Whether you need a designated driver after a dinner out with friends or you frequently travel for business and need to get from point A to point B, a Lyft is just a few taps away. But the benefits of ridesharing don’t stop at convenience — you can also maximize your savings on each ride.
Armed with the best credit card for Lyft, you can earn more rewards or get bonus points and credits to curb your spending while using the rideshare app.
How to choose the best credit card for Lyft rides
There are many options available when using a rewards credit card to earn perks with your Lyft rides. But to find the best credit card for Lyft, consider what else the card can offer outside of bonuses for rideshare trips. Review each card’s benefits, including bonus rewards in other travel-based categories, whether it offers on-the-go travel protections, or even purchase protection.
Although there may be opportunities to maximize the benefits of a particular credit card, also be aware of any limitations that might keep you from taking advantage of these program perks. For example, a card may impose a maximum amount of bonus rewards you can earn on Lyft purchases. Read through the fine print that might make some card benefits not as worthwhile.
It’s also important to weigh the advantages of a credit card, including Lyft credits or discounts, against the upfront costs of carrying the card. Assess the fees and APR against your potential Lyft savings to see what might be a more affordable option in the long run.
4 best personal cards for Lyft
Card | Annual fee | Why it’s great for Lyft |
Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | Earn 10X points per dollar spent on Lyft rides, Chase Dining purchases, hotels and cars booked through Ultimate Rewards, and Peloton Bike and Tread purchases |
Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | Earn 5X points per dollar spent on Lyft rides and travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards |
Citi Premier | $95 | Earn 3X per dollar spent on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, hotels; take five Lyft rides each month and get a $10 in-app credit. |
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card | $0 | Earn 5% cash back on two categories, up to $2,000 quarterly; and prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked in the Rewards Travel Center, which can include ground transportation, such as Lyft and Uber |
Chase Sapphire Reserve
When the partnership between Chase and Lyft was announced in Jan. 2020, the Chase Sapphire Reserve jumped to the top of our list. With this card, you'll earn a whopping 10X points per dollar spent on Lyft rides, Chase Dining purchases, hotels and cars booked through Ultimate Rewards, and Peloton Bike and Tread purchases.
In addition, cardholders are eligible for one free year of Lyft Pink (valued at $19.99 per month). With a Lyft Pink membership comes 15% off Lyft rides, priority airport pick-up, three free 30-minute bike or scooter rides per month, and other benefits. Pairing the 15% off with 10X rate results in huge value, especially for those who use rideshare services regularly.
And the travel perks don’t stop there. Cardholders receive an annual $300 travel credit and up to a $100 credit every four years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, getting you through airport security lines and into a Lyft faster. You'll also earn 3X on travel (not booked through Ultimate Rewards and excluding the $300 travel credit) and dining, and 5X on air travel booked through Ultimate Rewards.
Currently, Chase is offering the chance to earn 50,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is like the Sapphire Reserve’s younger sibling. Lyft rides and travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards are eligible for 5X points per dollar spent.
Chase Sapphire Preferred users can also earn 2X per dollar spent on travel (not booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards); 1X on all other eligible purchases; and 3X on eligible dining, delivery, takeout, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs).
New cardholders can also earn 80,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Citi Premier
Lyft charges on the Citi Premier credit card are eligible for the card’s travel bonus category. For the same annual fee as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can earn 3X per dollar spent on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, hotels.
You can also earn 1X per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases, and for every dollar spent on .
The card is currently offering 60,000 points when you spend a minimum of $4,000 in the first 3 months of opening your new account.
As an added bonus, the Citi Premier is included in Lyft’s World Elite Mastercard program which currently offers a monthly $10 credit straight to your Lyft app after your fifth ride each month.
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
The biggest draw in using the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is that it offers flexibility with your earning potential. Meaning, you get to choose two categories per quarter to earn 5% cash back on. One of the available categories is "ground transportation," which includes rideshare services like Lyft and Uber.
You can also earn $200 cash back after spending $1,000 in the first 120 days. The card also has a $0 annual fee, which is an automatic benefit.
2 top business card for Lyft
Card | Annual fee | Why it’s great for Lyft |
Chase Ink Business Preferred | $95 | Earn 5X points per dollar spent on Lyft rides |
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express | $0 (See rates and fees) (Terms apply) | Earn 2X Membership Rewards points on business purchases up to $50,000 each year, and 1X points on purchases after that |
Chase Ink Business Preferred
As a Chase Ink Business Preferred user, you can earn 5X points per dollar spent on Lyft rides. Other travel; shipping purchases; internet, cable and phone services; and advertising purchases earn your business 3X per dollar spent, up to $150,000 per anniversary year.
The issuer is also offering the chance to earn 100,000 points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months.
American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card
If you prefer to earn points without paying an annual fee, the American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card may be a good choice for Lyft purchases. It has a $0 annual fee, but you also earn 2X Membership Rewards points on business purchases up to $50,000 each year, and 1X points on purchases after that
The card currently also offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 months (then 13.99% to 21.99% (variable) (See rates and fees)).
Why we chose these cards
The above list of some of the best rewards credit cards provides a mix of benefits for all types of cardholders. For certain cards, Lyft rides are eligible for bonus points which helps you earn rewards and redeem them faster. These cards also offer a variety when it comes to annual fees, ranging from a $0 annual fee to premium cards that charge upward of $500 annually but come with other travel perks that might make the card worth it.
No matter which of these credit cards you use as your default method of payment, finding the best credit card for Lyft pays you back in many ways.