For most Uber users, this will be worse
Devaluations are never fun and feel particularly cruel. What Uber has announced will impact almost every user of their app, there are ways to work around this and actually earn more points.
What’s been announced?
Uber is changing the earn rate for UK customers, and for most it’s going to be worse. These changes impact just travel bookings, i.e. Uber taxis, and not the recently announced Uber Eats / Avios tie-in.
From the 15th June:
- Standard Uber X rides will earn 0 points unless you book them in advance (Uber Reserve) or you’re travelling to or from an airport
- Trips made via Uber Reserve will earn 3 Avios per £
- Airport trips will earn at a rate of 2 Avios per £
- Premium trips (i.e. not Uber X) will earn at 2 Avios per £
- Train trips will get you 2 Avios per £
The changes above also apply to the ROI, with the same earn rate but based on your Euro spend.
For most Uber users this is a devaluation. The whole concept of Uber is that you can open the app and hail a taxi that will arrive by the time you get to your front door. Those cheap, Uber X, rides will now earn you a big fat zero in terms of Avios.
It’s clear that Uber want you to use Uber Reserve. I can see why: by knowing about trips in advance, they can better handle availability. In all my many years of using Uber I have never once booked a trip using Reserve. This will, however, give me a reason to try it.
You can earn Avios with Uber?
Back in late 2022, British Airways announced a partnership with Uber. This allowed you to earn points from Uber rides (and also booking trains and coaches through the Uber app). I wrote a longer article about how to link up your Uber and British Airways accounts, along with a way to double your earn rate.
Then, in 2026, Uber expanded this partnership to include Uber Eats. You will earn 1 Avios per £ you spend on food delivery, but not groceries. That, I think, is far more useful for most points collectors. I get a lot more food at my front door than taxi drivers.
The earn rate across rides and Eats is not huge, however it’s a very useful way to earn points with zero effort. Once you’ve connected your BA and Uber accounts, you’ll continue to earn points forever.
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