Lyft Riders Can Earn United MileagePlus Miles

Lyft riders in the United States can now earn United Airlines MileagePlus miles on eligible trips, the companies said on November 5, 2025. After linking accounts, members earn four miles per dollar on prescheduled rides to and from the airport, three miles per dollar on Extra Comfort, Lyft Black and Black SUV rides as well as non-scheduled airport trips, and one mile per dollar on Standard, Priority Pickup and XL rides. Corporate travelers using a Lyft Business profile earn two miles instead of one on Standard, Priority Pickup and XL. For frequent United flyers and occasional riders alike, this turns routine ground transfers into a steady stream of redeemable miles.

United-Lyft partnership, at a glance

United confirms the program is live as of November 5, 2025, with account linking available via a dedicated portal. Once connected, miles post based on eligible fare spend, and the highest earn tier applies to prescheduled airport runs, which many travelers already book ahead for early departures or tight connections. United also says members will gain "additional ways to use their miles with Lyft," with new redemption options and travel features rolling out beginning in 2026, signaling a two-phase roadmap, earn now and redeem later.

Latest developments

United's newsroom release frames this as part of a broader MileagePlus refresh, arriving the day after a new debit rewards product launch. Paired together, the airline is clearly pushing more everyday earn channels beyond airfare alone, a trend across U.S. carriers. For Lyft, the tie-in follows Delta's pivot to Uber earlier in the year and adds another marquee airline to its partner slate. Expect competitive earn ladders to remain focused on airport and premium rides, where both partners see higher value.

How it works

Linking is straightforward. Go to united.com/lyft, sign in to MileagePlus, and follow the prompts to connect with your Lyft account. You can also link from the Lyft app by opening the "You" tab, tapping "Rewards," and choosing United in the Linked Partners section. After that, ride as usual. The earn structure is tiered by ride type and whether the trip is to or from an airport and prescheduled. If you ride for work using a Lyft Business profile, your Standard, Priority Pickup and XL rides earn two miles per dollar. United and Lyft say more features arrive in 2026, including the ability to redeem miles for Lyft rides and automated ride reminders synced to United flights.

Analysis

For United loyalists, the sweet spot is clear, preschedule airport rides whenever possible to lock in 4x earning. Travelers who routinely choose premium categories for vehicle space or comfort will also see elevated earn, three miles per dollar, even without prescheduling. Standard rides still count, but at a lower rate, one mile per dollar for personal profiles, and two for business profiles. If you already collect rewards on Lyft with another partner, note that only one primary loyalty partner can be active at a time, so the best strategy is to align the partner with your next big trip or status goal and switch only when it meaningfully improves your value.

Background, airline rideshare partnerships are designed to capture the ground segment of your trip, nudging you to keep spend within a single ecosystem. Redeeming miles for Lyft rides in 2026 would add a cash-like outlet for MileagePlus members who value flexibility, though redemption rates will determine whether this is a smart use of miles. Until then, the earn-only phase favors flyers who frequently travel to and from airports and are willing to schedule ahead to maximize returns.

Final thoughts

Lyft riders can earn United MileagePlus miles right away, with the best return on prescheduled airport trips. Link accounts once, preschedule when you can, and watch for 2026 redemption details before committing miles to ground-transfer redemptions. The partnership broadens everyday earning for MileagePlus members and gives Lyft users a simple way to stack value on rides they were already taking.

Sources

• Lyft and United Team Up to Offer Travelers New Rewards and Experiences
• It's all miles with Lyft and MileagePlus
• Lyft and United Team Up to Offer Travelers New Rewards and Experiences
• Lyft, United Detail Point Accrual in Loyalty Deal
• Now You Can Earn United Miles on Lyft Rides