Where to buy Uber gift cards and what they cover

You can buy Uber gift cards online directly from Uber's website, from major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target, and from some grocery store websites. The cards work for Uber rides, Uber Eats food delivery, and Uber Cash (Uber's digital wallet). When you buy a card online, you receive a code by email that you can use when ready — you do not have to wait for a physical card to arrive in the mail.

Gift cards purchased from Uber's own website and from most retailers are the same product. The main difference is where the code gets sent and how quickly. Buying directly from Uber.com takes you through their checkout, while buying from Amazon or Walmart means the code arrives through that retailer's email system. Both reach you within minutes in most cases.

Uber gift cards do not cover tips, taxes, or surge pricing above the card's balance. If your ride costs more than the card value, you will need to add a payment method to cover the difference. The card balance never expires once it is added to an Uber account, but unused codes may have an expiration date — usually one to three years depending on where you bought it.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber gift cards can be bought online from Uber.com, Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and grocery store websites, with codes delivered by email within minutes.
  • A single gift card works for Uber rides, Uber Eats, and Uber Cash, so the recipient can use it however they choose.
  • If a ride or order costs more than the card balance, the recipient must add another payment method to complete the transaction.
  • Gift card codes expire if unused, but once added to an Uber account the balance never expires and can be used over time.

How to purchase an Uber gift card online

On Uber.com, go to the gift cards section (usually found in the account menu or footer). Choose your card amount — Uber offers preset amounts like $25, $50, and $100, and also lets you enter a custom amount. Enter the recipient's email address, add a personal message if you want, and complete the payment with a credit card, debit card, or other payment method you have on file.

The recipient receives an email with a code and a link to redeem it. They click the link, sign into their Uber account (or create one), and the balance is added when ready. If you buy from Amazon, Walmart, or another retailer, the process is similar but the code comes from that retailer's email system instead. You pay through that retailer's checkout, and the code arrives in the recipient's inbox within a few minutes.

When buying from a retailer, check whether the card is a digital code or a physical card. Digital codes are when ready; physical cards take several business days to arrive by mail. Most online retailers default to digital delivery for gift cards.

Adding the gift card to an Uber account

The recipient opens the email with the gift card code and clicks the redemption link. This takes them to Uber's website or app. If they are not signed in, they sign in or create an account. The code is entered automatically through the link, and the balance appears in their Uber Cash wallet within seconds.

If the recipient has the code but not the link, they can also add it manually. In the Uber app, they go to the Account tab, select Payment Methods, and choose "Add Promo Code or Gift Card." They paste or type the code and tap Redeem. The balance shows up when ready in their Uber Cash balance.

Once added, the balance stays in the account indefinitely. The recipient can use it for any Uber service — rides, Uber Eats orders, or anything else available in their region. They do not have to use it all at once.

Using the gift card balance for rides and food delivery

When the recipient requests an Uber ride or places an Uber Eats order, Uber automatically applies the gift card balance first. If the total cost is less than the balance, the full amount comes from the gift card. If the cost is more, Uber deducts what it can from the gift card and charges the remaining amount to a backup payment method (a credit card, debit card, or bank account linked to the account).

The recipient can see their gift card balance in the Uber app under Account or Payment Methods. The balance updates after each transaction. There is no separate step to "set up" the card for each use — it works automatically once it is added to the account.

If the recipient does not have a backup payment method on file and the ride or order exceeds the gift card balance, the transaction will be declined. They will need to add a credit card, debit card, or other payment method before they can complete a purchase that costs more than their remaining balance.

Gift card amounts and pricing

Uber offers preset denominations of $15, $25, $50, and $100 on most platforms. You can also enter a custom amount on Uber.com, which means you can buy a card for any value you choose — $30, $75, $200, or any other figure. The price you pay is the amount on the card; Uber does not charge a separate fee for buying a gift card online.

Prices vary slightly by retailer. Amazon, Walmart, and Target typically sell Uber gift cards at face value with no markup, but some smaller retailers or specialty sites may charge differently. Check the retailer's listing before you buy to confirm the price.

Some retailers run promotions where you earn points or cash back on gift card purchases. If you have a rewards account with Amazon, Walmart, or another retailer, you may earn rewards on the purchase — but the gift card itself costs the same amount.

What happens if the code does not work

If a gift card code is not accepted when the recipient tries to redeem it, the most common causes are a typo in the code, the code already being redeemed, or the code expiring before it was used. The recipient should check the email for the exact code and make sure they are copying it correctly, including any hyphens or special characters.

If the code was purchased from a retailer and has not been used, the recipient can contact that retailer's customer service with the order number or receipt. If the code was purchased directly from Uber.com, the recipient can contact Uber support through the app or website. They will need the original email with the code or the order confirmation.

Codes purchased from Uber.com are usually covered by Uber's refund policy if they are unused and within the return window. Codes from other retailers are subject to that retailer's return policy. Check the terms when you buy to understand what happens if the code is not used.

Regional differences and restrictions

Uber gift cards work in any country or region where Uber operates, but the balance is tied to the account's home region. If someone in the United States buys a gift card and sends it to someone in Canada, the recipient can use it for Uber services available in Canada. However, they cannot transfer the balance to a different country if they move.

Some regions have restrictions on which payment methods Uber accepts or which services are available. A gift card works the same way as any other payment method in the recipient's region — it covers whatever Uber services are offered there. If Uber Eats is not available in the recipient's area, they can use the balance for rides instead.

Promotional gift cards or discounted codes sometimes have region restrictions. Standard gift cards purchased at face value do not, but it is worth checking the terms when you buy a discounted card from a third-party seller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy an Uber gift card as a gift for someone in another country?

Yes, you can send a gift card code to anyone with an email address. The code works in any country where Uber operates, and the recipient can use it for rides or Uber Eats in their region. The balance is in the currency of their account's home country, so if you buy a $50 USD card and send it to someone in the UK, they will see the equivalent in British pounds.

What if the recipient does not have an Uber account yet?

They can create one for free using the redemption link in the email. They provide an email address, phone number, and password, and the gift card balance is added to the new account when ready. They do not have to add a payment method until they want to make a purchase that exceeds the gift card balance.

Can I use a gift card to pay for someone else's ride?

No. The gift card balance is tied to the account it is redeemed on. If you want to pay for someone else's ride, you can request the ride through your own account and pay with your gift card balance, or you can send them a gift card code and they can use it for their own rides.

Do Uber gift cards expire?

The code itself may expire if unused — usually within one to three years depending on where you bought it. Once the code is redeemed and added to an account, the balance never expires and can be used whenever the recipient wants. Check the email or receipt for the code's expiration date.

Can I get a refund if I buy a gift card by mistake?

If you bought the card from Uber.com and have not shared the code with anyone, you may be able to return it within a certain window. Contact Uber support with your order number. If you bought from a retailer like Amazon or Walmart, their return policy applies — most allow returns within 30 days if the code has not been used.