Delta Teams Up With Uber In A Bold Loyalty Program Move

Delta Airlines airplane on airport runway, cloudy sky.

Delta Air Lines ditches Lyft for Uber in a major SkyMiles program shake-up, leaving customers wondering about the impact on their travel rewards.

At a Glance

Delta partners with Uber, ending its 8-year relationship with Lyft
SkyMiles members can earn miles on Uber rides and Eats orders
Uber boasts significantly more monthly active users than Lyft
Partnership aims to enhance travel accessibility and rewards for Delta customers

Delta’s Strategic Shift to Uber

Delta Air Lines has made a significant move in the ride-sharing arena, announcing an exclusive partnership with Uber for its SkyMiles program. This decision marks the end of Delta’s eight-year relationship with Lyft, signaling a major shift in the airline’s approach to customer rewards and travel convenience.

Starting this spring, Delta SkyMiles members will have the opportunity to earn miles on Uber rides to and from airports. The new partnership extends beyond just rides, as customers can also earn miles on qualifying Uber Eats orders. This move is designed to provide Delta’s loyal customers with more opportunities to accumulate rewards, enhancing the overall value of the SkyMiles program.

Delta to launch SkyMiles partnership with Uber but cut ties with Lyft 🚖https://t.co/qkOKD7FWPO

— The Points Guy (@thepointsguy) January 8, 2025

Earning Miles with Uber

The partnership introduces a tiered system for earning SkyMiles through Uber services. Members can earn one mile per dollar on UberX rides, two miles per dollar on premium Uber rides, and three miles per dollar on Uber Reserve. For those who prefer to dine in, Uber Eats orders of $40 or more will earn customers one mile per dollar spent.

“Uber will be Delta’s exclusive rideshare and delivery partner in the U.S. Together, we’re teaming up to offer Uber customers the opportunity to earn Delta SkyMiles when they ride and order,” Uber said in a statement accompanying the announcement.

This collaboration aims to create a more seamless travel experience for Delta customers, from the moment they leave their homes to when they board their flights. The partnership leverages Uber’s vast network and popularity, with the ride-sharing giant boasting 161 million monthly active users compared to Lyft’s 24.4 million.

Impact on Travelers and the Industry

Delta’s decision to partner with Uber is expected to have far-reaching effects on both travelers and the ride-sharing industry. For frequent flyers and SkyMiles members, this change presents new opportunities to earn miles on everyday activities like ordering food or taking a ride to the airport.

“Delta is thrilled to come together with Uber to create a connected travel experience from start to finish,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement. “This partnership creates more choice for customers to get to their destination in a way that works best for them.”

However, it’s worth noting that while the partnership offers new ways to earn miles, redeeming these rewards for significant perks like flights or baggage fee waivers still requires substantial accumulation. This aspect of the program underscores the importance for travelers to strategically maximize their earning potential through the new Uber partnership.

For Lyft, the loss of its partnership with Delta marks a significant setback. The company’s shares dropped over 5% following the announcement, highlighting the market’s reaction to this shift in allegiances. However, Lyft isn’t standing still, with a spokesperson indicating that the company is “continuing to expand our horizons by joining forces with major brands who share our customer obsession.” This includes Lyft’s ongoing partnership with Alaska Airlines, established in 2022.

As the dust settles on this new arrangement, it’s clear that the landscape of travel rewards and ride-sharing partnerships is evolving. Delta’s move to partner with Uber reflects a broader trend of airlines seeking to enhance their loyalty programs through strategic alliances with popular consumer services. For travelers, this means more options and potentially more value, but it also requires staying informed about the changing dynamics of these partnerships to make the most of their travel rewards.