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.
Related reading:
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.