What the American Express Uber Card is and who it's for
The American Express Uber Card is a co-branded credit card issued by American Express in partnership with Uber. It gives you cash back on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, plus rewards on other purchases. You use it like any other credit card — you get a bill each month and pay interest on any balance you don't pay off in full.
The card is designed for people who use Uber or Uber Eats regularly and want to earn rewards on those purchases. It's also useful if you want a card that offers cash back on restaurants and gas, since those categories earn rewards too. But it's a standard credit card, not a prepaid card or a special Uber account — you need to meet American Express's credit requirements to be approved.
If you rarely use Uber or Uber Eats, or if you're looking for a card with no annual fee and basic rewards, this may not be the right fit. If you have limited credit history or a lower credit score, you may not meet American Express's approval standards.
Key Takeaways
- The American Express Uber Card earns 4% cash back on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, 3% on restaurants and gas, and 1% on other purchases.
- The card has an annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $84 per year after that, though American Express sometimes waives the fee for existing cardholders.
- You earn cash back when ready on every purchase, and it appears as a statement credit on your monthly bill.
- American Express requires you to have a credit score and credit history to be approved; the exact minimum score is not published.
- Cash back earned on this card does not transfer to Uber credits or a separate Uber account — it stays on your credit card as a statement credit.
Rewards structure and how cash back is calculated
The card earns 4% cash back on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, 3% cash back on restaurants and gas stations, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The cash back is calculated on the full purchase amount, including taxes and fees.
Cash back appears as a statement credit on your monthly bill. You don't have to do anything to claim it — American Express adds it automatically. If you carry a balance and pay interest, the cash back does not offset the interest you owe; it's a separate credit.
The 4% category applies to Uber rides booked through the Uber app and Uber Eats orders placed through the Uber Eats app. It does not explore to Uber Eats orders placed through third-party delivery services or to Uber services like Uber Freight. The 3% category for restaurants applies to standalone restaurants and dining establishments, not to food delivery services outside of Uber Eats.
Annual fee and other costs
The card has no annual fee for the first year. After that, the annual fee is $84 per year. American Express charges this fee once per year, usually on your card anniversary date (the month you opened the account).
American Express sometimes offers to waive the annual fee for existing cardholders, usually through a notice in the mail or a message in your online account. If you receive such an offer, you can accept it to avoid the fee for another year. If you don't receive an offer and don't want to pay the fee, you can close the card.
Beyond the annual fee, the card has the same costs as any other credit card: interest on balances you don't pay off in full, late fees if you miss a payment, and foreign transaction fees if you use it outside the United States. American Express does not charge a fee to open the account or to use it for purchases.
How to get approved and what happens after
To explore for the American Express Uber Card, you go to the American Express website or the Uber app (if you're an existing Uber user) and fill out an online process. You'll need to provide your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and income information. American Express uses this information to check your credit and decide whether to approve you.
American Express does not publish a minimum credit score for this card, but it typically approves people with good to excellent credit (usually a score of 670 or higher). If you have limited credit history or a lower score, you may be denied. If you're denied, American Express will send you a letter explaining why.
If you're approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You set up it through the American Express website or app, and you can start using it when ready for purchases. Your first statement arrives about a month after your first purchase, and that's when you'll see your cash back credited.
How the card compares to other Uber rewards options
Uber has its own rewards program called Uber Rewards, which is free and gives you points on every ride and Uber Eats order. You earn 1 point per dollar spent, and points can be redeemed for Uber credits or discounts. The American Express Uber Card earns cash back instead of points, and the cash back rate (4% on Uber) is higher than Uber Rewards (1 point per dollar).
However, the American Express card costs $84 per year after the first year, while Uber Rewards is free. If you spend less than $2,100 per year on Uber and Uber Eats combined, the annual fee may cost more than the extra cash back you earn. You can use both the card and Uber Rewards at the same time — the rewards stack, so you earn cash back on the card and points in the Uber Rewards program.
Other credit cards offer cash back on restaurants and gas, but few offer 4% on Uber specifically. If you use Uber infrequently, a general cash back card with no annual fee may be a better choice. If you use Uber frequently and spend money on restaurants and gas, the American Express Uber Card's rewards may offset the annual fee.
What happens if you close the card or stop using it
If you close the American Express Uber Card, you keep any cash back you've already earned — it doesn't disappear. However, you can't earn new cash back once the card is closed. American Express may close the card for you if you don't use it for a long period (usually 12 months or more of inactivity), though this varies by cardholder.
If you want to close the card to avoid the annual fee, you can call American Express customer service and ask to close it. You should pay off any balance on the card before closing it, or arrange to pay it off after closing. Closing a credit card can affect your credit score slightly, because it reduces your total available credit and may increase your credit utilization ratio on other cards.
If you're considering closing the card because of the annual fee, check your account first to see if American Express is offering to waive the fee. Many cardholders receive fee waivers automatically, especially if they use the card regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the American Express Uber Card outside the United States?
Yes, you can use the card internationally, but American Express charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% on purchases made outside the United States. This fee is added to your bill along with the purchase amount. The 4% cash back on Uber still applies, but the foreign transaction fee reduces your net benefit.
Does the cash back expire if I don't use it?
No, cash back does not expire. It stays on your account as a statement credit until you use it. If you close the card, you keep any unused cash back, and American Express will send it to you as a check or credit to another account.
What if I dispute a charge on the American Express Uber Card?
You can dispute a charge by calling American Express or logging into your account online. American Express will investigate the dispute and either reverse the charge or explain why it's valid. While the dispute is being investigated, the charge stays on your bill, but American Express may credit the amount temporarily to your account.
Can I earn the 4% cash back on Uber gift cards?
No, the 4% cash back applies only to Uber rides and Uber Eats orders placed directly through the apps. Purchasing Uber gift cards earns only 1% cash back, the same as other purchases.
What credit bureau does American Express check when I explore?
American Express typically checks one or more of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — but does not always check the same bureau for every applicant. You can ask American Express which bureau they checked after you explore, and you can request a free copy of your credit report from each bureau through annualcreditreport.com.