Ride sharing services have grown in popularity over the past few years to where it’s a must for many. The prices have went up some too in the past few months while these competing companies are trying to do the most to keep drivers and please lawmakers. The great thing is that you can earn cash back using certain credit cards to help offset the increased pricing.
Let’s take a look at how you can maximize cash back points when riding in an Uber or Lyft.
$2 Per Ride with Shop Your Way Integration
This is something you won’t read about on most blogs as they just want you to sign-up for credit cards and they get nothing out of it. You can earn $2 per ride doing nothing after you integrate Shop Your Way with the Uber app. It takes a few minutes to sign-up and you get free money to spend at ShopYourWay.com. I have redeemed almost $1,000 worth of goods such as Foodsaver, blenders, clothes, outdoor grill, and many other things. Sign-up here free or read more about the offer here.
$200 Annual Uber credit
One of the unique benefits of The Platinum Card from American Express ($550 annual fee) is that it offers a $200 annual Uber credit. This benefit is only available on the personal version of the card, and not on the business version. With this card you get a $15 credit posted to your Uber account per month, and in December you get a $35 credit posted to your Uber account. As long as you spend at least $15 per month on Uber (and $35 in December).
To take advantage of this benefit you’ll have to add your Amex Platinum Card to your Uber account. You don’t actually have to use the card to pay but it just has to remain linked for the benefit to be triggered. This is only one of the many benefits of the card, as it also offers a $200 annual airline fee credit, $100 annual Saks credit, Amex Centurion Lounge access, a Priority Pass membership, access to Delta SkyClubs when flying Delta, Hilton Honors Gold status, and more.
We don’t recommend using The Platinum Card from American Express for your Uber spend. Instead consider one of the below cards which don’t have foreign transaction fees, unless otherwise noted, so they’re ideal whether you’re paying for an Uber in the US or abroad. The cards below also earn more cash back than the AMEX Platinum on rideshare.
Best personal credit cards for Uber and Lyft rides
6% Back: Blue Cash Preferred Card
This is the highest amount you can receive in cash back but it takes a trip to the grocery store. You get 6% back at grocery stores with this AMEX Credit Card. The trick is to go in and buy Uber gift cards in your local Kroger and get fuel points on top of that. You can stack this amazing rewards trick. You can get a $250 sign-up bonus with this card if you sign-up now.
5% Back: Discover IT Card
Earlier this year they had a 5% back on the Transportation such as Taxi/Rideshare/Limo’s. This was an easy 5% back on Uber and Lyft up to $1,500 during the quarter which will be back again next year so get your card now and be ready.
5% Back: Chase Freedom Card –
They are currently offering 5% back on Lyft rides. Earlier this year they had a 5% back on the Transportation such as Taxi, black cars, and Rideshare. This was an easy 5% back on Uber and Lyft up to $1,500 during the quarter which will be back again next year.
5% Back: U.S. Bank Cash+ Card
I’ve had this card before and applied again and they have improved it with the Rideshare and Utilities categories at 5% back. You have to sign-in and pick these categories yourself. I don’t recommend this card for any other categories or purchases. I use it for rideshare and utilities and its worthless for anything else.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card ($95 annual fee) — 3% return (or more)
The World of Hyatt Credit Card specifically offers double points on ridesharing services. We value World of Hyatt points at 1.5 cents each, so to me that’s the equivalent of a 3% return. You also get a free night at a Hyatt hotel with this card.
Chase Sapphire Reserve ($450 annual fee) — 5.1% return
The Sapphire Reserve offers triple points on all travel purchases, and that includes ridesharing. Most travel experts value Ultimate Rewards points at over 1.5 cents each, so that’s the equivalent of a 5% return on Uber purchases.
Citi ThankYou Premier Card ($95 annual fee, waived the first year)
The ThankYou Premier Card offers triple points on all travel purchases, and that includes ridesharing. Most travel experts value Ultimate Rewards points at over 1.5 cents each, so that’s the equivalent of a 5% return on Uber purchases.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card ($95 annual fee, waived the first year)
The Sapphire Preferred offers double points on all travel purchases, and that includes ridesharing.
What about the Uber Visa Card?
The Uber Visa has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and is an amazing card to use for dining and UberEats. It only offers 2% back on Uber rides so as ironic as that seems we do not recommend this card on actual rides. The card offers 4% back on dining, 3% back on hotels and airfare, 2% back on online purchases, and 1% back on everything else. Uber qualifies as an online purchase, so you only earn 2% back. While we don’t recommend using the Uber Card for Uber purchases we do recommend on using them for other travel and the cell phone warranty that comes free with the card. Many bloggers don’t make commission on this card so they won’t talk about it and instead hype the worthless Sapphire cards they get paid big commissions on. If you don’t have one of the above cards to use with Uber rides then by all means use this card.
Best business credit cards for Uber rides?
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card ($95 annual fee)
The Ink Preferred offers triple points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases every anniversary year on travel which includes ridesharing, shipping purchases, internet, cable, and phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines.
The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express (no annual fee) — 3.4% return
The Blue Business Plus offers double points on all purchases, for the first $50,000 spent every calendar year. That’s an incredible return for a no annual fee card. So while there’s not even a bonus for ridesharing or travel, as long as you’re within the first $50,000 of spend in a calendar year, this may be the best Amex card for ridesharing purchases.
Buy Uber gift cards
Keep on the lookout for deals on Uber and Lyft gift cards. Many office supply stores also sell Uber/Lyft gift cards, so you can always purchase gift cards there to earn up to 5x points.
Bottom line
My personal Uber strategy is was use the Citi ThankYou Premier Card but I got approved for the the U.S. Bank Cash+ at 5% so i’ll be switching to that. My favorite card to use is the Discover IT or Chase Freedom cards when they do 5% back on rideshare. For example, I’m using my Chase Freedom card to get 5% back on Lyft for my current rides.
