What Uber Cash Is and How to Use It
Uber Cash is a prepaid balance you load into your Uber account that you can spend on rides, food delivery, or other Uber services. You buy it in advance, and the balance sits in your account until you use it. When you take a ride or order food, Uber deducts the cost from your Uber Cash first before charging any other payment method.
The main reason to use Uber Cash is that Uber sometimes offers a bonus when you load money — for example, you might load $20 and receive an extra $5 in Uber Cash as a promotional offer. These promotions change frequently and vary by location and account history. You can check whether a bonus is available to you by opening the Uber app and looking at the "Wallet" or "Payment" section.
Uber Cash does not expire as long as your account remains active. If you stop using Uber for an extended period, Uber may close your account, which could result in losing your balance. For this reason, Uber Cash works best if you use Uber regularly rather than as a one-time purchase.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Cash is money you load into your account in advance and use for rides, food delivery, and other Uber services.
- Uber sometimes offers promotional bonuses when you load Uber Cash, such as a $5 bonus on a $20 load, though these offers vary by location and change over time.
- You can load Uber Cash through the Wallet section of the Uber app using a debit card, credit card, or other payment method linked to your account.
- Uber Cash does not expire as long as your account is active, but your balance may be lost if Uber closes your account due to inactivity.
- Any unused Uber Cash balance cannot be withdrawn as cash or transferred to another person's account.
How to Load Uber Cash Into Your Account
Open the Uber app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the lower right corner. Select "Wallet" or "Payment Methods" — the exact label depends on your app version and location. You should see an option to add Uber Cash or load a prepaid balance.
Tap that option and choose the amount you want to load. Uber typically offers preset amounts like $10, $20, $50, or $100, though you may be able to enter a custom amount. If a promotional bonus is available, the app will show it at this step — for example, "Add $20, get $5 bonus" — so you can see the offer before you commit.
Select your payment method. You can use a debit card, credit card, or other payment method you have already linked to your Uber account. Confirm the transaction, and the Uber Cash will appear in your Wallet when ready. You can then use it on your next ride or order.
When Promotional Bonuses Are Offered
Uber runs promotional offers on Uber Cash loading at different times throughout the year. These bonuses are not may provide and do not explore to every account. New users sometimes receive a larger bonus than existing users, and the offer may depend on your location, how long you have had your account, and how frequently you use Uber.
The best way to know whether a bonus is available to you is to open the Uber app and navigate to the Wallet section. If a promotion is active on your account, you will see the bonus amount displayed before you load any money. You do not have to search for promotions or enter a code — Uber shows them automatically in the app.
Promotional bonuses are typically added to your account at the same time as your loaded balance. You can use both the money you loaded and the bonus when ready. The bonus counts as Uber Cash and follows the same rules as money you load yourself — it does not expire as long as your account is active, and it cannot be withdrawn as cash.
How Uber Cash Is Deducted From Your Account
When you request a ride or place a food order, Uber automatically deducts the cost from your Uber Cash balance first. If your Uber Cash balance is not enough to cover the full cost, Uber will use the remaining Uber Cash and charge the difference to your default payment method — usually a credit card or debit card linked to your account.
You can see your current Uber Cash balance in the Wallet section of the app at any time. After each transaction, your balance updates to reflect what you spent. If you want to use a different payment method instead of Uber Cash for a specific ride or order, you can change your payment method before you confirm the transaction.
Uber Cash is used only for Uber services — rides, food delivery, grocery delivery, and other Uber products. You cannot use Uber Cash to pay for things outside the Uber app, and you cannot transfer it to another person or convert it to cash.
What Happens If Your Account Becomes Inactive
Uber's policy on inactive accounts varies by region, but generally, if you do not use your account for a long period, Uber may close it. When an account is closed, any remaining Uber Cash balance may be forfeited. Uber does not typically refund Uber Cash balances to your original payment method.
To keep your account active, you should use it periodically — taking at least one ride or placing at least one order every few months is usually sufficient. If you are concerned about an inactive account, you can log into the Uber app and take a ride or place a small order to confirm the account is still active.
If your account is closed and you had a remaining Uber Cash balance, you can contact Uber Support through the app to explain your situation. Uber may restore your account or refund your balance in some cases, but this is not may provide and depends on the reason your account was closed.
Uber Cash vs. Other Payment Methods
Uber Cash is different from a credit card or debit card because the money is already in your Uber account — you are not borrowing money or paying interest. It is also different from a gift card because you load it yourself rather than receiving it as a gift, and you control the amount.
The main advantage of Uber Cash is the promotional bonus. If Uber is offering a bonus on your account, loading Uber Cash gives you extra money to spend on Uber services. The main disadvantage is that you cannot get your money back — once you load Uber Cash, it stays in your account until you spend it or your account closes.
If you prefer to pay for each ride or order individually without loading money in advance, you can use a credit card, debit card, or other payment method linked to your account. Uber will charge each transaction to that method as it happens. This approach does not give you a promotional bonus, but it gives you more flexibility if your plans change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my Uber Cash back as cash or a refund?
No. Uber Cash can only be used for Uber services and cannot be withdrawn as cash or refunded to your original payment method. Once you load Uber Cash, it stays in your account until you spend it on rides, food delivery, or other Uber products.
What if I load Uber Cash but never use it?
Your Uber Cash balance does not expire as long as your account remains active. However, if Uber closes your account due to inactivity or other reasons, your remaining balance may be forfeited. To keep your account active, use it periodically — at least once every few months.
Do I have to use Uber Cash if I load it?
No. You can change your payment method before each ride or order. If you load Uber Cash but decide to use a credit card instead, you can select a different payment method at checkout. Your Uber Cash balance will remain in your account for future use.
How do I know if a promotional bonus is available on my account?
Open the Uber app, go to the Wallet section, and look for the option to load Uber Cash. If a promotional bonus is active on your account, the app will display it — for example, "Add $20, get $5 bonus." The bonus is shown automatically; you do not need to enter a code or search for it.
Can I transfer my Uber Cash to another person's account?
No. Uber Cash is tied to your account and cannot be transferred, gifted, or shared with another person. If you want to give someone money for Uber, you can purchase an Uber gift card instead, which they can load into their own account.