Uber gift cards are sold by Uber directly and by third-party retailers, and work like prepaid credit toward rides and food orders

You can buy an Uber gift card in two ways: directly from Uber's website or app, or from a physical or online retailer that stocks them. The card itself is a code you receive by email or print, not a physical card you swipe. When someone uses the code, it loads money into their Uber account that they can spend on UberX, Uber Eats, or other Uber services depending on their location and account type.

Gift cards do not expire, though Uber's terms of service reserve the right to close inactive accounts after a period of time. The money stays in the recipient's account until they use it. There is no fee to receive or hold a gift card.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber gift cards are digital codes sent by email, not physical cards, and can be purchased in amounts ranging from $15 to $500 depending on where you buy them.
  • You can buy them directly from Uber.com or the Uber app, or from retailers including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and convenience stores.
  • The recipient redeems the code by entering it in their Uber app or website under the payment method section.
  • Gift card money works on UberX rides, Uber Eats food delivery, and other Uber services, but cannot be transferred between accounts or converted to cash.

Buying directly from Uber

Go to Uber.com and look for the "Gift Cards" link, usually found in the footer or under an account menu. You can also open the Uber app and navigate to the Account section, where a gift card option typically appears. Select the amount you want to send — Uber usually offers preset amounts like $25, $50, and $100, though some regions allow custom amounts.

Enter the recipient's email address and add a personal message if you want. Uber will send the code to that email address immediately. The recipient does not need to have an Uber account yet — they can create one and redeem the code during signup, or redeem it later in an existing account.

Buying from retailers

Uber gift cards are stocked at major retailers including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon. Physical cards at stores typically come in denominations of $25, $50, and $100. When you buy one, you receive a card with a code printed on it or a receipt with the code. You then send that code to the recipient yourself, or give them the card directly.

Buying from a retailer can be useful if you want a physical card to wrap as a gift, or if you prefer to pay with a method Uber does not accept directly. Retailer prices are the same as Uber's — you pay the face value of the card, with no markup.

How the recipient redeems the code

The person receiving the gift card opens the Uber app or goes to Uber.com and signs into their account. They then navigate to the payment methods or wallet section — this is usually under Account or Settings. There is typically a "Redeem a code" or "Add a gift card" option. They paste or type the code, and the money appears in their account balance immediately.

If the recipient does not yet have an Uber account, they can create one during the signup process and redeem the code at that time. The money will be ready to use as soon as they complete signup.

What the gift card money can be used for

Uber gift card balance works on UberX rides, UberEats food orders, and other Uber services available in the recipient's location. The money is stored as account credit and is deducted automatically when they request a ride or place a food order. If an order costs less than the balance, the remainder stays in the account. If an order costs more, they can pay the difference with another payment method on file.

Gift card money cannot be transferred to another person's account, withdrawn as cash, or used outside the Uber platform. It also cannot be used to pay for Uber Eats subscription fees or certain promotional offers, though the rules on this vary by region and change over time.

Checking the balance and troubleshooting

To check how much money is left on a gift card, the recipient opens the Uber app, goes to Account, and looks at the payment methods or wallet section. The current balance appears there. They can also see a history of how the balance has been used.

If a code does not work, the most common reasons are a typo in the code, the code being already redeemed, or the code being used in a different country than where the recipient's account is set up. Codes are region-specific — a code purchased in the United States will not work on an account registered in another country. If the recipient believes the code is valid but will not redeem, they can contact Uber support through the app or website and provide the code for investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Gift cards are region-specific and only work in the country where they were purchased. A card bought in the US will not work on an account registered in Canada, the UK, or elsewhere. You would need to buy a gift card from an Uber retailer in the recipient's country.

What happens if the gift card is not used?

The money does not expire and will remain in the account indefinitely. However, Uber reserves the right to close accounts that are inactive for an extended period, which could result in the loss of the balance. The specific timeframe for account closure is not publicly stated and may vary.

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

Refund policies vary depending on where you bought the card. If you purchased it directly from Uber, contact Uber support to request a refund — they may honor it if the code has not been redeemed. If you bought it from a retailer like Target or Walmart, contact that retailer's customer service, as they set their own return policies for gift cards.

Can the recipient use the gift card to pay for an Uber subscription?

Gift card balance typically cannot be used to pay for Uber Pass, Uber One, or other subscription services. It can only be used to pay for individual rides and food orders. Policies on this may differ by region.

What if someone uses my gift card code without permission?

Once a code is redeemed, the money belongs to that account and cannot be reversed. If you believe a code was used fraudulently, contact Uber support immediately with proof of purchase. They may investigate, but recovery is not may provide. To protect yourself, do not share the code with anyone you do not trust, and treat it like cash.