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The Best Credit Cards for Uber & Lyft Rides [2021]

Uber airport passenger pickup
BY 
Christine Krzyszton
- UPDATED:    |    2
  1. Credit Cards
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The ridesharing trend has changed the way we make transportation choices by giving us several additional and potentially money-saving options from which to select.

Credit card issuers have been quick to jump on board to form partnerships with ridesharing companies, offer bonus-earning incentives, and include complimentary rideshare memberships that can offer even greater benefits.

If you’re a frequent rideshare user, you’ll want to know how to earn the most rewards possible on every purchase. We’ll take a look at the cards that are top earners when it comes to rideshare purchases, specifically Uber and Lyft. We’ll point out any special membership perks, statement credits, or other benefits you might also receive.

In the end, you’ll know which of your current cards are best for Uber and Lyft and which cards you might consider in the future.

Here’s a look at some of the best cards for Uber and Lyft purchases.

Best Personal Consumer Cards for Uber & Lyft

Uber Phone Car
Using the right card can help you earn big on rideshare purchases. Image Credit: Ivan81 via Shutterstock

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, Uber purchases count as a travel bonus-earnings category, so you’ll receive 3x Ultimate Rewards points for every dollar spent.

On Lyft purchases, due to a partnership with Chase, you’ll earn 10x Ultimate Rewards points through March 2022 for each dollar spent and receive a complimentary year of Lyft Pink membership which gives you priority pricing and a 15% discount on Lyft purchases, priority pickups at airports, broader cancellation options, and more. Lyft Pink membership is normally $19.99 per month.

The card also comes with worldwide lounge access via Priority Pass Select membership, a $300 travel statement credit, travel insurance coverages, and shopping benefits and protections.

Hot Tip: Learn more about the benefits of a Lyft Pink membership in our guide to earning rewards with Lyft.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

If you want a solid travel rewards card with a lower annual fee, you’ll find value with one of our favorite cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

We like that the card earns 2x Ultimate Rewards points on Uber purchases and 5x earnings on Lyft purchases through March 2022.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Why We Like the Card for Uber Purchases

The Amex Platinum card comes with up to $200 each calendar year in Uber Cash that can be used for U.S. Uber rides or U.S. Uber Eats purchases. Each month, January through November, you’ll receive $15, and in December, $35.

In addition to Uber Cash, cardmembers receive complimentary Uber VIP status that gives access to highly-rated drivers, nicer vehicles, and elevated service. For more information on maximizing these Uber benefits, read our informative article. Just remember to update your method of payment to your Amex Platinum card for benefits to apply!

With a long list of premium travel benefits and flexible redemption options, the card is one of the best for travelers. Here’s how to maximize earnings on the card, get the most value at redemption time, and a look at how we value all the benefits that come with the card.

American Express® Gold Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

You won’t be earning big on Uber and Lyft purchases as these are not bonus-earning categories on the Amex Gold card and fall into the 1x earning level.

However, when you add your Amex Gold card to your Uber account you’ll automatically score up to $10 in Uber Cash credited each month to your Uber account for U.S. Uber Eats orders or U.S. Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Like the Amex Platinum card’s benefit, remember to update your method of payment to your Amex Gold card for benefits to apply. These Uber Cash credits do not accumulate — you’ll need to use the credits each month or lose them.

We do love how this card earns big at U.S. supermarkets (4x points per $1 on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x) where you may be able to purchase Uber or Lyft gift cards.

» Related: 30 Benefits & Perks of the Amex Gold Card [$4,385+ Value]

American Express® Green Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

We like that you’ll be earning 3x Membership Rewards per dollar spent on travel purchases, which includes Uber and Lyft ride purchases.

Additionally, the card offers the same bonus earnings on worldwide dining and comes with a $100 statement credit towards a CLEAR membership and a $100 statement credit for LoungeBuddy purchases.

Blue Cash Preferred Card® from American Express

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card earns 3% cash-back on transit, including rains, taxicabs, rideshare services (which include Uber and Lyft), ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways (airfare, car rental and cruises are not considered transit. You’ll also earn 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations.

