Updated
Feb 17, 2021 This offer is no longer offered by Capital One. If you are looking for a new card, check out our picks for the best Capital One credit cards.
Since mid-2015, Capital One and Uber have shared a strong business relationship in an effort to benefit customers of both businesses. The partnership between Capital One and Uber began with a savings opportunity made available to Capital One credit card customers who also frequently used the ride-sharing app to get around.
Through a year-long promotion, customers who used Uber and paid for rides with their Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card or the QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card had access to an unlimited 20% discount on all Uber rides. Customers simply had to link their respective Capital One credit card as the payment method in the Uber app to get the discount.
In July 2016, Capital One and Uber shifted their partnership agreement and effectively ended the 20% unlimited discount for cardmembers and riders. However, a new promotion took the place of the discount, giving cardholders and Uber riders another opportunity to save on rides.
The updated promotion gave cardholders a free ride after nine Uber riders were paid for with a qualifying Capital One credit card. The 10th ride was automatically updated in the Uber app, but cardholders were limited to a $15 credit toward the free ride. Cardmembers had the option to use the free ride when they wanted as opposed to being forced to use the credit during the tenth ride no matter what.
Capital One and Uber ended their promotional offerings on March 31, 2017, with free rides expiring on April 30, 2017. Capital One Quicksilver and QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards card members may still utilize their credit card to pay for Uber rides through the app; however, no additional incentives exist for doing so.
Alternatives for Uber Riders
While the Capital One and Uber partnership is no longer available to benefit cardmembers and Uber riders, there are alternatives to certain credit card members who also use the ride-sharing app regularly. In recent months, American Express Everyday credit card members were given a boost in Membership Rewards earning potential when riding with Uber.
When paying for Uber rides with the American Express credit card, card members who take at least 20 rides per billing cycle earn 20% more in Membership Rewards on those purchases. American Express EveryDay credit card members not only earn more when they’ve met the Uber ride threshold of 20, but they also have the option to redeem Membership Rewards points to pay for Uber rides in part or in full.
In addition to American Express Membership Rewards for Uber rides, some cash back bonus category credit cards offer a boost for cardmembers.
For example, Discover cash back credit cardholders can earn 5% cash back on Uber rides paid for with the credit card when transportation is included as a quarterly bonus category. Similarly, some Chase cash back cardholders earn 5% on Uber rides, again when transportation is listed as a bonus category for the quarter. From time to time, Uber partners with other major credit card issuers to provide additional earnings potential or discounts when a specific credit card is used to pay for rides.