

When tips are usually smaller

There are situations where tips are rare. This is based on couriers' observations, not a rule.

• Small and low-volume orders.
• Contactless delivery: the customer does not see the courier.
• Is the customer in a hurry, or is the restaurant running late?.
• Customers have grown accustomed to the app and don't associate it with a person.
• A platform where tipping is not customary or is not visible to the customer.

Don't take it personally. Tips depend on the customer's habits—not just on your work.

Don't jump to conclusions after just a few days. Everyone has bad days. Then a better day comes along, and the picture changes. Look at the monthly average.

What Increases Your Chances of Getting a Tip

There are no guarantees. But couriers point out a few things that help.

• Politeness. Greetings and thanks are more effective than silence.
• Clear communication. A short message to the client: «I'm at the entrance.».
• Neat packaging. A clean thermal bag and intact bags. For more on equipment, see the article on courier equipment.
• Timeliness. Hot food keeps customers in a good mood.
• Help with the door and the stairwell. A small detail that people notice.

You shouldn't ask for tips. It will ruin the rating and the experience.

Should you look at the tip before accepting an order?

In some apps, the tip is shown upfront. This is useful information. It helps you get a better sense of the order than just the base amount. But the tip is a bonus, not the main part.

• Please estimate the total payment, not just the tip.
• Calculate the distance and the wait time at the restaurant.
• See where the order takes you: to a busy area or a «dead» one.
• Remember: a slow restaurant will lose out on tips.

Couriers note that orders with tips aren't always more profitable per hour. Knowing the city and the establishments is more important than any single factor. The bottom line is more important than tips.

How to Calculate Your Share of Tips

This is the most accurate way to find out how much you actually earn. Keep a record for two to four weeks.

Here are the next three steps:

1. Add up all the tips for the week.
2. Add up all your income for the week.
3. Divide the tips by your income.

That's your share of the tips.

Let’s illustrate the logic using hypothetical figures. Your weekly income is 100 units. Of that, tips account for 8. The tip percentage is 8%. Next week, tips could be 3 or 12. Therefore, look at the monthly average.

Here's another useful figure: hourly income with and without tips. Compare the two. The difference will show just how much tips affect your hourly earnings.

Tips are income

Tips are included in total revenue. How you report them depends on your payment method. It’s best to check with your business partner or accountant about this. Don’t overlook cash.

About taxes — in the article on Rychalt for Drivers and Couriers.

How Not to Base Your Budget on Tips

Tips vary. That's why simple rules work better than hoping for the best.

• Calculate your budget based on the base payment.
• Set aside your tips as savings.
• Keep some in reserve for slow weeks.
• Compare platforms based on total pay, not tips.

This will help you figure out how much of the revenue is left Income Calculator. The platforms are disassembled separately: A Glovo courier's earnings, Wolt і Uber Eats. Comparison of apps — in A review of apps for couriers.

Common Mistakes When Tipping

• Do not record cash. After a month, it disappears from the statistics.
• Choose orders based solely on tips. The total payment is more important.
• To base a budget on tips. They are changeable.
• Do not review the report. Tips added after delivery can be skipped.
• Draw conclusions in a few days. Tips vary.
• Argue with a client. This negatively affects the account's rating and ranking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the courier receive all the tips?
According to Glovo and Uber’s rules, tips added by the customer go to the delivery person. On some services, the process depends on who is delivering the order. Please check the platform’s terms and conditions for details.

How much tip can you get?
There is no set amount. It depends on the platform, the city, the orders, and the weather. Calculate your share using the log.

When are tips the highest?
According to couriers' observations: in bad weather, for large orders, and for cash payments. This isn't a rule.

Which is better: tipping through an app or in cash?
You receive the cash right away, but you have to record it yourself. Tips are visible in the app's report, but they may be posted with a delay.

Do you tip at Stuart?
According to the couriers, the app doesn't have that feature. Customers leave cash.

Can I add a tip after delivery?
That's how it works on Uber Eats. Customers can add them after delivery. That's why payments sometimes arrive late.

Can you rely solely on tips?
No. They vary. Base your budget on the base pay, and consider tips a bonus.

Should tips be included in income?
Yes. That's part of your income. Please check with your partner or accountant for details.

Where to Start

Qiwi Partner will help you with the paperwork and connecting to the platforms. Become a courier and keep a record of your income starting from the first week.