If you’re not already using a rewards credit card for your Lyft rides, now is the perfect time to start earning points or miles. Additionally, you can maximize your rewards even further by taking advantage of Lyft’s various partnerships with leading loyalty programs.
Although Delta and Lyft recently concluded their partnership, which means you can’t earn SkyMiles on Lyft rides anymore, this article will guide you through numerous alternatives to earn extra rewards while using Lyft. Here’s everything you need to know.
Lyft Partnerships
Lyft collaborates with the following loyalty programs:
Through its partnership with DoorDash, DashPass members receive a 5% discount on standard rides and a 10% discount on scheduled rides to the airport, applicable for up to four rides each month. Additionally, DashPass members can access two Priority Pickup upgrades monthly. However, since this partnership does not allow for earning additional rewards, further details will not be covered in this article.
This article will also provide dedicated sections for each loyalty program (Alaska Airlines, Bilt, and Hilton) where you can earn extra points or miles on certain rides, as well as discuss partnerships with Chase and Mastercard towards the end.
Related: 5 things to know before your next airport ride-hailing experience
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
In November 2022, Alaska Mileage Plan joined forces with Lyft. By linking your Lyft and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan accounts and selecting “Alaska Mileage Plan” as your preferred travel partner in the Lyft app, you can earn 1 mile for every dollar spent on Lyft rides in the U.S. (excluding taxes, fees, tolls, and tips).
Linking your Lyft and Alaska accounts is straightforward. Visit the partnership website and click “Link your accounts”, then follow the instructions. After linking, open the Lyft app, tap “Rewards” in the menu, scroll to the “Travel Rewards” section, tap “Select a partner,” and choose “Alaska Mileage Plan.”
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Related: Best Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan redemptions you can book
Bilt Rewards
Bilt and Lyft partnered in March 2023. While Bilt is known for allowing users to earn rewards when paying rent with a credit card (up to 100,000 points per year), you can also earn Bilt Rewards Points on Lyft rides in the continental U.S. Here’s the breakdown:
- Earn 2 Bilt points per dollar on Lyft rides in the U.S. (excluding bikes and scooters) when you link your Bilt Rewards account with your Lyft account and select Bilt as your preferred travel partner in the Lyft app.
- Earn an additional 3 Bilt points per dollar on rides, bikes, and scooters booked through the Lyft app in the U.S. (excluding cancellation, damage, and donation charges) when paying with a Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees).
To earn points, make sure you use your Bilt card at least five times within each statement period.
To link your Bilt and Lyft accounts, go to your Bilt Rewards account and navigate to the Neighborhood Benefits section. Select “Rideshare” and follow the prompts. After linking, ensure Bilt Rewards is chosen as your preferred travel partner in the Lyft app.
Related: Is paying rent with Bilt a smart choice? We analyze the numbers
Hilton Honors
Hilton and Lyft formed a partnership back in May 2019. By linking your Hilton Honors and Lyft accounts and designating “Hilton Honors” as your preferred travel partner, you can earn the following on Lyft rides in the U.S. and Canada:
- 3 points per dollar spent on Lyft, Lyft XL, Lyft Black XL, Lux, and Lux Black rides (taxes, fees, tolls, and tips excluded)
- 2 points per dollar spent on Lyft shared rides (taxes, fees, tolls, and tips excluded)
Note that you can only accrue Hilton points on up to $10,000 of eligible Lyft spending each calendar year.
To link your Lyft and Hilton Honors accounts, visit the partnership website, click “Link your accounts”, and follow the instructions. After linking, log into your Lyft account and ensure that Hilton Honors is set as your preferred travel partner.
Related: 7 ways to redeem points with Hilton Honors
Choosing the Best Lyft Travel Partner
Your choice of whether to align with Alaska Airlines, Bilt, or Hilton as your preferred Lyft travel partner should depend on your travel habits and the value you place on each program’s rewards.
Bilt offers a compelling rate of 2 points per dollar spent (just remember to use your card five times each statement period). Unlike the other partners, Bilt points are transferable and are earned on the complete ride cost (including taxes, fees, tips, and tolls). Bilt Rewards also boasts a selection of high-value transfer partners, including Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.
If you tend to use Lyft often in Canada, you might find it more advantageous to select Hilton Honors as your travel partner, as Bilt does not provide bonus rewards for Lyft rides outside the U.S. An alternative option would be to change your preferred partner from Bilt to Hilton immediately before requesting a ride in Canada.
Related: The added value of transferable points and miles compared to other rewards
The Best Credit Cards for Lyft
If you choose Bilt as your linked rewards program, consider using the Bilt Mastercard® for an additional 3 Bilt points per dollar on eligible rides (remember to make at least five purchases with your card each statement period). Simultaneously, you should also explore other credit cards that provide extra rewards on ride-hailing services.
For instance, select Chase cards offer bonus rewards and monthly credits for Lyft-related purchases through September 2027. Plus, if you use a World Elite Mastercard, World Elite Mastercard for Business, or a World Mastercard for Business to pay for scheduled rides to U.S. airports, you’ll receive a 10% discount until January 2026. Moreover, taking three qualified U.S. Lyft rides within a month earns $5 in Lyft credit with your World or World Elite Mastercard—and $10 in Lyft credit with your Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees).
Related: The best credit cards for frequent Uber or Lyft passengers
Conclusion
Even if you don’t use Lyft often, it’s beneficial to link your Lyft account to one or more of its loyalty program partners. By doing so, you can earn bonus rewards in addition to the credit card rewards on each eligible Lyft purchase.
Click here for the rates and fees associated with the Bilt Mastercard.
Click here for details on the rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard.
