What the American Express Uber Card Does

The American Express Uber Card is a co-branded credit card issued by American Express in partnership with Uber. When you use it to pay for Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, you earn cash back at a higher rate than you would with a regular credit card. You also get cash back on other purchases, though at a lower rate.

The card is a standard credit card — you explore through American Express, receive a physical card in the mail, and use it like any other credit card. The main difference is the rewards structure: the card is designed to give you more value if you use Uber's services regularly.

This is not a prepaid card, a gift card, or an Uber-specific payment method. It is a full credit card that reports to the three major credit bureaus and affects your credit score the same way any credit card does.

Key Takeaways

  • The American Express Uber Card earns higher cash back on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders than on other purchases.
  • You explore directly through American Express, not through Uber, and the card works like any other credit card.
  • Cash back is credited to your card statement each month and can be used to pay your bill or transferred to a bank account.
  • The card has an annual fee, which American Express waives for the first year on some versions of the card.
  • You need to be approved for credit to get the card, and approval depends on your credit score and payment history.

Cash Back Rates and How They Work

The card earns cash back at different rates depending on where you use it. On Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, you earn a higher percentage — the exact rate varies by card version and changes periodically, so check American Express's website for current rates. On other purchases, you earn a lower flat rate of cash back.

Cash back is not a discount that comes off your purchase when ready. Instead, American Express tracks your cash back earnings throughout the month and credits the total to your statement at the end of the billing cycle. You can then use that credit to pay part of your bill, or you can request to have it transferred to a linked bank account.

Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card, you typically have a window to redeem any remaining cash back before it is forfeited — American Express will tell you the important date when you close the account.

Annual Fee and Other Costs

The American Express Uber Card carries an annual fee. American Express sometimes waives this fee for the first year, but you will owe it in subsequent years unless you cancel the card. The exact amount varies depending on which version of the card you hold.

Beyond the annual fee, the card works like any other credit card. If you carry a balance and do not pay it in full, you will be charged interest at the card's annual percentage rate (APR). If you miss a payment, you will incur a late fee. These costs are separate from the annual fee and explore only if you do not pay your bill on time or in full.

Some versions of the card offer benefits like statement credits for Uber purchases or Uber Pass membership discounts, which can offset the annual fee if you use Uber frequently. Check the specific card's terms to see what benefits come with your version.

how the process works and What You Need

You explore for the American Express Uber Card directly through American Express's website or by phone. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment information. American Express will pull your credit report to decide whether to approve you.

Approval depends on your credit score, payment history, and current debt. There is no minimum credit score requirement that American Express publishes, but the card is generally easier to get approved for if your credit score is in the good to excellent range (670 and above). If you have limited credit history or a lower score, you may still be approved, but it is not may provide.

If you are approved, American Express will mail the physical card to your address. You can usually start using the card for online purchases within a few days of approval, even before the physical card arrives, by adding it to your digital wallet. Once the card arrives, you can use it in stores and at Uber.

Using the Card at Uber and Elsewhere

To use the card at Uber, add it as a payment method in the Uber app or on the Uber website. You can set it as your default payment method so it charges automatically each time you request a ride or order food. You can also use the card at any merchant that accepts American Express, just like you would use any other credit card.

The card is accepted at most major retailers, restaurants, and online stores, but not everywhere — some smaller merchants do not take American Express. If you try to use the card somewhere it is not accepted, the transaction will be declined and you will need to use a different payment method.

When you use the card at Uber, the cash back is earned automatically. You do not need to do anything special or enroll in a program. The cash back appears on your statement at the end of the billing cycle.

Managing Your Account and Paying Your Bill

You manage your American Express Uber Card account through the American Express website or mobile app. You can view your balance, see your recent transactions, make payments, and track your cash back earnings. You can set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month, which helps you avoid late fees.

Your bill is due on a specific date each month — American Express will tell you what that date is when you open the account. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you will not be charged interest. If you pay only part of the balance, interest will be charged on the remaining amount at the card's APR.

You can pay your bill online through the American Express website, by phone, by mail, or through automatic bank transfer. Paying online or by automatic transfer is the fastest and most reliable method. If you pay by mail, allow at least a week for the payment to arrive and be processed.

How the Card Affects Your Credit

Opening the American Express Uber Card will have a small, temporary impact on your credit score. American Express will do a hard inquiry of your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points. This impact usually fades within a few months.

Once the account is open, your credit score will be affected by how you use the card. Making on-time payments and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit will help your score. Missing payments or carrying a high balance will hurt it. The card will appear on your credit report and factor into calculations of your overall creditworthiness.

If you close the card, it will remain on your credit report for several years, but it will no longer be counted as an active account. Closing the card can also lower your score slightly because it reduces your total available credit, but the impact is usually small and temporary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the card outside the United States?

Yes, the American Express Uber Card works internationally at merchants that accept American Express. However, American Express charges a foreign transaction fee (usually around 2 to 3 percent) on purchases made outside the United States. Check your card's terms for the exact fee, as it varies by card version.

What happens to my cash back if I close the card?

Any cash back you have earned but not yet redeemed will be credited to your final statement. You will have a set period (usually 30 to 60 days) to redeem it before it expires. American Express will notify you of the important date when you close the account.

Do I earn cash back on Uber Eats delivery fees and tips?

Cash back is earned on the full Uber Eats order total, including food, delivery fees, and tips. The higher cash back rate applies to the entire transaction, not just the food portion.

What if I do not use Uber much — is the annual fee worth it?

That depends on how much you spend on other categories and whether the card's other benefits (like statement credits or Uber Pass discounts) offset the annual fee. If you rarely use Uber and do not spend much on the card overall, a different credit card with no annual fee might be a better choice.

Can I have more than one American Express card at the same time?

Yes, you can hold multiple American Express cards simultaneously. Each card has its own account, credit limit, and billing cycle. However, opening multiple cards in a short period can lower your credit score, so space out applications if you plan to open more than one.