What an Uber Gift Card Is and How It Works

An Uber gift card is a prepaid card you can buy and give to someone else, or use yourself, to pay for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. When you or the recipient uses the card, the balance comes out first before any payment method on file. You can buy gift cards in set dollar amounts — typically $25, $50, or $100 — though some retailers and Uber's own website offer other denominations.

The card itself is a code, not a physical piece of plastic. You receive it by email, text, or printed card depending on where you buy it. The recipient enters the code into their Uber account, and the balance is added to their account wallet. There is no expiration date on the balance once it is added to an account, though some retailers may have terms on the gift card itself before it is redeemed.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber gift cards come as digital codes delivered by email or text, or as printed cards from retailers, and are available in set dollar amounts like $25, $50, and $100.
  • You can buy gift cards directly from Uber's website, from retailers like Target or Walgreens, or from some grocery stores, each with slightly different delivery times.
  • To use a gift card, the recipient signs into their Uber account, goes to the Wallet section, and enters the code to add the balance to their account.
  • The gift card balance is used before any other payment method and does not expire once it is added to an Uber account, though you should check retailer terms before purchase.

Where to Buy an Uber Gift Card

You can buy Uber gift cards from three main sources: Uber's own website, third-party retailers, and some grocery stores. Buying directly from Uber at uber.com/gift-cards lets you choose the amount, add a personal message, and have it sent by email or text the same day. You can also print a physical card if you are giving it in person.

Retailers like Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Best Buy, and CVS sell Uber gift cards in their stores and online. The amounts available are usually fixed — $25, $50, $100 — and you pay at checkout like any other product. Some grocery stores and gas stations also carry them. Buying from a retailer means you get a physical card you can wrap or hand over when ready, though delivery times vary if you order online.

The price you pay is always the face value of the card — a $50 gift card costs $50. There are no fees added when you buy from Uber directly or from most major retailers, though you should check the terms at smaller retailers or resale sites.

How to Redeem an Uber Gift Card

To add a gift card to an Uber account, open the Uber app or go to uber.com and sign in. Tap the account icon (usually in the top left or right corner) and look for "Wallet" or "Payment methods." You should see an option that says "Add funds" or "Redeem a code." Tap that option and enter the gift card code exactly as it appears — codes are usually long strings of letters and numbers.

Once you enter the code, the balance appears in your Wallet when ready. You can now use it to pay for rides or Uber Eats orders. The gift card balance is always used first; if your order costs more than the remaining balance, you will be asked to add another payment method for the difference.

If you receive a gift card by email or text, the message will include a link you can tap to redeem it directly. This takes you to the redemption page in the app or website, where you just confirm the code.

What Happens If Your Gift Card Code Does Not Work

If you enter a code and get an error message, first check that you typed it correctly — codes are case-sensitive and straightforward to misread. Copy and paste the code from the email or card instead of typing it by hand. Make sure there are no extra spaces at the beginning or end.

If the code still does not work, the card may not have been activated yet. Gift cards bought from retailers sometimes need to be activated at checkout or online before they can be used. Check your receipt or the packaging to see if there are set up instructions. If you bought the card from Uber directly, contact Uber support through the app or website and provide the code and your receipt — they can check whether the code was issued and help you troubleshoot.

If the card was a gift and you are not sure whether it was ever redeemed, ask the person who gave it to you for the original receipt or email confirmation. That will show whether the code has already been added to another account.

Using Your Gift Card Balance for Rides and Food Orders

Once the balance is in your Wallet, you use it the same way you would use any other payment method. When you request a ride or place a food order, the app shows your available balance at checkout. If the total is less than or equal to your balance, the entire charge comes from the gift card. If the total is more, you will see a prompt to add another payment method for the remainder.

Your gift card balance works for both Uber rides and Uber Eats orders — they draw from the same Wallet. You can split a payment between your gift card and a credit card, debit card, or other payment method if needed. There are no restrictions on what you can buy with the balance, and you do not have to use it all at once.

Checking Your Gift Card Balance

To see how much money is left on your gift card, open the Uber app and go to your account menu. Tap "Wallet" or "Payment methods," and your current balance will be displayed at the top. This balance updates in real time after each ride or order.

If you received a gift card but have not redeemed it yet, the balance will not show in your account. You will only see the balance once you enter the code. If you need to check the balance on a code you have not redeemed, contact Uber support with the code and they can tell you the amount.

Gift Cards and Promotions or Discounts

Your gift card balance is separate from any promotions or discount codes you might have. If you have a promo code for a discount on your next ride, both the gift card balance and the discount will explore — the discount reduces the fare, and then the gift card pays for the reduced amount.

Some promotions are only available to new users or in certain cities, so check the terms of any promo code before you assume it will work. Your gift card balance itself cannot be combined with other gift cards in a single transaction, but you can add multiple gift cards to your account and they will all sit in your Wallet together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an Uber gift card for Uber Eats?

Yes. The balance in your Uber Wallet works for both Uber rides and Uber Eats orders. They share the same account balance, so if you have $50 in your Wallet, you can spend it on rides, food, or a combination of both.

What if I lose the gift card code before I redeem it?

If you received the code by email or text, you can find it again in your email or message history. If you have a printed card and lost the code, contact the retailer or Uber with your receipt — they may be able to look up the code or issue a replacement.

Does the gift card balance expire?

Once you redeem the code and add the balance to your Uber account, it does not expire. However, some retailers put expiration dates on the gift card itself before you redeem it, so check the terms on the card or receipt when you buy it.

Can I transfer my gift card balance to someone else?

No. Once you redeem a code and add it to your account, the balance is tied to that account and cannot be transferred. If you want to give money to someone else, you need to buy them a separate gift card code.

What if the gift card has a remaining balance and I no longer use Uber?

The balance stays in your account indefinitely. You can use it whenever you want in the future. Uber does not charge fees for inactive accounts or unused balances, so there is no penalty for letting it sit.