What if rides to work, trips to the airport, or a late-night journey home could bring you closer to your next adventure? With the Lyft and United Airlines collaboration, they can. When you link your Lyft and MileagePlus accounts, eligible rides earn United MileagePlus® miles — turning your everyday transportation into real travel rewards.
How It Works: Quick One-Time Setup
Getting started takes just a few steps:
Open your Lyft app
Link your MileagePlus account to Lyft
Start taking eligible rides — miles will be credited to your MileagePlus account within 48 hours of completing your ride
Once linked, eligible Lyft rides automatically earn MileagePlus miles — no special booking codes required. Check your MileagePlus account balance on United’s app or website.
How Miles Add Up
The earn rate varies by ride type — eligible rides earn between 1 and 4 MileagePlus miles per dollar spent, with airport rides among the highest earners.
Smart Strategies to Maximize Your Miles
The Commuter’s Advantage
Traditional approach: Drive to work, pay for parking, earn nothing.
Miles-smart approach: Take a Lyft ride to work, earn MileagePlus miles on every eligible trip, and skip the parking fees. Airport rides earn at an accelerated rate, so scheduling those rides through Lyft adds up fast.
The Business Traveler’s Double Dip
The approach: Expense your Lyft rides AND keep the miles.
Your company pays for transportation.
You earn personal MileagePlus miles.
Check your company’s policy — many employers encourage using rideshare for business travel.
The Strategic Scheduler
Schedule airport rides in advance to earn at an accelerated rate and ensure availability when you need it most.
Earn accelerated miles on pre-scheduled airport rides.
Guarantee your ride when you need it.
Book your return trip in advance.
The Family Maximizer
With Lyft Family Accounts, the primary account holder can earn MileagePlus miles on eligible rides taken by family members — as long as the primary account holder is linked to MileagePlus and their payment method is on file.
Set up a Lyft Family Account and link your MileagePlus number.
Eligible rides from family members count toward your miles balance.
One account earns across multiple riders.
Real Routes, Real Rewards
Any airport ride is a minimum of 3x miles per $1 spent. So your $20 ride is earning 60 United MileagePlus miles.
Maximize Your Miles: Specific Scenarios
The Airport Run
Schedule your ride in advance to earn at an accelerated rate
Book your return trip ahead of time
The Event Attendee
Concerts, sports events, conferences
Skip the parking hassle and earn miles on the way there
Earn while others circle for spots
The Date Night Regular
A weekly dinner out — say, a round-trip across town — adds up over 52 weeks. Consistent, everyday rides build a meaningful miles balance over time.
Common Questions Answered
Q: Do all Lyft rides earn MileagePlus miles?
A: No. Shared rides, Wait & Save rides, bikes, and scooters are not eligible. Only eligible car rides earn miles.
Q: When do miles post to my account?
A: Miles are credited to your MileagePlus account within 48 hours of payment processing following ride completion.
Q: Can I earn miles on rides I book for family members?
A: Yes — if you’re the primary Lyft Family Account holder, have your payment method on file, and are linked to MileagePlus, eligible rides taken by your family members can count toward your miles balance.
Q: Where can I see my MileagePlus balance?
A: Your MileagePlus balance is visible in United’s app or on united.com.
The Value of Earning on Every Ride
Every eligible Lyft ride becomes a small step toward your next trip. It transforms necessary transportation into progress toward something you actually want.
Your 90-Day Miles Challenge
Want to see how quickly miles add up? Try this:
Link your accounts today.
Track your miles for 90 days.
Calculate your travel potential.
The Fine Print
MileagePlus miles never expire giving you a lifetime to use your miles on flights and much more.
Combine with miles earned on eligible United flights,United MileagePlus credit cards or eligible shopping purchases at more than 1,000 stores online and in-store..
Start Earning Today
Every eligible ride is an opportunity to earn toward your next adventure. Open your Lyft app and link your MileagePlus account to get started.