What an Uber gift card is and how to use it

An Uber gift card is a prepaid card loaded with a dollar amount that you can spend on Uber rides, Uber Eats food delivery, or both, depending on which type you buy. When you use the card, the balance decreases by the amount of each transaction until it runs out. You can add the card to your Uber account through the app or website, and it will be your default payment method until the balance is gone.

Gift cards come in two varieties: Uber Ride gift cards (for transportation only) and Uber Eats gift cards (for food delivery only). Some retailers also sell combined cards that work for both services. The card itself is a physical card with a code on the back, or you can receive a digital code by email that you enter directly into the app.

To redeem a physical card, open the Uber app, tap your account icon, select "Wallet," then "Add payment method," and choose "Promo code." Enter the 16-digit code from the back of the card. For a digital code sent by email, the process is the same — you copy the code from the email and paste it into the promo code field in the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber gift cards are prepaid and work only within the Uber app or website; you cannot withdraw the balance as cash or use it outside Uber's services.
  • Physical cards have a 10-year expiration date from the date of purchase, while digital codes typically expire after one year, though this varies by retailer.
  • You can stack multiple gift card codes in your Uber wallet, and they will be used in the order you added them.
  • If your gift card balance runs out mid-trip, Uber will prompt you to add another payment method to complete the transaction.

Where to buy Uber gift cards

Uber gift cards are sold at most major retailers, including grocery stores, drugstores, and convenience stores. Common places to find them include Target, Walmart, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon. You can also buy them directly from Uber's website or app by going to the "Send a gift" section under your account menu.

When you buy directly from Uber, you choose the dollar amount (usually between $10 and $500), enter the recipient's email address, and Uber sends them a digital code. The recipient can start using it when ready. Retailer cards come in preset denominations, typically $15, $25, $50, and $100, though some stores may offer different amounts.

Prices are always face value — a $50 gift card costs $50. Some retailers occasionally run promotions where you earn bonus points or rewards when you buy a gift card, but the card itself does not cost more or less than its stated value.

Expiration dates and balance checks

Physical Uber gift cards purchased at retailers expire 10 years from the purchase date. Digital codes sent directly from Uber or purchased through third-party retailers typically expire one year from the date they were sent, though some retailers set different expiration dates. Check the email or receipt that came with your code to confirm the exact date.

To check your gift card balance at any time, open the Uber app, tap your account icon, select "Wallet," and look at the "Promotions and credits" section. Your current balance will be listed there. If you have multiple gift card codes added, each one will show its remaining balance separately.

If your gift card has expired, the code will no longer work when you try to add it to your account. Uber does not reissue expired cards, so it is important to use the balance before the expiration date passes.

What happens if your balance runs out mid-transaction

If you start an Uber ride or Uber Eats order and your gift card balance is not enough to cover the full cost, Uber will not complete the transaction using only the gift card. Instead, the app will show you the remaining balance and ask you to add another payment method — a debit card, credit card, or other accepted payment option — to cover the difference.

Uber will first use your gift card balance toward the total, then charge the remaining amount to your backup payment method. You will see the breakdown of charges in your receipt after the transaction completes. This means you do not have to wait until your gift card is completely empty to use another payment method.

Gift cards versus promo codes and credits

Uber gift cards are different from promo codes and account credits, though they work similarly in your wallet. A gift card is a prepaid amount you purchase and give to someone else (or to yourself). A promo code is a discount or credit that Uber or a partner business gives you, often for a limited time or for a specific use, like "$10 off your first ride" or "$15 off orders over $30."

Account credits are funds Uber adds to your account as a refund, promotion, or reward. All three — gift cards, promo codes, and credits — appear in your Wallet under "Promotions and credits" and are used automatically when you place an order. If you have multiple codes or credits, Uber applies them in the order you received them.

The main practical difference is that gift cards have a longer expiration window (up to 10 years for physical cards) while promo codes often expire within weeks or months. Gift cards also hold their full value until used, whereas some promo codes have restrictions on how they can be used.

Transferring or refunding a gift card

Once you add a gift card code to your Uber account, you cannot transfer the remaining balance to another person or account. The balance is tied to the account that redeemed it. If you received a gift card code but have not yet added it to your account, you can share the code itself with someone else, and they can redeem it on their own account.

Uber does not issue refunds for gift cards. If you purchased a gift card and no longer want it, you cannot return it for cash or a refund through Uber. Some retailers allow returns of unopened, unused gift cards within a certain window (typically 30 days), so check the retailer's return policy if you bought the card at a store.

If you believe a gift card code was lost, stolen, or not delivered to you, contact Uber support through the app. They can investigate, but they cannot may provide recovery or replacement if the code has already been redeemed by someone else.

Using gift cards across Uber services

The service your gift card works for depends on which type you purchased. Uber Ride gift cards work only for transportation — UberX, UberXL, Uber Eats, and other ride options. Uber Eats gift cards work only for food delivery through the Uber Eats app or website. Some retailers sell combined cards that work for both, so check the card's packaging or the email confirmation to see which services it covers.

If you try to use an Uber Ride gift card to pay for an Uber Eats order, the code will not work. You would need an Uber Eats gift card or a combined card instead. When you add a code to your wallet, the app will tell you which services it covers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an Uber gift card to pay for a ride if I do not have a destination set yet?

Yes. The gift card is added to your wallet and becomes your default payment method once redeemed. You can request a ride at any time, and the cost will be charged to the gift card balance. If the balance is not enough, you will be asked to add another payment method.

What if I received a gift card code but it says invalid or already redeemed?

An invalid code usually means the code was entered incorrectly or has expired. A code that says already redeemed means someone else has already added it to an account. If you received the code from a retailer or Uber and believe it should be valid, contact Uber support with your receipt or email confirmation.

Do Uber gift cards work in all countries?

Uber gift cards are country-specific. A gift card purchased in the United States works only on the U.S. version of Uber. If you travel internationally or move to another country, you would need a gift card from that country's Uber service. Check the card's packaging or Uber's website for the country it covers.

Can I buy an Uber gift card with another gift card?

This depends on the retailer. Some stores allow you to use a gift card as payment for another gift card, while others do not. Check with the specific retailer before attempting to purchase. If you are buying directly from Uber's website or app, you must use a debit card, credit card, or other standard payment method.

What happens to my gift card balance if Uber closes my account?

If your Uber account is closed or deactivated, any remaining gift card balance on that account is typically forfeited. Uber does not transfer balances between accounts or issue refunds for unused balances on closed accounts. If your account was closed in error, contact Uber support to discuss your options.