Delta to launch SkyMiles partnership with Uber but cut ties with Lyft
There will soon be a new way to earn airline miles when riding with Uber — especially if you frequently use the ride-hailing company for treks to and from the airport.
Delta Air Lines on Tuesday announced Uber as its newest ride-hailing service partner in a reveal that came as part of a massive keynote spectacle at the Las Vegas Sphere.
The tie-up between the ride-hailing service and the Atlanta-based carrier will begin later this year, TPG first reported Tuesday. It will allow Delta SkyMiles members to earn Delta miles on eligible Uber rides and Uber Eats deliveries.
However, in adding Uber as a partner, Delta confirms it will soon drop competing ride-hailing company Lyft. This means you’ll soon no longer be able to earn SkyMiles on Lyft rides.
Here’s what to know about the changes and your future SkyMiles earning potential on Uber rides.
Delta’s new partnership with Uber
A big focus of Delta’s new Uber partnership is allowing members to earn SkyMiles on trips to and from the airport.
In announcing the news, Delta noted that 15% of all Uber bookings either begin or end at an airport, though certain other nonairport rides will be eligible for mileage earning, too.
Here’s how the earnings will shake out for SkyMiles members who link their frequent flyer accounts to Uber:
- 1 mile per dollar spent on UberX rides to and from airports
- 2 miles per dollar spent on premium Uber rides (Uber Black, Uber XL and Uber Comfort)
- 3 miles per dollar spent on Uber Reserve rides
- 1 mile per dollar spent on eligible Uber Eats restaurant and grocery deliveries
As laid out above, you’ll earn SkyMiles on your “standard” UberX rides only if you’re taking the ride-hailing company to or from the airport. However, if you’re using one of the higher-priced Uber options, such as Uber Black or Uber XL, you’ll be eligible for SkyMiles earnings even if you’re not traveling to or from an airport.
More details are expected later this spring, the airline said.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi joined Delta CEO Ed Bastian on stage in Las Vegas during the announcement. He noted that the ride-hailing company will also work with Delta to offer passengers better instructions on how to locate the ride-pick-up area, which can be a hassle at many airports.
“We’re also evolving our airport experience by providing easy, step-by-step instructions right in the Uber app to guide you from the plane straight to your ride to improve pickup and drop-off experiences at Delta hubs,” Khosrowshahi said in Las Vegas Tuesday.
More details about the partnership are expected in the coming months, but customers can already get a jump-start on preparing to link their accounts by joining a waitlist on Uber's website.
Lyft tie-up ends
As soon as Delta announced its partnership with Uber on Tuesday, one of the first questions we had for the airline was: What will become of its existing deal with Lyft, which allows Lyft riders to earn SkyMiles on eligible rides?
That partnership is ending soon, TPG learned.
SkyMiles earnings on Lyft rides will last through April 7, a spokesperson for the carrier confirmed.
Customers with linked Lyft accounts will receive additional details in the coming days, according to Delta.
“We are appreciative of the partnership we’ve had with Lyft, benefitting loyal customers who have collectively earned billions of miles,” a spokesperson said.
What this means for travelers
It’s not a huge surprise that Delta would want to move closer to Uber as its ride-hailing partner of choice.
Delta, of course, has deep ties to American Express, which itself offers cardmembers a variety of benefits through its travel credit card portfolio.
For instance, travelers who carry The Platinum Card® from American Express can earn up to $15 each month in Uber cash (plus an extra $20 in December). Cardmembers with the American Express® Gold Card can earn up to $10 monthly in Uber cash. Your Amex Plat or Amex Gold card must be added as a payment method to your Uber account, and you can redeem with any Amex card; Uber Cash can only be used toward purchases in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Uber does still offer a partnership with Marriott Bonvoy that can be rewarding for travelers who book Uber Eats deliveries to certain Marriott-affiliated properties. However, the Bonvoy-Uber tie-up doesn't currently offer travelers a way to earn points on standard, non-Reserve UberX rides. So, that will be a distinct advantage of the Delta-Uber partnership ... at least, if you're riding to or from an airport.
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| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.