What an Uber gift card is and how to use it
An Uber gift card is a prepaid card that holds a dollar balance you can spend on Uber rides, Uber Eats food delivery, or both, depending on which type you buy. You load money onto the card upfront, and the recipient uses that balance for their trips or orders until it runs out. The card itself is a physical Visa card that works like any other prepaid card at checkout.
When someone receives an Uber gift card, they link it to their Uber account through the app or website. The balance then appears as a payment method they can select when booking a ride or ordering food. The card deducts from the prepaid balance first before charging any other payment method on file.
Uber also sells digital gift cards — codes you can email or text when ready instead of mailing a physical card. Both types work the same way once redeemed; the only difference is delivery speed and whether the recipient gets a physical card to hold.
Key Takeaways
- Uber gift cards come in physical Visa cards or digital codes, and you can buy them in amounts ranging from $25 to $500 depending on where you purchase.
- The recipient must create or have an Uber account and link the card to it before they can use the balance.
- Gift card balances do not expire, but they are tied to the account they were redeemed to and cannot be transferred to another person.
- You can buy Uber gift cards directly from Uber.com, through the Uber app, or from third-party retailers like grocery stores and gas stations.
- Uber gift cards work for both Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, though some retailers sell cards restricted to one service only.
Where to buy Uber gift cards and what denominations are available
You can purchase Uber gift cards from several sources. Uber's own website and mobile app sell both physical and digital cards in denominations of $25, $50, $100, and $500. Physical cards typically arrive by mail within 5 to 7 business days, while digital codes are sent when ready via email.
Retail locations also stock Uber gift cards. Grocery stores like Safeway, Kroger, and Whole Foods, as well as convenience stores and gas stations, carry physical cards in the gift card section. The denominations and available amounts vary by retailer, so check what each location offers before you go.
Third-party gift card marketplaces like Best Buy, Target, and Costco also sell Uber cards, sometimes at a discount during promotional periods. However, discounts are not may provide and change frequently, so compare prices if you are buying in bulk or want to save money.
How to redeem an Uber gift card
The person receiving the card needs an Uber account to use it. If they do not have one, they can read the Uber app or visit Uber.com and sign up with their email address or phone number. The account creation takes a few minutes and requires a valid payment method on file, even though they will be using the gift card balance first.
Once they have an account, they go to the "Wallet" or "Payment Methods" section in the app or website. For a physical card, they enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV just like linking any other payment method. For a digital code, they paste or type the code into a redemption field, and the balance appears in their account when ready.
After the card is linked, the balance shows up as an available payment option at checkout. When they book a ride or order food, they select the Uber gift card as their payment method, and the charge comes out of that balance first. If the purchase costs more than the remaining balance, they can add another payment method to cover the difference.
What happens when the balance runs out or expires
Uber gift card balances do not expire. Once redeemed to an account, the money stays there indefinitely until it is spent. This means the recipient can use the card over weeks, months, or years without worrying about losing the balance due to time passing.
However, the balance is permanently tied to the account it was redeemed to. If the recipient wants to transfer unused funds to someone else or move the balance to a different account, Uber does not allow that. The only way to use the balance is through the account it was linked to.
If the recipient's account is closed or suspended, the balance on that account becomes inaccessible. Uber does not refund unused gift card balances in most cases, so the recipient should keep the account active if they have money remaining.
Differences between Uber and Uber Eats gift cards
Some retailers sell cards labeled specifically for Uber rides, while others sell cards for Uber Eats only. A card marked for "Uber" typically works for both rides and food delivery, while an "Uber Eats" card works only for food orders. Before buying, check the packaging or product description to see which services the card covers.
If you buy directly from Uber.com or the Uber app, you can choose which service the card is for, or you can buy a universal card that works for both. Retail locations may have limited options, so if you want a card that works for both services, buying directly from Uber is the safest choice.
The balance amount and how you purchase the card are otherwise the same. The recipient redeems it the same way, and the balance works identically whether they use it for a ride, a meal delivery, or a combination of both.
Common issues and what to do if something goes wrong
If a digital code does not work when the recipient tries to redeem it, the most common cause is a typo. Digital codes are long strings of characters, and even one wrong letter will cause the redemption to fail. Have them check the code character by character against the email or message it came in.
If a physical card is not working at checkout, the recipient should verify that the card number, expiration date, and CVV were entered correctly when they linked it. If those details are right and the card still does not work, the card itself may be damaged or defective. Contact Uber support through the app or website with the card number and the error message, and they can investigate.
If the recipient loses the physical card or the code is compromised, they should contact Uber support when ready. Uber can disable the card or code to prevent unauthorized use, though they cannot always recover a balance that has already been spent by someone else.
If the recipient redeems a gift card to the wrong account by mistake, Uber support may be able to help, but they cannot may provide a transfer. The sooner they contact support after the mistake, the better the chance of recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy an Uber gift card for someone who does not have an account yet?
Yes. The recipient can create an account anytime after receiving the card and redeem it then. You do not need to know their account details to buy the card — just give them the physical card or send them the digital code, and they can set up their account and link it whenever they are ready.
What if I buy a gift card and the recipient never uses it?
The balance does not expire, so it will stay in their account indefinitely. However, if their account is closed or deleted, the unused balance is typically lost. There is no way to transfer the balance to another person or get a refund once the card is redeemed.
Do Uber gift cards work internationally?
Uber gift cards purchased in the United States work only in the United States. If the recipient travels abroad or moves to another country, they cannot use the balance in that country's Uber service. Some countries have their own Uber gift card programs, but balances do not transfer between regions.
Can I reload an Uber gift card after the balance runs out?
No. Uber gift cards are not reloadable. Once the balance is spent, the card is empty. If you want to give the recipient more money, you would need to buy and send them a new gift card.
Is there a fee for buying or using an Uber gift card?
Uber does not charge a fee to buy or redeem a gift card. However, some third-party retailers may add a small fee at the point of sale, so check before you pay. Once redeemed, there are no ongoing fees — the balance is straightforward deducted from purchases as it is used.