How to Accumulate Airline Miles While Using Lyft

Frequent flyer miles can significantly reduce travel expenses and even earn you free flights or upgrades, but it often takes time to gather enough miles for a complimentary ticket.

One effective way to accelerate your mile accumulation is through rewards stacking. This involves utilizing various credit cards, shopping portals, linked loyalty accounts, and other strategies to maximize the miles you earn.

Some methods of rewards stacking resemble extreme couponing and can become complicated and time-consuming, which may deter many travelers. However, some techniques are straightforward, such as linking your airline frequent flyer account to your Lyft account and using the ride-hailing service as you normally would.

Lyft currently has partnerships with two airlines—Alaska Airlines and Delta—that enable you to earn extra miles. Here’s how you can take advantage of these offers:

Connecting Lyft to an Alaska Mileage Plan

In November 2022, Alaska Airlines and Lyft announced a partnership. Through this collaboration, travelers can earn one mile for every dollar spent on Lyft rides across the United States and Canada (excluding fees, taxes, tolls, and tips). There is no cap on the Alaska miles you can earn through Lyft. However, flying with Alaska does not provide additional benefits in the Lyft app.

Steps to link your accounts

Visit AlaskaLyft.com and click on “Link your accounts.” You will be prompted to sign into your Alaska Airlines account. If you’re not yet a Mileage Plan Member, click “Join Now” to create a new account, then agree to the terms and conditions. Next, you will be redirected to the Lyft website, where you will need to input your phone number. Lyft will send you a six-digit verification code via text, and after entering it on the website, your accounts will be linked automatically.

Connecting Lyft to Delta SkyMiles

Delta and Lyft have partnered since 2017, allowing Lyft riders to earn one mile for every dollar spent on rides within the U.S. and two miles per dollar for rides to or from an airport in the U.S. (excluding fees, taxes, tolls, and tips). New Lyft users can also receive a $20 ride credit by creating an account linked to their Delta SkyMiles number. Similar to the partnership with Alaska Airlines, flying Delta does not provide any additional rewards for your Lyft account; it remains a one-way earning system.

Steps to link your accounts

Go to DeltaLyft.com, where you will need to enter your full name and SkyMiles number. After accepting the terms and conditions, click “Link Account.” A pop-up will appear confirming, “We’ve validated your Delta SkyMiles account. Now, confirm or create your Lyft account to complete the linking process,” followed by a red button that says, “continue with Lyft.” After clicking the button and verifying your details with Lyft, your accounts will be linked, enabling you to earn miles on eligible rides.

Can I connect both Alaska and Delta?

Unfortunately, you can only link to either Alaska or Delta, so you'll need to choose the one that best fits your needs. However, if you change your mind later, you can always switch the linked accounts.

Are there additional ways to earn more miles on my Lyft rides?

Absolutely! In addition to leveraging loyalty program bonuses, you can also combine rewards with Chase-branded credit cards through March 2025. Here’s the breakdown:

• The Chase Sapphire Reserve card allows users to earn 10 points for every dollar spent on Lyft rides.
• The Chase Sapphire card grants 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides.
• Chase Freedom, Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited, and Chase Freedom Student cards offer 5 percent total cash back on Lyft rides.
• Chase Ink Business Unlimited, Chase Ink Business Cash, Chase Ink Cash, and Chase Ink Business Premier cards also provide 5 percent total cash back on Lyft rides.
• The J.P. Morgan Reserve card awards 10 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides.

As long as an eligible Chase credit card is set as the default payment method in Lyft, you’ll earn these extra points automatically with no need for enrollment. These points can be redeemed for travel rewards, such as flights and hotel stays, through the Chase cards and their associated rewards programs.