What an Uber gift card is and how to use it
An Uber gift card is a prepaid card loaded with a dollar amount that someone can use to pay for Uber rides, Uber Eats food delivery, or both, depending on which type you buy. The recipient doesn't need a credit card on file — they can add the gift card to their Uber account and the balance will cover their trips until it runs out. Once redeemed, the balance stays in that Uber account and doesn't expire.
You can buy Uber gift cards online through Uber's website, through third-party retailers like Amazon or grocery store gift card displays, or sometimes directly in the Uber app. The card itself is digital — you receive a code via email or text that the recipient enters into their account. There is no physical card to mail unless you buy one from a retailer that prints them.
The recipient redeems a gift card by opening the Uber app, going to the Wallet or Payment section, selecting "Add funds" or "Redeem a code," and entering the code. The money then appears as a balance in their account and is used automatically on their next ride or food order.
Key Takeaways
- Uber gift cards are digital codes that load money into an Uber account and can be used for rides, food delivery, or both depending on the card type.
- You can buy them directly from Uber online, from retailers like Amazon or grocery stores, or sometimes through the Uber app itself.
- The recipient redeems the code in their Uber app under Wallet or Payment settings, and the balance never expires once added to their account.
- Gift card balances are account-specific and cannot be transferred to another person or converted back to cash.
- If a code doesn't work, the most common causes are typos, using an already-redeemed code, or the code being region-locked to a country where the recipient doesn't have an account.
Where to buy Uber gift cards
Uber sells gift cards directly on its website in amounts ranging from $10 to $500, though the exact range varies by country. You can buy them there and have the code sent to the recipient's email immediately, or you can print a digital gift card to give in person.
Major retailers also stock Uber gift cards in their physical stores and online. Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and many grocery store chains carry them in their gift card sections. Buying from a retailer can be useful if you want a physical card to wrap as a gift, though you'll still receive a digital code that the recipient must redeem in the app.
Some convenience stores and gas stations sell Uber gift cards as well, though availability varies by location. If you can't find them locally, ordering online from Uber or a major retailer is the most reliable option.
Differences between Uber Rides and Uber Eats gift cards
Uber offers two main types of gift cards: one for rides only and one for Uber Eats (food delivery) only. Some retailers sell combined cards that work for both services, but this depends on where you buy. If you're buying directly from Uber's website, you choose which service the card is for at checkout.
A Rides gift card can only be used to pay for Uber car trips — not food delivery. An Uber Eats gift card works only for food and restaurant orders through the Uber Eats app or website. If you're unsure which the recipient would prefer, a combined card (if available) or asking them directly is the safest approach.
The balance on each type of card is separate. If someone receives both a Rides card and an Eats card, they will have two separate balances in their account and will need to use each one for its intended service.
What happens if the code doesn't work
The most common reason a gift card code doesn't work is a typo when entering it. Codes are case-sensitive and long, so double-check every character. If you're copying and pasting the code, make sure no extra spaces got included at the beginning or end.
A code may also fail if it has already been redeemed by someone else, if it's expired (though Uber gift cards don't expire once purchased, the code itself must be redeemed within a certain window), or if the recipient's account is registered in a different country than the one where the card was purchased. Uber gift cards are region-locked, so a card bought in the United States cannot be used on an account registered in Canada, for example.
If the code still doesn't work after checking for typos and confirming the region matches, contact Uber support through the app or website. Have the original code and receipt ready. Uber can investigate whether the code was already used or if there's a technical issue, and they can reissue a code if the original was defective.
Using a gift card balance across multiple trips
Once a gift card is redeemed into an Uber account, the balance sits there like a prepaid wallet. It will be used automatically on every ride or food order until it runs out. You don't have to do anything special — just request a ride or order food as normal, and Uber will deduct from the gift card balance first before charging any payment method on file.
If the gift card balance doesn't cover the full cost of a trip, Uber will charge the difference to the payment method linked to the account. For example, if someone has $15 left on a gift card and takes a $20 ride, the card covers $15 and their credit card covers the remaining $5.
The balance never expires once it's in the account. Someone can use it immediately or wait months — it will still be there. There's no time limit on spending a redeemed gift card balance.
Gift card refunds and what you cannot do with the balance
Once a gift card code is redeemed into an account, Uber does not refund it or convert it back to cash. The balance is locked to that account and cannot be transferred to another person or used by anyone else, even if they have access to the account temporarily.
If someone receives a gift card they don't want, they cannot exchange it for a different amount or type. They can only use it on rides or food delivery through Uber. If they never use it, the balance remains in their account indefinitely, but it cannot be withdrawn or refunded.
If you purchased a gift card and the recipient never redeemed the code, you may be able to request a refund from Uber or the retailer where you bought it, depending on their return policy. Once the code is redeemed, however, refunds are not available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy an Uber gift card for someone in another country?
No. Uber gift cards are region-locked to the country where they're purchased. A card bought in the United States will not work on an account registered in the United Kingdom, Australia, or any other country. You must buy a gift card from the Uber website or retailer in the recipient's country.
What if someone uses my gift card code before I give it to them?
Gift card codes can be redeemed by anyone who has the code, so treat it like cash. If you're emailing or texting the code, make sure it goes to the right person. If the code is redeemed by someone else before the intended recipient gets it, Uber cannot reverse the transaction or issue a refund. Keep the code private until you're ready to give it.
Does an Uber gift card balance expire?
No. Once the code is redeemed into an account, the balance never expires and can be used anytime in the future. However, the unredeemed code itself may expire if not used within a certain period — typically 12 months from purchase, though this varies by region and retailer.
Can I add a gift card balance to someone else's account?
No. The person who redeems the code must do it themselves in their own Uber account. You cannot redeem a code on behalf of someone else or transfer a balance between accounts. You can give them the code and they can enter it, but the balance will be added to their account only.
What if I bought a gift card and the recipient's account is in a different country?
The code will not work. You will need to purchase a new gift card from a retailer or Uber's website in the country where their account is registered. Contact Uber support with your original receipt to request a refund for the unusable card.