Points Pursuit: How to earn airline miles and hotel points with Uber and Uber Eats
Content is created by CNN Underscored’s team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. When you buy through links on our site, CNN and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Learn more
CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Booking an Uber ride or ordering meals using the Uber Eats app has become a part of our daily lives. We spend on these things practically every day. But did you know that you can earn travel rewards for every Uber ride you take or meal you order through Uber Eats?
There are several ways to maximize rewards-earning from Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, from selecting the best credit card to integrating the app with hotel and airline reward programs.
Here are some tips for making the most of your point earnings on your next ride-share with Uber or Uber Eats meal order.
Earn extra credit card rewards with Uber and Uber Eats
The right credit card for Uber purchases can help you earn points rapidly. Fortunately for consumers, multiple cards provide a high earning rate on ride-share services and Uber Eats orders.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card are two of the more impressive cash back credit cards for Uber purchases.
Both cards earn 10% cash-back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases and include a free Uber One membership until November 14, 2024. There is no limit to the cash back you can earn with the 10% return, offering a potential savings of 10% on all your Uber rides and Uber Eats meals. Uber One provides a $0 delivery fee on Uber Eats and up to 10% off eligible Uber Eats orders.
Chase offers two credit cards that are great for Uber purchases: the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Chase broadly defines what qualifies as “travel,” including Uber rides in the travel category. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can earn 3 Ultimate Rewards points for every dollar spent on Uber rides. For those seeking to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points rapidly while keeping the annual fee low, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a fantastic choice. It earns 2 points for each dollar spent on travel.
On the American Express end, The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is an ideal option for those wanting to earn American Express Membership Rewards points on their Uber purchases. This card earns 2 points per dollar on all purchases, including Uber and Uber Eats, with a limit of $50,000 per calendar year.
Finally, the American Express® Green Card earns card holders 3 points per dollar on transit purchases, without any limits. This card’s transit category is extensive, covering purchases related to trains, taxicabs, ride share services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways.
The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Use a credit card that provides statement credits for Uber
Although The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees) doesn’t give you bonus points when you use it to pay for Uber rides (though you’ll still earn 1 point per dollar), it is still one of the best ways to get Uber perks.
The most notable feature of those perks is the annual credit of up to $200 in Uber Cash, broken up into monthly credits of $15 per month, plus a $20 bonus in December, for a total of $35 that month. As an Amex Platinum cardholder, you’ll also get Uber VIP status, which connects you with highly-rated drivers in many cities.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is another premium card with a credit that can be used for Uber rides. Theoretically, the annual $300 travel credit that resets on your card anniversary date isn’t limited to Uber purchases. However, each cardholder receives a $300 travel credit, which may be used for any travel-related purchases, including Uber rides. As previously indicated, Chase defines the travel category broadly, therefore this $300 travel credit on the Chase Sapphire Reserve can work as a $300 Uber statement credit.
Maximize your spending by earning both travel rewards and credit card rewards
One savvy method to maximize your points and miles from Uber purchases is to link your Uber account with Marriott and Aeroplan.
Members of Marriott Bonvoy have the opportunity to earn points by connecting their Marriott Bonvoy account with their Uber account. After linking your Marriott and Uber accounts, you will receive 3 Marriott Bonvoy points for every dollar spent on premium Uber rides in the U.S.
Additionally, you can link your Uber account with Aeroplan, Air Canada’s loyalty program. Members can earn up to 2 points for every Canadian dollar spent on Uber rides to or from Canadian airports.
Bottom line
There are numerous ways to earn extra rewards while using Uber Eats for food delivery or booking a ride-share with Uber. Choosing the right credit card can greatly enhance your Uber experience and offer valuable perks like statement credits, higher earning rates and even Uber VIP status.
Click here for rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card.
Looking for a travel credit card? Find out which cards CNN Underscored Money chose as the best travel credit cards currently available.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
