In the first offer made available by this collaboration, Lyft riders in the United States who are also members of United’s loyalty program, MileagePlus, can earn airline miles on every eligible ride, the companies said in a Wednesday (Nov. 5) press release.
Depending on the type of ride, they can earn between one and four miles for every dollar spent on Lyft, according to the release.
The companies expect to expand their collaboration in early 2026 to let MileagePlus members redeem miles directly for rides through the Lyft app and receive automated flight alerts and ride reminders, per the release.
“This collaboration is the first step toward creating a truly seamless travel experience for our members — from the moment they leave home to when they arrive at their destination,” Richard Nunn, CEO of United MileagePlus, said in the release. “By integrating Lyft into the MileagePlus ecosystem, we’re giving travelers more ways to earn rewards today and building toward a future where every part of the journey is connected, efficient and rewarding, enriching the traveler journey.”
Lyft Chief Marketing Officer Brian Irving said in the release: “A large amount of our customers use Lyft for trips to the airport, so we’re giving riders more value from rides they’re already taking while making their entire travel journey more seamless.”
United Airlines added another offering to its loyalty program on Tuesday (Nov. 4) when it launched a debit card that aims to turn everyday banking into a generator of airline miles and deeper customer engagement.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to add value and optionality for our members, and a debit card is a natural next step,” Bob Daly, managing director of global co-brand cards at United, said on a call for journalists ahead of the launch. “The United MileagePlus Debit Rewards Card offers customers and additional way to earn miles whether they’re spending on United flights and everyday purchases or saving and making plans for the future.”
In May, United and JetBlue merged aspects of each other’s loyalty programs in a partnership dubbed “Blue Sky.”
