Lyft expands its rewards program for personal and business riders
Lyft has announced some changes that will make your next ride more rewarding. The new changes affect business riders the most; however, if you're a frequent personal Lyft rider and have linked Alaska Airlines as your rewards partner, you'll see some elevated earnings.
Let's jump into these exciting updates.
Lyft business rider updates
The bulk of the news benefits business riders the most. Beginning Aug. 4, eligible riders invited to their company's Lyft Business program will now be able to earn Lyft Cash on most rides with no activation required. Business riders will earn:
- 6% back on standard work rides (Standard, Priority, XL, Pet, Wheelchair, Green)
- 8% back on premium rides (Black, Black SUV, Extra Comfort)
- 8% back on airport and scheduled rides
This Lyft Cash earned can be used on future rides, including personal rides. It's important to note that this Lyft Cash is only earned on business rides, and you must be enrolled through your company's Lyft Business profile.
Additionally, business riders who have linked a loyalty rewards partner will see increased earnings with their preferred partner. With Hilton Honors, they'll earn 6 points per dollar spent on most business rides, and with Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, they'll earn 4-6 miles per dollar spent on most business rides.
Related: How to easily earn extra rewards on Lyft rides
Lyft personal rider updates
Lyft currently has partnerships with multiple airline and hotel loyalty partners, including Alaska Mileage Plan, Bilt Rewards and Hilton Honors. The main changes come with an improved partnership with Alaska Airlines. Riders who have selected Alaska Airlines as their rewards partner will now earn an elevated:
- 2 miles per dollar spent on all everyday Lyft rides, including Standard, Priority Pickup and XL rides
- 3 miles per dollar spent on airport trips and elevated modes like Black, Black SUV and Extra Comfort
This will benefit all Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan customers who take rides, especially those who like to take premium rides. Alaska Airlines states:
"This enhanced earning structure means frequent travelers and those who prefer premium ride experiences can accumulate miles faster than ever before. Whether you're catching a flight or treating yourself to a more comfortable ride, every dollar spent brings you closer to your next Alaska Airlines redemption."
Additionally, if you don't select Alaska Airlines as your rewards loyalty partner with Lyft, you can choose Hilton and earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible rides, or choose Bilt and earn 2 points per dollar spent on eligible rides. With Bilt, you can even use your Bilt points to pay for rides, although I don't recommend this option as you can get far greater value by transferring your Bilt points to travel partners.
Even better, you can stack these bonus earnings if you have an eligible Chase card and earn 5% rewards through Sept. 30, 2027.
Furthermore, if you're a Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) cardholder you'll receive up to $10 in monthly in-app credits, up to $120 annually, to use on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027. The credit applies to Standard, Extra Comfort, XL, Black and Black SUV ride modes.
Plus, thanks to Lyft's partnership with DoorDash DashPass (a perk that comes with many Chase cards), you'll receive double the ride discounts, including 10% off on-demand rides and 20% off scheduled airport rides (up to four rides per month through July 30).
Lyft has also published a handy guide comparing the cost of airport parking versus using a ride-hailing service at 15 major U.S. airports. This is incredibly useful, as I find myself in this scenario almost every time I fly, wondering whether I should drive and park or just call a ride.
Related: Chase extends Lyft partnership, with decreased earning rates for some cards
Bottom line
Lyft is further expanding its rewards program. If you're an eligible business rider, you can now earn Lyft Cash on most business rides that can be used on future rides. For personal riders, you can now earn more Alaska Airlines miles the next time you hop into a Lyft ride.
Related: Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.