Where to find first-time user discounts on Uber Eats
Uber Eats offers discounts to new users, but where you find the code depends on how you hear about it. The most common route is through the Uber Eats app itself — when you open it for the first time, you may see a banner or pop-up offering a discount on your first order. You can also receive codes via email if you have an Uber account already, or through text message if you've given Uber your phone number.
Discount codes also appear on Uber's website, in app store listings, and sometimes through partner promotions. If you're a student, you may see different offers through a student verification service like SheerID. Credit card companies and banks sometimes bundle Uber Eats credits with new card sign-ups, so check any welcome materials that came with a recent card.
The discount amount and what it covers — whether it's a percentage off, a flat dollar amount, or free delivery — varies by location and changes over time. There is no single "standard" first-time offer that applies everywhere.
Key Takeaways
- First-time discounts usually appear in the Uber Eats app when you create a new account, or arrive by email or text if you already use Uber.
- The discount amount and terms differ by city and change frequently, so what one person sees may not match what another person sees.
- You typically enter a code at checkout under a "Promo Code" or "Add Promo Code" field before you pay.
- Some codes have minimum order amounts, restaurant restrictions, or expiration dates, so read the terms before you place an order.
- If you don't see an offer in the app, check your email, text messages, or the Uber website — or create your account and wait a few days for an offer to appear.
How to enter a discount code at checkout
Once you have a code, entering it takes a few steps. Open the Uber Eats app, add items to your cart from any restaurant, and proceed to checkout. On the payment screen, look for a field labeled "Promo Code," "Add Promo Code," or "Discount Code" — the exact wording varies depending on your phone's operating system and the app version you have.
Tap that field, type or paste your code, and tap "Apply." The app will show you whether the code worked and what discount it gives you. If the code doesn't work, the app will tell you why — usually because it's expired, you don't meet the minimum order amount, or the code doesn't work at the restaurant you chose.
After the discount applies, you'll see the new total before you confirm payment. Make sure the discount actually reduced your bill before you complete the order.
What restrictions usually come with first-time codes
Most first-time codes have conditions attached. The most common are a minimum order amount (for example, you must spend at least $15 before the discount applies), a maximum discount (the code might say "up to $10 off"), or both. Some codes work only at certain restaurants or restaurant categories, and some exclude delivery fees or only cover the food itself.
Codes also have expiration dates. A code might be valid for 30 days from when you receive it, or it might expire on a specific calendar date. The app will usually tell you the expiration date when you enter the code, but if you're unsure, check your email or text message where the code came from.
First-time codes are almost always one-time use only — you can use each code once per account. If you have multiple people in your household, each person needs their own account to use a separate code.
What to do if you don't see a first-time offer
Not every new account gets an offer immediately. If you create an account and don't see a discount code in the app or in your email within a few days, check a few places. Look in your email spam or promotions folder — discount codes sometimes land there. Check any text messages from Uber. Log into your account on the Uber website and look for promotions in your account settings.
You can also try opening the app a few days later — Uber sometimes delays offers to new users by a week or more. If you still don't see anything after waiting, you may not be in a location or demographic group that Uber is currently targeting with first-time offers, which is common and not something you can change.
If you have a code from a friend, a credit card offer, or a promotional email, you can enter that code even if Uber hasn't sent you a first-time offer. The code itself determines whether you can use it, not whether Uber designated you as a "first-time user."
Codes from friends and referral programs
Uber Eats also runs referral programs where existing users can share codes with friends. If a friend gives you a code, it usually works the same way as any other promo code — you enter it at checkout. However, referral codes sometimes have different rules than standard first-time offers. A referral code might give you a discount and also give your friend a credit, or it might work only if you meet certain conditions like ordering within a certain time frame.
Referral codes are usually one-time use per new account, just like other first-time codes. If you use a referral code, you won't be able to use a different first-time code on the same account.
Codes that don't work and what to try next
If you enter a code and it doesn't work, the app will show an error message. Common reasons include: the code has expired, your order total is below the minimum amount required, you've already used that code on this account, the code doesn't work at the restaurant you selected, or the code is not valid in your location.
If the error message is unclear, take a screenshot of it and check the email or text where you got the code — it usually has terms that explain what the code covers. If the code came from a credit card offer or a partner promotion, contact that company to confirm the code is still valid.
If you believe a code should work but doesn't, you can contact Uber Eats support through the app. Go to your account, select "Help," and describe the problem. Support can sometimes manually add a credit to your account, though this is not may provide.
How first-time discounts compare across locations
The discount you see depends on where you are. A first-time user in New York City might see "$15 off your first order," while someone in a smaller city might see "20% off," and someone in a third location might see free delivery. Uber adjusts offers by market based on competition, demand, and how many new users they're trying to attract in that area.
This means you cannot predict what offer you'll see before you create an account, and you cannot change your location to get a better offer. The offer Uber shows you is based on the address you provide when you sign up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a first-time code if I already have an Uber account?
Not usually. First-time codes are for new Uber Eats accounts. If you already have an Uber account (even if you've never used Eats), you may not be able to use a first-time Eats code. However, some codes are designed for existing Uber users who are new to Eats specifically — check the code's terms to see what it says about account age.
What happens if I use someone else's first-time code?
If a friend gives you their personal first-time code, it may not work because most codes are tied to a specific account or email address. Referral codes are designed to be shared and should work. If you try a code and it doesn't work, the app will tell you why — usually because it's already been used or it's not valid for your account type.
Do I have to use the code on my first order?
Most first-time codes can be used on any order, not just your very first one. However, some codes expire quickly — within 7 to 30 days of when you receive them — so using it sooner rather than later is usually safer. Check the expiration date on your code before you wait too long.
Can I stack multiple codes on one order?
No. Uber Eats allows only one promo code per order. If you have multiple codes, you'll need to choose which one to use. Pick the one that saves you the most money on that particular order.
What if the code works but the discount doesn't show up in my final bill?
Check your order confirmation email — the discount should be listed there as a separate line item. If it's not, take a screenshot of your receipt and contact Uber Eats support through the app. They can review the order and add the credit back to your account if there was an error.