Uber gift cards let you prepay for rides and food delivery without linking a credit card
An Uber gift card is a prepaid card that holds a dollar balance you can spend on Uber rides, Uber Eats food delivery, or both, depending on which type you buy. You load money onto the card upfront, then use that balance when you request a ride or order food through the Uber app. The card itself is a physical card with a PIN, or you can receive the balance as a digital code that you redeem directly in the app.
Gift cards are useful if you want to give someone Uber credit without sharing payment information, or if you prefer to control your spending by prepaying a set amount. They work the same way a debit card does — once the balance runs out, you either add more money or use a different payment method.
Key Takeaways
- Uber gift cards come in physical card form or as digital codes, and you choose the dollar amount when you buy them.
- You redeem a gift card by entering the code in the Uber app under payment methods, and the balance applies to your next ride or food order.
- Gift card balances do not expire, but they are tied to the Uber account where you redeem them and cannot be transferred to another account.
- You can buy Uber gift cards from retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, or directly from Uber's website.
- If your gift card code does not work, check that you entered it correctly, that the card has not already been redeemed, and that your account is in good standing.
Where to buy Uber gift cards and what denominations are available
You can purchase Uber gift cards from two main sources: physical retailers and Uber directly. Retailers including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon carry physical Uber gift cards in their stores and online. These cards typically come in preset denominations ranging from $15 to $100, though the exact amounts vary by retailer.
Buying directly from Uber's website or app gives you more flexibility. You can choose any amount between $15 and $500 and send it as a digital code to someone's email address when ready, or keep it for yourself. Digital codes arrive within minutes, while physical cards from retailers take one to three business days to arrive if ordered online.
Some retailers occasionally run promotions on Uber gift cards — for example, offering a bonus $5 or $10 credit when you buy a card of a certain value. Check the retailer's website or app before purchasing to see if any current offers explore.
How to redeem an Uber gift card in your account
Redeeming a gift card takes about two minutes. Open the Uber app and tap the account icon in the bottom right corner, then select "Wallet" or "Payment methods." Look for an option that says "Add promo code" or "Redeem a gift card." Enter the 16-digit code from your gift card or email, then tap redeem. The balance will appear in your Uber Cash wallet when ready.
If you received a physical card, the code is printed on the back. If you received a digital code by email, copy and paste it into the app to avoid typing errors. Once redeemed, the balance stays in your account until you spend it.
The balance applies automatically to your next ride or food order. You do not have to do anything else — Uber will use your gift card balance first, then charge any remaining amount to your default payment method if the ride or order costs more than the balance.
What happens when your gift card balance runs out
When you use up your gift card balance, the card is empty but not deleted from your account. You can add more money to it by purchasing another gift card and redeeming the code, which will add to the existing balance. Alternatively, you can set up a credit or debit card as your default payment method, and Uber will charge that card for future rides and orders.
Gift card balances do not expire. You can leave money sitting in your Uber account for months or years without losing it, as long as your account remains active. However, if your account is closed or suspended, you may lose access to any remaining balance.
Gift card codes that do not work: what to check first
If you enter a gift card code and see an error message, start by checking these common issues. First, make sure you typed the code correctly — the 16-digit number should have no spaces or dashes. Copy and paste the code from your email or the card itself rather than typing it by hand, since one wrong digit will cause the code to fail.
Second, confirm that the code has not already been redeemed. If someone else had access to the code before you, or if the card was used in a store, the balance may already be gone. Check your Uber account's transaction history to see if the code appears there.
Third, verify that your Uber account is in good standing. If your account has been flagged for suspicious activity or if you have an outstanding balance from a previous ride, Uber may block you from redeeming new codes until the issue is resolved. Contact Uber support through the app to ask whether your account has any restrictions.
If none of these steps work, take a photo of the gift card or the email with the code and contact Uber support. Include the code itself, the date you received it, and where you bought it. Uber can investigate whether the code was issued correctly and may reissue it if there was an error on their end.
Differences between Uber gift cards and Uber Cash
Uber Cash is money you add to your account directly through the app using a credit or debit card, while an Uber gift card is a prepaid card or code you receive from someone else or buy at a store. Both function the same way once in your account — they sit in your Uber wallet and explore to your next ride or order.
The main practical difference is how you load the money. With Uber Cash, you control when and how much you add through the app. With a gift card, someone else decides the amount, or you buy a preset denomination at a retailer. Some people prefer gift cards because they create a spending limit, while others prefer Uber Cash for the flexibility.
Both Uber Cash and gift card balances stay in your account indefinitely and do not expire. You can mix them — if you have $20 in gift card balance and $10 in Uber Cash, both will be available for your next purchase.
Can you transfer a gift card balance to another person or account
No. Once you redeem a gift card code into your Uber account, the balance is locked to that account and cannot be moved to someone else's account or transferred back to a physical card. If you redeem a gift card by mistake or change your mind, you cannot undo the redemption.
If you want to give someone Uber credit, buy them a gift card code directly rather than redeeming it yourself. You can purchase a digital gift card from Uber's website and email the code to them, and they can redeem it into their own account. This way, they control the balance and can use it however they want.
If you have already redeemed a code and want to give the balance to someone else, your only option is to use the balance on rides or food orders and have that person reimburse you. Uber does not offer a way to transfer wallet balances between accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Uber gift cards expire?
No, Uber gift card balances do not expire. Once you redeem a code, the money stays in your account indefinitely until you spend it. However, if your Uber account itself is closed or suspended, you may lose access to any remaining balance.
Can I use an Uber gift card for Uber Eats?
It depends on which type of gift card you buy. Some gift cards work for both Uber rides and Uber Eats, while others are restricted to one service. Check the card's description before you buy it, or ask the retailer. Digital codes from Uber's website typically work for both services.
What if I lose my physical gift card before redeeming it?
If you have the code written down or saved in an email, you can still redeem it even if the physical card is lost. If you do not have the code, contact the retailer where you bought it with your receipt. They may be able to look up the code or issue a replacement card.
Can I reload the same gift card multiple times?
No, you cannot reload a physical gift card. Once the balance is spent, the card is empty. However, you can buy new gift cards and redeem multiple codes into the same Uber account, and the balances will add together in your wallet.
Is there a fee to redeem an Uber gift card?
No, there are no fees to redeem a gift card code or to use the balance in your account. The price you see for a ride or food order is the final price — Uber does not charge extra to use gift card balance instead of a credit card.