It's official, Delta flyers: The days of earning SkyMiles on your Lyft rides to and from the airport are over. You'll want to hitch a ride with Uber instead. 

After announcing the rideshare loyalty swap during a splashy Las Vegas event back in January, Delta's new partnership with Uber is officially launching this week. SkyMiles members who joined the Uber waitlist earlier this year can now link their Delta and Uber accounts and start earning SkyMiles on rides immediately. Delta says other members can link up with Uber starting this Thursday, April 24.

This changeover is a win for travelers who have made Uber their go-to transportation app … but it's arguably less rewarding than the returns Delta flyers have been getting from Lyft for the last several years. With Uber, SkyMiles members can earn: 

  • 3x SkyMiles per dollar spent on Uber Reserve – rides scheduled at least two hours in advance
  • 2x SkyMiles per dollar spent on premium Uber rides
  • 1x SkyMiles per dollar spent on UberX rides, but only to and from the airport
  • 1x SkyMiles per dollar spent on eligible Uber Eats restaurant and grocery delivery orders

 

 

uber delta
Graphic courtesy of Delta

 

With Lyft, Delta flyers were earning a flat 2x SkyMiles per dollar on all rides to and from the airport and 1x SkyMiles per dollar on all other rides. Then again, Lyft doesn't offer any kind of food delivery service. And with both rideshare providers, you can only earn miles on trips within the U.S.

Unless you're hopping in an Uber each and every day in a pricey place like New York City, earning miles on these rides will never crack the top of the list of the best ways to earn Delta SkyMiles. But hey, every little bit counts! 

Meanwhile, Delta disappeared from Lyft's list of rewards partners altogether earlier this month. You're better off earning transferable Bilt Rewards points on Lyft rides, anyway

 

lyft partners screenshot

 

Bottom Line

Lyft is out and Uber is in, Delta fans. 

As of Tuesday, April 22, SkyMiles members who joined Delta's waitlist can now link their account with Uber and earn miles on their next ride. Everyone else will have to wait until this Thursday to start racking up SkyMiles on Uber rides – or Uber Eats orders.