Everything you need to know about the Uber Rewards program

Frequent Uber users should know about the rewards program. Uber Rewards provides riders and food delivery customers with rewards and elite status that come with various perks. The program has significantly improved since its initial launch in 2018.

This program is quite comprehensive and resembles airline or dining reward systems. Joining is free, but riders must opt in via the app, as enrollment is not automatic. To register, open the Uber app, tap the menu icon in the top left, and select Uber Rewards from the options.

The Uber Rewards program consists of two primary elements: the rewards you accumulate and the different levels of elite status you can achieve. This guide will explore both components.

Overview of Uber Rewards

Upon joining Uber Rewards, you'll instantly begin earning points for both rides and orders through Uber Eats, Uber's food delivery service. Here's how the points are earned:

• 1 point for every eligible dollar spent on Uber Pool, Express Pool, and Uber Eats.
• 2 points for every eligible dollar spent on UberX, UberXL, Uber WAV/Assist, Uber Comfort, Uber Connect, Uber Pet, and Uber Select.
• 3 points for every eligible dollar spent on Uber Black, Uber Black SUV, and Uber Green.

Points are calculated based on the base fare of a ride, along with applicable taxes and fees. However, tips, cancellation fees, taxi rides, bike rides, and scooter rides do not qualify for point accumulation.

What’s the value of these points? Depending on how you choose to redeem them, points can be worth as much as 1.5 cents each.

Redemption options are updated periodically and may differ by market, typically ranging from 100 to 8,000 points. Here are some of the redemption choices you can anticipate:

• 10% off your next ride (up to $3) — 250 points.
• Free coffee from Starbucks (valued at $3) — 250 points.
• Up to four complimentary months of Apple Music — 500 points.
• 30-day free trial of HBO Max for new users — 1,000 points.
• Free UberX ride (up to $30) — 2,000 points.
• Free Uber Eats order (up to $25) — 2,500 points.

Considering these redemption values, you can expect to earn approximately 1.5% back in Uber credit on Uber Pool rides and Uber Eats orders, 3% back on UberX rides, and 4.5% back when using premium services like Uber Black.

While the rewards program may not be overwhelmingly generous, it offers a decent return—especially when you realize that before Uber Rewards, users received no rewards at all. Furthermore, the Uber Rewards program can be combined with points earned from credit cards. For instance, if you charge a $50 UberX ride to a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3 points per dollar on travel, you'd earn 100 Uber points (equivalent to $1.50 in Uber credit) and 150 Chase Ultimate Rewards points (valued at $3 according to TPG's valuations).

It's also important to note that these rewards can be combined with Bonvoy points earned through the Marriott-Uber partnership. This partnership allows you to accumulate up to 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on eligible food delivery orders and up to 3 Marriott points per dollar spent on select rides in the U.S.

There is no limit to the number of points you can earn, and you will also receive points for business rides charged to your employer's account, as well as for shared rides with friends. However, keep in mind that rewards points expire after six months, and there is no option to extend their validity.

Uber Rewards Elite Status

Achieving elite status with Uber is relatively easy compared to loyalty programs for airlines and hotels. It primarily depends on the number of points you accumulate with Uber over a six-month period.

Similar to an airline, there is a qualifying period for earning points towards elite status. These elite points are the same points that can be redeemed for Uber credit and are earned at the same rate.

For Uber Rewards, each rider has six months to reach elite status. The earning period starts from the date you join Uber Rewards, and once you achieve a status level, you will maintain that tier for the remainder of the earning period and for an additional six months thereafter.

Here are the points required to achieve each elite tier, which seem to draw inspiration from other notable loyalty programs:

• Blue: No points required.
• Gold: Requires 500 points accumulated within six months (i.e., spend $250 on UberX rides).
• Platinum: Requires 2,500 points earned over a six-month timeframe (i.e., spend $1,250 on UberX rides).
• Diamond: Requires 7,500 points earned in a six-month duration (i.e., spend $3,750 on UberX rides).

For instance, if you joined the program on December 1, 2021, your six-month earning window would conclude on June 1, 2022. If you achieve Gold status on February 1, 2022, you would maintain that status until December 1, 2022, as you keep your status for the rest of the earning period and the following six months.

Great news for those looking to quickly attain status: Uber automatically reviews everyone's ride history from the past six months and counts eligible rides towards your elite status. This means you could achieve status as soon as you enroll in Uber Rewards.

Elite Benefits

Every elite tier offers its own distinctive set of advantages:

Blue: Earn reward points that can be redeemed for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders.

