Changes were implemented this week to Lyft benefits on several popular credit cards. While the changes are a downgrade from previous benefits in several instances, they nonetheless provide some reason to choose Lyft over Uber when that’s an option.
The Deal
- Chase and Lyft have updated the Lyft-related benefits available on several popular credit cards. As of 4/1/25, the following changes have been implemented:
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Chase Sapphire Reserve & J.P. Morgan Reserve:
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Receive a $10 monthly Lyft credit* within the Lyft app.
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Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides
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Chase Sapphire Preferred:
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Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides
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Chase Freedom:
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Earn 2% (2x) total cash back on Lyft rides
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Chase Ink:
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Earn 5x total points or 5% total cash back on Lyft rides (depending on specific card)
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Quick Thoughts
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the hardest hit here with the earn rate reduced from 10x to 5x. As a consolation prize, cardholders now get a $10 monthly Lyft credit (within the Lyft app, so it’s more like a monthly Lyft coupon). If you regularly earned many points via Lyft, that’s a downgrade. For someone who only uses Lyft once a month, this could potentially work out better, but for most it will be a downgrade.
That said, earning 5x on many different popular cards is still a nice return on rideshare. The combination of enhanced earn on rideshare and the chance to also earn 2 Bilt Rewards points per dollar spent by linking my accounts has gotten me into the habit of choosing Lyft when I travel domestically. I previously had a strong Uber habit thanks to extensive use of of Uber abroad. I was unfortunately kind of late to the game in changing my habit to Lyft domestically, but I don’t take a lot of rideshares domestically. Still, when I do, I’m sure I’ll continue to use a Sapphire Reserve to pay for it. I often (though not always) find Lyft to be more economical even before considering the chance to earn 5x on a Sapphire Reserve and 2 Bilt points per dollar. At times when Lyft is just a little more expensive, I’m often fine with paying a bit more for the enhanced rewards.
Many folks will miss the previous 10x rate, but we never expected that would last forever. It is good to see that bonus earn will live on, even if in slightly reduced form.
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How do I earn 5x with CSR *and* 2x with Bilt on the same ride? Isn’t paying what triggers the points?
Link your Bilt account within Lyft app and pay with CSR.
Is there a way to get that $10 to be credit to Lyft account and accumulate it for a future use?
Nope, it’s a coupon “$10 off your next ride,” until you use it that month.
this must be reduce the benefits on most cards and airlines