Uber Eats gift cards are prepaid cards you can buy and give to someone else, or use yourself to pay for food delivery orders

An Uber Eats gift card holds a dollar amount that the recipient can spend on food, drinks, and other items available through the Uber Eats app or website. You buy the card with your own money, and the recipient redeems it by adding it to their Uber Eats account. The balance stays on the card until it runs out. Unlike a restaurant gift card that works at one location, an Uber Eats card works at any restaurant, grocery store, or convenience store that accepts Uber Eats in the recipient's area.

Gift cards come in set denominations — typically $15, $25, $50, and $100 — though some retailers sell them in other amounts. You can buy them online directly from Uber, through major retailers like Target or Walmart, or from grocery stores. Digital cards arrive by email within minutes; physical cards arrive by mail in a few days. There is no monthly fee, no expiration date on the balance itself, and no set up charge.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber Eats gift cards can be purchased in set denominations online or at retail stores, and digital versions arrive by email the same day.
  • The recipient adds the card to their Uber Eats account and the balance is available for any order from any restaurant or store on the platform.
  • Gift card balances do not expire, but the card itself may become inactive if not used for an extended period — typically two years or more.
  • You can check your remaining balance in the Uber Eats app under your payment methods, and unused balance carries over between orders.
  • If a gift card is lost or the code is compromised, Uber can issue a replacement if you have proof of purchase.

Where to buy Uber Eats gift cards

You can purchase Uber Eats gift cards from three main sources: Uber's own website, third-party retailers, and some grocery stores. Buying directly from Uber at ubereats.com or through the Uber Eats app lets you choose the exact amount (within their range) and send it as a digital gift card by email. This is the fastest option — the recipient gets the code within minutes.

Retailers like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and CVS sell physical Uber Eats gift cards at their registers and online. These cards come in fixed denominations and arrive by mail if ordered online, or you can pick them up in store the same day. Some grocery stores, including Kroger and Safeway, also stock them. Prices are the same whether you buy from Uber or a retailer — you pay the face value of the card plus tax in most states.

A few warehouse clubs and discount retailers occasionally sell Uber Eats cards at a discount, meaning you pay less than the face value. These deals are temporary and vary by location and season, so it is worth checking if you shop at Costco or Sam's Club. Promotional offers from Uber itself — such as bonus credit when you buy a certain amount — appear periodically in the app and on the website.

How to redeem a gift card

The recipient needs an Uber Eats account to use the card. If they do not have one, they can create it free through the app or website using an email address and password. Once the account exists, they open the Uber Eats app, tap their account icon, and go to "Payments" or "Payment Methods." They select "Add Payment Method" and choose "Gift Card," then enter the 16-digit code from the card or email.

The balance appears in their account when ready and is ready to use on the next order. When they place an order, the app shows the gift card balance as an available payment option. They can use the full balance on one order or split it across multiple orders — whatever balance remains stays on the card. If an order costs more than the gift card balance, they can add another payment method to cover the difference.

The recipient does not need to enter their name, address, or any personal information beyond what is already in their Uber Eats account. The card works the same way whether it was purchased as a physical card or sent digitally by email.

Gift card balance, expiration, and what happens if it is lost

To check the remaining balance, the recipient opens the Uber Eats app, goes to "Payments," and selects the gift card. The current balance displays there. They can also see the balance during checkout before confirming an order. There is no way to transfer a gift card balance to another account or to cash it out — the money can only be spent on Uber Eats orders.

Uber Eats gift card balances do not expire by law in most states, meaning the money stays on the card indefinitely. However, Uber's terms state that a card may become inactive if it has not been used for an extended period — typically two years or longer. If this happens, the recipient can contact Uber support to reactivate it, though Uber is not required to restore the balance in all cases. To avoid this, use the card at least once every two years.

If a physical gift card is lost or stolen, or if someone gains access to the code, the original purchaser should contact Uber support with proof of purchase (receipt or order confirmation). Uber can investigate and may issue a replacement card or credit, though this is not may provide. Digital gift cards sent by email are safer in this regard because only the recipient receives the code. If the email is compromised, the recipient should change their Uber Eats password when ready and contact support.

Using a gift card across different Uber services

An Uber Eats gift card works only for Uber Eats orders — food, groceries, convenience items, and alcohol where available. It does not work for Uber rides, Uber Freight, or any other Uber service. If the recipient wants to use Uber for transportation, they would need a separate Uber gift card or payment method.

Conversely, an Uber ride gift card cannot be used for Uber Eats. The two services have separate accounts and payment systems, even though both are owned by Uber. The recipient can link both a ride card and an Eats card to the same account, but each card applies only to its own service.

Tax and accounting information for gift card purchases

If you buy an Uber Eats gift card for personal use or as a gift, there are no tax implications for you as the purchaser. You are straightforward spending your own money on a prepaid card. The recipient also does not owe taxes on receiving a gift card — it is a gift, not income.

If you are a business buying Uber Eats gift cards to give to employees or clients, the purchase may be deductible as a business expense, but the rules depend on the specific use and your tax situation. Consult a tax professional or accountant for guidance on your particular case. Uber does not issue a 1099 form for gift card purchases because no taxable transaction occurs from Uber's perspective — you are buying a product, not receiving income or a service credit.

Common issues and how to resolve them

If a gift card code does not work when the recipient tries to add it, the most common cause is a typo in the 16-digit number. The code is case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as printed or emailed. If the recipient has tried multiple times and the code still does not work, they should contact Uber support with the code and proof that they own the card (the original email or physical card itself).

If the recipient's order is declined even though the gift card balance shows available, the issue is usually that the card has been flagged as inactive or the account has a security hold. This can happen if the account has not been used in a long time or if Uber suspects fraud. Contacting Uber support with the account details usually resolves this within one business day.

If the recipient receives a gift card but does not have an Uber Eats account yet, they should create one before the card expires or becomes inactive. Creating an account is free and takes less than five minutes. They can then add the gift card code to their new account and use it when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy an Uber Eats gift card for someone who does not have an account yet?

Yes. The recipient can create a free Uber Eats account anytime and add the gift card code to it. There is no important date to create the account, but the card itself may become inactive if not used for two years or more. Send the code to the recipient so they can add it when they are ready.

What if I buy a gift card and the recipient never uses it?

The balance stays on the card indefinitely unless the card becomes inactive due to non-use over a very long period (typically two years). You can ask the recipient to use it, or you can contact Uber support to request a refund if the card was purchased recently and has not been redeemed.

Can I reload an Uber Eats gift card?

No. Uber Eats gift cards are not reloadable. Once the balance is spent, the card is empty. The recipient would need to purchase a new gift card to add more funds to their account. You can buy multiple cards and send them at different times if you want to give ongoing credit.

Do Uber Eats gift cards work in all states and countries?

Uber Eats operates in most U.S. states and many countries, but not everywhere. The gift card works wherever Uber Eats is available in the recipient's location. If Uber Eats does not operate in their area, the card cannot be used. Check Uber's website to see if Uber Eats is available at the recipient's address before buying.

Can I use a gift card to pay for Uber Eats Pass or a subscription?

No. Uber Eats gift cards can only be used to pay for individual food and item orders. They cannot be used to pay for Uber Eats Pass (the subscription service that offers free delivery and discounts) or any other subscription or membership. You would need to use a regular payment method like a credit card for that.