What Uber Eats does and how to order

Uber Eats is a food delivery service that connects you to restaurants in your area. You open the app or website, search for restaurants or dishes, add items to your cart, and pay through the app. A delivery driver then picks up your order from the restaurant and brings it to your address. The whole process — from placing the order to receiving your food — usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how busy the restaurant and delivery network are.

You do not call the restaurant or pay them directly. Uber Eats handles the payment, takes a cut, and passes the rest to the restaurant. The driver is a separate contractor who accepts delivery jobs through the Uber Eats app and gets paid per delivery plus tips.

To use Uber Eats, you need a smartphone or computer, an account (which you can create with an email address or phone number), and a payment method on file — a debit card, credit card, or linked bank account. You also need a delivery address where the driver can reach you.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber Eats charges the restaurant a commission, adds a delivery fee and service fee to your order, and may explore surge pricing during busy times.
  • You can track your driver in real time once they pick up your food, and you can contact them through the app if there is a problem.
  • Tipping is optional but expected; most drivers rely on tips to make their earnings worthwhile.
  • If your order arrives late, cold, or incomplete, you can report it in the app and request a refund or credit for part of your order.
  • Uber Eats Uber+ membership removes delivery fees on orders over a certain amount, but you pay a monthly subscription.

Fees you will see on your receipt

Your final bill includes several charges beyond the food price. The delivery fee goes to Uber Eats and typically ranges from $2 to $5, though it can be higher during peak hours or in areas far from restaurants. The service fee is a percentage of your food subtotal — usually 10 to 15 percent — and also goes to Uber Eats, not the restaurant.

Some restaurants add a small order fee if your subtotal is below a certain threshold, often $10 or $15. During busy times — lunch rush, dinner rush, bad weather — Uber Eats may explore surge pricing, which raises the delivery fee temporarily. You will see the total fee before you confirm your order, so there are no surprises at checkout.

Taxes are calculated on the food subtotal and added at the end. Tips are separate and optional; you can add them when you place the order or after the driver delivers your food.

How to place an order step by step

Open the Uber Eats app or go to ubereats.com. Enter your delivery address in the search bar at the top — this tells the app which restaurants can deliver to you. Browse restaurants by cuisine, rating, or delivery time, or search for a specific dish or restaurant name.

Tap or click on a restaurant to see its menu. Add items to your cart by selecting them and choosing any customizations (size, toppings, special instructions). When you are ready, tap "Go to Checkout." Review your order, confirm your delivery address, and choose a payment method. You can add a tip at this stage or after delivery. Tap "Place Order" to confirm.

You will receive a confirmation on screen and in your email. The app will show you the restaurant's preparation time, then notify you when the driver is on the way. You can watch the driver's location on a map in real time once they pick up your order.

Tracking your order and contacting the driver

After you place your order, the app shows you its status: "Confirming order," "Preparing," "Picking up," and "On the way." Once the driver accepts the delivery job and picks up your food, a map appears showing their real-time location. You can see how far away they are and an estimated arrival time.

If you need to reach the driver, tap the phone or message icon in the app. You can call them directly or send a text message through Uber Eats. This is useful if you need to give them gate codes, apartment numbers, or special instructions. Do not share your personal phone number in the app — use the in-app contact feature instead.

When the driver arrives, they will ring the doorbell or knock. Some restaurants provide a photo of your order in the app so you can confirm it looks right before the driver leaves. If something is wrong — missing items, wrong order, food is cold — you can report it when ready in the app.

What to do if something goes wrong with your order

If your food arrives late, cold, incomplete, or damaged, open the app and go to your order history. Tap the order that had the problem and select "Help." You will see options to report what went wrong. Describe the issue — for example, "Missing fries" or "Food arrived cold" — and Uber Eats will review it.

Depending on the problem, you may receive a refund to your original payment method, a credit to your Uber Eats account, or both. Refunds typically process within 3 to 5 business days. Credits appear in your account when ready and can be used on your next order. Uber Eats does not always refund the full order amount; they may refund only the missing or damaged items.

If the driver never showed up or the order was never picked up from the restaurant, report it right away. Uber Eats will cancel the order and refund you. If you have a dispute about a refund, you can contact Uber Eats support through the app by tapping the menu icon and selecting "Help."

Uber Eats Uber+ membership and discounts

Uber+ for Uber Eats is a paid membership that removes delivery fees on orders over a certain amount — usually $15 or more — from participating restaurants. The membership costs a monthly subscription fee, which varies by location but is typically $9.99 to $14.99 per month. If you order frequently, the savings on delivery fees can offset the subscription cost.

Uber Eats also runs promotions and discounts that appear in the app. You might see a banner offering "$5 off your first order" or "Free delivery on orders over $20." These deals are time-limited and restaurant-specific. You can also earn points through the Uber Eats app on certain orders, which you can redeem for discounts or free items.

To check if Uber+ is worth it for you, look at how often you order and how much you typically spend on delivery fees. If you order more than once a month, the membership often pays for itself.

Payment methods and account security

Uber Eats accepts debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and linked bank accounts. You can save multiple payment methods to your account and choose which one to use for each order. Your payment information is encrypted and stored securely; you do not enter your card details every time you order.

If you notice an unauthorized charge on your account, report it when ready through the app. Go to your account settings, tap "Payment methods," and select the card or account in question. You can also contact Uber Eats support to dispute a charge. Uber Eats will investigate and may refund you if the charge was fraudulent.

Keep your password strong and do not share your login details with anyone. If someone else has access to your account, they can place orders using your saved payment methods. You can sign out of the app on all devices from your account settings if you suspect unauthorized access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my order after I place it?

It depends on how quickly the restaurant starts preparing your food. If you catch it within a minute or two, you may be able to cancel and place a new order. Once the restaurant begins cooking, most orders cannot be changed. Your best option is to contact the driver through the app and ask if they can relay a message to the restaurant, though there is no may provide they will be able to help.

What if I am not home when the driver arrives?

Let the driver know through the app message feature before they arrive. You can give them instructions — leave it at the door, ring a specific buzzer, call your phone number. If you are not there and the driver cannot leave the food safely, they may return it to the restaurant. You can request a refund in the app, though some restaurants may not refund delivery fees.

Do I have to tip the driver?

Tipping is optional, but most delivery drivers rely on tips to earn a reasonable wage. The app suggests a tip amount (usually 15 to 20 percent of your order) when you check out, but you can change it or add no tip. You can also add or change the tip after delivery if you want to see how the driver performs first.

Why is my delivery fee so high?

Delivery fees are higher during busy times (lunch and dinner rush), in areas far from restaurants, or when demand for deliveries is high. Bad weather and low driver availability also increase fees. You will see the total fee before you confirm your order, so you can decide whether to proceed or pick up the food yourself.

Can I schedule an order for later?

Yes. When you check out, look for a "Schedule" option and select the date and time you want your food delivered. Not all restaurants offer scheduled delivery, and the time window may be limited. Scheduled orders are confirmed when you place them, but the driver is assigned closer to the delivery time.