Link Programs for Points and Miles: Easy Ways to Boost Your Earnings
Travel hacking isn’t just about snagging huge credit card sign-up bonuses or chasing category bonuses for every purchase. One of the most underrated—and super easy—ways to boost your stash of points and miles is to link programs for points and miles through partner rewards accounts.
By connecting accounts you already use, you can earn bonus miles and hotel points on everyday purchases like coffee runs, ride-shares, and takeout orders. These extra points might not fund an entire first-class ticket overnight, but over time, they add up—and can help you reach your next free flight or hotel stay faster.
Here are some of our favorite linked programs for earning extra travel rewards on your everyday spending.
This post was originally shared in August 2023 and updated in October 2025.
Delta Airlines and Starbucks
With Starbucks locations practically on every corner in the U.S. (and many other countries), linking your Starbucks account to Delta SkyMiles is a no-brainer for many people.
With the Delta and Starbucks partnership, you’ll earn:
| Reload Amount (Single Transaction) | SkyMiles Earned |
|---|---|
| $25 – $49.99 | 25 miles |
| $50 – $74.99 | 75 miles |
| $75 – $99.99 | 125 miles |
| $100 or more | 200 miles |
So, if you regularly top up your Starbucks app with $25 or more, you’ll pick up extra miles without any extra work.
No, this won’t get you a free flight every month (or even every year) unless you’re practically living at Starbucks. But it’s free miles for money you’re already spending. Link your accounts once and earn in the background with every sip.
Even though we don’t fly Delta as frequently as other airlines, we love having the option. Delta’s hub at New York’s JFK Airport offers tons of international routes, so pooling even a few thousand Delta miles can come in handy for a positioning flight—or to help offset costs on a big trip abroad.
→ Link your Starbucks account to Delta here: More Sips, More Trips
Pro tip: If you’re loyal to United (or just prefer it over Delta), you may want to steal my strategy. I don’t reload my Starbucks account directly on the app and earn Delta miles. I’d rather do it this way and get miles with my preferred airline.
Marriott and Uber / Uber Eats
If you already use Uber or order takeout through Uber Eats, this is a no-brainer way to rack up Marriott Bonvoy points—no credit card spend required. All you have to do is link your Marriott and Uber accounts, and the points start rolling in.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- 3x Bonvoy points per dollar on eligible Uber rides (specifically Uber XL, Comfort, SUV, and Black).
- 2x Bonvoy points at eligible restaurants when you use Uber Eats.
- 6x Bonvoy points when you order Uber Eats to a Marriott property during your stay.
It’s not going to move the needle overnight, but if you already use Uber or Uber Eats regularly, this is an easy way to build up points toward your next free night. If you’re traveling and grabbing a quick dinner in your hotel room, that 6x earning rate can really add up.
→ Link your Marriott and Uber accounts here: Marriott x Uber
Delta SkyMiles and Uber
If Uber is your go-to ride or food delivery app, you’ll love this: since April 2025, Delta SkyMiles members can earn miles on Uber rides to/from airports and Uber Eats orders of $40+. Just link your accounts, set Delta as your earning partner in the Uber app, and you’ll start earning miles on qualifying transactions.
- Airport UberX rides earn 1 SkyMile per $1
- Uber Eats orders (min. $40) for restaurant/grocery delivery earn 1 SkyMile per $1
It’s a seamless way to boost your mileage stash—combining with Starbucks reloads and Uber earnings can add up over time.
Lyft and Hilton Honors, Alaska Airlines, or Bilt
Lyft offers one of the most flexible travel partner programs out there because you can choose which loyalty program you want to earn with. But there’s a catch: you can only link your Lyft account to one of these partners at a time—so pick the one that aligns best with your travel goals.
Here’s how the earnings stack up:
- Hilton Honors: Prefer free hotel stays? Earn 3 Hilton points per $1 on all Lyft rides. This can help you inch closer to your next Hilton redemption.
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Earn 1 Alaska mile per $1 on Lyft rides. While not the highest rate, this is handy if you’re saving for a specific Alaska award flight.
- Bilt Rewards: Earn 2 Bilt points per $1 on all Lyft rides. Great if you’re collecting Bilt points for travel transfers or even rent payments.
If you’re frequently riding to and from the airport, Delta’s bonus for airport rides can add up fast. If you’re hotel-focused, Hilton’s 3 points per dollar could be your best bet. Either way, it’s a solid way to turn your everyday transportation into future travel.
→ Link your Lyft account to your chosen partner here: Lyft Rewards Partners
Marriott Bonvoy and Starbucks
Coffee lovers, take note: Marriott and Starbucks launched a partnership in 2024 that makes it even easier to earn hotel points while fueling your caffeine habit. By linking your Marriott Bonvoy and Starbucks Rewards accounts, you’ll receive 100 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points for eligible transactions at Starbucks. There’s usually one Bonvoy week per calendar month, but the earning potential varies. I’ve seen three, four, or five Starbucks visits for 100 Bonvoy points, or sometimes 100 points per visit, up to five in one week.
It’s not a massive windfall of points—but it’s essentially free points for your usual latte runs, and every bit helps toward your next free night. Just remember to pay using your linked Starbucks Rewards payment method so the purchases count.
→ Link your Marriott and Starbucks accounts here: Marriott Bonvoy x Starbucks
Marriott and Starbucks have had these promotions pretty much every month since the partnership was announced in 2024. The amount of points varies (typically from 100 to 500 points) and can reward either for number of visits (3 visits for 100 points or 100 points per visit up to 5 visits). In 2025, I earned 1,500 Bonvoy points from this promotion through September and anticipate there being more opportunities to earn through the end of the year.
Shell and American Airlines AAdvantage
If you drive regularly, this is an easy way to earn miles for something you’re already doing—filling up your gas tank. By joining the Fuel Rewards® program and linking it to your American Airlines AAdvantage account, you’ll earn 2 AAdvantage miles per gallon at participating Shell stations.
Plus, you can stack this with other Fuel Rewards savings for discounts at the pump, which makes this partnership doubly useful. You’re saving cash and earning miles at the same time—a true travel hacker win.
→ Link your Fuel Rewards and AAdvantage accounts here: Shell x American Airlines
Final Thoughts: Link programs for points and miles
Earning points and miles doesn’t have to be complicated—or time-consuming. It also doesn’t have to require spending significant amounts of money or even opening up new credit cards for sign-up bonuses. Partner programs like these let you turn your everyday spending into future travel without much effort.
If you’re looking for easy and lower-stress ways to keep working toward those dream trips, linking your rewards accounts is one of the simplest strategies out there. It might not feel like much at first, but small earnings add up quickly—and the next thing you know, you’ll be sitting in a lie-flat seat or checking into a luxury hotel… all thanks to a few coffee runs and rideshares.
Happy earning—and safe travels!