Doordash Red Card is Seldom Used Anymore

When we become a contractor to deliver for Doordash, we are issued a red card that we are to use to pay for the food at some restaurants. Many years ago, the red card was used quite a bit. But as Doordash has partnered with more restaurants throughout the years, the red card is seldom used anymore.

I never liked picking up from Doordash unpartnered restaurants

Generally, whenever a Dasher had to use their red card it was going to be a longer wait than usual. These pick-ups usually consisted of ordering the food yourself and then paying with your red Doordash card. Sometimes, you didn't have to order as Doordash would call up the merchant and place the order over the phone themselves. When the Dasher arrived, the Dasher would just pay for the food with their red card and be on their way.

Years ago, there were so many restaurants that required the red card for payment. Just a few years ago, Dashers had to order and use their red card for McDonald's orders. This is because at the time, McDonalds and Uber had an exclusive contract with one another. McDonalds only worked with Uber Eats at the time. McDonalds employees even had the Uber Eats logo on some of their hats. This didn't stop companies like Doordash and Postmates to undercoverly offer McDonald's on their apps.

When Dashers or Postmates Fleet Drivers went to order and deliver the food, McDonald's employees would never even know that it was an app order. To them it was just like a regular customer coming and placing an order. That all changed when McDonalds changed their exclusive partnership with Uber Eats and added Doordash as a partner.

I saw the end of the Doordash red card coming

I seen the end of the Doordash red card coming when Doordash partnered with Taco Bell, Wendy's and Jack in the Box. It was common to go to these three fast food restaurants and place the order yourself and to pay with the Doordash red card. That has all ended now. The only place I find myself using the red card now is at Walgreens.

Doordash orders are much easier with partnered merchants

I must say that picking up orders from partnered restaurants is much easier than having to order and pay yourself. Paying was not such a problem, but having to order and pay was a real downer sometimes as you had to sit there at the restaurant for quite a while after ordering. This was nothing but wasted time!

Also, there would be times when placing a customer's order would be a little bit complicated. I'd have to order a cheeseburger with no onions, extra pickles, add jalapenos, a tomato on the side, etc. Then you had the large Coke, but don't forget to tell them easy on the ice. Another one was the customer requesting that their Shake or Freeze to be mixed with three different flavors. Not very difficult to do, and I always did it, but I'll tell you this, it's much easier to roll up to the drive-thru speaker and say "I'm here for a Doordah order for Sue!" End of conversation!

Doordash will always issue out a red card to Doordash drivers

No matter how seldom Dashers use the red card, I do believe that Doordash will still issue it to new Dashers for quite a while. Doordash never knows when a Dasher will need to pay for something on their behalf so why not issue it to them. 

I have a better idea though. Maybe Top Rated Dashers should be issued a gas allowance, and the only way to get that perk would be to get gasoline using the red card. That would certainly make the Top Rated Dasher more rewarding!