Skip to content

Quick Points: Stack these offers to maximize your next Lyft ride

Feb. 02, 2024
6 min read
Ride share driver using a smart phone GPS
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

How often have you landed at an airport and checked fares to get to your destination on both Lyft and Uber? If you’re like me, you check both and order a car on whichever platform is cheaper. Although that system can work well, your potential rewards earnings on the two platforms are far from identical.

Frankly, the little you can earn on Uber is no match for the ability to triple stack on Lyft. You can earn bonus credit card points, airline miles or hotel points, and even cash back on your Lyft rides. You just need to know where to look.

What is this magical Lyft trifecta, and how do you start maximizing your Lyft rides? Let’s take a closer look.

Chase Ultimate Rewards and Lyft: Up to 20% value back

DAVID PAUL MORRIS/BLOOMBERG

Chase extended its partnership with Lyft, and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) cardholders can enjoy 5 points per dollar on all Lyft rides through Sept. 2027. TPG values each Chase Ultimate Rewards point at 2.05 cents, so at 5 points per dollar, you get around 10% back on your Lyft rides in Ultimate Rewards points by using the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Sapphire Reserve cardholders enjoy even more Lyft benefits with a complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership for two years, worth up to $199 annually. This includes various benefits like discounted rides, free bike and scooter rentals, and priority pickup upgrades. Activate by Dec. 31, 2024.

If you don’t have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can also earn 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides (or a 10% return, based on TPG’s valuations) or 5% cash back using these cards:

Or you can earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides using the following cards:

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

To earn these increased Chase award rates, simply add your Chase card to the “Payment” section of the Lyft app.

The information for the Ink Business Preferred, Chase Freedom Rise, Chase Freedom Student and Ink Business Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value

Pay with Mastercard: Up to a $10 monthly credit

A woman lyft driver in a car
LYFT

If you don't have a Chase credit card, another option would be to pay with a World Mastercard, World Elite Mastercard or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees).

If you take three eligible rides in the United States in a month and pay with one of these cards, you'll automatically have the following credit applied after the third ride (terms apply):

  • $5 credit when you pay with your World or World Elite Mastercard
  • $10 credit when you pay with your Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Related: Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers of February 2024

Earn airline miles or hotel points: Up to 10% value back

alaska airlines boeing 737
BOARDING1NOW/GETTY IMAGES

bilt

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Hilton Honors, Delta Air Lines SkyMiles and Bilt Rewards all partner with Lyft, giving you more ways to earn points and miles. Remember, you can only earn on the base fare of your Lyft ride. Unfortunately, you can only earn rewards with one of these partners at a time.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll earn from each rewards partner:

Bilt Rewards

  • 2 Bilt Rewards points per dollar spent on rides when you link your Bilt account in the Lyft app (4.1% return)
  • An additional 3 Bilt Rewards points per dollar when you pay with your Bilt Mastercard® (10.25% return)
  • You must use you card a minimum of five times each statement period to earn points

The information for the Bilt Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Hilton Honors (points are earned on up to $10,000 per year)

  • 3 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent on private Lyft rides in the U.S. (1.8% return)
  • 2 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent on shared Lyft rides in the U.S. (1.2% return)

Delta SkyMiles

  • 2 Delta SkyMiles per dollar spent on airport Lyft rides in the U.S. (2.4% return)
  • 1 Delta SkyMile per dollar spent on non-airport Lyft rides in the U.S. (1.2% return)

Alaska Mileage Plan

  • 1 Alaska Mileage Plan mile per dollar spent on all Lyft rides in the U.S. and Canada (1.4% return)

To add your Alaska Mileage Plan, Delta SkyMiles, Bilt Rewards or Hilton Honors membership number to Lyft and start earning points, go to the “Rewards” section of the Lyft app.

Related: Your complete guide to the Delta SkyMiles program

Bottom line

The ability to stack offers on Lyft means that you can save big on Lyft rides when you factor in the value of your earnings.

Much of this depends on the value of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Alaska Mileage Plan miles, Bilt Rewards points, Delta SkyMiles miles and Hilton Honors points. Make sure you set up and link your accounts correctly so you can earn multiple rewards on your next Lyft trip.

Featured image by DOUGLAS SACHA/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

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.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    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.