Lyft gift cards are now a reality in Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) stores across the U.S.
The popular transportation service — and main rival of Uber — is offering $20 gift cards at select Starbucks locations. These are strategically placed in coffee shops in the cities that offer Lyft.
The move is designed to help the company bridge the gab between its business and Uber’s–the latter of which has a larger share of the industry. Lyft has been on the upswing lately, posting July numbers that topped previous months for the number of new passengers and drivers on board.
In addition to getting $20 worth of a Lyft ride, customers will also get a $5 Starbucks gift card for a limited time. Drivers can also receive virtual gift cards from the coffee shop as part of the payment from customers.
“Believe it or not, there’s actually a lot of people who still prefer to transact and offer gifts through this channel,” said Oliver Hsiang, Lyft VP of Partnerships.
Rides that take place between 5 am and 10 am on Mondays through Fridays will net riders five loyalty points, which can be redeemed at a Starbucks location nearby.
It’s been a transitional year for the coffee giant, as Starbucks has added a more inclusive and varied
dress code, as well as an expansion of its healthcare benefits to riders.
Earlier this month, rumors swirled surrounding a potential sale or merger of Lyft that could help it combine its business with a larger company.
