Delta Ends Partnership with Lyft, Links Loyalty Program to Uber

Travelers await for an Uber ride-share vehicle at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2023.

Delta Air Lines to Link SkyMiles to Uber, Ending Partnership with Lyft

Delta Air Lines will link its lucrative SkyMiles loyalty program to Uber this spring, the companies announced Tuesday, as the airline ends its eight-year partnership with smaller ride-hailing rival Lyft.

Earning Miles with Uber

Once customer accounts are linked, Delta SkyMiles members can earn one mile per dollar spent on UberX airport rides, two miles for every dollar spent on "premium rides" such as Uber Comfort and Uber Black, and three miles per dollar on Uber Reserve trips, Uber said Tuesday. For Uber Eats food-delivery service, members will earn one mile for every dollar on orders over $40 from restaurants and grocery stores.

Partnerships and Loyalty Programs

Delta and other airlines have expanded their partnerships for earning and using frequent flyer miles, part of loyalty programs that have generated billions of dollars for carriers. Other Delta partners include Starbucks, Hertz, and Ticketmaster.

Transition from Lyft

Customers who have linked their Lyft accounts to Delta can earn miles through April 7, a Delta spokesperson said. "Customers with linked accounts will receive direct communication from Delta and Lyft in the coming days about the transition," the spokesperson said. "We are appreciative of the partnership we’ve had with Lyft benefiting loyal customers who have collectively earned billions of miles."

Uber’s Expanding Horizons

"Years ago we teamed up with our first airline to unlock more ways to uplevel and innovate around travel experiences, thereby turning those customers into Lyft loyalists," Lyft said in a statement. "We’re continuing to expand our horizons by joining forces with major brands who share our customer obsession, like Alaska Airlines, Chase, DoorDash, Mastercard, Hilton, Disney, and Bilt."

Conclusion

The partnership between Delta and Uber is a significant development in the world of travel and loyalty programs. As travelers seek more convenient and efficient ways to earn and use their frequent flyer miles, it will be interesting to see how this partnership plays out and what benefits it brings to both parties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Delta switching ride-hailing partners?
A: Delta did not comment on why it is switching ride-hailing partners.

Q: What are the benefits of linking Delta SkyMiles to Uber?
A: Delta SkyMiles members can earn miles on UberX airport rides, premium rides, and Uber Reserve trips, and on Uber Eats food-delivery service.

Q: What is the transition period for customers who have linked their Lyft accounts to Delta?
A: Customers with linked accounts can earn miles through April 7.