How to Set Up a QR Code That Earns You Money on Every Ride

Setting up a QR code that earns money from passenger recommendations takes about 10 minutes. Every time a passenger scans your code and books a restaurant, tour, hotel, or service within the next 30 days, you earn a commission — without lifting a finger beyond the conversation you were already having. Here is exactly how it works and how to set it up. *Last updated April 2026. Step-by-step guide for rideshare and taxi drivers.* --- ## How It Works (Simple Version) You already recommend places to passengers. "Where should I eat tonight?" "What shows are good?" "Any hidden gems?" You answer these questions 15-20 times per shift. A QR code turns those answers into income. 1. You sign up for free at recommended.app 2. You get a personalized recommendation page (your QR code) 3. You print the QR code and put it on your dashboard, headrest, or a business card 4. Passenger scans → browses your recommendations → books something 5. You earn a commission on everything they book for 30 days 6. You get paid monthly (50/50 split, $25 minimum payout) The 30-day cookie is the key. A passenger who scans your code Monday and books a hotel Friday still earns you a commission. If they book a plumber when they get home, you earn on that too. ## Step-by-Step Setup ### Step 1: Create Your Free Account (2 minutes) Go to recommended.app/signup. Use your real name — passengers want to know who recommended the place. Choose a custom slug like "vegasdriver" or your first name. ### Step 2: Customize Your Recommendation Page (5 minutes) Your page shows curated recommendations for your city. You can add personal favorites, highlight specific restaurants or tours, and write short notes like "I take all my family here" or "best view of the Strip." ### Step 3: Get Your QR Code (1 minute) Your personalized QR code is generated automatically. Download it or use the built-in flyer generator to create a professional card. ### Step 4: Print and Place (2 minutes) Options that work: - **Dashboard mount:** Print on cardstock, put in a small frame on dashboard - **Headrest card:** Slip into the seatback pocket or attach to headrest - **Business cards:** Print 50 mini cards with QR code + "My Local Picks" - **Laminated card:** Weatherproof version you hand directly to passengers ### Step 5: Start Recommending (0 extra minutes) You are already doing this. The only change is saying "I put together a list of my favorite spots — scan that code if you want it." That is it. No sales pitch needed. ## What Earns the Most Based on data from the Recommended.app platform: | Category | Average Booking | Your Commission | Frequency | |---|---|---|---| | Hotels | $180-350/night | $7-14 per booking | High (tourists) | | Tours/Activities | $50-150 | $2-6 per booking | Very high | | Restaurants | $30-80 | $1.50-4 per referral | Very high | | Home services | $150-500 | $7-25 per lead | Moderate | | Car rentals | $40-80/day | $2-4 per booking | Moderate | **The math:** If 3 passengers per shift scan your code, and 35% book something within 30 days, and the average booking is $120, you earn roughly $120 × 8% × 50% = $4.80 per booking. That is $50-150/week in completely passive income on top of your driving earnings. ## Tips From Top-Earning Drivers 1. **Mention it naturally.** "If you want my restaurant picks, that QR code has all my favorites." Not "scan my code!" Natural beats salesy every time. 2. **Have a signature recommendation.** "Everyone asks me where to eat — I always say Lotus of Siam for Thai or Bachi Burger for something different." Then: "All my picks are on that card." 3. **Airport pickup is gold.** Tourists just arrived, need everything — food, shows, activities. They are most likely to scan at this moment. 4. **Keep it visible but not aggressive.** Dashboard or headrest card that passengers notice on their own. Some drivers report passengers asking about it without being prompted. 5. **Convention weeks are peak.** CES, SEMA, CMA — passengers have expense accounts and book expensive dinners and activities. ## Why This Beats Other Driver Side Hustles | Side Hustle | Startup Cost | Time Required | Monthly Potential | |---|---|---|---| | QR code recommendations | $0 | 0 extra hours | $300-2,100 | | Amazon Flex | $0 | 15-25 hours | $600-1,200 | | DoorDash/UberEats | $0 | 10-20 hours | $400-900 | | Car advertising wraps | $0 | 0 extra hours | $100-400 | The QR code approach requires zero additional time because you are already in the car having conversations. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Is this allowed by Uber/Lyft?** Yes. You are not selling anything in the car. You are sharing a personal recommendation page, which is no different than handing someone a business card for a restaurant you like. **What if passengers do not scan?** Most will not. That is normal. You only need 2-3 scans per shift to generate meaningful income. Over a month, those add up. **How do I know when I earn?** Your dashboard shows every scan, click, and booking in real time. You see exactly which passenger recommendation led to which commission. **When do I get paid?** Monthly payouts via Stripe. $25 minimum. 50/50 commission split. --- ## Related Resources - [7 Side Income Ideas for Rideshare Drivers →](/blog/rideshare-driver-side-income-ideas-2026) - [Join as a Driver →](/join/drivers) - [2026 Local Referral Income Report →](/blog/local-referral-income-report-2026) - [Referral Earnings Calculator →](/earn/calculator) - [Community →](/community)