Amazon Flex is great. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it pays well.
Despite the numerous advantages the service has to offer, there is one issue sending drivers into fits of frustration: grabbing Amazon Flex blocks.
How quickly you can get Amazon flex blocks has a significant impact on how much you earn as an Amazon Flex driver.
Amazon Flex workers know how competitive this environment can be.
However, there are a few strategies you can use to claim Amazon Flex blocks fast.
Table Of Contents
What Are Amazon Flex Blocks?
Amazon Flex is a platform the eCommerce giant uses to hire freelancers to deliver packages, food, and more.
One of the advantages of driving for Amazon Flex is that the schedule is very flexible.
Amazon Flex works by letting driversclaim the blocks they want to work.
You can think of these blocks as the equivalent of a shift.
A Flex block can last anywhere from two to six hours.
You can find blocks with delivery routes that will take you to different residential addresses to deliver packages, but there are also blocks for driving back and forth between grocery stores and delivery addresses to handle food orders.
Before you claim a block, you’ll be able to see how long the shift lasts and how much you can potentially earn.
It’s a flexible system, but Amazon Flex uses a first come first served approach.
It means that the good blocks go fast.
You can see the blocks available to you by opening the Amazon Flex app and navigating to the Offers tab.
You can tap on a delivery block to claim it.
However, the blocks displayed in this tab can vary depending on your preferences and other factors.
Because other Flex drivers in your area will see these same blocks, you need to claim blocks quickly to make sure that you’ll meet your earning goals.
If you check the app late in the day or don’t claim blocks fast enough, you might end up with no work for the day or with blocks other drivers don’t want, usually because the pay is low.
Caps on Blocks
Amazon recently responded to lawsuits by limiting the number of hours Flex drivers can obtain.
This has hit many drivers hard. Caps are currently lifted or increased in places but they will return after peak.
Amazon Flex, at its inception, was intended as a side gig.
Some drivers have utilized the program as full time income. As a side gig, Flex is the best hustle out there.
With the caps in place, Amazon Flex is no longer viable as a full time source of income.
Caps are set in three categories; monthly, weekly, and daily. They are based on the government’s definition of full time versus part time employment.
It’s meant to protect the company from further lawsuits demanding benefits and overtime compensation.
It’s the nature of the beast. Some DCs may have different caps but the general consensus revolves around these parameters.
The monthly, or rolling 30 day, cap is set at 116 hours.
This means you can only obtain blocks if you have worked less than 116 hours in the thirty days prior to the current date. If you have met this limit, you will not see blocks.
You can swipe all day long but you will see nothing.
This may be where it could be advantageous for you to track your hours.
If you know that thirty days ago you picked up two three-hour blocks, then the next day you can pick up six hours or less worth of blocks.
The weekly cap is 29 hours and the daily cap is 7 hours.
Be aware once these caps are back in place, it will be very possible that in January, you may not be able to work for some time.
Again, be prepared.
Getting Amazon Flex Logistics Blocks
On Demand Blocks
In comparison to all the programs covered by Amazon Flex, logistics has the best block availability.
This is due to being the most volume heavy portion of the program.
Logistics is responsible for the everyday last-mile delivery services of Amazon.
The company has shifted away from using the major commercial carriers like USPS or UPS in heavily populated areas.
Flex and DSPs are now the primary sources of final delivery services.
The volume may be higher with logistics but it is also the part of Flex with the most drivers competing for blocks.
As independent contractors you are in competition with others looking to pick up work and drivers aren’t always interested in helping others compete.
It’s self-defeating. If you help another driver get a block, that could have been a block you grabbed instead.
If you want to make sure to get blocks, you have to do some investigation first. You have to learn your DC’s patterns.
Look on Facebook for groups for your assigned DC. There are almost always other drivers willing to help.
When you see screenshots posted of block availability, look at the time in the screenshot.
That will give insight into when blocks are made available by your DC. At the Nashville DC (BNA5), daytime blocks often come available overnight – in the early hours of the morning. Evening blocks are usually dropped in the mid- afternoon hours.
If you’re not interested in refreshing for hours while you could be sleeping, your only other option is to refresh frequently in the hopes of picking up a block dropped by another driver.
If you are the type to refresh and quickly grab blocks, keep in the mind the drop limits. You have up until 45 minutes prior to the block start time to drop the block without penalty.
If you pick up a block with less than 45 minutes until start time, you have only a couple minutes to drop without penalty.
If you cannot make it to the DC in time for your block’s start time, don’t accept the block.
