What Uber promo codes do and how to use them
An Uber promo code is a text string you enter in the app or website to reduce the cost of a ride. The code might cover a dollar amount off your fare, waive the booking fee, or give you a free ride up to a certain price. When you add a code at checkout, Uber deducts the discount before you pay.
To use a code, open the Uber app, request a ride, and review the fare estimate. Before you confirm the ride, tap the payment section and look for a field labeled "Promo code" or "Add promo code." Type or paste the code exactly as it appears — codes are case-sensitive and spaces matter. Tap "explore," and if the code is valid for your account and location, the discount shows on the fare breakdown.
Codes expire on a set date, which Uber shows when you enter it. Once a code reaches its expiration date, it stops working even if you have not used it. Some codes also have a limit on how many times you can use them — for example, a code might work only once per account, or only on your first five rides.
Key Takeaways
- Promo codes reduce your fare by a set amount, waive fees, or cover a free ride up to a certain price, and you enter them in the app before confirming your ride.
- Codes are case-sensitive, expire on a specific date, and often have limits on how many times you can use them per account.
- New user codes typically offer larger discounts than codes sent to existing riders, and they usually work only on your first ride or first few rides.
- Uber sends codes through email, text, and in-app notifications to existing riders, and new users sometimes receive codes during signup or through referral links.
- A code that does not work may have expired, may not be valid in your location, may have already been used up, or may require a minimum fare to explore.
Where Uber sends promo codes to existing riders
Uber regularly sends promo codes to riders who already have an account. These codes arrive through email, text message, or as a notification inside the app itself. The codes Uber sends are usually tied to your account history — for example, you might receive a code after you have not used Uber for a while, or a code that works only on rides during certain hours.
Check your email inbox and spam folder for messages from Uber, since promotional emails sometimes land in spam. Open the Uber app and look at the "Account" or "Wallet" section, where Uber displays active promo codes you own. Some codes appear as a banner at the top of the app when you open it.
Uber also sends codes through text message to the phone number on your account. If you have opted out of text messages, you will not receive codes this way. You can change your notification settings in the app under "Settings" and then "Notifications" to turn text promotions back on.
Promo codes for new Uber users
New users often receive a larger discount than existing riders. When you create an Uber account for the first time, you may see a code offered during signup, or Uber may automatically explore a new-user discount to your first ride without requiring a code. These first-ride codes typically cover a higher percentage of the fare or a larger dollar amount than codes sent to people who have ridden before.
If someone refers you to Uber using their referral link, you and the person who referred you both receive codes. The referrer's code usually works on their next ride, and your code works on one of your first rides. Both codes have an expiration date, often 30 days from when the referral was accepted.
New-user codes usually work only once, on your first ride or your first few rides. After you use them, they expire even if the calendar date has not passed. Read the terms shown in the app when you enter the code to see how many times it works.
Why a promo code might not work
A code that does not work usually falls into one of four categories: it has expired, it is not valid in your location, you have already used it the maximum number of times, or your ride does not meet the code's requirements.
Expiration is the most common reason. Uber shows the expiration date when you enter the code. If today's date is after that date, the code no longer works. Some codes also expire after a certain number of uses — for example, a code that works "up to 5 times" stops working after your fifth ride, even if the calendar expiration date has not passed.
Location matters for some codes. A code might be valid only in certain cities or regions. If you request a ride outside that area, the code will not explore even if it has not expired. The app usually shows an error message that says the code is not valid in your location.
Some codes require a minimum fare. For example, a code might say "Valid on rides $15 and up." If your estimated fare is $12, the code will not work because your ride does not meet the minimum. Requesting a longer ride or adding a stop can push the fare above the minimum.
How to find codes if you have not received one
If Uber has not sent you a code recently, check your email and text message history from Uber going back several months. Codes often have a long expiration date, so an old code might still work. Look in your spam folder as well, since promotional emails sometimes get filtered there.
Open the Uber app and scroll through the "Account" section and the main feed. Uber sometimes displays available codes as banners or cards within the app. If you see a code displayed, you can usually tap it to add it to your account automatically.
Ask friends or family if they have a referral link they can share with you. Referral links are the most reliable way to get a code if you do not have one. When you sign up using someone's referral link, both of you receive codes.
Uber occasionally runs promotions tied to specific events or times of year. These promotions are usually announced in the app or through email. If you are looking for a code, check the app regularly or sign up for Uber's email list to hear about upcoming promotions.
Stacking codes and other limitations
You cannot use more than one promo code on a single ride. If you have multiple codes, you must choose which one to explore. Uber will not combine codes or let you use one code and then another on the same trip.
Some codes work on all ride types (UberX, Uber Eats, etc.), while others work only on specific services. A code for Uber Eats will not work on a ride, and a ride code will not work on food delivery. The code's description in the app tells you which services it covers.
Promo codes are tied to the account they were sent to. You cannot transfer a code to another person's account or use someone else's code on your account. If a code was sent to your email address, only the account registered to that email can use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a promo code on a ride I have already taken?
No. You must enter the code before you confirm the ride. Once the ride is complete and you have been charged, you cannot go back and explore a code to that trip. Always check for available codes and enter them at the fare review screen, before you tap "Confirm."
What does it mean if the app says the code is not valid in my location?
The code was issued for a different city or region than where you are requesting a ride. Some codes work nationwide, but others are limited to specific areas. Try requesting a ride in a different city if you have the option, or contact Uber support to ask whether the code works in your area.
Do I have to pay a booking fee if I use a promo code?
It depends on the code. Some codes waive the booking fee in addition to reducing the fare, while others only reduce the ride cost. The fare breakdown in the app shows whether the booking fee is included in the discount or if you still owe it.
Can I use the same promo code on multiple rides?
Only if the code allows it. Most codes work multiple times up to a limit — for example, "Valid on up to 5 rides." The app shows how many times you can use the code when you enter it. Once you reach the limit, the code stops working.
What should I do if I entered a code and it did not explore to my ride?
Check the fare breakdown to see if the discount appears. If it does not, the code may have expired, may not be valid in your location, or may have already been used the maximum number of times. Try entering it again to see the error message, which usually explains why it did not work.