In this article, Delta Air Lines will connect its SkyMiles loyalty program with Uber this spring, as announced by the companies on Tuesday. The airline is concluding its eight-year partnership with the smaller ride-hailing competitor, Lyft.
Upon linking customer accounts, Delta SkyMiles members will be able to earn rewards when using Uber services. They can earn one mile for every dollar spent on UberX airport rides, two miles per dollar on premium rides like Uber Comfort and Uber Black, and three miles per dollar on Uber Reserve trips. Additionally, members can earn one mile for every dollar spent on Uber Eats orders over $40 from restaurants and grocery stores.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated, “With a record number of travelers taking to the skies, we’re focused on helping to make your airport travel journey as efficient, affordable, and effortless as possible.”
Airlines like Delta have been expanding their partnerships to offer more opportunities for earning and using frequent flyer miles, contributing significantly to their loyalty programs’ revenue. Delta’s partners include Starbucks, Hertz, and Ticketmaster.
Customers who have linked their Lyft accounts to Delta can continue to earn miles until April 7, according to a Delta spokesperson. The transition to the new partnership will be communicated directly to customers by Delta and Lyft in the upcoming days.
Delta did not provide a specific reason for switching ride-hailing partners. However, American Express, Delta’s credit card partner, offers some cardholders credits for Uber rides and food delivery.
Lyft expressed gratitude for the partnership with Delta over the years, highlighting their commitment to enhancing travel experiences. Lyft has expanded its partnerships with major brands like Alaska Airlines, Chase, DoorDash, Mastercard, Hilton, Disney, and Bilt.
Delta, which is set to report quarterly earnings soon, projected significant revenue from its partnership with American Express. The airline estimated receiving around $7 billion in 2024 from the partnership and aims for a long-term target of $10 billion annually.
As of the end of the third quarter, Lyft had 24.4 million active riders, while Uber had 161 million monthly active users by September. Uber’s customers completed over 2.8 billion rides in the third quarter, reflecting a 17% increase from the previous year.
Uber introduced a shuttle service to New York’s LaGuardia Airport last year. The new partnership between Delta and Uber was announced at the CES tech show in Las Vegas, where Delta also revealed plans to launch an AI-powered assistant in its app and enhance its in-flight entertainment systems.
