Running a Turo business even with one car can be a great way to earn income as a side hustle. Taking advantage of the growing peer-to-peer sharing economy could help you pay off your car, receive possible tax deductions, or bring in some extra cash flow. Becoming a Turo Power Host is similar to becoming a Turo All-Star host, but with higher requirements and even better perks.
There are only a few hundred Power Hosts that are taking advantage of the major perks on Turo. Becoming a Power Host would give you access to a direct customer support line only for Power Hosts, low windshield and tire repair deductibles regardless of your protection plan, and early access to new Turo features.
The year 2023 is bringing some major changes to the Power Host requirements which will affect many Turo hosts. I’ve been an all-star host for a while on Turo and have enjoyed the great perks that come with being an all-star host. However, a dream of mine would be to become a Power Host. Let’s go over the perks, requirements, and reasons every Turo host should strive to join this exclusive club.
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What Is A Turo Power Host?
A Turo Power Host is a host that shows Turo they are consistently committed to meeting higher expectations. Similar to the all-star host program, Turo introduced Power Hosts as a group of hosts that Turo can rely on more than any other group. The main purpose of a Turo Power Host is set to be an exemplary example for all Turo hosts to follow.
There are many perks that come with being a Power Host if you meet the requirements.
Power Host Requirements: High Expectations
There are reportedly about 300 power hosts in Turo out of more than 85,000 hosts in total. This means that power hosts are the elite hosts on Turo.
Requirements to become a power host:
| Benchmark | Requirement | Details |
| 3-Month Earnings | $9,000+ in the past three months | Hosts must sustain $9,000 in earnings every quarter |
| 1-year Earnings | $36,000 in the past 365 days | Hosts must earn at least $36,000 per year. |
| Response Rate | 95+% average | Leaving messages un-read can be easily missed the money |
| Acceptance Rate | 90+% | Not accepting trips can make you appear not reliable to guests |
| 5-Star Reviews | 90+% | Reviews are the biggest force to build trust with guests |
| Commitment Rate | 95%+ | You must cancel less than 5% of your trips. |
| Active Vehicles | Four or more | At least four vehicles must be active on Turo in the past 365 days. One trip must be completed on all vehicles also. |
| All-Star Requirements |
Some of these requirements may seem daunting, but when you break them down they are achievable even for a host that has less than 1 year of experience. For example, let’s look at the earnings requirements.
To become a power host on Turo, you must earn at least $36,000 per year and $9,000 every quarter. While this may be not far off from what you make at your job, it can be done with just four used vehicles. Since most vehicles earn more than $10,000 annually on Turo you can earn more than $40,000 per year with four active vehicles (Understand now why Turo says at least four active vehicles?)
I broke down what cars have the best ROI here.
All you need to earn is $3,000 per month. Most vehicles can earn more than $800 per month per vehicle that is listed full-time. As long as you can run four cars on Turo, you should be able to earn enough to reach the Power Host threshold.
What is required to get these power host perks?
Power Host Perks Are Top Tier
Similar to how Airbnb gives perks to its Superhosts, Turo gives very attractive perks to its Power Hosts. Those perks include a direct line with expedited requests, a dedicated claims team, $100 towards any glass repair claim, $200 towards any tire repair claim, and access to new Turo features and other pilot programs.
Power Hosts Have A Dedicated Customer Support Line
Customer support is your best friend as a Turo host, and you get an exclusive direct line. Chatting, emailing, and calling will all be expedited for you in comparison to all other hosts. Whether you have a question about guests, claims, or anything, Turo’s Power Host support staff will get back to you quickly.
My own experience with customer support has been very positive as an all-star host. However, customer support staff will have to spend some time looking into your account and see your experience and earnings, before tailoring their response to you. If I had a support line that already knew my earnings and experience because of my power host status it would be an even better personally tailored experience.
Dedicated Claims Team That Provides Big Discounts For You
Power Hosts can get very quick response times for any claims. Typical response times for a power host claim inquiry is less than one day. Instead of waiting several days for the claims department to get back to you, like I’ve experienced several times, you can get an answer within one day. Although there is no direct line for Power Host claims, you can schedule a call if you want to talk to someone on the phone.
The dedicated claims department can help you with all of your claims with special discounts for tires and windows. Being a Power Host can actually save your business money. Who knew?
Turo Power Hosts Get Discounts For Tire and Glass Claims
As an extra appreciation from Turo, the carsharing company will cover up to $100 for a glass claim and up to $200 for a tire claim. Considering that windshield replacements and tires are some of the most replaced parts on cars this is a huge gesture. This creates less stress for you and the guest if there is a crack in the windshield or a flat tire.
One of the best parts of this perk is that you get this coverage regardless of what protection plan you are choosing. Since not every host is on the Turo 60 insurance plan where there is no deductible, this provides generous coverage even if you are on the 90 plan.
Regardless of what plan you are on, you may also get to be the first to try out new features.
Be The First To try New Features And Pilot Program
Turo is constantly testing out and adding new features to its platform. Over the past few years, Turo has added the following features:
- Host navigation. Similar to how Airbnb’s app functions, Turo hosts are now able to switch between viewing the Turo app as a guest or a host. Viewing it as a host will show different options tailored to hosts, such as vehicle details or setting your daily price, that guests don’t need to see.
- Messaging add-ons. This was one of the most requested features for Turo. Many hosts were using a tool called Carsync.io to schedule messages, but now it’s built into the Turo platform. Only within the past few months has it become available on my phone and not just the web application.
- To put scheduled messages into perspective, I have three messages that automatically go out to every guest.
- Claims section in the app. Many hosts would contact email support wondering what the status was of their claim(s). Now, the Turo app shows you exactly which step it’s at along with what representative is assigned to your claim. If you are a Power Host, claims should be responded to in about one business day.
- Vehicle comparisons. Very recently, there is a comparison screen that shows you data between your vehicle and other similar vehicles in your area. This is a very useful tool unless there are no other vehicles of the same make and model around you as my vehicle right now.
- Dark mode. A simple modification but a welcome one. If you work a lot at night time and want less blue light then the dark mode will help.
All of these have been introduced in the past year or so and were most likely tested first with some Power Hosts. I remember when scheduled messaging became available to me and it made my life so much easier. As an Airbnb property manager, scheduled messages are an absolute necessity for peer-to-peer sharing platforms such as Turo.
There will be many more features coming especially since Turo updates their app weekly for improvements. This year 2023, will bring some major changes.
2023 Is Bringing Big Changes To Power Host Requirements
Beginning on April 1st, 2023, Turo is making a big change to its Power Host program and no it is not an April’s fools joke either. Turo is changing the requirements to become a Power Host to help hosts achieve it easier year around. Turo used to require Power Hosts to achieve 50+ reviews in the previous 365 days. However, beginning this year, it will no longer be required.
This is a good move in my opinion because if a host is meeting the other metrics then it doesn’t really matter how many guests leave reviews or not. What matters most is that at least 90% of the reviews a host does receive are 5 stars. The year 2023 will bring a welcome change for some hosts.
If You Have Four Active Cars, You Should Strive To Be A Power Host
Many hosts are looking to expand their Turo fleet and 2023 is a phenomenal year to do so. Used car prices have stabilized from the extreme high they were at recently and the carsharing field is booming. If you already have 4 or more cars on your listing, becoming a Power Host should be your goal. Doing so will get you perks such as a direct customer support line, a dedicated claims team, $100 towards a glass claim, $200 towards a tire repair, and being the first to try new features.
Although being an all-star host will help your listing, being a Power Host can help it even more.
