Where Uber Eats discounts come from and how to spot them
Uber Eats discounts appear in three places: inside the app itself, through your bank or credit card, and occasionally through restaurants running their own promotions. The app shows you available discounts before you check out — they appear as a line item you can tap to add. Not every order qualifies for every discount, and what's available changes based on your location, the restaurant, and the time of day.
The most common discounts are percentage-off deals on your first order (usually 50% off up to a certain amount), free delivery on orders over a minimum spend, and reduced delivery fees during specific hours. Restaurants sometimes offer their own codes that work only at their location. Your bank or card issuer may also have a partnership with Uber Eats that gives you cash back or a discount on orders placed through their app or website.
Key Takeaways
- Check the Uber Eats app's "Deals" or "Promotions" tab before ordering to see what discounts are currently running in your area.
- First-time users often receive a discount code via email or in-app notification that covers a percentage of the order or delivery fee.
- Your bank, credit card, or payment app may offer cash back or discounts on Uber Eats orders — check your card's rewards program or app partnerships.
- Restaurant-specific promotions sometimes appear in the restaurant's menu page or require entering a code at checkout.
- Delivery fee discounts and free delivery thresholds change by time of day and location, so the same restaurant may have different deals at lunch versus dinner.
How to find promotions in the Uber Eats app
Open the Uber Eats app and look for a "Deals," "Promotions," or "Offers" section — the exact name varies by app version and region. This tab shows all active discounts available to you right now, organized by restaurant or discount type. Tap any deal to see the terms: whether it applies to the whole order or only certain items, what the minimum spend is, and whether there are any restrictions (like "valid only on orders over $15" or "excludes alcohol").
When you add items to your cart and proceed to checkout, the app will automatically show you which discounts you can apply. Some discounts stack (you might use a percentage-off code and a free delivery offer together), but most do not — you'll choose one. Read the fine print before tapping "Apply" because some discounts exclude certain restaurants, item categories, or delivery zones.
First-order discounts and promo codes
If you're a new Uber Eats user, you should receive a first-order discount automatically. This typically arrives as an in-app notification or email with a code, and it usually covers 50% off your first order up to a set amount (often $15 to $25). You don't need to enter anything — the discount applies when you check out, or you may need to tap a button to activate it depending on how it was sent to you.
Promo codes from other sources (a friend's referral link, a restaurant's website, a promotion you saw online) must be entered manually at checkout. Look for a field labeled "Promo Code," "Discount Code," or "Add Promo Code" on the payment screen. Type or paste the code exactly as written, including any hyphens or capital letters, then tap "Apply." If the code doesn't work, the app will tell you why — it may have expired, may not be valid in your location, or may not apply to the restaurants you've selected.
Bank and credit card partnerships
Many banks and credit card issuers have partnered with Uber Eats to offer cardholders discounts or cash back. Check your card issuer's website or mobile app under "Offers," "Benefits," "Perks," or "Partnerships" to see if Uber Eats is listed. Some cards give you a flat percentage back on all Uber Eats purchases (typically 2% to 4%), while others offer a one-time discount on your first order or free delivery for a set period.
To use a bank or card benefit, you usually just need to pay with that card when you check out — the discount or cash back applies automatically. Some partnerships require you to click a link or activate the offer in your card's app first. Read the terms carefully, because some offers are limited to a certain number of uses per month or only apply to orders over a minimum amount.
Restaurant-specific promotions and loyalty programs
Individual restaurants sometimes run their own Uber Eats promotions, separate from the platform-wide deals. These might appear as a banner on the restaurant's menu page in the app, or you might need to enter a code the restaurant advertised on their website or social media. Common restaurant promotions include discounts on specific menu items, free sides with orders over a certain amount, or percentage-off deals during lunch or dinner hours.
Some restaurants also have their own loyalty programs that work through Uber Eats. You link your account to the restaurant's rewards program, and points or credits accumulate with each order. Check the restaurant's page in the app or their website to see if they offer this — it's usually listed under "Rewards," "Loyalty," or "Earn Points."
Timing and location affect what discounts are available
The discounts you see depend on where you are and when you're ordering. Delivery fee discounts are often higher during slow periods (mid-afternoon on a weekday, for example) and lower during peak hours (dinner time on Friday). Some restaurants offer lunch specials that disappear after 3 p.m. Your location matters too — a promotion running in one neighborhood may not be available a few miles away, and some deals are only for users in certain cities.
If you don't see a discount you expected, check whether you're in the right delivery zone, whether the promotion has ended, or whether you've already used a one-time code. The app will usually tell you why a discount isn't available if you tap on it.
What to watch out for when using discount codes
Read the terms before you apply any discount. Some codes exclude certain restaurants, item types (like alcohol or prepared meals), or delivery zones. Others require a minimum order amount — if your cart is $12 and the code requires $15 minimum, it won't work. A few discounts are one-time only, meaning you can use them once per account and never again.
Expired codes won't work, and the app will reject them at checkout. If you find a code online, check the date it was posted — codes from more than a few months ago are often no longer valid. If a code doesn't work, don't assume it's fake; it may simply have expired or may not be valid in your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple discount codes on one order?
Usually not. Most Uber Eats orders allow you to apply one discount code or promotion at checkout. However, some bank or card benefits may stack with platform discounts — for example, you might use a 20% off code and still earn cash back from your credit card. Check the terms of each offer to see if stacking is allowed.
Why does the app show different discounts for the same restaurant at different times?
Restaurants and Uber Eats adjust promotions based on demand. Slower times get bigger discounts to attract orders, while peak hours may have smaller or no discounts. Your location and order history can also affect what you see — the app sometimes shows personalized offers based on your past ordering patterns.
Do I have to spend a minimum amount to use a discount code?
Most codes have a minimum order requirement, though it varies. Some require $15 minimum, others $25 or more. The app shows you the minimum before you apply the code, so you'll know whether your cart qualifies. If your order is below the minimum, add more items or choose a different discount.
What happens if I enter a promo code wrong?
The app will reject it and tell you the code is invalid. Make sure you've typed it exactly as written, including any hyphens, numbers, or capital letters. If you're copying and pasting, check that no extra spaces were included. If it still doesn't work, the code may have expired or may not be valid in your location.
Can I get a refund if a discount didn't apply correctly?
If a discount was supposed to apply but didn't, contact Uber Eats support through the app. Go to your order history, select the order, and tap "Help" or "Report an Issue." Explain what happened, and support can review whether the discount should have worked and issue a refund if there was an error.