For Sachin Gorakh Shinde, a Pune-based UPSC aspirant, a full-time job was not viable. Any full-time job required at least 8 hours of commitment and that meant dedicating fewer hours to his studies. That’s when he came across Amazon Flex. The program’s unique flexible model gave him the freedom to earn as per his schedule and convenience while dedicating ample time to studying for the civil services. Shinde, who signed up as an Amazon Flex delivery partner in 2019, became one of the first few Amazon Flex delivery partners from Pune. From students balancing academics with income to homemakers seeking to support their families financially, Amazon Flex offers a flexible opportunity for independent contractors, called delivery partners, looking to turn their free time into supplemental or part-time income as per individual schedules.
Amazon Flex, now operational in 65 cities across India, is redefining work flexibility for thousands. This includes tier 2 and tier 3 cities such as Guntur, Nashik, Patiala, Shimla, Vellore and Raipur, besides metro cities.
What is Amazon Flex?
With Amazon Flex, individuals can earn by delivering Amazon packages in their spare time even if their time availability may not suit traditional work patterns. It is a flexible delivery model tailored for individuals seeking a non-traditional work setup. Whether you are a homemaker, student, or simply looking to turn free time into extra income, Amazon Flex offers a unique opportunity to work according to your schedule while earning extra income. By turning spare hours into productive, income-generating opportunities, the program is not just delivering packages – it's delivering a new sense of empowerment to India's aspiring workforce.
“Working as an Amazon Flex delivery partner has been incredibly rewarding for me. The program offers flexibility; I can choose delivery blocks based on my children’s schedules. With my earnings, I’m able to contribute to expenses like house rent and school fees while also saving for our future,” says 33-year-old Ashwini Kenchi, a homemaker and mother of two. “Despite lacking experience in providing delivery services, clear onboarding videos, and unwavering support from the Amazon Flex team enabled me to deliver with confidence,” adds Kenchi.
How Amazon Flex works
With Amazon Flex, one can choose when they want to deliver. The Amazon Flex app allows you to plan your week by reserving delivery blocks in advance or picking them each day based on your availability. Choose the delivery blocks that fit your schedule, then get back to fulfilling your commitments. Here’s what you need to become an Amazon Flex delivery partner:
- Be 18+ years old for two wheelers; 20+ years old for three wheelers (commercial).
- You will need an Android phone of version 11.0 or higher with at least 3GB of RAM.
- Your device needs to have a camera with flash, GPS location services, and an active SIM with voice and data connectivity.
- A two-wheeler or three-wheeler that meets all applicable law and safety requirements.
- A valid and legally compliant driving license, registration certificate (RC), insurance certificate and pollution (PUC) certificate.
- A valid PAN (Permanent Account Number) card.
- A Savings or a Current Bank Account.
Onboarding as Amazon Flex delivery partners
People who sign up for Amazon Flex must go through a comprehensive set of onboarding videos, which include sessions on road safety, operational process knowledge, and technology advancements. They also learn to manage deliveries through the Amazon Flex app, which helps ensure a smooth delivery experience. Additionally, before the start of their delivery blocks, Amazon Flex delivery partners receive estimates on earnings and the block time commitment needed, which allows them to plan accordingly.
With these features, Amazon Flex delivery partners can design their own delivery experience that suits them, while also managing their other commitments.
Package volume and safety initiatives
Amazon Flex prioritises the safety of its delivery partners through comprehensive measures. During onboarding, we require all delivery partners to complete mandatory safety training. We also monitor their driving speeds in real-time and provide 24/7 ambulance support in case of emergencies or on-road accidents. We prioritise balanced workloads for our delivery partners, ensuring efficiency and care in every package assignment. A delivery partner has the potential to deliver about 30 packages per cycle, allowing them to deliver safe, prompt and maintain high standards of service.
To protect our delivery partners from India's seasonal challenges, we provide raincoats to active working delivery partners and offer monsoon-specific incentives. During summer, delivery operations are rescheduled in cities experiencing extreme heat, with deliveries restricted during peak hours between 1 pm and 4 pm. This ensures our delivery partners remain safe and productive in all weather conditions as they work to delight our customers.
Offerings for Amazon Flex delivery partners
- Flexible scheduling: Amazon Flex delivery partners have the freedom to choose their own working hours, allowing them to balance their personal and professional lives seamlessly. They also have the ability to work independently, choosing their preferred stations and managing their schedules according to their convenience.
- Rewards program: In addition to earning per block, delivery partners can benefit from the Amazon Flex Rewards program. This program allows them to earn points for every delivery and block completed, which can be redeemed for exclusive benefits such as fuel discounts, vehicle maintenance offers, preferred scheduling and more. As delivery partners level up in the program, they unlock even greater rewards, making their efforts more rewarding.
- Insurance: Amazon provides comprehensive insurance protection through Care Insurance, offering both personal accident and medical coverage. The personal accident coverage includes benefits up to ₹500,000 for death or permanent disability, weekly disability payments, and OPD treatment for accidents up to ₹10,000. Additionally, associates can access cashless hospitalisation benefits up to ₹100,000 through the medical coverage plan.
- Ashray centres: Understanding the importance of rest for delivery associates, Amazon launched Project Ashray in 2024 to provide basic necessities to delivery drivers by setting up small facilities in their delivery location. The facilities include air-conditioned sitting, drinking water, mobile charging, rest room, first aid kits, and complementary tea/coffee. The centres are set up and managed by an implementing partner (an NGO) while Amazon provides the necessary funds. Open from 9 am to 9 pm, each facility is guarded by a dedicated security personnel who help provide a safe and comfortable environment where delivery associates can take a break and recharge. The first centre was launched in Gurugram in August 2024 and since then we’ve opened 8 more across 3 major cities (Mumbai, Delhi NCR, and Bengaluru) where the last 4 centres were launched in collaboration with HPCL at their petrol pumps.
- Next Day Payment: Amazon Flex offer delivery partners complete control over their earnings through a unique next-day payment option. Amazon Flex delivery partners can choose to receive their earnings the very next business day after completing their deliveries. This quick payment access helps delivery partners better manage their financial needs. Such payment flexibility demonstrates Amazon's dedication to supporting its delivery partners and makes Amazon Flex an attractive choice for those seeking both reliable income and convenient payment options.
Amazon Flex: Powering flexible, reliable deliveries across India
Amazon Flex is a pivotal component of our expansive delivery network in India, empowering local individuals to deliver Amazon packages efficiently and reliably. As one of the many innovative delivery models we employ, Amazon Flex plays a crucial role in enhancing speed and flexibility. By using the power of independent drivers who use their own vehicles, this model helps ensure that millions of customers across India receive their orders in a timely manner, no matter where they are located.
