Which is the best card for Uber and Lyft purchases?

With 10x earnings on Lyft 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.

The 13 Best Credit Cards for Uber and Lyft Rides [2023]

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 to provide 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 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, best credit card bonus offers, 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.

Table of contents

The 13 Best Cards for Uber and Lyft Purchases — Overview
The 8 Best Personal Cards for Uber and Lyft
The 4 Best No-Annual-Fee Cards for Uber and Lyft
The Best Business Card for Uber and Lyft
- Ink Business Preferred® Card
Final Thoughts

Table of Contents

The 13 Best Cards for Uber and Lyft Purchases — Overview
The 8 Best Personal Cards for Uber and Lyft
The 4 Best No-Annual-Fee Cards for Uber and Lyft
The Best Business Card for Uber and Lyft
- 1. Ink Business Preferred® Card
Final Thoughts

The 13 Best Cards for Uber and Lyft Purchases — Overview

Before we fully detail the various cards that offer elevated earnings for Uber and Lyft purchases, let’s look at all the information combined in 1 spot for an easy card comparison.

Card	Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee	Uber and Lyft Ride Benefits
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card	Earn $300 after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	10% cash-back for Uber and Uber Eats purchases Complimentary Uber One membership until November 14, 2024
Chase Sapphire Reserve®	Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $550	3x points on travel, which includes Uber purchases 10x points on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) Lyft Pink credit (2 free years of Lyft Pink All Access and a third year at 50% off when you activate by Dec 31, 2024)
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	Earn 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	2x points on travel, which includes Uber purchases 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 2025)
The Platinum Card® from American Express	Earn 80,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $695 (rates and fees)	1x points on all non-bonus purchases, which would be Uber purchases Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash credits
American Express® Gold Card	Earn 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $250 (rates and fees)	1x points on all non-bonus purchases, which would be Uber purchases Up to $120 in Uber Cash credits
American Express® Green Card	Earn 30,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases in your first 3 months. Annual fee of $150	3x points on all travel, which includes Uber and Lyft purchases
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express	Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees)	3% cash-back on transit, which includes Uber and Lyft purchases
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	2x miles on all non-bonus purchases, which include Uber and Lyft purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited®	INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back! Annual fee of $0	5% cash-back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) 1.5% cash-back on all non-bonus purchases, which includes Uber 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% – 27.99
Chase Freedom Flex℠	Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months. Annual fee of $0	5% cash-back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) 5% cash-back on quarterly rotating bonus earning categories that can include transit, rideshares, or merchants that sell rideshare gift cards 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% – 27.99%
Apple Card	No welcome offer available. Annual fee of $0	3% back in Apple Cash for Uber purchases made with Apple Pay 2% back in Apple Cash for all other purchases made with Apple Pay, which includes Lyft
Citi® Double Cash Card	No welcome offer available. Annual fee of $0	2% cash-back on every purchase, with 1% when you buy, and an another 1% when you pay, including Uber and Lyft
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card	Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	3x points on travel, which includes Uber 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 2025)

The 8 Best Personal Cards for Uber and Lyft

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

1. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber

The CapOne Savor card earns 10% cash-back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases, miles above the other cards featured on our list.

Cardholders can also enroll in a complimentary Uber One membership through November 14, 2024.

Other benefits include roadside assistance and secondary rental car insurance, purchase protection/price protection/extended warranty, and no foreign transaction fees.

2. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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 2025 for each dollar spent.

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

3. 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 all other travel purchases, which includes Uber, and 5x earnings on Lyft purchases through March 2025.

4. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome offer of up to 150,000 points with the Amex Platinum card! (The current public offer is 80,000 points.)

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, from January through November, you’ll receive $15, and in December, you’ll receive $35.

In addition to Uber Cash, cardmembers receive complimentary Uber VIP status that gives access to highly-rated drivers, nicer vehicles, and elevated service. Just remember to update your payment method 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.

5. American Express® Gold Card

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card! (The current public offer is 60,000 points.)

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, totaling up to $120 per year. Like the Amex Platinum card’s benefit, remember to update your payment method 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.

