Key takeaways

  • Quite a few travel credit cards offer bonus points for rideshare expenses, and some even offer statement credits that can help pay for rides with Uber or Lyft.
  • The best credit cards for rideshare platforms include options like the Platinum Card from American Express, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
  • As you compare the best credit cards for Uber and Lyft, consider how much you want to pay in annual fees, the rewards you want to earn and any other perks you want to access.

Though most of us grew up knowing we should never get in a car with strangers, new technology has changed the way many people get around. The reality is, ridesharing has become an incredibly popular transportation option, and that’s especially true in big cities where Uber and Lyft drivers are easy to find. With just your smartphone and a few taps of your finger, you can summon a stranger for a ride to the airport, dinner with friends or anywhere else you want to go.

Unsurprisingly, several credit card issuers have chosen to target ridesharing customers by offering cardholder perks like bonus rewards, ridesharing credits and limited-time promotions. But, what is the best credit card for Uber? And what about for Lyft? There are a handful of rewards credit cards that offer special benefits for one or both, detailed below:

Best credit cards for Uber

The Platinum Card from American Express

Why it’s a top pick for Uber:

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers up to $200 in Uber Cash credits each year for rides and food delivery (among numerous other credits) when you pay with your card. These credits come in increments of $15 per month, plus an extra $20 in December. Keep in mind these credits don’t roll over, so you’ll need to be a regular Uber user to take full advantage. Also remember the credit can apply to Uber Eats food delivery purchases if you have a month where you don’t need to book a rideshare. Uber purchases earn the standard rate of 1X points per dollar spent.

What else you should know:

  • Welcome offer: 80,000 points when you spend $8,000 on purchases in your first six months
  • Rewards rate: 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year); 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel; 1X points on everything else
  • Annual fee: $695
  • Other perks: Airport lounge membership; up to $200 airline fee credit for incidentals with a select airline each year; up to $189 in CLEAR membership statement credits annually; up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck; up to $240 annually in digital entertainment credits ($20 per month); cellphone protection and more

American Express Gold Card

Why it’s a top pick for Uber:

The American Express® Gold Card is a great option for Uber rides because it comes with up to $120 in Uber Cash per year ($10 per month), which can be used toward U.S. rides and U.S. Uber Eats orders. Note, however, that your credits expire at the end of each month and don’t roll over. The Amex Gold also earns a great rate of 4X points on Uber Eats purchases, specifically.

What else you should know:

  • Welcome offer: 60,000 points when you spend $6,000 within six months of account opening
  • Rewards rate: 4X Membership Rewards points on restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.; 4X points on Uber Eats purchases; 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year, then 1X points); 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel; 1X points on all other purchases
  • Annual fee: $250
  • Other perks: Up to $120 in dining credits annually; up to $100 hotel credit on eligible stays with The Hotel Collection; complimentary ShopRunner membership; various travel and shopping protections

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Why it’s a top pick for Uber:

Capital One and Uber have a partnership that lets Capital One credit cards gain access to heightened rewards on Uber and Uber Eats purchases, complimentary Uber One membership or both. Specifically, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card now earns an unlimited 10 percent cash back on Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases (through Nov. 14, 2024). This cash back credit card also comes with well over a year of complimentary Uber One membership, reimbursed as a statement credit.

The SavorOne is also a great card for Uber rides and all other spending and bills due to its lack of an annual fee and access to an introductory 0 percent APR for the first 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (followed by a variable ongoing APR of 19.99 percent to 29.99 percent).

What else you should know:

  • Welcome offer: $200 cash bonus after spending $500 within three months of account opening
  • Rewards rate: 10 percent back on Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases (through Nov. 14, 2024); 8 percent cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 5 percent back on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel; 3 percent back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target); 1 percent back on all other purchases
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Other perks: 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (followed by a variable ongoing APR of 19.99 percent to 29.99 percent); extended warranty coverage; $0 fraud liability; 24-hour concierge services

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Why it’s a top pick for Uber:

Like the SavorOne, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card* offers 10 percent cash back on Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases, plus you get Uber One membership fees automatically credited to your account through November 14, 2024. That makes this card a great option for people who ride with Uber often and want exclusive benefits, as well as those who want to score an elevated earning rate on their rideshare purchases.

