News
Lyft, United launch loyalty program after Delta partnership ends
Lyft customers can once again earn miles toward their next flight.
The ridesharing company on Wednesday said it’s partnering with United Airlines to offer MileagePlus points to riders who link their accounts, months after it ended an eight-year partnership with Delta Airlines.
Once linked, riders can earn one mile for every dollar spent on Standard Priority Pickup and XL rides and two miles for every dollar booked on business profiles. Extra Comfort, Lyft Black, Black SUV and regular airport rides will earn three miles per dollar. Pre-scheduled rides to and from the airport will rake in four miles per dollar.
The company said rewards do not stack. Riders get the highest value multiplier on a booking.
Lyft marketing chief Brian Irving told CNBC that the partnership builds on both Lyft and United’s commitment to building better customer experiences.
“We have this simple, yet really customer-obsessed way of approaching things,” he said.
Earlier this year, Delta dissolved its eight-year partnership with Lyft and brought its loyalty program to ride-hailing competitor Uber.
Airlines have been amping up loyalty programs in recent years to try and grow revenues, offering new ways for customers to earn miles.
United said last month that sales from its loyalty program rose 9%. The company also earns revenues through reward and co-branded credit cards.
United said the agreement builds on its commitment to broadening its partnership ecosystem for customers. Other United partners include Ticketmaster and Avis, and the airline brought music streamer Spotify to seatback screens this summer.
Both companies hope to expand the partnership through more tech innovation and data integration, said Richard Nunn, CEO of United’s MileagePlus program.
“This is very much the start of a very deep and meaningful technology integration,” he said.
Riders will be able to redeem miles for rides directly through the Lyft app and get alerts and reminders for United flights. The capability should be available starting early next year.
United is also offering 1,000 bonus miles to new Lyft riders who link their loyalty accounts and complete two rides in 30 days.