Be aware of what you are picking up when you click accept. DCs are cracking down on late arrivals and you could find yourself deactivated for missing blocks after being late.
Extenuating Circumstances
Occasionally there are circumstances that make picking up blocks easier.
Inclement weather often results in block availability for several reasons.
Some drivers just don’t want to deliver packages in the rain. Others aren’t able to drive in snow or ice.
Often, you’ll see increased rates and also potential incentives added when roads are difficult to travel.
If you’re comfortable driving in these situations, take advantage of it.
Another circumstance you might see is late trucks.
If this occurs, the DC is forced to cut routes in half to accommodate time restrictions. That means there will be twice as many blocks available.
Again, it’s likely to see increased rates in these circumstances as well.
Reserves
If you have difficulty picking up “on demand” blocks, then reserved blocks are your saving grace. You are not required to accept the reserves sent to you.
All too often independent contractors look at their reserves as their assigned work schedule.
You are not an employee, you work when you want and when you can. It’s okay to decline a reserved block.
If you do decline the blocks, you may be offered other reserved blocks but don’t expect it.
How to Get Your Flex Blocks Fast
You can get Amazon Flex blocks fast with these tips.
Note that most experienced Flex drivers are also using these strategies, which can result in a competitive environment.
Don’t let it discourage you since getting the blocks you want will get easier as you gain more experience with Amazon Flex.
1. Refresh the App Regularly for Offers
The Amazon Flex app displays new offers as local warehouses release them.
Warehouses typically follow a schedule for releasing blocks, but this schedule can vary from one area to another.
Checking the app regularly throughout the day is a good way to figure out when your local Amazon warehouse is likely to release new blocks.
Amazon Flex drivers report seeing drops between 9 A.M. and 1:30 P.M. for afternoon routes and after 8:30 P.M. for the next day.
Refreshing a few times in a row around peak hours seems to be the best way to get blocks.
2. Claim Open Blocks as Quickly as Possible
Don’t hesitate if you see a block that looks like a good match for your schedule and earning goals.
You can accept a block by swiping over it and tapping Accept on the next screen.
Blocks usually disappear within a few minutes, if not seconds in areas with a large pool of drivers.
3. Try Preferred Scheduling
Preferred Scheduling is a feature that allows you to customize your experience with Amazon Flex.
With Preferred Scheduling, Amazon puts a temporary hold on blocks that match your preferences and gives you 10 to 30 minutes to claim these blocks.
You can unlock this perk by applying for an Amazon Flex debit card and unlocking Level 2 rewards.
You’ll also have to open the Settings menu in your Amazon Flex app to indicate your preferred days, times, and pickup station.
4. Drive During Peak Hours
Even though Amazon Flex gives you the benefit of a flexible schedule, you’ll get more work if you’re available during peak hours.
Peak hours can vary from one area to another, but most Flex drivers report that their local warehouse has more work available around 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
You can also get more work if you’re available for grocery delivery blocks on Sunday afternoons.
5. Try Different Delivery Types
You’ll come across different order types on Amazon Fresh:
- Amazon.com or AMZL offers are delivery routes. You’ll typically drive to 35 to 80 residential addresses and drop off small packages.
- Prime Now blocks are similar, but the delivery routes tend to be shorter. You’ll deliver small orders in blue Amazon Prime envelopes.
- Fresh orders are shifts where you pick up groceries from local stores or a participating Amazon restaurant and deliver them to customers. Amazon fresh deliveries have fewer stops compared to the logistics blocks, and you might get tips from customers.
- Whole Foods blocks are similar, but you’ll specifically go to a Whole Foods location to pick up an order.
Accepting different types of blocks means there is a larger pool of blocks to choose from.
Plus, working these different Amazon Flex block types can make your days as a Flex driver feel more varied.
6. Toggle Filters
The Amazon Flex has a few built-in filters that you can adjust to see more offers.
- You’ll find an Available Now option on the homepage of the app.
- Once you’re on the Offers page, look for the Filters option in the top left corner.
Toggling the Available Now option means the app will display instant offers.
These blocks are typically shorter.
Unlike regular blocks, instant offers are deliveries that you will start working on as soon as you accept them.
It’s a good way of picking up more work if you were unable to schedule a block.
You can access additional filters from the Offers page.
Tape the Filters icon in the top left corner and a new page will open.
You can adjust your availability at the top of this page.
Consider extending your availability to cover more hours and see more blocks.
You will also see a list of nearby pickup stations.
You can check or uncheck the stations you want to see blocks from.