6. American Express® Green Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

We like that the Amex Green card earns 3x Membership Rewards per dollar spent on travel purchases, including Uber and Lyft ride purchases.

Additionally, the card offers the same bonus earnings on worldwide dining, an up to $189 statement credit towards a CLEAR membership, and an up to $100 statement credit for LoungeBuddy purchases.

7. 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 (including 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% cash-back earnings on select U.S. streaming services, the card has plenty of earning power.

8. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

With its simplistic earning structure, you can count on the CapOne Venture card‘s 2x miles on every purchase, including Uber and Lyft rides.

World and World Elite Mastercards

All U.S. World and World Elite Mastercard cardholders will automatically receive $5 in Lyft credit after your third ride in a calendar month (until March 31, 2024). 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, log in 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 before purchasing.

The 4 Best No-Annual-Fee Cards for Uber and 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.

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

2. Chase Freedom Flex℠

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 2025. The cards offer many additional ways to earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points without paying an annual fee.

The Freedom Flex card also comes with a 5% cash-back quarterly rotating bonus earning categories that can 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.

3. Apple Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

The Apple Card earns 3% back in Apple Cash on Apple, Ace Hardware, T-Mobile, Panera Bread, Exxon/Mobil, Walgreens, Nike, and Uber and Uber Eats purchases when you use Apple Pay. You’ll also earn 2% back in Apple Cash when using Apple Pay for Lyft rides, as the card earns 2% back every time you use your Apple Card with Apple Pay.

4. Citi® Double Cash Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

Since the Double Cash card earns 2% cash-back on every purchase — an unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases (earned as ThankYou Points) — 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, drugstores, gas stations, office supply stores, and others may earn greater rewards than using your card to make purchases direct with Uber or Lyft.

The Best Business Card for Uber and Lyft

A Pink Promotional Lyft Car in Manhattan — You can earn tons of points on various cards just by using Lyft. Image Credit: Roman Tiraspolsky via Shutterstock

Very few business cards offer elevated earnings or benefits for rideshares. Here is one of the best business credit cards that offers top earnings for Uber and Lyft.

1. Ink Business Preferred® 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 earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points on travel, including Uber and Lyft purchases. However, through March 2025, the Ink Business Preferred card earns 5x points on Lyft purchases.

You’ll also earn on everyday 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.

Final Thoughts

While you wouldn’t usually select a card based solely on Uber or Lyft earnings and benefits, knowing which cards offer bonus earnings is valuable 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 Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, American Express® Green Card, 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.

5 comments

Rick Stewart June 28, 2021

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

- Jarrod West June 28, 2021
  
  Hi Rick,
  
  Yes, you certainly can.
  
reliablerider November 12, 2021

Thanks for sharing this article. These are the best cards for Lyft and Uber purchases.

Cinthia July 9, 2022

Will I be able to use my Quicksilver credit card from Capital One to get a ride from Lyft?

- Christine Krzyszton July 9, 2022
  
  Hi Cinthia. Yes. While there are no special benefits for Quicksilver cardholders, you can add your card to your Lyft app, pay for your Lyft ride, and earn 1.5% cash-back.

The 13 Best Cards for Uber and Lyft Purchases — Overview

The 8 Best Personal Cards for Uber and Lyft

1. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber

2. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

3. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

4. The Platinum Card® from American Express

Why We Like the Card for Uber Purchases

5. American Express® Gold Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

6. American Express® Green Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

7. Blue Cash Preferred Card® from American Express

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

8. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

World and World Elite Mastercards

The 4 Best No-Annual-Fee Cards for Uber and Lyft

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

2. Chase Freedom Flex℠

Why We Like the Cards for Uber and Lyft

3. Apple Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

4. Citi® Double Cash Card

Why We Like the Card for Uber and Lyft

The Best Business Card for Uber and Lyft

1. Ink Business Preferred® Card

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best card for Uber and Lyft purchases?

Does Uber accept American Express?

Do Amex Uber Cash credits roll over?

Does Uber count as travel for credit cards?

About Christine Krzyszton

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