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Rideshare Credits

Maximizing Amex Rideshare Credits Through Lyft Balance Reloading

Amex rideshare credits can be stretched further by reloading your Lyft Cash balance in $25 increments, effectively getting bonus value beyond your monthly credit.

The Reloading Strategy

How It Works:

  • Reload Lyft Cash in $25 minimum increments
  • Your monthly credit (typically $10-15) gets applied automatically
  • You pay the difference out of pocket
  • Build up larger balance for future rides

The Math

Example with $10 monthly credit:

  • Add $25 to Lyft Cash
  • Amex credit covers $10
  • You pay $15 out of pocket
  • Result: $25 in ride credit for $15 spent

Why This Beats Monthly Usage

Problems with monthly credits:

  • Easy to forget and lose unused credits
  • Awkward amounts for typical ride costs
  • Credits expire if not used

Reloading benefits:

  • Accumulate larger usable balances
  • Better coverage for longer rides or multiple trips
  • No pressure to use credits monthly
  • More flexibility for surge pricing

Best Execution

  1. Set monthly reminder to reload $25 in Lyft Cash
  2. Let credit apply automatically
  3. Build substantial balance over time
  4. Use for airport rides, date nights, or when you need reliable transportation

This approach ensures you never waste rideshare credits while building up meaningful ride credit for when you actually need it.