Ways To Save on Uber and Lyft Rides in 2025
Every day, Uber and Lyft handle roughly 26.27 million rides, but not everyone is paying the same price. Some riders spend way more than they need to, while others save big with simple tricks. One hidden advantage of using Uber or Lyft is that you don't have to worry about rising fuel prices-helping you save on gas and avoid unexpected travel expenses.
However, the truth is, ridesharing prices aren’t fixed. Surge pricing, discounts, and smart booking strategies can make a huge difference. If you’re tired of overpaying for the same trip or are on a frugal path in this ever-increasing inflation this post is for you. Here’s how to start saving money on Uber and Lyft without giving up convenience.
Use Promo Codes and Referral Bonuses
About the Uber referral program
Uber's referral program allows existing users to invite friends to join the platform. When a referred friend completes their first ride using your unique referral code, you may receive a reward, which is typically added as Uber credits to your account. The exact reward and terms can vary based on location and ongoing promotions.
Here is how you can unlock the savings:
- Locate Your Referral Code: Open the Uber app, tap on the menu icon, and select “Free Rides” or “Invite Friends.” Here, you’ll find your unique referral code.
- Share the Code: Share this code with friends via social media, email, or direct messaging.
- Earn Rewards: Once your friend signs up using your code and completes their first ride, you’ll receive a reward.
Lyft’s referral program
Lyft's referral program enables current riders to earn ride credits or discounts by inviting new users to the platform. When a new user signs up with your referral code and takes their first ride, both you and the new rider can receive benefits, which may include ride credits or discounts.
To unlock Lyft’s referral program, follow these steps:
- Find Your Referral Code: In the Lyft app, tap on the menu icon and navigate to the “Rewards” tab to locate your unique referral code.
- Share the Code: Distribute this code to friends and family through various channels.
- Apply the Code: New users must enter the referral code in the ‘Rewards’ tab before taking their first ride to be eligible for the discount.
- Receive Benefits: After the new rider completes their first trip, both parties receive their respective rewards.
It’s important to note that referral rewards and terms may vary based on location and current promotions. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, refer to Uber and Lyft’s official pages.
Use Coupon Websites
Some websites offer cashback on Uber ridesup to $2.50 back per trip. Apps like Fetch allow you to earn points by simply snapping photos of your everyday shopping receipts, which you can later redeem for Uber or Lyft gift cards.
GrabOn is a hidden gem for extra savings. Our team actively looks for Uber and Lyft coupon codes and verifies them so that people looking to save don’t waste their time as well as money.
- Explore Uber Coupon Codes
- Explore Lyft Promo Codes
Another great way to save at both ride-hailing platforms is to use cash-back sites that let you earn up to $2.50 back per Uber ride.
Use Uber and Lyft Subscriptions To Save
- Uber One enhances the Uber experience by offering benefits for a monthly fee of $9.99 or an annual payment of $96. members gain access to a range of perks designed to provide savings and convenience.
One of the key benefits of Uber One is the ability to earn 6% back in Uber Cash on eligible rides with top-rated drivers. This cashback can be used toward future Uber services, helping frequent riders save on transportation costs over time. Additionally, Uber One members receive priority service, ensuring they are matched with top-rated drivers whenever possible. This feature enhances ride quality and reliability, making the overall experience smoother and more comfortable.
- Lyft Pink is a membership program that offers faster pickups, ride discounts, and added perks for frequent Lyft users. For $9.99 per month or $99 annually, members get complimentary Priority Pickup upgrades, reducing wait times during peak hours. They also receive a 5% discount on Standard and XL rides, helping to offset the membership cost over time.
Additional benefits include three free ride cancellations per month and a free year of Grubhub+, which provides $0 delivery fees on eligible food orders. Members also get 12 free bike or scooter unlocks per year, promoting eco-friendly travel. For those wanting more, the Pink All Access plan at $199 annually adds unlimited classic bike rides and discounts on ebikes and scooters.
Compare Both Apps Before Booking
Always check both apps before confirming a ride, you'd be surprised how much you can save just by switching apps.
Don’t want to do it manually? A user-created shortcut now makes it easier to compare Uber and Lyft prices for the same trip without relying on third-party tools. This shortcut streamlines the process by prompting users to enter their pickup and drop-off locations. Once the details are provided, it automatically opens the Uber app with the addresses pre-filled, allowing users to view the available ride options and prices instantly. After checking Uber, an alert directs them to manually open Lyft and compare prices there.
This simple yet effective tool helps users make informed decisions without the hassle of switching between apps and entering addresses repeatedly.