Do some research to figure out how far each warehouse and Whole Foods location is from your home and how much it costs in gas to get there.
You can get more blocks by selecting multiple warehouses, but you need to figure out whether driving a few additional miles is worth it.
7. Get Your Rating Up
Amazon Flex has a rewards program that gives you access to perks like Preferred Scheduling, a debit card with cashback, savings, and more.
You can level up and unlock more rewards by earning points.
You’ll earn at least 10 points for each block you complete.
However, you can earn more points and unlock perks faster if you have great ratings.
With a Great rating, you’ll get 20 points per block.
If you reach the Fantastic level, you’ll get 30 points per block.
Plus, Amazon Flex seems to show more blocks to drivers who have a good rating.
Here is how you can improve your standing:
- Show up on time. You need to check in within five minutes of a block’s start time.
- If you need to cancel a block, you should release it at least 45 minutes before it starts.
- Your delivery attempt rate matters. You should attempt to deliver every package.
- Your delivery success rate is another important factor.
- Ratings will reset every three months. It’s easier to maintain your standing if you drive regularly.
- Tip: Here’s what to do if you’ve been deactivated by Amazon Flex
- Support: If you need help, contact Amazon Flex Support
Pay Rates for Amazon Flex Blocks
You can see an estimated hourly rate next to a block before you accept it.
Amazon reports the hourly Amazon Flex pay as $18 to $25.
You can typically earn $36 to $50 for a two-hour block and $54 to $72 for a three-hour block.
However, Amazon tends to pay more for blocks in busy urban areas.
You’ll also see higher hourly rates during peak times.
You can also earn more by accepting blocks with tips.
Drivers who have larger vehicles, like delivery vans or Amazon Flex utility vehicles can also earn more by picking up blocks with more packages.
When Is the Best Time to Claim Flex Blocks?
You should start refreshing the app at 8 A.M. every morning and keep refreshing regularly on the hour.
Refreshing at the half-hour mark can also help you get some blocks.
Blocks will pop up when lock pickup stations release them.
After a few days of refreshing the app periodically throughout the day, you’ll have a better idea of what the schedule is like in your area.
With peak hours starting at 10 A.M. and 4 P.M., you’re likely to find blocks that drivers released an hour to 45 minutes before these busy shifts start.
Try refreshing the app between 9 A.M. and 9:15 A.M. and again between 3 P.M. and 3:15 P.M.
Flex Block Grabbers: Should You Use Them?
Flex block grabbers are third-party applications that automatically refresh the Flex app and grab blocks.
However, these applications are against Amazon Flex policies.
Many drivers use them to grab blocks fast, but they take the risk of getting blocked from the Flex app and losing this gig if Amazon catches them.
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The use of Amazon Flex bots, third party apps, or clickers is tempting but it’s also against the Amazon Flex Terms of Service.
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A Word on Auto-Clickers
Auto-clickers are tools you can use to automate mouse clicks and taps on mobile.
It’s another tool that Flex drivers use to automatically hit the Refresh button until blocks pop up.
You should know that using auto-clickers is also against Amazon’s terms and conditions.
While it can seem like an easy way of getting more blocks, it can get you banned from the Flex app.
Paid Block Services
There are some out there offering block grabbing “services”. They guarantee that they’ll get you all the hours you want but for a fee. Some have made decent money performing this service and you might be tempted to employ one.
What you may not want to do is pay their 25% fees for the blocks they get you. You’d be paying them $4.50 for every hour they get you – that’s $13.50 for a three-hour block.
It’s ridiculous to think this is even to your advantage. After buying gas and paying these clowns, you would barely make minimum wage.
You’d make more money working inside the DC as an employee for Amazon.
In addition, it’s a good likelihood that these people are using third party apps to get you those blocks and would potentially result in your deactivation.
You also have to provide your login credentials to them. I don’t see how anybody could think that’s a good idea.
You don’t know how securely they will hold your information and since your Flex account is based in the whole Amazon web domain, they could potentially gain access to your Amazon shopping account.
And lastly, if you use one of these people to get blocks, you’ll very likely get roasted in the Facebook groups. I’m not kidding.
Navigate over to any medium to large sized Facebook group about Amazon Flex and ask them about the guys selling services to get drivers more blocks. Then sit back and watch what happens.
Don’t do it, it’s not worth it.
Wrapping Up
Amazon Flex work can get competitive.
However, there are a few strategies you can use to get more blocks, such as figuring out the schedule of your local warehouse, refreshing multiple times on the hour, or accepting blocks as soon as they pop up.
