How Uber gift cards and promotional credits work
Uber gift cards and promotional credits are two different things, and they work differently in your account. A gift card is a prepaid balance you buy from Uber or a retailer and give to someone else — or keep for yourself. A promotional credit is money Uber gives you for free, usually as a sign-up bonus, referral reward, or special offer. Both go into your Uber account as a balance you can spend on rides, food delivery, or other Uber services.
When you redeem either one, the balance appears in your Uber app and is automatically used when you request a ride or place an order. You do not need to enter a code at checkout — Uber deducts from your balance first, then charges your payment method for anything left over. If your balance covers the full cost, you are charged nothing extra.
Key Takeaways
- Gift cards are redeemed by entering a code in the Uber app under "Wallet" or "Payment Methods," and the balance appears immediately.
- Promotional credits from Uber are added to your account automatically and do not require a code — they show up in your app without action on your part.
- Both gift card balances and promotional credits are used automatically on your next ride or order and do not expire as long as your account remains active.
- Gift cards purchased from third-party retailers (grocery stores, gas stations) use the same redemption process as Uber-issued cards.
Redeeming a gift card in the Uber app
To redeem an Uber gift card, open the Uber app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right. Select "Wallet" or "Payment Methods" — the exact label depends on your app version and region. Look for an option that says "Add funds," "Redeem code," or "Enter promo code."
Tap that option and enter the code printed on the back of your gift card or in the email confirmation if you bought it online. The code is usually a long string of letters and numbers. After you enter it, tap "Redeem" or "Add." The balance appears in your Wallet immediately and is ready to use on your next trip.
If the code does not work, check that you typed it correctly — codes are case-sensitive on some systems. Make sure the gift card has not already been redeemed by someone else. If you bought it from a retailer and the code still fails, contact that retailer's customer service, because the card may have been damaged or never activated at the point of sale.
What happens to promotional credits from Uber
Promotional credits that Uber sends you do not require redemption. They are added to your account automatically and appear in your Wallet as "Uber Cash" or "Account Balance." You will usually see a notification in the app when the credit lands, and it shows the amount and any expiration date or restrictions.
Some promotional credits come with conditions — for example, a sign-up bonus might only work on rides, not food delivery, or it might require a minimum trip cost. Read the terms in the notification or in your promotions tab to understand what the credit covers. If you try to use it on an ineligible service, the app will tell you the credit cannot be applied to that purchase.
Promotional credits stay in your account as long as your Uber account is active. They do not expire simply because time passes, but some promotions do have an end date — Uber will tell you when that is in the offer details.
Using your balance on rides and orders
Once your gift card or promotional credit is in your Wallet, you do not have to do anything special to use it. When you request a ride or place a food order, Uber automatically deducts from your balance first. If your balance is enough to cover the full cost, you are charged nothing. If your balance is less than the total, Uber charges your linked payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account) for the difference.
You can see your current balance anytime by opening the Wallet section of the app. The balance updates immediately after each transaction. If you have multiple payment methods saved, Uber will always use your balance before moving to the next method.
Gift cards from retailers and third-party sellers
Uber gift cards sold at grocery stores, gas stations, and other retailers work the same way as cards bought directly from Uber. The code on the back is redeemed the same way — enter it in your Wallet through the app. The only difference is that retailer-sold cards may take a few minutes to activate after purchase, so wait a few minutes before trying to redeem if you just bought one.
Do not buy Uber gift cards from third-party resellers or marketplaces unless you trust the seller. Cards bought from unknown sources may have been used already or may be counterfeit. Stick to official retailers, Uber's website, or the Uber app itself to avoid losing money.
Troubleshooting redemption problems
If your code does not work, first check that you entered it exactly as printed — spaces, hyphens, and capitalization matter. Copy and paste the code if possible rather than typing it by hand. Make sure you are using the correct Uber account; if you have multiple accounts, the gift card is tied to whichever account you redeemed it into.
If the code is correct but still fails, the card may have already been redeemed by someone else, or it may be expired. Contact Uber support through the app by tapping the menu, selecting "Help," and choosing "Account & Payment." Describe the problem and provide the code. Uber can tell you whether the card is valid and help you resolve the issue.
For retailer-purchased cards, if the code fails immediately after purchase, take the card back to the store with your receipt. The retailer can check whether the card was activated and may be able to reissue it or refund you on the spot.
Checking your balance and transaction history
Open the Uber app and go to your Wallet to see your current balance. The Wallet also shows your recent transactions — each ride or order and how much was deducted from your balance. If you want a detailed breakdown, tap on any transaction to see the full receipt, including the tip, fees, and how much came from your balance versus your payment method.
Keep an eye on your balance if you have a promotional credit with an expiration date. Uber will send a reminder before it expires, but checking your Wallet regularly helps you remember to use it before the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my gift card balance to another person?
No. Once a gift card is redeemed into your account, the balance is tied to that account and cannot be transferred, refunded, or given to someone else. If you want to give Uber credit to another person, buy them a new gift card instead of redeeming one into your own account.
What if I lose my gift card before redeeming it?
If you have the receipt or confirmation email with the code, you can still redeem it into your account. If you lost both the card and the code, contact Uber support or the retailer where you bought it. Provide proof of purchase, and they may be able to look up the code or issue a replacement.
Do gift card balances expire?
Gift card balances do not expire as long as your Uber account is active. However, some promotional credits do have expiration dates — Uber will tell you the deadline when you receive the credit. If you do not use the balance before the expiration date, it is forfeited.
Can I use my gift card balance to pay for Uber Eats?
Yes. Gift card balances and promotional credits work across all Uber services — rides, Uber Eats, Uber Freight, and any other service available in your region. The balance is shared across all services, so using it on one reduces the amount available for the others.
What if my promotional credit has restrictions?
Some credits only work on certain services (rides only, or food delivery only) or have a minimum trip cost. The app will tell you when you try to use it if the credit does not apply to that purchase. Use the credit on an may be able to access service, or contact Uber support if you believe the restriction is incorrect.