Avoid Surge Pricing with a Few Tricks
Surge pricing on Uber and Lyft can make rides significantly more expensive during peak times, but there are ways to avoid paying these higher fares.
- One of the most effective strategies is to pre-plan rides. Both apps allow users to schedule rides, which can sometimes lock in lower rates, avoiding last-minute price hikes. Checking the app at different times before booking can also help, as surge pricing fluctuates based on demand.
- If a location is experiencing a surge due to an event or rush hour traffic, moving a few blocks away may reduce the price significantly.
- If surge pricing is in effect, waiting a few minutes can sometimes make a difference as demand drops and fares return to normal. Using fare estimate tools within the apps before confirming a ride can also provide insights into whether it’s better to wait or find an alternative route.
Here is a table comparing Uber and Lyft prices during different times of the day:
| Uber | 7 a.m. Wednesday | 6:23 p.m. Wednesday | Savings |
| UberX | $48 | $28.74 | $19.26 |
| Comfort | $54 | $33.64 | $20.36 |
| Black | $91.23 | $55.12 | $36.11 |
| Black SUV | $105.50 | $76.55 | $28.95 |
| Average savings | $26.17 | ||
| Lyft | 7 a.m. Wednesday | 6:25 p.m. Wednesday | Savings |
| Lyft | $37.82 | $25.88 | $11.94 |
| Lyft XL | $51.47 | $33.62 | $17.85 |
| Lux | $71.80 | $45.11 | $26.69 |
| Average savings | $14.12 |
Credits to Krazy Coupon Lady for this comparison.
Use UberX Share or Lyft Shared (Carpooling)
UberX Share allows riders to save money by sharing their trip with others traveling in the same direction. The service offers a discount compared to a standard UberX ride, making it a more affordable option. If a co-rider is matched along the route, the fare is reduced even further, maximizing the savings. Even if no other passengers join the ride, UberX Share still costs less than a regular UberX trip. The service also ensures that the detour to pick up another rider does not exceed a few minutes, maintaining reasonable travel times while keeping costs low.
Lyft Shared provides a similar cost-saving benefit by matching passengers heading in the same direction. Riders who opt for a shared trip receive a lower fare than a standard Lyft ride, making it a budget-friendly alternative. If additional passengers are picked up along the way, the discount increases, further reducing the total fare. The app automatically calculates efficient routes to minimize detours, ensuring that riders reach their destinations without significant delays. Even when no co-rider is matched, the fare remains lower than a solo ride, making it a smart choice for those looking to save money on transportation.
Leverage Credit Card Rewards
Some credit cards offer cashback or points for Uber and Lyft rides. Check if your card has travel perks that apply to ridesharing.
Using a Credit Card in Lyft
Using the right credit cards can help you save on every Lyft ride. If you have a Mastercard or Chase card, you can earn points or cash back just by using it as your default payment method in the Lyft app. Here's how it works:
- Earn 10x Points: If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve or J.P. Morgan Reserve card, you'll earn 10x total points on every Lyft ride until March 2025.
- Earn 5x Points: Riders using Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire can earn 5x total points per ride.
- Earn 5% Cash Back: With Chase Freedom, Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Rise, or Freedom Student, you'll get 5% total cash back on every ride.
- Business Card Rewards: If you're using Chase Ink Business Unlimited, Ink Business Cash, Ink Cash, or Ink Business Premier, you'll earn 5% cash back. Meanwhile, Ink Plus and Ink Business Preferred users will earn 5x points per ride.
- Get 10% off scheduled airport rides with eligible World Elite or World Mastercard for Business. Plus, earn Lyft credit every month$5 after three eligible rides with a World or World Elite Mastercard , or $10 with a Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard .
How to Activate Your Lyft Rewards
Simply add your desired credit card as the default payment method in the latest version of the Lyft app. You’ll qualify for the rewards as long as the full ride cost is charged to your eligible Chase card (either directly or through Apple Pay/Google Pay).
What Qualifies?
Rideshare trips, bike, and scooter rentals through the Lyft app, and Lyft membership subscriptions are eligible.
Rides booked through partner apps, or fully covered by credits or gift cards, do not qualify. Read all the terms and conditions about CC usage on Lyft.
Using a Credit Card on Uber
If you're an American Express Gold or Platinum Card Member, you can enjoy Uber Cash credits every month to save on your rides and food orders. Here's how it works:
- Gold Card Members get $120 in Uber Cash annually ($10 per month) to use on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S.
- Platinum Card Members receive $200 in Uber Cash annually ($15 per month, plus a $20 bonus in December). They also get Uber VIP status, which gives access to top-rated drivers where available.
