What an Uber Eats gift card is and how it works
An Uber Eats gift card is a prepaid card or digital code that holds a dollar amount you can spend on food delivery through the Uber Eats app or website. When you use it to order, the balance is deducted from your purchase just like a payment method. Gift cards do not expire, so you can use them whenever you want — there is no rush to spend the balance.
Gift cards come in two forms: physical cards you can hold and give to someone, or digital codes sent by email. Both work the same way once they are added to an Uber Eats account. The card or code itself has no name attached to it, so whoever receives it can use it on any account, or create a new account just to spend it.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Eats gift cards are sold by Uber directly and by third-party retailers like grocery stores and pharmacies, usually in amounts from $15 to $100.
- You add a gift card to your account by opening the Uber Eats app, going to the payment methods section, and entering the card code or scanning the barcode.
- The balance sits in your account and is used automatically when you place an order, before any other payment method is charged.
- Gift cards never expire and can be used across all Uber Eats orders, including food delivery, groceries, and alcohol where available.
Where to buy Uber Eats gift cards
You can buy Uber Eats gift cards directly from Uber through the Uber Eats app or at ubereats.com. Open the app, tap your account icon, scroll to "Gift Cards," and choose the amount and whether you want it sent by email or printed. Uber also sells them through its website if you prefer to order there.
Physical gift cards are sold at many retail locations, including Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and most grocery store chains. The selection and denominations vary by store, but most carry cards in $15, $25, $50, and $100 amounts. Buying in a store means you get the card when ready and can give it right away.
Some credit card rewards programs and shopping portals also offer Uber Eats gift cards as redemption options. If you earn points through a credit card or cashback app, check whether Uber Eats cards are available — you may be able to convert your points directly without spending cash.
How to add a gift card to your account
Open the Uber Eats app and tap the account icon at the bottom right. Scroll down and select "Wallet" or "Payment Methods," depending on your app version. Look for an option that says "Add Gift Card" or "Redeem Code."
If you have a physical card, you can either type in the 16-digit code printed on the back, or use your phone's camera to scan the barcode. If you received a digital code by email, copy and paste it into the same field. The balance will appear in your account within seconds.
Once added, the gift card balance shows in your Wallet section. You do not need to do anything else — when you place your next order, Uber Eats will automatically use the gift card balance first before charging any other payment method on file.
Using your gift card balance on orders
When you place an order on Uber Eats, the app shows your gift card balance at checkout. The balance is deducted automatically from your total. If your order costs more than the gift card balance, you will be asked to add another payment method for the remaining amount — a credit card, debit card, or other option you have saved.
If your order costs less than your balance, the leftover amount stays in your account for future orders. There is no minimum order size and no fees for using a gift card, so you can spend the balance in small amounts over time or use it all at once.
Gift card balances work on all Uber Eats categories: restaurant food delivery, grocery delivery, alcohol delivery (where available by location), and convenience items. The balance does not cover Uber Eats Pass membership fees, but it does cover orders placed by Pass members.
Checking your balance and troubleshooting
To see how much is left on your gift card, open the Uber Eats app, tap your account icon, and go to Wallet or Payment Methods. The current balance is displayed there. You can also check your balance on the Uber Eats website by logging in and navigating to your payment settings.
If a gift card code does not work, make sure you typed or scanned it correctly — codes are case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as printed. If the code still does not work after you have tried it twice, the card may have been used already or the code may be invalid. Contact Uber Eats support through the app by tapping Help, then selecting your issue and requesting a chat or call.
If you received a gift card as a gift and the sender says they purchased it but you cannot redeem it, ask them for the receipt or order confirmation. Uber Eats support can look up the code and help resolve the issue if the card was never activated or if there was a problem at purchase.
What happens if you lose the code or card
If you lose a physical gift card before you add it to your account, the code is gone — there is no way to recover it without the receipt or order number from the person who bought it. This is why digital codes sent by email are safer: you have a record in your email inbox.
If you have already added the gift card to your Uber Eats account, the balance is tied to your account, not the physical card. You can throw away the card and still use the balance whenever you order. The balance will not disappear.
If someone else has access to your account and uses your gift card balance without permission, contact Uber Eats support right away. They can review your account activity and may be able to reverse unauthorized transactions, though this depends on how quickly you report it.
Gift cards versus Uber Cash and other payment options
Uber Eats gift cards are different from Uber Cash, which is a digital wallet balance you load into your account using a credit or debit card. Gift cards are physical or emailed codes you receive as a gift or purchase separately. Both sit in your account and are used before other payment methods, but gift cards cannot be loaded with more money — once the balance is spent, it is gone.
If you want a reloadable balance that you control, Uber Cash is the better choice. If you want to give someone a set amount to spend on Uber Eats without them having access to your payment methods, a gift card is the right tool. Gift cards also work if you do not have a credit card or prefer not to link one to your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Uber Eats gift cards expire?
No. Uber Eats gift cards do not have an expiration date. You can use the balance whenever you want, even years after you receive it. There are no fees for holding the balance, so there is no penalty for waiting to spend it.
Can I use a gift card to pay for Uber Eats Pass?
No. Gift card balances cannot be used to purchase Uber Eats Pass membership. You must use a credit card, debit card, or other direct payment method for the Pass subscription. However, once you have an active Pass, you can use your gift card balance on orders placed with that membership.
What if I have a problem with a gift card I bought as a gift for someone else?
If the recipient says the code does not work, ask them to try entering it again carefully — codes are case-sensitive. If it still fails, contact Uber Eats support with the receipt or order confirmation from when you bought it. Uber can investigate whether the code was activated and help resolve the issue.
Can I transfer my gift card balance to someone else?
Once you add a gift card code to your account, the balance is locked to that account and cannot be transferred. If you want to give someone money to spend on Uber Eats, buy them a new gift card code instead of adding it to your own account first.
Do I need to add a payment method to use a gift card?
You do not need a payment method on file to use a gift card, but you will need one if your order total exceeds the gift card balance. If you want to use only the gift card and have no backup payment method, make sure your order amount is less than or equal to your balance.