What else you should know:

  • Welcome offer: $300 cash bonus after spending $3,000 within three months of account opening
  • Rewards rate: 10 percent back on Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases (through Nov. 14, 2024); 8 percent cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 5 percent back on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel; 4 percent back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services; 3 percent back grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target); 1 percent back on all other purchases
  • Annual fee: $95
  • Other perks: Complimentary Uber One membership (through Nov. 14, 2024); extended warranties; travel accident insurance; $0 fraud liability; 24-hour concierge services

Apple Card

Why it’s a top pick for Uber:

Lastly, if you’re a fan of both Apple and Uber, you may want to consider the no-annual-fee Apple Card*. It currently offers an unlimited 3 percent cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases when you use your Apple Card with Apple Pay and is low on fees in general. Just remember that you need to have an Apple phone or other device to benefit from this exceptional rewards rate.

What else you should know:

  • Welcome offer: N/A
  • Rewards rate: 3 percent back when you shop with Apple and select retailers (including Uber) and pay with an Apple device and Apple Pay; 2 percent back on other spending when paying with Apple Pay; 1 percent back on all other purchases
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Other perks: Mobile expense tracking; no foreign transaction fees or late payment fees; allows joint cardholders

Best credit cards for Lyft

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Why it’s a top pick for Lyft:

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is easily the most valuable rewards card for Lyft rides. You’ll earn 10X points on eligible Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025), which can add up quickly if you’re a frequent Lyft passenger. This card also offers an annual $300 travel credit on qualifying travel purchases, which includes rideshares, hotels and flights.

Further, cardholders get complimentary Lyft Pink membership for 12 months if they activate by Dec. 31, 2024.

What else you should know:

  • Welcome offer: 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 within three months of account opening
  • Rewards rate: 10X points on Lyft purchases (through March 2025); 3X points on general travel and restaurant purchases; 10X points on Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards; 10X points on hotel stays and car rentals through Ultimate Rewards; 5X points on air travel through Ultimate Rewards; 1X points on all other purchases
  • Annual fee: $550
  • Other perks: Points are worth 50 percent more when used points to book airfare, hotels and more through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership; up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck; one free year of DoorDash DashPass; various travel insurance benefits

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Why it’s a top pick for Lyft:

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the top entry-level travel credit cards on the market today and comes with a variety of perks for a $95 annual fee. In terms of rideshare benefits, you’ll earn 5X points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025).

What else you should know:

  • Welcome offer: 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 within three months of account opening
  • Rewards rate: 5X points on Lyft Rides (through March 31st, 2025); 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services), select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs); 5X points on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 2X points on other travel; 1X points on all other purchases
  • Annual fee: $95
  • Other perks: Points are worth 25 percent more toward Ultimate Rewards travel; $50 annual hotel stay credit; 10 percent anniversary point bonus; one free year of DoorDash DashPass; various travel coverages and protections

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Why it’s a top pick for Lyft:

If you’re a regular Lyft rider but don’t want to pay an annual fee to earn bonus rewards on rideshare purchases, you should consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®*. You’ll earn 5 percent cash back on all eligible Lyft spending through March 31, 2025, as well as at least 1.5 percent cash back for all purchases made with your card. You can redeem rewards for statement credits to cover purchases (such as Lyft rides), gift cards, merchandise, experiences and travel.

What else you should know:

  • Welcome offer: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and 5 percent cash back on gas station purchases on up to $6,000 spent in the first year (terms apply)
  • Rewards rate: 5 percent cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025); 5 percent back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 3 percent back on dining and drugstore purchases; 1.5 percent back on everything else
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Other perks: 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (followed by a variable ongoing APR of 20.49 percent to 29.24 percent); three months of free DoorDash DashPass membership; purchase protection; extended warranty coverage; trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Best credit cards for both Uber and Lyft

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Why it’s a top pick for Uber and Lyft:

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers 3 percent cash back in the category of your choice (limited to $2,500 in combined 3 percent and 2 percent category purchases each quarter, then 1 percent). One of the eligible 3 percent categories is travel, which includes rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. And if you notice you’re taking fewer rideshares one month, you may appreciate the ability to swap your choice category each month.

