What an Uber referral code does

An Uber referral code is a unique string of letters and numbers that you share with someone who hasn't used Uber before. When that person signs up using your code, both of you receive account credits — usually between $5 and $20 each, though the exact amount changes by location and time. The new user enters your code during signup, and the credits appear in both accounts once they complete their first ride.

Referral codes are free to create and share. You don't pay anything to generate one, and there's no limit to how many people you can refer. The credits you earn are real money in your Uber account that you can use toward any ride or Uber Eats order.

Key Takeaways

  • You can find your referral code in the Uber app under Account settings, and it's unique to you — sharing it costs you nothing.
  • The person you refer must be new to Uber and enter your code during their first signup to trigger the credit for both of you.
  • Credit amounts vary by city and change periodically, so the $10 offer today might be $15 next month or $5 in another city.
  • Referral credits go into your Uber account when ready after the new user completes their first ride, and you can use them for rides or food delivery.
  • Uber tracks referrals by phone number and email, so the same person cannot sign up multiple times to generate extra credits.

Where to find and share your referral code

Open the Uber app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right. Select "Account," then scroll down to "Referrals" or "Invite friends." Your unique code appears on that screen, along with a link you can copy and paste or share directly to text, email, or social media.

You can also generate a custom link that includes your code automatically. When someone clicks that link and signs up, your code is already entered for them — they don't have to type it in manually. This method works across text messages, email, WhatsApp, Instagram, or any other platform.

The code itself never expires, so you can share it anytime. There's no important date for how long someone has to use it after you send it to them, though they must be a new Uber user at the time they sign up.

Credit amounts and how they vary

Referral credits are not the same everywhere. A person in New York might see a $15 offer while someone in Denver sees $10. Uber also changes the amounts seasonally — you might see higher credits during slower periods when the company wants to attract new riders, and lower credits during busy times.

The amount you receive may also differ from what the new user receives. Sometimes Uber offers $10 to the new rider and $5 to you, or vice versa. Check your referral screen in the app to see the current offer in your area before you share your code.

These credits are account funds, not cash. You cannot withdraw them to a bank account or use them to pay for anything outside the Uber and Uber Eats platforms.

How the signup and credit process works

The new user downloads the Uber app and creates an account with their phone number and email. During signup, before they request their first ride, they enter your referral code in the "Promo Code" field. If they skip this step, they can sometimes add the code later in their Account settings, but this doesn't always trigger the referral credit — entering it during initial signup is the most reliable method.

After they complete their first ride (not just request one, but actually finish a trip), the credits appear in both accounts within a few hours to a day. You'll see a notification in the app confirming the referral was successful. The new user's account must also be in good standing — no fraud flags, valid payment method, and a completed ride — for the credits to post.

If the new user cancels their first ride before it starts, the referral typically doesn't count. They need to complete at least one full trip from pickup to dropoff.

Restrictions and what disqualifies a referral

The person you refer must be genuinely new to Uber. If they've had an Uber account before — even if they deleted it years ago — they're not considered a new user and the referral won't work. Uber tracks this by phone number and email address across all accounts ever created.

You also cannot refer yourself using a different phone number or email. If Uber detects that you're trying to generate credits by signing up multiple accounts, it may cancel the referrals and remove the credits from your account.

Referral codes don't work across different Uber services in all cases. A code generated in the Uber Eats app might not work for Uber rides, or vice versa, depending on your region. Check which service your code is tied to before sharing it.

Using your referral credits

Once the credits land in your account, they appear as a balance under your payment method in the app. When you request a ride or order food, the credits are automatically applied to your fare before you're charged any remaining balance to your card or other payment method.

You can use credits across both Uber rides and Uber Eats orders — they're not locked to one service. If you earn $20 in referral credits, you could spend $12 on rides and $8 on food delivery, or any other split.

Credits do expire, though the timeframe varies. Some credits expire after one year, while others may last longer. Check your Account settings under "Promotions" or "Credits" to see the expiration date for each credit you've earned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the person I refer doesn't complete their first ride?

The referral won't be credited to either account. They must finish a full trip — from pickup to dropoff — for the credits to post. If they cancel before the driver arrives or during the ride, you won't receive the credit.

Can I refer someone who used Uber years ago but hasn't used it recently?

No. Uber considers anyone who has ever had an account — even if it's been inactive for years — as an existing user, not a new one. The referral code only works for people creating an Uber account for the first time.

Do referral credits expire?

Yes, though the expiration date varies. Most credits expire within one year of being added to your account. Check your Promotions or Credits section in the app to see when each credit expires.

Can I share my referral code on social media or public websites?

Yes. Your code is public and safe to share anywhere. Posting it on Facebook, Twitter, or a blog doesn't put your account at risk. Anyone who uses it will generate credits for both of you as long as they're a new Uber user.

What if someone enters my code but it doesn't work?

The most common reason is that the person isn't actually new to Uber — they've had an account before. Other reasons include entering the code after signup instead of during it, or the code being tied to a different service (Uber Eats instead of rides, or vice versa). Have them check that they're using the correct code for the service they want.