With 6% cash-back earnings at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per card anniversary year), and unlimited 6% earning on select U.S. streaming services, the card has plenty of earning power.

Capital One® Venture® Rewards Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

With its simplistic earning structure, you can count on 2x earnings on every purchase you make, including Uber and Lyft rides.

The card also comes with a generous welcome bonus.

World & World Elite Mastercards

All U.S. World and World Elite Mastercard cardholders will receive $5 in Lyft credit automatically after your third ride in a calendar month (until September 30, 2022). The credit can only be used once per month.

Hot Tip: Check for additional rideshare savings and earning bonuses with Amex Offers or Chase Offers. For Amex Offers, login to your online card account and scroll down the page until you see the list of offers. Chase Offers are also found on the home page of your Chase card account. All offers need to be added to the associated card prior to making a purchase. 

Best Business Card for Uber & Lyft

A Pink Promotional Lyft Car in Manhattan
Image Credit: Roman Tiraspolsky via Shutterstock

There are very few business cards that offer elevated earnings or benefits for rideshares. Here is one of the best business credit cards that does offer top earnings for Uber and Lyft.

Ink Business Preferred® Card

Credit CardKey Benefits & Info
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Learn More
(at Chase's secure site)
  • Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
  • Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases—with no limit to the amount you can earn
  • 25% more value when redeeming points through Ultimate Rewards® travel
  • Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-850)
  • Annual Fee: $95

$2,000

Must Reads: For more info on the Ink Business Preferred, see our guides on its benefits, 7 things to do as a new cardholder, and our full review. This is our favorite Chase business credit card.

The Ink Business Preferred card is one of our favorite business cards, partially due to its bonus earnings on purchases that businesses commonly make.

You’ll be earning 3x Ultimate Rewards points on travel, which includes Uber and Lyft purchases.

You’ll also earn on common business purchases such as shipping, internet/cable/phone services, and advertising via select social media and search engines. When it comes redemption time, you’ll receive 25% more value for your points when using the Chase travel portal, and have the option to transfer points to airline and hotel partners for potentially even greater value.

Best No-Annual-Fee Cards for Uber & Lyft

Can you actually earn rewards for your Uber and Lyft purchases with a no-annual-fee card? Yes, and here are some great card options for doing just that.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card and Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card

Credit CardBenefits & Info

Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card

Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card
Learn More
(at Chase's secure site)

  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
  • Earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (not including Target® or Walmart® purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.
  • Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 14.99 - 23.74%.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open.
  • Good to Excellent Credit Recommendation (670-850)
  • Annual Fee: $0

Why We Like the Cards for Uber and Lyft

You’ll be earning 5% cash-back on either of these cards for Lyft purchases through March 2022. The cards offer plenty of additional ways to earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points without paying an annual fee.

The Freedom Flex card also comes with 5% cash-back quarterly rotating bonus earning categories that could include transit, rideshares, or merchants that sell rideshare gift cards.

The Freedom Unlimited card earns 3% cash-back at drugstores that may sell rideshare gift cards.

Pair either of these cards with premium Chase cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card or Chase Sapphire Reserve card for expanded redemption options and up to 50% more value when points are redeemed for travel via the Chase travel portal. Points can also be transferred from Chase premium cards to travel partners for even greater potential value.

To help you decide which of these cards is right for you, check out our head-to-head comparison of the Freedom Flex card and Freedom Unlimited card.

Wells Fargo Propel American Express®

Earn 3x points per dollar spent on Uber and Lyft purchases. The card also features 3x earnings on travel, at gas stations, restaurant purchases, and on streaming services. You can cash in your points for statement credits or redeem them for travel.

Apple Card

If you have an Apple device and use Apple Pay, you’ll earn 3% back in Apple Cash on purchases with select partner merchants, including Uber and Uber Eats. You’ll also earn 2% back in Apple Cash when using Apple Pay for Lyft rides.

