Quick Tips
Apple Card is Adding an Uber Perk (While Losing Another Benefit)
For months, Apple Card customers and observers have been waiting for updates on the card’s future. After all, reports that the tech company and Goldman Sachs have been looking to end their partnership have been swirling for some time. Plus, if/when the product does change hands, it’s expected that some major adjustments to its offerings will need to be made (especially those that caused headaches for Goldman).
But — that’s not what we’re talking about today. Instead, this week, we got news of a new Apple Card perk that comes courtesy of Uber.
Now, Apple Card customers can claim six free months of Uber’s Uber One membership. To activate this deal, cardholders can utilize the link on the Apple Card site or the email sent to users. Then, they’ll need to set up their account, select Apple Pay as the payment option, and then select their Apple Card (note: entering my Apple Card number manually on desktop didn’t work nor did selecting a different card in Apple Pay). Once your six-month trial is up, your membership will automatically renew at a cost of $9.99 a month unless you cancel.
With Uber One, you can take advantage of discounts and benefits on both Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. For example, Uber One members can earn 6% Uber Cashback on rides (as well as getting top-rated drivers on eligible rides). On the food side, members enjoy $0 Delivery Fees on eligible orders, up to 10% off eligible deliveries and pickup orders from participating locations, and other special offers.
Even though I’m not a super frequent Uber user, this perk will be somewhat useful in conjunction with my American Express Platinum Card. That’s because the Platinum entitles me to $15 a month in Uber Cash, which we tend to use for Uber Eats pickups. Granted, the savings on pick-up orders with Uber One versus without it aren’t as impactful as on deliveries, but we’ll still be saving more overall.
Unfortunately, the email that unveiled this new benefit also snuck in news of a negative update. As of July 1st, T-Mobile will no longer be a featured merchant for the card. This means that purchases from T-Mobile using Apple Pay will revert to earning the regular 2% Daily Cash versus the 3% that had been offered.
Personally, this change doesn’t really impact me since I no longer have T-Mobile. On top of that, though, the carrier already ruined the appeal of this perk when it began excluding credit cards from its Auto-Pay discount (a debit card or bank account was required instead).
Going back to the Uber One perk, I’m somewhat excited about this benefit — to the point where I already went ahead and activated it. Of course, I also set a calendar reminder for myself to cancel it come November. That’s because, unless our lifestyle changes significantly before then, I really don’t expect to maintain the membership beyond the trial period. So, if you’re an Apple Card customer, it may be worth doing the same while this deal lasts.
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