Taxis and rideshares are a regular expense for millions of people—but few realize that every ride can be an opportunity to earn cashback. Whether you’re hailing a cab through an app or riding with a traditional service, there are tools and platforms that help you turn your transportation spending into real rewards.

Here’s how to consistently earn cashback on taxi rides using payment strategies, apps, and gift card hacks.

1. Use Cashback Apps That Include Rideshare and Transit

Some cashback platforms offer rewards on travel-related purchases, including taxis and rideshares. While offers vary by city and time, they can include:

• Percentage cashback when booking through the app
  
• Rewards for linking a debit or credit card
  
• Referral bonuses and loyalty perks
  

Apps like Rakuten and Ibotta occasionally include Uber, Lyft, or local taxi services as eligible partners. Check the app before every ride—many require activating the deal through a browser or redirect.

2. Buy Gift Cards That Offer Instant Cashback

Rather than paying directly with your card, you can purchase a gift card through a cashback app and use it in your taxi or rideshare app. For example, you can earn cashback with an Uber gift card or get rewards with a Lyft gift card using Fluz.

Unlike typical rewards programs, Fluz provides upfront cashback at the time of gift card purchase, so you’re saving before your ride even begins. This method works for regular riders and one-off trips alike.

Explore more rideshare gift card options on Fluz.

3. Pay with a Cashback Credit Card

Even if you’re not using a gift card, you can still earn cashback by paying with the right credit card. Look for cards that offer:

• 2% to 3% cashback on transit or travel
  
• Flat-rate cashback on all purchases
  
• Bonus offers or category boosts for rideshare spending
  

Pairing a cashback credit card with a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay can unlock even more promotional rewards depending on your bank or card issuer.

4. Look for Cashback Offers Inside Wallet Apps

Many digital wallets now include a “deals” or “offers” tab with limited-time cashback promotions. These might include:

• Ride discounts (e.g., $5 off your next Uber ride)
  
• Cashback for using a linked card within the wallet
  
• Seasonal rewards from partner services
  

Wallets like PayPal, Venmo, and Google Pay often promote these for rideshare platforms.

5. Don’t Overlook Referral Bonuses

Some taxi apps offer referral bonuses that can be stacked with other cashback methods. For example, referring a friend to Uber may earn you credits, and you could still use a gift card purchased at a discount to pay for the ride.

Final Tip: Use a layered strategy. For maximum benefit, you can:

• Buy a cashback-eligible gift card
  
• Pay with a rewards credit card
  
• Use that card through a digital wallet
  
• Activate any app-based promotions before booking your ride
  

With these combined, it’s possible to get 10%–20% or more in value from a single taxi ride—especially if you ride often.