Perhaps in a bid at strengthening customer loyalty, Uber is going to be launching its own co-branded credit card later this year in partnership with Barclays. Barclays made the announcement via the Associated Press, and this would make Uber the first ride-sharing company to boast its own card, likely with airline-style points that translate to free rides.

Details about such rewards have not yet been revealed, but the move points to Uber hoping to capitalize on the kind of loyalty programs that have mostly been the belonged in the worlds of large hotel chains and airlines up to now.

Barclays, for instance, already has a co-branded credit card with JetBlue.

As the AP notes, Lyft previously inked a partnership with Delta Airlines to earn miles for customers, but it's not through a credit card. And Uber earlier struck a deal with American Express that gives Platinum Card customers a $200-a-year credit toward free rides.

Meanwhile, Uber needs a new CEO, Travis Kalanick is gunning to get back in the saddle less than six weeks after stepping down under pressure from worried investors, and it's only a matter of time before Lyft jumps on this credit card idea.

Related: Travis Kalanick Claims He Is 'Steve Jobs-ing It' To Get Back Inside Uber