What an Uber gift card is and where to buy one
An Uber gift card is a prepaid card you can buy online and send to someone else, or use yourself. The recipient can spend it on Uber rides, Uber Eats food delivery, or Uber Cash (Uber's wallet feature). You buy these cards through Uber's official website or through third-party retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy.
The card itself is digital — you receive a code via email that the recipient can enter into the Uber app or website. There is no physical card to wait for in the mail. You can purchase denominations ranging from $15 to $500, though the exact amounts available vary by retailer.
Buying through Uber's own website is the most direct route. You go to Uber.com, select "Gift Cards" from the menu, choose your amount, enter the recipient's email address, and pay. The code arrives in their inbox within minutes. Third-party retailers offer the same product but may have different payment options or promotions running at any given time.
Key Takeaways
- Uber gift cards are digital codes sent by email that work for rides, food delivery, and Uber Cash, with no physical card to order or wait for.
- You can buy them directly from Uber.com or from retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy in amounts from $15 to $500.
- The recipient enters the code into their Uber app or website account to add the balance to their wallet.
- Gift card balances do not expire, but they can only be used on Uber services and cannot be transferred to another person once redeemed.
How to purchase an Uber gift card online
Start by going to Uber.com and clicking on "Gift Cards" in the main navigation menu. You will see options to choose the card amount — select the denomination you want to send. Enter the recipient's email address, add a personal message if you wish, and review your order.
At checkout, enter your payment method (credit card, debit card, or other payment option your bank supports). Complete the purchase. Within a few minutes, Uber will send an email to the recipient's address with a unique gift card code and instructions on how to redeem it.
If you are buying from a third-party retailer like Amazon or Walmart, the process is similar: add the gift card to your cart, proceed to checkout with your payment method, and the code will be delivered to the email address you provide. Some retailers may send the code when ready; others may take up to 24 hours.
How the recipient redeems the code
The person who receives the gift card email will see a code (usually a long string of numbers and letters) in the message. They can redeem it in two ways: through the Uber app or through the Uber website.
In the Uber app, they tap the account icon (usually in the bottom right), select "Wallet" or "Payment Methods," and look for an option to add a gift card or promo code. They paste or type the code, and the balance appears in their account when ready. On the Uber website, they log in, go to their account settings, find the gift card or promo code section, and enter the code the same way.
Once redeemed, the balance sits in their Uber wallet and is ready to use on any Uber service — rides, Uber Eats orders, or other Uber products. The balance will show in their app whenever they open it.
Using the gift card balance on rides and food delivery
After the code is redeemed, the balance is automatically available as a payment method. When the recipient requests an Uber ride or orders food through Uber Eats, the app will show the gift card balance as an option at checkout. They can choose to pay with the full balance, or use part of it and pay the remainder with another payment method if the purchase is larger than the card balance.
The gift card balance applies to the total cost, including the fare or food price, taxes, and fees. If the recipient has multiple payment methods on file, they can select which one to use for each transaction. The gift card balance will decrease with each purchase until it is spent.
If the balance runs out mid-transaction, the app will prompt the recipient to add another payment method to cover the remaining amount. There is no way to "split" a single transaction between the gift card and another payment method in advance — the app handles it automatically.
Gift card balance, expiration, and what happens if it is not used
Uber gift card balances do not expire. Once redeemed, the balance remains in the account indefinitely and can be used whenever the recipient wants. There is no time limit or important date to spend it.
However, the balance is tied to the account it was redeemed into and cannot be transferred to another person or account. If the recipient wants to give the unused balance to someone else, they cannot do so directly — that person would need to use the original recipient's account, which is not practical for most situations.
If the recipient's Uber account is closed or deleted, the remaining balance is typically forfeited. Uber's terms of service state that balances are non-refundable, so there is no way to recover money from an unused gift card once the account is closed.
Troubleshooting: Code not working or balance not showing
If the recipient enters the code and it does not work, the most common reason is a typo. Gift card codes are long and case-sensitive in some cases. Have them try entering it again, copying and pasting directly from the email instead of typing it by hand.
If the code still does not work, check that they are using the correct Uber account. Some people have multiple Uber accounts (one for rides, one for Eats, or accounts under different email addresses). The gift card was redeemed into whichever account was logged in when the code was entered. If they are looking at the wrong account, the balance will not appear.
If the code was entered correctly and the balance still does not show, the recipient should contact Uber support through the app or website. They can describe the issue and provide the code, and Uber's support team can investigate whether the code was already used, expired, or had a technical error during redemption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy an Uber gift card and use it myself instead of sending it to someone?
Yes. When you purchase a gift card on Uber.com, you can enter your own email address as the recipient. You will receive the code and can redeem it into your own account. This is a way to add funds to your Uber wallet if you prefer to pay with a gift card rather than a credit card.
What if the recipient does not have an Uber account yet?
They can create one before or after redeeming the gift card. If they redeem the code before signing up, the balance will be waiting in their account once they create it and log in. If they create the account first, they can redeem the code when ready after. Either order works.
Can I get a refund if I buy a gift card by mistake?
Refund policies vary depending on where you bought the card. If you purchased it directly from Uber.com, contact Uber support and explain the situation — they may issue a refund if the code has not been redeemed yet. If you bought it from a third-party retailer like Amazon or Walmart, check that retailer's return policy, as they handle refunds for their own sales.
Does the gift card work for Uber Eats as well as Uber rides?
Yes. The same gift card balance can be used for Uber rides, Uber Eats food delivery, or any other Uber service. The recipient can split the balance between rides and food orders however they want.
What denominations are available?
Uber offers gift cards in amounts from $15 to $500. The exact denominations available may vary slightly depending on whether you are buying from Uber.com or a third-party retailer, but the $15 to $500 range is standard across most sellers.