Plus, if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25 percent to 75 percent more in each rewards category — that means you could earn 3.75 percent, 4.5 percent or 5.25 percent cash back on travel, depending on your membership tier.

What else you should know:

  • Welcome offer: $200 online cash rewards after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening
  • Rewards rate: 3 percent cash back on category purchases of choice (including gas & EV charging stations, online shopping (including Cable, Streaming, Internet and Phone services), dining, travel, drugstore or home improvement); 2 percent back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined 3 and 2 percent category purchases each quarter, then 1 percent); 1 percent back on all other purchases
  • Annual fee: $0
  • Other perks: 25 to 75 percent boosted rewards rates for Preferred Rewards members; 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days for the first 15 billing cycles (followed by a variable ongoing APR of 18.24 percent to 28.24 percent); Visa Signature benefits, like zero fraud liability and extended warranties; access to BankAmeriDeals

The Bank of America content in this post was last updated on February 14, 2024.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Why it’s a top pick for Uber and Lyft:

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is often listed as one of the best credit cards for families since it offers 6 percent cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent back). But this card also offers an unlimited 3 percent cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit purchases, which includes rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. You also may want to check out Amex Offers, which occasionally features limited-time promotions on rideshare services like Uber.

What else you should know:

  • Welcome offer: $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 within the first six months of card membership
  • Rewards rate: 6 percent cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent); 6 percent back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3 percent back on transit and U.S. gas station purchases; 1 percent back on all other purchases
  • Annual fee: $95 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year)
  • Other perks: 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months (followed by a variable ongoing APR of 19.24 percent to 29.99 percent); complimentary ShopRunner membership; return and purchase protection; extended warranty coverage

How to pick the right credit card for ridesharing

If you’re struggling to decide which rewards credit card could help you maximize ridesharing to the hilt, ask yourself the following questions:

What type of rewards do you want to earn?

Some cards let you earn cash back or credits for more ridesharing, but others offer flexible points you can redeem in more than one way. Make sure you study and compare rewards programs so you wind up with the type of rewards currency that will benefit you the most.

Is the annual fee worth it?

Several of the top cards for Uber or Lyft come with pricey annual fees, but these fees can be well worth it if you travel often and can take advantage of benefits like annual travel credits, airport lounge access and credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. If you don’t want to pay an annual fee, choose a card for ridesharing that offers superior rewards for Uber or Lyft purchases without the extra travel perks.

Uber, Lyft or both?

Some of the travel cards featured above only offer exceptional rewards or credits for Uber or Lyft, but not both. If you only use one of these services, this should narrow down your options. Otherwise, you may want to consider a card that earns rewards on general transit purchases, including rideshare services.

What’s your card pairing strategy?

Finally, don’t forget to consider pairing cards that help you reach different objectives. You can pick up credit cards for Uber and Lyft in order to take advantage of ridesharing benefits, but use a different card that lets you earn a higher rate of rewards for all of your regular purchases.

The bottom line

If you rideshare often, it makes sense to earn rewards on the cost of your rides. Whether you’re loyal to Uber or Lyft or simply go with whichever service has better availability at the time, there’s a card that can reward you for every ride you take.

You’ll also have the opportunity to earn rewards on other spending with one of these cards, whether that’s dining, other travel expenses or even groceries, so it’s important to pick the right card for your spending habits and lifestyle. Depending on how much you’re willing to pay for a card with rideshare rewards, you can pick up quite a few other travel and entertainment perks along the way.

For more travel tips & tricks, check out Bankrate’s travel toolkit.

*The information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, Apple Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been collected independently by Bankrate. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.