Uber does not accept cash as payment in the app or at pickup
You cannot pay a driver in cash through the Uber app. Every ride booked through the app requires a payment method on file before the driver arrives — a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay. The app will not let you request a ride without one.
If you try to pay the driver cash when they arrive, most drivers will refuse. Uber's terms of service require payment through the app, and drivers are not supposed to accept cash. Attempting to pay cash can result in a low rating, a cancellation fee charged to your account, or being deactivated from the platform.
However, there are a few ways to use Uber if you do not have a traditional payment card or prefer not to use one.
Key Takeaways
- Uber requires a payment method linked to your account before you can book a ride; cash payment to the driver is not permitted.
- You can add a prepaid debit card or gift card to your Uber account if you do not have a traditional bank card.
- Uber Cash, a digital wallet feature, lets you load money into your account in advance and use it to pay for rides.
- Some Uber drivers in certain cities participate in Uber's cash payment pilot program, but this is not available everywhere and requires advance setup.
- If you have no payment method at all, you can ask someone else to book the ride under their account and pay them back in cash.
Using a prepaid debit card or gift card
A prepaid debit card works like any other card in the Uber app. You can buy one at a grocery store, pharmacy, or online retailer, load it with cash, and add it to your Uber account the same way you would a regular debit or credit card. Visa and Mastercard prepaid cards are accepted. The card does not need to be registered to your name.
Some people use gift cards from retailers like Target or Walmart that have a Visa or Mastercard logo on them. These work the same way. You load them with cash at the store, then enter the card number into Uber. The balance on the card is what you can spend on rides.
The advantage is that you control exactly how much money is available — once the card balance is gone, you cannot spend more. The disadvantage is that prepaid cards often charge fees to activate, reload, or check your balance, so the cash you put in may not go entirely toward rides.
Loading money into Uber Cash
Uber Cash is a digital wallet inside the Uber app. You can add money to it using a debit card, credit card, or gift card, and then use that balance to pay for rides. To set it up, open the Uber app, go to your account menu, select "Wallet," and choose "Add funds." You can add any amount from $5 to $500 at a time.
Once money is in your Uber Cash balance, it stays there until you use it. You do not need to add a new payment method for each ride. The app will automatically deduct the fare from your Uber Cash balance when the ride ends.
The catch is that you still need a card or digital wallet to load money into Uber Cash in the first place. If you have no card at all, this does not solve the problem. But if you can borrow a card once to load Uber Cash, you can then use rides without that card being present.
Uber's cash payment pilot program
Uber has tested a cash payment option in some cities, where certain drivers can accept cash directly. This pilot is not widely available and changes by location and time. To learn about it is running in your area, open the Uber app and look for a "Cash" payment option in your wallet settings. If you see it, you can select it as your payment method, and the app will match you with drivers who accept cash.
Even where the pilot runs, not all drivers participate, and the program can be paused or ended without notice. You cannot rely on it as your regular payment method. If you do use it and the driver does not show up or refuses to accept cash, you may be charged a cancellation fee anyway.
Having someone else book the ride for you
If you have a friend or family member with an Uber account, they can book a ride for you using their account and payment method. You ride in the car, and you pay them back in cash afterward. This works, but it means the ride is under their name, their account gets the rating, and they are responsible if anything goes wrong.
Some people use this method regularly, but it is not ideal if you need to book rides on your own schedule or do not want to depend on someone else's account.
Why Uber requires payment upfront
Uber's system is built around cashless payment because it protects both the driver and the company. The driver knows they will be paid through the app before they pick you up. Uber can track the transaction, handle disputes, and take a commission. Cash creates uncertainty — the driver has to trust you will pay, disputes are harder to resolve, and Uber cannot verify the transaction happened.
This is also why Uber does not let you book a ride and pay later. The payment method has to be on file and valid before the driver is sent to your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tip the driver in cash if I pay through the app?
Yes. You can add a tip through the app after the ride ends, or you can give the driver cash as a tip when you get out. Many drivers appreciate cash tips because they receive them immediately, though tipping through the app is also common and acceptable.
What happens if I do not have a payment method when the driver arrives?
The driver will likely cancel the ride. You will be charged a cancellation fee to whatever payment method is on your account. If no payment method exists, Uber may suspend your account until you add one and pay the fee.
Can I use someone else's card to pay for my Uber rides?
Technically, yes — you can add another person's card to your account. But Uber's terms say the account holder should be the person using the rides. If disputes arise or the cardholder reports fraud, your account can be deactivated. It is safer to ask them to book the ride under their account.
Do all prepaid cards work with Uber?
Most Visa and Mastercard prepaid cards work. American Express prepaid cards usually work too. Discover is less commonly accepted. Before you buy a prepaid card, check that it has a major card network logo and that Uber lists it as accepted in your country.
If I load Uber Cash, can I get the money back?
Uber Cash balances cannot be refunded or transferred to a bank account. Money loaded into Uber Cash can only be spent on Uber rides or Uber Eats orders. If you load money and then do not use it, that money stays in your account indefinitely, but you cannot convert it back to cash.