Rover is currently piloting a new way for sitters to earn more with each booking by reducing service fees as your relationship with your client grows. The more you book with your client, the lower your fees.
This feature is only available to sitters in select cities at this time. This allows us to gather feedback and make improvements thoughtfully for our sitter community. As we learn more, we may make this available to more sitters. We’ve outlined some common questions below to provide more information about this pilot:
How will I know I’m in the pilot?
You’ll automatically have access to the new fee experience if you reside in or around the following cities:
- Saskatoon
- Regina
- Québec
- Nanaimo
- Calgary
- Vancouver
- Ottawa-Gatineau
You can also visit the Rates section under each of your services to verify whether you're in the pilot. This is where you'll see an explanation of the new tiered fee structure.
How does this new tier structure work?
Instead of a fixed service fee amount for each booking, Rover fees will become lower the more you book with your client. We look at your entire booking history with a given client, using the total dollar amounts across all of those bookings to determine what the fees will be for future bookings with that client.
There are three tiers. The higher the tier, the lower your fees.
Tier 1: Booking history with a client that totals $499 or less results in 30% fees per booking with that client.
Tier 2: Booking history with a client that totals between $500 - $999 results in 15% fees per booking with that client
Tier 3: Booking history with a client that totals $1000 or more results in a 10% service fee per booking with that client.
How can I track my progress?
We’ve included a progress tracker showing you which tier you’re in for each of your clients. With each of your clients, we’ll show you how close you are to earning more and which tier you’re on track to unlock.
To view this information from the Rover app, tap the Contacts tab, then select a client to track your progress with them. From a computer, sign in and select your name, then select Contacts from the dropdown menu.
How are fees calculated for bookings that overlap with more than one tier?
When a booking unlocks a new tier, we will apply each tier's fee to the booking subtotal that falls into that tier. This allows you to receive higher earnings right away for a portion of the booking total.
Example: Let’s say you have your first booking with a new client. The booking amounts to $550. Tier 1 fees would apply to the first $499, while the additional amount of $51 would receive the lower Tier 2 fee.
I have several future bookings with a client. Are those fees locked in, or will they be lower?
We use your completed bookings with a client to determine the service fee for any upcoming bookings. This means that we’re continually tracking your progress and updating the Rover fee as you complete more bookings with that client.
Note: New fees for existing recurring bookings happen on a different timeline. You’ll start to see updated fees for those recurring bookings 2 weeks after the pilot program’s launch date.
What if I provide multiple services or care for multiple pets for the same client?
Progress is tracked at the client level, not by pet or service type. All completed services booked by the same client contribute to progress within that relationship.
Do past bookings count toward my progress?
Yes. Your past bookings with a client count toward unlocking relationship tiers. When the pilot launches, any tier you’ve already unlocked based on past bookings will automatically apply to new booking requests you receive after the launch date. Once a tier is unlocked, it stays unlocked for future bookings with that client for as long as the pilot is live.
Do tips count toward earning tier progress?
No, tips do not count toward progress. Progress is based on the booking subtotal.
Will clients know about or be affected by these new fee tiers?
No, relationship tiers and progress are only visible to sitters. Clients won’t see your relationship tier, your progress, and they also won’t see how your earnings are calculated. The pricing and fees for pet parents also remain the same, so nothing changes in how they book with you. This program only affects how much sitters earn from bookings.
Does this affect Star Sitter status or other benefits?
No, this earnings structure is separate from Star Sitter and does not change eligibility or criteria. Your Rover app experience, Trust & Safety support, and the Rover Guarantee also remain the same.