Instacart’s rewards program for shoppers includes priority choice of orders before stores open

Cart Star is a new incentive program for its shoppers that is similar to an incentive program for ride-sharing companies. There are three tiers of incentives: gold for 200 points, Platinum for 1,000 points, and Diamond for 2,000 points. Shoppers earn points for completing more than one order in a three-month period. The average customer rating is what shoppers need to maintain their place in the program.

More exclusive benefits are offered by the highest diamond tier. Diamond shoppers will have first access to delivery batches. They will have access to two days of care for a child, senior, or pet per quarter for the price of $1 per hour or $10 per day through Care.com.

Image: Instacart

Customers will be notified of the shopper's status, number of orders, and how long they've been on the platform with recognition for Platinum and Diamond cart shoppers. Shoppers on all levels receive access to cash back on gas and discounts on car maintenance through partnerships with third-party companies, with better rewards for the higher tiers.

Changes for shoppers who are working for the service have recently been rolled out. In April, the company made moves to protect shoppers from tip-baiting practices from customers who insert a large tip amount while placing an order and later eliminate it without mentioning any actual issue. The company announced in May that it would remove negative ratings from hard to please customers. On the customer side, it recently introduced a new version of its service.

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