What the Uber credit card does and who offers it

The Uber credit card is a rewards card issued by Barclays that gives you cash back on Uber rides, Uber Eats orders, and other purchases. You earn a set percentage back on Uber and Uber Eats spending, a lower percentage on gas and restaurants, and a flat rate on everything else. The card itself has no annual fee.

Barclays is the bank behind the card — they handle the account, set the credit terms, and decide whether to approve you based on your credit history and income. Uber does not issue the card or make lending decisions, though they benefit when cardholders spend more on their platform.

The rewards structure and cash-back rates change occasionally, so the specific percentages you earn depend on when you open the account. You can check the current offer on Barclays' website or Uber's app before you decide whether the card makes sense for your spending.

Key Takeaways

  • The Uber credit card earns cash back on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, plus smaller rewards on gas, restaurants, and other purchases.
  • Barclays issues the card and makes approval decisions based on your credit score, income, and credit history — not on how much you use Uber.
  • There is no annual fee, but you pay interest on any balance you do not pay off in full each month.
  • The card works like any other credit card: you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, not just on Uber services.
  • Rewards are paid as cash back into your account, usually monthly, and you can use them however you want.

How rewards work and what you actually earn

Cash back is calculated as a percentage of what you spend. If the card offers 4% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats, and you spend $100 on an Uber Eats order, you earn $4 back. That $4 typically appears in your account within a few days to a week, and you can use it to pay your bill, transfer it to a bank account, or leave it as a credit on your card.

The catch is that the highest rewards rates only apply to Uber and Uber Eats purchases. Gas, restaurants, and other categories earn less — often 2% or 1%. Everything else earns a flat rate, usually 1%. So if you rarely use Uber or Uber Eats, the card may not save you much money compared to a general cash-back card.

You only earn rewards on purchases you actually make. If you spend $500 a month on Uber and Uber Eats, you earn roughly $20 in cash back (at 4%). If you spend $100, you earn $4. The rewards do not stack, and you cannot earn bonus cash back by paying your bill early or on time — the rewards are tied only to what you spend.

Credit requirements and how approval works

Barclays will check your credit score, credit history, and income before deciding whether to approve you. You typically need a credit score in the mid-600s or higher, though the exact requirement is not public. If you have recent late payments, collections accounts, or very high existing debt, you are less likely to be approved.

When you apply, Barclays performs a hard inquiry on your credit report — this temporarily lowers your score by a few points and stays on your report for about two years. If you are denied, you can ask Barclays why, though they may only say "credit history" or "insufficient income" without details.

Being approved for the card does not mean you have to use it. You can open the account, receive the card, and decide later whether to activate it or use it regularly. There is no penalty for low spending or inactivity, though Barclays may close the account if it sits unused for a very long time.

Interest, fees, and what happens if you carry a balance

The card has no annual fee, but it charges interest on any balance you do not pay off by the due date. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) depends on your credit score and credit history — people with excellent credit get lower rates, and people with fair or poor credit get higher rates. Barclays will tell you your APR when you open the account.

If you carry a $500 balance at 18% APR and pay only the minimum, you will pay roughly $75 in interest over a year before the balance is even close to paid off. The cash back you earn (around $20 on $500 in Uber spending) does not come close to covering that interest. The card only saves you money if you pay the full balance every month.

There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card internationally without extra charges. There are also no late fees if you pay on time, and no over-limit fees if you stay within your credit limit.

How the card compares to other rewards cards

If you spend heavily on Uber and Uber Eats — say $300 or more per month — the Uber card's rewards rate makes sense. You earn cash back at a rate that beats most general cards, and the lack of an annual fee means there is no cost to keeping it open.

If you spend less than $100 a month on Uber and Uber Eats, a flat 2% cash-back card (with no annual fee) will likely earn you more money overall. Those cards pay 2% on everything, so you earn $2 per $100 spent anywhere. The Uber card pays 4% on Uber and Uber Eats but only 1% on most other purchases, so the math works out worse unless Uber and Uber Eats make up most of your spending.

Some cards offer sign-up bonuses — a one-time cash-back reward for spending a certain amount in the first few months. The Uber card sometimes has these offers, and sometimes does not. If you are considering the card, check whether a bonus is currently available, because it can be worth $100 or more if you meet the spending requirement.

What to watch out for before you open the account

Read the terms carefully before you apply. The rewards rates, annual fee, and APR can all change, and Barclays will notify you by mail if they do. You have the right to close the account if you disagree with a change, though closing it does not erase any balance you owe.

Do not apply for the card just because you use Uber occasionally. The hard inquiry will lower your credit score slightly, and if you are denied, that inquiry stays on your report without any benefit. If your credit score is below 650 or you have recent late payments, your chances of approval are low.

Be aware that opening a new credit card account lowers your average account age, which can temporarily hurt your credit score. If you are planning to apply for a mortgage, car loan, or other major credit in the next few months, opening a new card may not be worth the timing cost.

How to use the card responsibly

Treat the Uber card like any other credit card: spend only what you can pay off in full each month. Set up automatic payments to your full balance so you never miss a due date and never pay interest. If you cannot pay the full balance, the card's rewards will not make up for the interest you will owe.

Track your spending to make sure the rewards are actually saving you money. If you find yourself taking more Uber rides because you have the card, or spending more on Uber Eats than you would otherwise, the rewards are costing you money, not saving it. The card is a tool to reward spending you would do anyway, not an incentive to spend more.

Check your statement each month for unauthorized charges. If you see a charge you did not make, contact Barclays right away. Credit card fraud is common, and the sooner you report it, the sooner the bank can investigate and remove the charge from your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Uber credit card places other than Uber?

Yes. The card is a Visa, so you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted — grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, everywhere. You earn lower cash-back rates on non-Uber purchases (usually 1% to 2%), but the card works like any other credit card outside the Uber ecosystem.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Any cash back you have already earned stays in your account and you can use it. Barclays will not take back rewards you have already received. However, you will not earn any new rewards after you close the card, and you will lose access to any sign-up bonus you have not yet received.

Do I need an Uber account to open the card?

No. You can open the card without an Uber account, though most people who apply already use Uber. Having an account does not affect approval, and you can use the card for Uber rides and Uber Eats orders whether or not you had an account before you applied.

What if I am denied for the card?

You can ask Barclays why you were denied, though they may not give specific details. If your credit score is low, you can work on improving it over several months and apply again. If your income is the issue, you can reapply once your income has increased. You can also apply for a different rewards card with lower credit requirements.

Can I transfer my Uber rewards to airline miles or hotel points?

No. The Uber card pays cash back only, not points or miles. You receive the rewards as cash that you can use to pay your bill, transfer to a bank account, or leave as a credit on your card. You cannot convert them to other reward programs.