What Uber Eats does and how to order
Uber Eats is a food delivery service where you order from restaurants through an app or website, and a driver brings the food to your address. You read the Uber Eats app, search for restaurants near you, add items to a cart, pay through the app, and a delivery driver picks up your order from the restaurant and brings it to you. The whole process usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, though it varies by how busy the restaurant and delivery network are.
The app shows you restaurants that deliver to your address, their menus with prices, customer ratings, and estimated delivery times. You can filter by cuisine type, price range, or delivery speed. When you find what you want, you add items to your cart just like shopping online, then proceed to checkout where you enter your delivery address, payment method, and tip.
Uber Eats charges three things: the food price (set by the restaurant), a delivery fee (usually $2 to $5 depending on distance), and a service fee (a percentage of your order, typically 10 to 15 percent). Some restaurants offer promotions or discounts that show up in the app. You can also use promo codes for your first order or special occasions.
Key Takeaways
- You order through the Uber Eats app or website, and a driver delivers food from restaurants to your home within 30 to 45 minutes on average.
- Your total cost includes the restaurant's menu prices, a delivery fee, and a service fee, plus tax on the food order.
- You track your order in real time and can see the driver's location once they pick up from the restaurant.
- You tip the driver through the app before or after delivery, and this tip is separate from the delivery and service fees.
- If your food arrives late, cold, or incomplete, you can report the issue in the app and request a refund or credit.
Setting up your account and payment method
To use Uber Eats, you need to create an account with an email address or phone number. You can sign up through the app or at ubereats.com. The app asks for your delivery address so it can show you nearby restaurants. You do not need an Uber account to use Uber Eats, though if you already have one, you can link them.
For payment, you add a debit card, credit card, or linked bank account to your Uber Eats wallet. You can also pay with PayPal or Google Pay if you set those up in your phone's settings. When you place an order, the payment is charged when ready. Uber Eats keeps your payment information encrypted and does not share it with restaurants or drivers.
You can save multiple payment methods and choose which one to use for each order. If a payment fails, the app will ask you to update your card or try a different method before the order goes through to the restaurant.
How delivery tracking works
Once you place your order, you see a status screen that shows what stage your order is in: the restaurant is preparing it, the driver is on the way to pick it up, or the driver is delivering it to you. The app gives you an estimated arrival time that updates as the driver moves.
When a driver accepts your order and is heading to the restaurant, you see their name, photo, vehicle type, and a live map showing their location. Once they pick up your food, the map switches to show their route to your address. You can see how many minutes away they are and, on some orders, a photo of your food so you know what to expect.
If the driver is running late, the app usually updates your estimated time automatically. You can contact the driver through the app's messaging feature if you need to give special instructions, like where to leave the food or a gate code for your building.
What to do if your order has a problem
If your food arrives late, cold, incomplete, or damaged, you can report it in the app within a short window after delivery. Open your order history, find the order, and tap "Report an issue." You describe what went wrong and can attach a photo. Uber Eats reviews your report and usually offers a refund, credit to your account, or a replacement order.
Refunds typically go back to your original payment method within 3 to 5 business days. Credits are applied to your Uber Eats wallet when ready and you can use them on your next order. If the restaurant is at fault (wrong items, missing items), Uber Eats usually contacts the restaurant to resolve it. If the driver is at fault (food arrived cold because they took too long), Uber Eats may adjust the delivery fee or tip.
For serious issues like food safety concerns or repeated problems with a restaurant, you can contact Uber Eats support through the app. There is a help section with a chat feature where you can describe your issue and get a response, usually within a few hours.
Tipping the driver
You set the tip when you check out, before the driver is assigned to your order. The app suggests a percentage (15, 18, or 20 percent of your subtotal) or you can enter a custom amount. You can also choose not to tip at this stage and add a tip after delivery if you prefer.
The tip you set before delivery is what most drivers see when they decide whether to take your order. Drivers can see the total they will earn (base pay from Uber plus your tip) before accepting. If you do not tip upfront, some drivers may skip your order in favor of higher-paying ones, which can mean longer wait times.
You can add or change your tip after the driver delivers your food, up to one hour after delivery. If you had a great experience, you can increase the tip. If there was a problem, you can lower it or remove it entirely, though this is less common. The tip goes directly to the driver and is separate from Uber Eats' fees.
Restaurant and menu differences
Prices on Uber Eats are sometimes higher than ordering directly from the restaurant because the restaurant pays Uber Eats a commission on each order. Some restaurants mark up their menu prices on the app to cover this cost. A few restaurants offer lower prices if you order directly from them instead of through Uber Eats, so it is worth checking if you order from the same place often.
Not all items on a restaurant's regular menu are available through Uber Eats. Some restaurants remove items that do not travel well or do not fit the delivery model. The Uber Eats menu shows only what is actually available for delivery. During busy times, items can run out and the app will show them as unavailable.
Some restaurants on Uber Eats are "virtual restaurants" — they exist only on the app and operate out of a shared kitchen or another restaurant's kitchen. These often have lower prices and faster delivery because they are optimized for delivery orders. They work the same way as regular restaurants from your perspective.
Promotions, credits, and subscription options
Uber Eats offers promotions for new users, usually a discount on your first order. You enter a promo code at checkout to redeem it. The app also shows seasonal promotions and restaurant-specific deals. Some restaurants offer discounts during certain hours, like happy hour pricing on appetizers.
Uber Eats Pass is a paid membership that waives delivery fees and lowers service fees on orders over a certain amount (usually $15). It costs a monthly subscription fee. If you order from Uber Eats multiple times a month, the membership can save you money on fees. You can cancel anytime.
Credits can come from promotions, refunds for order issues, or referral bonuses when you invite friends to use Uber Eats. Credits appear in your wallet and are used automatically on your next order. They do not expire as long as your account is active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I schedule an order for a specific time?
Yes. When you check out, you can choose "Schedule for later" and pick a time up to six days in advance. The restaurant will prepare your order closer to that time so it arrives fresh. Scheduled orders work best for times when the restaurant is normally open and busy, not during slow hours.
What if the restaurant is closed when my order arrives?
If a restaurant closes before the driver picks up your order, Uber Eats cancels it and refunds your payment. The app notifies you of the cancellation. If you want to reorder, you can choose a different restaurant or place the order for a different time.
Do I have to be home when the driver arrives?
You should be available to receive your order, but you can leave delivery instructions in the app, like "leave at the door" or "ring the doorbell twice." The driver will follow these instructions. For contactless delivery, you can ask the driver to leave the food at a safe spot and take a photo as proof.
Can I change my order after I place it?
If the restaurant has not started preparing your order yet, you can cancel it in the app and place a new one. Once the restaurant starts cooking, you cannot modify the order. You can contact the driver through the app to ask if they can make a quick stop, but this is not may provide.
What areas does Uber Eats deliver to?
Uber Eats is available in most major cities and many smaller towns across the United States and internationally. When you open the app and enter your address, it shows you whether delivery is available in your area. If it is not available yet, you can sign up to be notified when it launches near you.