Delta announced a new partnership with Uber today. Their partnership with Lyft is now over.
Under their new partnership with Uber, customers who link their accounts can earn miles for eligible rides and deliveries. SkyMiles Members can earn 1 mile per dollar spent on UberX rides to and from airports, 2 miles per dollar on premium rides and 3 miles per dollar on Uber Reserve rides. Plus, 1 mile per dollar spent on eligible restaurant and grocery orders. It turns out that more than 15% of all Uber ride bookings either beginning or ending at an airport. This was really interesting to me.
What does this mean to me? Actually, not much. With Delta devaluing its SkyMiles Programs, the added value of a few miles for booking a rideshare is not really going to sway me in the choice of the rideshare options. In all likelihood, I will fire up the Uber and Lyft apps and see the pricing and time to pick up for each App. In the end, those two factors will make my decision. As opposed to adding 30 to 150 Delta SkyMiles to my account.
This move by Delta must appeal to someone, I just can not figure who. It does not improve the flight experience or offer my real benefits. I just scratch my head on some of their decisions.