Breaking Down The Pros And Cons Of Delta’s New Partnership With Uber

Delta SkyMiles members have had access to services by more airlines and travel partners than many realize. That community simply modified in a serious approach. Whereas some SkyMiles members rejoiced when Delta’s new loyalty partnership with Uber launched earlier this 12 months, the shift isn’t with out tradeoffs. Delta formally ended its multi-year relationship with Lyft in April, changing it with Uber as its exclusive rideshare partner.

SkyMiles members can now earn miles on eligible Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases—a notable change in Delta’s loyalty technique. Nevertheless, the brand new setup could have extra limitations than perks for many who loved racking up miles on on a regular basis Lyft journeys. A better look reveals whether or not this new partnership with Uber is really higher and who stands to profit or lose essentially the most.

Delta Replaces Lyft With Uber

Delta teased a possible cut up with Lyft for months, and now the change is official. As of April 7, 2025, Delta’s partnership with Lyft ended, and Uber has stepped in because the airline’s new rideshare loyalty companion. This transition indicators the tip of 1 period and the start of one other.

Underneath the previous program with Lyft, SkyMiles members earned:

• Two miles per greenback for rides to or from the airport
• One mile per greenback on all different Lyft rides

Whereas modest, these earnings have been automated and coated many journey sorts. The simplicity and consistency made it straightforward for Delta flyers to rack up a number of additional miles on nearly any Lyft journey. Even when the miles weren’t game-changing, this system rewarded common use in a approach that required little additional effort or planning. Now that Lyft is not within the image, Delta flyers should rethink how and when their rideshare exercise can earn rewards, particularly since Uber’s setup is extra segmented.

Delta’s Uber Partnership – Particulars Of Loyalty Miles

Delta’s new partnership with Uber introduces a extra tiered and selective incomes construction. To start out incomes SkyMiles, customers should hyperlink their Delta and Uber accounts. The method is pretty simple:

1. Open the Uber or Uber Eats app
2. Navigate to the ‘Account’ tab
3. Faucet ‘Accomplice Rewards’ on the backside
4. Choose ‘Delta SkyMiles’ after which ‘Hyperlink to begin incomes miles’
5. Enter your Delta SkyMiles account quantity

As soon as linked, you may earn miles as follows:

• Three miles/greenback on Uber Reserve journeys
• Two miles/greenback on premium rides (e.g., Uber Consolation, Uber Black, Uber XL)
• One mile/greenback on UberX rides to and from airports
• One mile/greenback spent on $40+ restaurant and grocery orders with Uber Eats

Delta additionally promotes an “additional” mile per greenback for SkyMiles American Categorical cardholders, however that is merely the usual 1x earnings that you’d get from utilizing the cardboard, not a real bonus.

Not all Uber rides will earn SkyMiles. Fundamental non-airport UberX rides, for instance, are excluded from this system. In case you’re not deciding on the appropriate service tier, you may miss out on rewards solely.

This construction is designed to incentivize higher-spending rides and premium providers. Whereas that may align with Delta’s model positioning, it’s a departure from the earlier Lyft mannequin, the place practically each journey earned some miles. Vacationers who need an reasonably priced journey to dinner or the lodge will earn nothing.

Delta’s Uber Partnership: The Execs & Cons

Delta’s Uber partnership opens the door to new perks—however not with out some drawbacks. Right here’s a fast have a look at the professionals and cons to see the way it may affect your journey rewards recreation.

Execs:

• Increased mileage potential on choose rides – Earn as much as three SkyMiles per greenback on Uber Reserve journeys and 2x on premium journey sorts.
• Expanded earnings by Uber Eats – Orders over $40 from eating places and grocery shops can now assist increase your SkyMiles stability.
• Premium-focused rewards – The construction aligns with Delta’s broader technique of interesting to high-value vacationers.
• Synergy with Delta Amex playing cards – Whereas not a real bonus, this system reinforces worth for SkyMiles American Categorical cardholders.

Cons:

• Restricted earnings on on a regular basis rides – Fundamental UberX journeys that aren’t to or from the airport don’t qualify, chopping out a big portion of informal rides.
• Extra advanced guidelines – Riders have to be aware of journey sort and spending thresholds to unlock miles, in contrast to Lyft’s extra automated setup.
• Account linking required – Incomes miles isn’t automated; customers should instantly join their Delta and Uber accounts.
• Fewer rewards for budget-conscious vacationers—Underneath the brand new construction, those that favor low-cost rides could earn little to nothing.

Higher Loyalty Alternate options

Delta’s Uber partnership isn’t the one recreation on the town. Vacationers trying to maximize rideshare rewards, particularly those that need to earn on each Lyft and Uber, could discover higher worth with different loyalty packages.

Lyft Loyalty Applications: Lyft maintains a broader community of U.S.-based partnerships:

For many customers, Bilt Rewards gives distinctive worth, notably with its 5x earnings when utilizing the Bilt Mastercard to pay for Lyft rides. Plus, these factors could be transferred to varied airline and lodge companions, typically with extra flexibility than a program like Delta SkyMiles.

Uber Loyalty Applications: Uber has different partnerships, however many are geographically restricted

• Air Canada Aeroplan: Just for rides in Canada
• Air France/KLM: Solely legitimate in France and the Netherlands
• Marriott Bonvoy: Affords arguably essentially the most well-rounded worth throughout Uber journey sorts and Eats orders

For vacationers loyal to Marriott, the Uber partnership gives comparable or higher returns than Delta’s setup, with out limiting earnings to solely airport or premium rides.

Delta’s transfer from Lyft to Uber marks a extra unique—however much less universally rewarding—partnership. Whereas there’s potential to earn extra SkyMiles on premium rides, the dearth of earnings on primary rides and complicated tiers could disappoint informal vacationers.

Relying in your rideshare habits, you may discover higher worth sticking with Lyft and its partnering packages like Bilt and Hilton, or exploring alternate options like Marriott’s partnership with Uber.