Update 10/1/19: Referral bonus has been increased to $15 from $10
Freebird is an app that offers Uber users the ability to earn rewards by visiting specific retailers, restaurants or bars. The idea is that businesses can pay Freebird to advertise their business on the app, when a user takes an Uber to that particular store they receive a credit for doing so. Businesses can also provide a reward if users make specific purchases. I did a poor job of explaining that, so it might make more sense to watch this video. New users can also get $10 off their first three rides with promo code 3TENBACK. Looks like this is in addition to the referral program mentioned below.
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Referral Program
You can refer friends to Freebird, when doing so the person signing up will receive $10 and so will the person doing the referring. Please do not share your links in the comments on this post. Instead you can share them in this linked post, but please make sure to follow the rules.
Our Verdict
I like the idea of this app, especially when it comes to bars and trying to discourage people driving. How useful this is will obviously depend on the options in your area but might be worth it for some.
View Comments (75)
@will @chucksithe Freebird is now offering increased cash back for rides to grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores per an email they just sent. In my app, I'm seeing $2 cash back for rides to Trader Joe's and CVS Pharmacy. Not much, but the normal amount is 250 points ($0.50), so 4x more than normal, and you don't have to reach 5,000 points to cash out for $10. Every little bit helps during this time!
Here's the email they sent this morning:
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To help those who need transportation assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, Freebird is increasing offers to many of the largest grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores.
You’ll find most locations to several popular chains now have increased points or cash back offers (with a transaction). Popular chains include:
Whole Foods
Rite Aid
Walgreens
Star Market
Albertsons
Walmart
Costco
H-E-B
Publix Markets
Vons/Safeway
Ralph's/Kroger
Trader Joe's
CVS
Target
And more
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You may also want to update this post to say they support Lyft now in addition to Uber.
@will / @chucksithe In case you want to post an update, I just got an email from Freebird that they're increasing the referral bonus (for both the referral and new user) from $10 to $15 for the month of October:
https://i.imgur.com/Tw7dTPl.png
After using this app for a few months, I have found some major flaws:
1) when using freebird with Uber, you won’t be able to tip via app after the ride. The screen will error out with a message “something went wrong please try that again.” Uber support is unable to charge your credit card for tip after the fact. Your rating will dip because the driver will get pissed off that you didn’t tip. Of course, you can always cash tip, but not everyone always has cash on them, and it is easier to forget to tip cash before leaving the Uber.
2) this app is TERRIBLE if you use it at the airport. For some reason, freebird messes up the airport address, whether you are trying to go TO the airport, or depart FROM the airport. I have had issues where I type in the correct terminal, and the driver drops me off at some employee lot because that’s the address he sees on the app. I have also had an issue where drivers have no clue where I am at the airport when picking me up, because freebird is unable to designate my location as the designated App Ride/Uber/Lyft pickup areas at the airport. Instead, it looks for some physical address, and usually locates me at some random shuttle bus area. When dealing with multiple roadways and levels at the airport, using freebird really becomes way too much trouble than it’s worth.
As I am typing this, I am waiting at Logan airport app ride pickup area, and have been for over 25min, as my app ride drivers keep getting confused about where I am. This is absolutely the last time I ever use this dumb app. Good riddance.
Hey @will and @chucksithe - just got an email with yet another promo from Freebird: https://imgur.com/im2GvUH
Here's the text:
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MORE RIDES, BIGGER REWARD
Take rides to earn a personal promo code worth as much as $20 cash-back!
We'll count all of the rides you take from Thursday thru Sunday, and send you a promo code on Monday afternoon with a reward value based on the ride tiers below:
3 rides = up to $2 back
4-5 rides = up to $4 back
6-8 rides = up to $8 back
9-10 rides = up to $15 back
11+ rides = up to $20 back
Plus, each ride you take is an entry to win a promo code for up to $10 back on 50 rides! We're on track to announce a winner sometime next week, so ride now to claim as many entries as you can before it's too late.
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Do you still get a receipt when you use the app so that you can claim reimbursement? What is the amount on the receipt and is the receipt directly from Uber/Lyft?
Yes, you still get the normal receipt from Uber or Lyft in your email.
@will / @chucksithe - Just got an email from Freebird:
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New users can enter promo code WAM20BAM to get up to $10 back on 2 rides. Users who claim that code can then claim APR19BONUS. This code is good for up to $10 back on an extra ride!
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WAM20BAM didn't work for me, since I'm not a new user and have already used other codes intended for new users, but APR19BONUS did, and now I can get $10 cash back for my next ride.
The email also mentioned a new referral promo:
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BONUS CASH OFFER:
From April 18th - 30th, earn bonus cash for reaching either of these milestones:
20-49 referrals = $50 bonus
50+ referrals = $150 bonus
Bonuses will be paid by May 3rd.
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You may want to repost this or make a new post.
5FOR5 expired.
3TENBACK had expired last week
Thanks for sharing this ... I signed up a few days ago put in a bunch of promo codes since I knew I traveling and going to take a bunch of Uber rides. So far I have taken 4 Uber rides and I got $44 cash back!
ALL CODES STACKABLE, ENJOY!
$10 Bonus on First 2 Rides- Promo Code “[referral code removed]″
$10 off for each ride of 3 rides – Promo Code “3TENBACK”
$5 Credit – Promo Code “URBDAY1″
$5 Credit on 5 rides – Promo Code “5FOR5″
Please don't post your referral. Also they aren't all stackable, 5for5 was replaced by 3tenback.
Actually, 5FOR5 expired yesterday. It was active concurrently with 3TENBACK, which expired last week
If I have a promo on the Lyft app, will it be applied when I pay for a ride through Freebird?
For Uber, the answer is yes. I haven't tried Lyft.