Uber and Delta Partner: Earn SkyMiles on Rides and Uber Eats
Discover how Uber and Delta’s new partnership lets SkyMiles members earn miles on Uber rides and deliveries.
Uber and Delta Forge Exclusive Partnership: SkyMiles Benefits for Uber Riders
Uber and Delta Air Lines unveiled an exclusive multi-year partnership at CES 2025, offering SkyMiles members the chance to earn miles on Uber rides and Uber Eats deliveries within the United States. This groundbreaking collaboration signals the end of Delta’s previous alliance with Lyft, marking a significant shift in the airline’s loyalty program strategy.
Set to launch in spring 2025, the partnership will grant Uber users enhanced benefits, including “improved Uber pickup and drop-off experiences at Delta hubs,” according to Uber’s announcement. Details on these enhancements remain scarce, as Uber declined to elaborate further.
End of an Era: Delta and Lyft’s Partnership to Conclude
Lyft and Delta initially joined forces in 2018, offering travelers a seamless way to earn miles through ride-sharing. That partnership is scheduled to expire on April 7, 2025.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Lyft stated via email:
“Years ago, we teamed up with our first airline to innovate around travel experiences, turning customers into Lyft loyalists. We’re now expanding our horizons by partnering with major brands like Alaska Airlines, Chase, DoorDash, Mastercard, Hilton, Disney, and Bilt. Link your Lyft account to discover a growing world of benefits.”
Earning SkyMiles with Uber: What’s on Offer?
Uber’s SkyMiles integration is designed to reward travelers at multiple touchpoints:
1 mile per dollar spent on Uber Eats restaurant and grocery orders over $40 and UberX airport rides.
2 miles per dollar spent on premium rides like Uber Comfort and Uber Black.
3 miles per dollar spent on Uber Reserve bookings made in advance.
These benefits aim to create a seamless and rewarding travel experience for Uber customers linked to a Delta SkyMiles account.
A Bigger Vision: Connecting Uber, Delta, and Joby Aviation
This collaboration could lay the groundwork for a deeper alliance between Uber, Delta, and Joby Aviation, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) startup. Joby already has existing partnerships with both Uber and Delta. Delta’s arrangement with Joby includes plans to integrate Joby’s electric air taxi service into Delta’s ecosystem, starting with New York City.
Uber’s involvement with Joby dates back to its 2020 acquisition of Uber Elevate, the company’s urban air mobility division. This deal enabled the integration of Joby’s air taxi service into the Uber app, streamlining connections between ground and air travel. It also led to the development of ElevateOS, a software platform that promises on-demand air mobility, akin to hailing an Uber ride.
A Future of Connected Mobility
Last October, Uber, Delta, and Joby hosted an event in New York City to discuss their shared vision for connected mobility. While no official three-way partnership was announced, the companies hinted at a future where seamless travel—from eVTOL taxis to traditional rideshares—becomes a reality.
Joby, which is supported by both Uber and Delta, is targeting a 2025 launch for its electric air taxi service, pending regulatory certifications. Despite declining to confirm further details, the three companies’ growing alignment points toward a transformative mobility ecosystem.
Takeaway: A New Era for Travel Loyalty
Uber and Delta’s collaboration marks a significant evolution in how loyalty programs connect travelers with transportation options. As Joby Aviation prepares to enter the market, this partnership could signal the start of a fully integrated mobility experience, combining ground and air travel into one seamless journey.
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