Lyft and United Airlines announced on April 29 2026 that MileagePlus members can now redeem United miles directly in the Lyft app for eligible rides across the United States, marking the first direct mile‑to‑ride redemption between a U.S. airline loyalty program and a rideshare platform.
The new Pay‑With‑Miles option lets riders use miles to pay for the full cost of a Lyft ride or to split payment with another method. Eligible ride types include everyday rides, airport transfers, and premium options such as Lyft Black and Black SUV; bikes and scooters are excluded. New Lyft riders who link their MileagePlus account and complete two rides within 30 days receive a 1,000‑mile bonus.
Prior to this launch, a November 2025 partnership allowed MileagePlus members to earn miles on Lyft rides. The current feature builds on that foundation by adding a redemption channel, creating a “full loyalty loop” where members can both earn and spend miles within the same ecosystem.
For Lyft, the partnership expands its payment options and opens access to United’s large MileagePlus membership base, potentially boosting ride demand—especially for airport transfers—while reinforcing Lyft’s positioning as a multimodal mobility platform.
United benefits by monetizing its miles program through a new redemption channel, enhancing member engagement and differentiating its loyalty offering from competitors that rely on cash‑back or limited redemption choices.
Jordan Glassberg, VP of Partnerships and Loyalty at Lyft, said, "Pay with miles means that the miles you've earned on your last rideshare can help get you to your next one. We're proud to be the first rideshare platform to make this possible, and to deepen our relationship with a global leader like United to make the entire journey more rewarding." Jarad Fisher, President of United MileagePlus, added, "We're giving MileagePlus members more ways to use their miles – whether it's booking a United flight to a dream destination or traveling across town to meet up with friends through Lyft. Many MileagePlus members have already linked their account with Lyft, showing strong demand for earning miles and more flexible ways to engage with the MileagePlus program. Together with Lyft, we're expanding how and where members can use their miles – unlocking simple, flexible ways to redeem them across their daily lives, no matter how far they're going."
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