Costco sells Uber gift cards in physical denominations, and you can use them to pay for rides or Uber Eats orders

Costco carries Uber gift cards in their warehouse locations and online at Costco.com. The cards come in fixed amounts — typically $25, $50, and $100 denominations, though the exact options available may vary by location and over time. You buy them at the register or through the website like any other merchandise, and once you have one, you load the balance into your Uber account to use for rides, Uber Eats food delivery, or Uber Cash.

The main reason people buy Uber gift cards at Costco is that Costco members sometimes find them discounted compared to face value, particularly during promotional periods. However, discounts are not may provide year-round, so you should compare the price you see against the card's stated value before buying. If there is no discount, you are simply paying full price for a gift card you could buy directly from Uber.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco Uber gift cards come in set denominations and may occasionally be discounted for members, though this varies by location and season.
  • You can use the card balance for Uber rides, Uber Eats orders, or to load into your Uber Cash wallet.
  • To use the card, you redeem the code on the back through the Uber app or website, and the balance is added to your account immediately.
  • Costco gift cards are not returnable for cash refunds, so you should confirm the discount (if any) makes the purchase worthwhile before checkout.
  • If you lose the card or the code before redeeming it, Costco's return policy and Uber's terms will determine whether you can recover the balance.

How to redeem an Uber gift card from Costco

Once you have the physical card, open the Uber app or go to Uber.com and sign into your account. Look for the "Wallet" or "Payment" section — the exact name depends on whether you are using the app or website, but it is where you manage your payment methods and balances. Select the option to add a gift card or promo code, then scratch off or carefully peel back the protective coating on the back of the card to reveal the code underneath.

Enter the code exactly as it appears, including any hyphens or capital letters. Uber will validate the code and add the balance to your account within seconds. You do not need to create a separate account or link anything else — the money is simply added to your Uber Cash balance and is ready to use on your next ride or food order. If the code does not work, double-check that you entered it correctly, and if it still fails, contact Costco or Uber support with your receipt and the card.

When Costco Uber gift cards are discounted

Costco periodically marks down Uber gift cards as part of seasonal promotions or inventory management. These discounts are most common during holiday shopping periods or when Costco is clearing stock, but they are not predictable and do not happen every month. A $50 card might sell for $40 or $45 during a promotion, which means you are getting $50 worth of Uber service for less money out of your pocket.

The discount, if one exists, is usually printed on a sign near the gift card display or shown on the product page online. Before you add the card to your cart, verify that the price shown is actually lower than the card's face value. If there is no discount, buying the card at Costco is the same as buying it anywhere else — you are paying full price for the same service.

What to do if you lose the card or code before redeeming

Costco gift cards, including Uber cards, are generally not returnable for cash refunds once they leave the warehouse, even if unopened. If you lose the physical card before scratching off the code, your options depend on whether you have your Costco receipt. With a receipt, Costco may be able to look up the card's serial number and issue a replacement, though policies vary by location and manager discretion.

If you have already scratched off the code but lost the card itself, you have the code written down somewhere, or you took a photo of it before losing the card, you can still redeem it through Uber. If you have neither the card nor the code and no receipt, recovery becomes much harder. Contact Costco customer service with your membership number and the approximate date of purchase — they may be able to track it, but there is no may provide. Uber cannot issue a refund for an unredeemed code without proof from Costco that the card was purchased.

Costco membership requirements and online ordering

You must have an active Costco membership to buy Uber gift cards in the warehouse. If you shop online at Costco.com, you still need a membership to place an order, though some online-only promotions or discounts may differ from in-warehouse pricing. Costco membership tiers (Gold Star, Executive) do not affect gift card pricing, but Executive members may earn a small percentage back on their purchase as part of their membership rewards.

If you do not have a Costco membership, you can still buy Uber gift cards directly from Uber, Amazon, Target, or other retailers — you simply will not see any Costco-specific discount. Some people buy a Costco membership specifically to take advantage of periodic gift card promotions, but you should calculate whether the membership cost and the discount on the card make that worthwhile for your situation.

Using Uber gift card balance for rides and Uber Eats

Once the balance is loaded into your Uber account, it appears as Uber Cash and is used automatically when you request a ride or place a food order. If your ride or order costs less than your balance, the remainder stays in your account for future use. If the cost exceeds your balance, Uber will prompt you to add a payment method (credit card, debit card, or linked bank account) to cover the difference.

Uber Cash does not expire as long as your account remains active, so there is no rush to spend the balance. However, if your Uber account is inactive for an extended period or is closed, Uber's terms may allow them to remove unused balances. For practical purposes, treat the balance as money to spend within a reasonable timeframe — typically within a year or two of loading it.

Comparing Costco Uber cards to other ways to buy

The main alternative to buying at Costco is purchasing directly from Uber, Amazon, Target, Walmart, or other retailers. Direct purchases from Uber may provide no discount but offer immediate digital delivery if you buy online. Amazon and other retailers sometimes run their own promotions on Uber gift cards, so it is worth checking multiple sources if you are looking for a deal.

Another option is to use Uber's own promotions and promo codes, which are often sent to existing users via email or the app. These codes may offer ride credits or discounts on specific services and do not require buying a gift card. If you are a new user, Uber sometimes offers a credit for your first ride. For regular users, the Uber Pass subscription provides a monthly fee for discounted rides and Eats orders, which may save more money than a one-time gift card purchase if you use the service frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return an Uber gift card to Costco if I change my mind?

Costco's return policy for gift cards is strict: they are generally not returnable for cash refunds once purchased. If the card is unopened and you have your receipt, some Costco locations may make an exception, but this is not may provide. Contact your local warehouse or Costco customer service to ask about your specific situation.

What if the Uber gift card code does not work when I try to redeem it?

First, make sure you entered the code exactly as printed, including any hyphens or capital letters. If it still does not work, the code may have been damaged or the card may be defective. Contact Costco with your receipt and the card — they can verify the purchase and may issue a replacement or refund.

Do Costco Uber gift cards work outside the United States?

Uber operates in many countries, but Costco gift cards purchased in the United States are typically loaded in US dollars and work only on US Uber accounts. If you are traveling internationally, check whether Uber operates in that country and whether your US balance can be used there. For international travel, it is usually safer to use a credit card or local payment method.

Can I combine multiple Uber gift card balances into one account?

Yes. If you redeem multiple Uber gift cards, each balance is added to your Uber Cash wallet and combined into a single total. You can redeem as many cards as you want into the same account, and the balances will simply add together.

Is there a difference between an Uber gift card and Uber Cash?

An Uber gift card is a physical card you buy and redeem. Uber Cash is the digital wallet balance that results after you redeem the card. They are the same thing functionally — once the card is redeemed, you have Uber Cash to spend on rides and Eats.