How to Use Your Uber Cash
- Make sure Uber Cash is toggled on in your Uber app.
- Starting November 8, 2024, you must also have an American Express card selected as your payment method to redeem your Uber Cash credits.
- The credits automatically apply each month and do not roll over, so be sure to use them before they expire.
Read all the terms and conditions of using Amex at Uber.
Ride With a Friend and Split the Fare
Both apps allow fare splitting. If you’re heading in the same direction as a friend, share the cost.
Here is how fare splitting works in Uber
Uber's Split Fare feature makes it simple to share the cost of a ride with friends. Instead of one person covering the entire fare, you can divide the cost equally among riders.
How to Split Your Uber Fare
- Request a ride as usual.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the app and tap your payment method.
- Select Split Fare and enter the names or phone numbers of the other riders.
- Each invited rider will receive a request to accept the split. Once accepted, the fare is divided equally.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Each participating rider is charged a small fee to split the fare.
- If someone declines the request or doesn't have a valid payment method, their portion will be charged to you.
- Promotions or discounts on your account apply only to your share of the fare.
- This feature is not available for all Uber services, such as Uber Auto.
- Uber Lite users cannot use this feature.
Remember, fares cannot be split after the ride ends, so make sure to set it up before your trip!
Here is how Lyft's fare split works (with Venmo)
Lyft makes it easy to split ride payments with friends using Venmo. Instead of keeping track of who owes what, you can pay directly through Venmo and share the cost seamlessly.
How to Pay for Lyft Rides with Venmo
- Open the Lyft app and go to the Payment menu.
- Tap Add a payment method and select Venmo.
- Tap Authorize to allow Lyft to charge Venmo.
Once connected, you can pay for rides using your Venmo balance (if available) or a linked payment method.
Splitting Lyft Rides with Venmo
- Easily split ride costs with friends in just a few taps.
- Payments are authorized quickly when logged into Venmo.
- You can even share your ride details in your Venmo feed.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Venmo payments can be used for Lyft rides, bikes, and scooters.
- Transit rides and rentals are not eligible for Venmo payments.
Use Prepaid Gift Cards at a Discount
A simple way to save on Uber and Lyft rides is by purchasing discounted gift cards from various vendors that offer 3 to 5% discounts. You can also check warehouse stores like Sam's Club for deals on Uber cards.
Additionally, you can buy gift cards for both these brands from their respective websites.
- Buy Uber gift cards
- Buy Lyft gift cards
Consider Alternative Transportation on The Apps
Uber and Lyft now offer bike and scooter rentals in some cities, making short trips more affordable. Instead of paying a full fare for a car ride, you can unlock a bike or scooter through the app and pay a lower rate based on time or distance.
For longer trips, you can also book car rentals. Uber does offer car rental services that you can use to rent a car for as long as 6 months. There are many ways you can save on a car rental, like prepaying, using membership codes and so much more.
This helps you save money. Just find a bike, scooter or cab in the app, ride to your destination and pay for only as long as you use the vehicle. It’s a cheaper and quicker way to get around the city.
You Can Appeal Against Uber and Lyft's Cancellation Fees
You have a brief window to cancel a ride before Uber or Lyft applies a cancellation fee (typically around $10). Here's what to know about their cancellation policies:
Lyft Cancellation Fees:
- If you cancel more than 30 seconds after a driver accepts your ride.
- If your driver is expected to arrive within five minutes of the original estimate.
- If you cancel three or more rides within a 15-minute period.
Uber Cancellation Fees:
- Shared Rides: Charged if you cancel over two minutes after a driver accepts or if the driver cancels after waiting two minutes at pickup.
- UberX and Economy Rides: Charged if you cancel after two minutes or if the driver cancels after waiting five minutes (10 minutes for Comfort).
- Black and BlackSUV Rides: Charged if you cancel after five minutes or if the driver cancels after waiting 15 minutes.
If your driver takes longer than expected or there’s a communication issue, you can dispute the fee through the Help section in the Uber or Lyft app. Uber typically waives fees in such cases, while Lyft allows disputes via the "Ride History tab under "Get Help.
Final Word
There are multiple ways to save on Uber and Lyft, but the best option depends on factors like time, location, and available promotions. Over time, savings add up through memberships, credit card perks, and strategic ride choices. Whether you're commuting daily or planning a trip, these tips will help you save on travel like a pro.
By staying aware of discounts and planning your rides wisely, you can enjoy the convenience of ridesharing without overspending. Happy savings!