Citi® Double Cash Card

Since the Double Cash card earns 2% cash-back on every purchase — 1% when making the charge and 1% when paying off the charge — it’s a decent choice for Uber and Lyft ride purchases.

Hot Tip: Check for Uber or Lyft gift cards being sold at the bonus category merchants offered on specific cards. Bonus category merchants such as grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations, office supply stores, and others may earn greater rewards than using your card to make purchases direct with Uber or Lyft. 

Best Cards for Uber & Lyft Purchases — Summary

We’ve covered a great deal of data on a long list of cards that offer elevated earnings for Uber and Lyft purchases. Let’s now take a look at all the information combined in 1 spot for an easy card comparison.

CardUber and Lyft Ride Benefits
Chase Sapphire Reserve card
  • 3x earnings on Uber purchases
  • 10x earnings on Lyft purchases
  • Complimentary Lyft Pink membership
Chase Sapphire Preferred card
  • 3x earnings on Uber and Lyft purchases
Amex Platinum card
  • Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash credits
Amex Gold card
  • Up to $10 in Uber Cash credited monthly
Amex Green card
  • 3x earnings on Uber and Lyft purchases
Amex Blue Cash Preferred card
  • 3% cash-back on Uber and Lyft purchases
CapOne Venture card
  • 2x earnings on Uber and Lyft purchases
Ink Business Preferred card
  • 3x earnings on Uber and Lyft purchases
Freedom Unlimited card

Freedom Flex card

  • 5% cash-back on Lyft purchases
  • Bonus category merchants could sell rideshare gift cards
Wells Fargo Propel card
  • 3x earnings on Uber and Lyft purchases
Apple Card
  • 3% back in Apple Cash for Uber purchases made with Apple Pay
  • 2% back in Apple Cash for Lyft purchases made with Apple Pay
Double Cash card
  • 2% cash-back on every purchase, including Uber and Lyft

Final Thoughts

While you wouldn’t normally select a card based solely on Uber or Lyft earnings and benefits, having the knowledge of which cards offer bonus earnings is useful information that ensures you’ll be maximizing your rewards earning.

If you spend a lot for rideshares on an ongoing basis, of course, earnings and benefits are more of a priority and may influence your choice of cards.

Be sure to add any current cards to your Uber or Lyft account to take advantage of earning rewards when it’s time to book your ride.

The information regarding the American Express® Green Card, Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card, Wells Fargo Propel American Express®, and Apple Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® from American Express, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Uber

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best card for Uber and Lyft purchases?

With 10x earnings on Lyft, a Lyft Pink membership, and 3x earnings on Uber, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card may be the best for rideshare purchases.

However, the best card for you will depend on a lot of other factors including your entire spending mix, how you plan to redeem your rewards, the annual fee you are willing to pay, and other benefits the card offers that add value for you.

Additionally, earning and benefit levels change — the best card for rideshares currently may not be in the future.

Does Uber accept American Express?

Yes. In fact, specific Amex cards such as the Amex Platinum card offer monthly Uber Cash credits. Just add your card to your Uber Wallet for access to these credits or to use your Amex card for payment.

Do Amex Uber Cash credits roll over?

No. Amex Uber Cash credits do not roll over to the next month. You must use the credits in the current month in which they are deposited or the Amex Uber Cash credits will expire and no longer be available.

Does Uber count as travel for credit cards?

Yes. Most credit cards include Uber and Lyft in the travel bonus category.

However, if travel must be purchased through the card’s proprietary travel portal, such as the Ultimate Rewards or Membership Rewards travel portals in order to receive elevated earnings, then Uber and Lyft purchases, of course, would not count as travel.

Christine Krzyszton

About Christine Krzyszton

Christine, who lives in Northern Michigan, travels about 300,000 miles a year despite her remote location. Her expertise is traveling the world on a weekend with no pre-determined destination in mind, letting the cost of the airfare determine where she will go. She has over four million flown miles and elite status on all three major domestic carriers.
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2 comments

  1. Rick Stewart June 28, 2021

    Can you pick up an uber driver at LGA airport between terminal C and D?

    Reply

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