Gold: In recent years, Uber has implemented cancellation fees if you cancel your ride more than two or three minutes after placing the order. However, if a Gold member cancels after the fee-free period but books a new ride within 15 minutes, the cancellation fee (typically around $5) will be refunded automatically. Note that this benefit does not apply to Uber Pool rides. This is a valuable perk, especially since TPG staff and readers have experienced persistent issues with cancellation fees. Additionally, Gold members receive priority support from Uber, ensuring quicker response times and access to better-trained agents.

Platinum: The most significant advantage for Platinum members is the ability to amplify your points earnings on UberX rides for a specific route by five times. This means you can earn a total of 10 points per dollar spent on UberX rides along your "favorite route." You can update this route once a month, and the boost applies in both directions.

Platinum members benefit from priority pickups at most airports, allowing them to move to the front of the digital line. However, this doesn't guarantee that your car will arrive in just two minutes — you'll still have to wait for the nearest available driver, which could be coming from an off-site lot. Additionally, Platinum members receive all the advantages of Gold members.

Diamond: The highest tier, Diamond members, enjoy four premium perks as they sit atop the loyalty program. They receive dedicated phone support from Uber's "most experienced customer support agents." The most thrilling benefit is the potential for complimentary surprise upgrades from UberX to premium options like Uber Black or Uber Select — although Uber doesn't clarify when or how these upgrades occur.

Diamond members have access to a unique "UberX Diamond" option in the app, allowing them to connect only with highly-rated drivers. They earn 6 points per dollar spent on their first five Uber Black and SUV trips, along with double points on all Uber Eats orders. Furthermore, Diamond members receive all the benefits available to Gold and Platinum members.

Top Credit Cards for Uber

The Platinum Card® from American Express provides up to $200 in Uber Cash annually ($15 monthly credit from January to November and $35 in December) for services within the U.S. This Uber Cash is automatically added to your Uber Cash balance each month, and you'll also gain automatic Uber VIP status, which connects you with highly-rated drivers and premium vehicles. Note that you must enroll to access these benefits.

Likewise, the American Express® Gold Card provides cardholders with up to $120 in annual Uber Cash ($10 monthly credit) for use within the U.S. To benefit from this offer, you need to link your Amex Gold Card to your Uber account. Enrollment is mandatory.

Uber Rewards presents a fantastic chance to enhance your earnings by selecting the right credit card. Here are some of the top cards to consider for your Uber spending:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve: 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for every dollar spent on Uber, categorized as travel on your statement.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: 2 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases, including Uber rides.
• The Platinum Card from American Express: Offers up to $200 in annual Uber Cash.
• American Express Gold Card: Provides up to $120 in annual Uber Cash.
• American Express® Green Card: Earns 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar on transit, including ride-hailing like Uber.
• Blue Cash Preferred Card® from American Express: Gives 3% cash back on transit, including ride-hailing services like Uber (cash back is in Reward Dollars redeemable for statement credits).
• Citi Double Cash® Card: Offers 2% back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay), including Uber transactions (refer to rates and fees).
• U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter across two chosen categories.
• Apple Card: Offers 3% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases.

The details regarding the American Express Green and Apple cards have been independently gathered by Dinogo. The information on this page has not been verified or provided by the card issuer.

By combining Uber Rewards with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you could earn up to 7.5% back on Uber Pool rides (1.5% via Uber Rewards plus 6% from Chase), 9% back on UberX, and 10.5% back on Uber Black rides.

Final Thoughts

Uber has successfully crafted a mutually beneficial scenario, enabling travelers to earn and redeem points across its entire platform. This simplifies point usage for riders and encourages them to spend exclusively with Uber. While those using Uber a few times a month might not notice a drastic change in their experience through the program, it's certainly better than nothing. Additionally, it's beneficial that these rewards can be combined with the points earned through Uber's partnership with Marriott.

However, some elite perks, such as priority support and queue advantages at airports, may feel somewhat superficial and unlikely to significantly enhance the overall rider experience. Even the Diamond 'surprise upgrades' occur naturally — I've been assigned Uber Black cars when requesting an UberX as a non-elite, as drivers can opt to accept UberX rides. You'll likely find more concrete benefits with an Uber One membership, which provides advantages like ride discounts and unlimited waived delivery fees on Eats orders.

If you haven't joined Uber yet, you can download the app here. To get started with Uber Eats, download it here.

Image courtesy of Olly Curtis/Future/Getty Images.