The Uber Credit Card gives you cash back on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, plus rewards on other purchases

The Uber Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Barclays Bank. When you use it to pay for Uber rides or Uber Eats food delivery, you earn cash back at a higher rate than you do on other purchases. You can also earn cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and online shopping, though at lower rates. The card has an annual fee.

The card is designed for people who use Uber services regularly and want to offset some of that cost through rewards. It is not required to use Uber — you can pay with any card or payment method. But if you already spend money on Uber rides or Uber Eats, the rewards might cover part of what you spend.

Before you open any credit card, you should understand what the rewards actually add up to, what the annual fee costs, and whether the card's interest rate matters for your situation. This guide walks through each of those pieces so you can decide whether this card makes sense for you.

Key Takeaways

  • The Uber Credit Card earns 4% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases, 3% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on everything else.
  • The card charges an annual fee that you pay once per year, whether you use the card or not.
  • Cash back rewards are real money that appears as a credit on your bill, but you only come out ahead if your rewards exceed the annual fee.
  • The card's interest rate applies only if you carry a balance month to month — if you pay in full each month, interest does not matter.
  • You need a credit score in a certain range to be approved, and the card issuer will check your credit report when you explore.

How the cash back rewards work

When you use the Uber Credit Card to pay for an Uber ride or Uber Eats order, you earn 4% cash back on that purchase. That means for every $100 you spend on Uber services, you get $4 back as a credit toward your card balance. The same 4% rate applies whether you are paying for a ride for yourself or ordering food delivery.

At gas stations and restaurants (not including Uber Eats), you earn 3% cash back. On all other purchases — groceries, online shopping, utilities, anything else — you earn 1% cash back. These rates are fixed and do not change based on how much you spend or what time of year it is.

The cash back appears as a statement credit on your monthly bill. You do not have to do anything to claim it — it is automatic. If your bill is $150 and you have earned $12 in cash back that month, your new balance would be $138. You can also choose to redeem your cash back as a credit toward an Uber ride or Uber Eats order instead of a statement credit, though the value is the same either way.

The annual fee and whether rewards cover it

The Uber Credit Card charges an annual fee. This fee is charged once per year, usually on the anniversary of when you opened the card. You pay this fee whether you use the card or not — there is no way to avoid it by not spending money.

To figure out whether this card makes financial sense for you, subtract the annual fee from the cash back you expect to earn in a year. If you spend $200 per month on Uber rides and Uber Eats ($2,400 per year), you would earn $96 in cash back at the 4% rate. If the annual fee is higher than $96, you would lose money overall. If the annual fee is lower, you would come out ahead.

The math is straightforward: add up what you actually spend on Uber services in a typical month, multiply by 12, multiply by 0.04, and subtract the annual fee. If the result is positive, the card pays for itself. If it is negative, you would save money by using a different card or paying with cash.

Interest rates and when they matter

Like all credit cards, the Uber Credit Card has an interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate). This rate applies only if you carry a balance from one month to the next — that is, if you do not pay your full bill by the due date.

If you pay your entire bill in full each month, you pay no interest, and the APR does not matter at all. The rewards are real money in your pocket, and you owe nothing beyond the balance you choose to pay. This is the way most people use credit cards profitably.

If you carry a balance — meaning you pay only part of your bill and let the rest roll over to next month — the interest charges can quickly erase your rewards. For example, if you earn $4 in cash back but pay $15 in interest charges, you have lost $11. For this reason, the Uber Credit Card (like any rewards card) only makes sense if you plan to pay your full balance each month.

Credit score requirements and the process process

To open the Uber Credit Card, you need a credit score in a certain range. Barclays Bank (the card issuer) does not publish an exact minimum, but most people who are approved have a score of 700 or higher. If your score is lower, you may still be approved, but it is less likely.

When you explore, Barclays will check your credit report. This is called a hard inquiry, and it temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. If you are approved, the card issuer will tell you when ready or within a few days. If you are denied, you can ask why and may be able to reapply later after improving your credit.

You do not need to be an existing Uber customer to explore for the card. You do not need to have a certain income or employment status. Barclays looks mainly at your credit history — whether you have paid past debts on time, how much debt you currently carry, and how long you have had credit accounts open.

Comparing this card to other rewards cards

The Uber Credit Card is one option among many rewards cards. Other cards offer different rewards rates, different annual fees, and different perks. The best card for you depends on where you actually spend money.

If you spend heavily on Uber and Uber Eats, this card's 4% rate on those purchases is competitive. If you spend more on groceries or gas than on Uber, a different card might earn you more cash back overall. Some cards have no annual fee but offer lower rewards rates. Some cards offer bonus rewards in the first few months if you spend a certain amount.

Before explore, list out your typical monthly spending by category (Uber, gas, restaurants, groceries, other). Then calculate what you would earn with this card versus one or two alternatives. The card that comes out ahead in your specific situation is the right choice for you.

What happens after you open the card

Once your process is approved, your card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You will need to set up it before you can use it — the card issuer will provide instructions with the card or through their website.

After set up, you can use the card anywhere that accepts Visa (which is almost everywhere). Your purchases will show up on your monthly statement, along with the cash back you have earned. You can view your balance and transactions online through Barclays' website or mobile app at any time.

Each month, you will receive a bill showing your total charges, any cash back credits, and the amount you owe. You can pay the full balance, make a partial payment, or pay the minimum amount due. Remember that paying only the minimum means you will owe interest on the remaining balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the card for Uber to get the 4% cash back?

Yes. The 4% rate applies only when you pay for Uber rides or Uber Eats orders with the Uber Credit Card. If you pay with a different card or with cash, you earn no rewards. You can still use Uber without this card — it is optional.

Can I use the card for things other than Uber?

Yes. You can use the Uber Credit Card anywhere that accepts Visa. You will earn 3% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. The card works like any other credit card for non-Uber spending.

What if I do not use the card for a month?

You still owe the annual fee. The fee is charged once per year regardless of how much you spend or whether you use the card at all. If you do not think you will use the card enough to earn rewards that exceed the fee, you should not open it.

Can I get the cash back as actual money in my bank account?

The cash back appears as a credit on your card bill, which reduces what you owe. You can use that credit to pay down your balance or to make purchases. Some card issuers allow you to transfer rewards to a bank account, but you should check Barclays' policy to confirm what options are available.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Any cash back you have already earned will remain as a credit on your account and can be used to pay your balance. If you close the card, you will no longer earn rewards on new purchases. You should redeem any remaining cash back before closing the account.