Uber does not accept cash for rides through its app, but you can request a cash payment option through a workaround or use Uber Cash as an alternative.
The standard Uber app requires a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet linked to your account before you can book a ride. When you request a ride, the payment method on file charges automatically after the trip ends. Uber does not process cash payments directly through the app or allow drivers to collect cash at the end of a ride in most markets.
However, there are two ways to use cash with Uber: you can load money onto an Uber Cash balance and use that to pay for rides, or in some cities you can request an UberX Cash option that lets drivers accept cash payment. Availability of the cash payment option depends on your location and whether Uber has rolled it out in your area.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Cash lets you load money from a debit card or credit card into your Uber account and use that balance to pay for rides.
- The UberX Cash option, where drivers collect cash at the end of the trip, is only available in certain cities and you must select it before booking.
- You cannot hand cash to a driver without requesting the cash payment option beforehand — drivers are not set up to accept it on standard rides.
- Uber Cash balances do not expire, but you must have enough loaded to cover the estimated ride cost before you book.
How Uber Cash Works
Uber Cash is a prepaid balance you load into your Uber account using a debit card or credit card. Once the money is in your account, you can use it to pay for UberX, Uber Eats, or other Uber services without entering payment information for each transaction. You load the amount you want — typically in increments like $10, $25, or $50 — and that balance sits in your account until you spend it.
To add Uber Cash, open the Uber app, go to the payment section in your account settings, and select "Add Uber Cash." You choose the amount and complete the payment with your card. The money appears in your account immediately. When you book a ride, the app automatically deducts the fare from your Uber Cash balance if it is available and set as your primary payment method.
Uber Cash does not expire, so you can load it and use it whenever you want. If your balance runs low, you can add more at any time. This method works everywhere Uber operates, unlike the cash payment option, which is location-specific.
UberX Cash: Paying Drivers Directly With Cash
In select cities, Uber offers an UberX Cash option that lets you pay the driver in cash at the end of the ride instead of using a card. To use this option, you must select it when you request the ride — you cannot add it after booking. The app shows whether UberX Cash is available in your area; if it is not listed as a payment option, it is not currently offered in your location.
When you select UberX Cash and complete your ride, you pay the driver the fare amount shown in the app. The driver has a way to mark the payment as received in the app, and your Uber account reflects the transaction. You still need a valid payment method on file to book the ride, even though you are paying cash at the end.
Availability of UberX Cash changes by city and is not may provide in all markets. Uber has rolled it out in some areas and not others, and the feature can be added or removed depending on demand and operational decisions. Check your app's payment options when booking to see if it is available where you are.
What Payment Methods You Need on File
Regardless of whether you plan to use Uber Cash or pay a driver with cash, you must have at least one valid payment method linked to your Uber account to book a ride. This can be a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Uber requires this even if you intend to pay with cash, because the app needs a backup method in case of disputes or if the cash payment option fails.
If you do not have a credit or debit card, you can still use Uber by loading Uber Cash with a prepaid debit card, which works the same way as a regular debit card for loading funds. Some prepaid cards charge fees for loading money, so check the card's terms before using it.
When You Cannot Pay With Cash
If you book a standard UberX ride without selecting the UberX Cash option, you cannot pay the driver with cash. The ride is charged to your linked payment method automatically after you arrive at your destination. Asking the driver to accept cash instead will put them in a difficult position, because they are not authorized to collect cash payments on standard rides and have no way to record it in the app.
If you forget to select UberX Cash before booking and realize you only have cash available, contact Uber support through the app immediately. Explain the situation and ask whether they can adjust the payment method. Support may be able to help, but there is no may provide, and the safest approach is to select your payment method correctly before you request the ride.
Loading Uber Cash Without a Credit Card
If you do not have a credit card, you can load Uber Cash using a debit card, which most banks issue to checking account holders. You can also use a prepaid debit card purchased at a grocery store, pharmacy, or online retailer. The prepaid card works like any other debit card for loading Uber Cash — you enter the card number and billing information, and the funds transfer to your Uber account.
Some prepaid cards charge fees for activation, loading, or monthly maintenance, so compare options before buying one. Certain banks and retailers offer prepaid cards with lower or no fees. Once you have a prepaid card with funds on it, loading Uber Cash works the same way as with a regular debit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay Uber with cash if I do not have a card?
No, you must have a credit card, debit card, or prepaid card linked to your account to book any Uber ride. However, you can use a prepaid debit card to load Uber Cash and then pay for rides with that balance. The prepaid card itself does not need to be used for each ride — only to load the Uber Cash balance initially.
What happens if I do not have enough cash to pay the driver?
If you selected UberX Cash and do not have enough cash when the ride ends, tell the driver immediately. They can contact Uber support to report the issue. You may be charged the fare to your backup payment method, or Uber support may work with you to resolve it. Avoid this by checking the estimated fare before booking and having enough cash available.
Is Uber Cash the same as a gift card?
No. Uber Cash is a balance you load yourself using your own payment method and can use for any Uber service. An Uber gift card is purchased as a gift and loaded with a set amount. Both work similarly once the money is in your account, but Uber Cash is for personal use and can be refilled anytime.
Can I get a refund if I load Uber Cash and do not use it?
Uber Cash balances do not expire and do not have a refund option through the app. The money stays in your account until you spend it on rides or Uber Eats. If you need to close your account, contact Uber support to ask about the balance, though refund policies vary by location.
Does UberX Cash work in all cities?
No. UberX Cash is only available in select cities, and availability varies by region. Check your app's payment options when requesting a ride to see if it is available in your area. If it does not appear as an option, it is not currently offered where you are.