Amazon Flex Glossary

A

Activity Hub

The main screen in the Amazon Flex app where drivers view available blocks, scheduled blocks, and account information.

At-Risk Rating

A warning status indicating your account standing is below Amazon's standards. Continued poor performance may lead to deactivation.

B

Base Rate

The minimum pay offered for a block before any surge pricing is applied. Typically ranges from $18-22/hour depending on market.

Block

A scheduled delivery shift in Amazon Flex. Blocks typically range from 3-6 hours and include a set number of packages to deliver. Learn more about blocks →

Block Grabbing

The practice of refreshing the app frequently to catch newly-released or surge-priced blocks before other drivers claim them.

Bot

Automated software (against Amazon's TOS) that claims blocks faster than humanly possible. Using bots can result in permanent deactivation.

C

Cart

The wheeled container at warehouses that holds packages for your route. You'll load packages from your assigned cart to your vehicle.

Check-In

The process of arriving at a warehouse and confirming your presence in the app. Must be done within a specific time window.

Customer Not Available (CNA)

When a customer isn't present for a delivery requiring signature or direct handoff. The app provides options for safe location delivery or returning the package.

D

Deactivation

Permanent removal from the Amazon Flex program. Can occur due to poor ratings, policy violations, or suspicious activity. How to avoid deactivation →

Delivery Station (DS)

An Amazon facility where packages are sorted for last-mile delivery. Flex drivers pick up their routes from delivery stations.

DNR (Did Not Receive)

A customer complaint claiming they never received a package that was marked as delivered. Multiple DNRs can impact your standing.

DSP (Delivery Service Partner)

Third-party companies contracted by Amazon to deliver packages using their own employees and branded vans. Different from Flex drivers.

Drop Rate

The percentage of blocks you've forfeited after accepting them. High drop rates can affect block availability and account standing.

E

Early Finish

Completing all deliveries before your block time ends. You still receive full pay for the block regardless of actual time spent.

Earnings Summary

The section of the app showing your completed blocks, tips (for certain delivery types), and total earnings for the pay period.

F

Flex App

The official Amazon Flex mobile application used to view/accept blocks, navigate routes, scan packages, and manage deliveries.

Forfeit

Giving up a block you've already accepted. Forfeiting within 45 minutes of start time impacts your standing negatively.

Fresh

Amazon Fresh grocery delivery blocks. Typically shorter blocks with fewer stops but require careful handling of perishable items.

G

Geofence

A virtual boundary around a delivery location or warehouse. The app uses geofencing to verify your location for check-ins and deliveries.

Group Stop

Multiple packages going to addresses that are very close together, grouped as a single stop in the itinerary.

I

Instant Offers

Short, on-demand delivery opportunities that pop up when you're near a station. Usually 1-2 hours with fewer packages than regular blocks.

Itinerary

The ordered list of delivery stops in your route. The app provides a suggested sequence, but drivers can sometimes reorder stops.

L

Late Delivery

A package delivered after the promised delivery window. Too many late deliveries can impact your ratings and account standing.

Logistics

Standard Amazon package delivery blocks from delivery stations. The most common block type, delivering regular Amazon.com orders.

M

Missing Package

A package that should be on your cart but cannot be found. Must be reported in the app before leaving the station.

Multi-App

The strategy of working for multiple gig platforms (Flex, DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.) to maximize earnings and fill schedule gaps. Multi-app strategy guide →

O

Overflow

Packages that don't fit in your assigned cart and are staged separately. Check the overflow area before leaving the station.

P

Prime Now

Ultra-fast delivery service for Prime members (1-2 hour delivery). Prime Now blocks often have tips included and generally fewer packages.

Photo Confirmation

Taking a photo of the delivered package at the customer's location as proof of delivery. Required for most deliveries.

R

Ratings

Your performance score based on delivery success, reliability, and customer feedback. Ratings affect block availability. How to maintain good ratings →

Rescue

Taking packages from another driver who is running behind or has too many deliveries. Usually coordinated by station staff.

Return

Bringing undeliverable packages back to the station. Returns should be minimized as they can affect your standing.

Route

The collection of delivery stops assigned to you for a block. Routes are generally optimized by area but may include distant stops.

S

Safe Location

A secure place to leave a package when the customer isn't home (porch, garage, side door, etc.). Drivers choose based on judgment and customer notes.

Scan

Using your phone camera to read package barcodes. Scanning is required when loading packages and confirming deliveries.

SSD (Sub Same Day)

Sub Same Day delivery blocks. Packages promised for same-day delivery with tight time windows.

Standing

Your overall account health status (Fantastic, Great, Fair, At Risk). Based on delivery success, attendance, and customer feedback.

Surge Pricing

Increased pay rates for blocks during high-demand periods. Surge can add $5-30+ per block depending on need. Find surge times in your city →

Swipe to Finish

The app action to complete a delivery after taking a photo. Swipe confirms the package was successfully delivered.

T

TBA (Tracking ID)

The unique tracking number for each package, starting with "TBA". Used to identify and scan packages.

Tips

Additional payments from customers on Prime Now, Fresh, and Whole Foods deliveries. Tips are not available on standard logistics blocks.

W

Waitlist

The queue for new driver applicants when Amazon isn't actively hiring in a market. Wait times vary by location. Waitlist guide →

Warehouse

General term for Amazon facilities where Flex drivers pick up packages. Includes delivery stations, Prime Now hubs, and Whole Foods locations.

Whole Foods

Grocery delivery blocks from Whole Foods Market stores. Similar to Fresh blocks with tips included and smaller delivery areas.