[madebylaw]

Uber and Lyft are paying their largest referral bonuses in the "mature" markets (major US cities, e.g. $750 in Chicago recently). They are churning and burning part-time giggers who leave after the bonus is earned or the incentive expires.

[aetherson]

Recent Uber and Lyft drivers in SF have both told me that there are big incentives going out to drivers right now. I suppose it's conceivable that somehow the market is none-the-less profitable, but I don't really see how. They were saying like +$10 per ride if they hit the highest tier of payouts.