What you get with a first-order promo

Uber Eats offers a discount on your first order through the app or website, usually between $5 and $15 off, depending on your location and the current promotion running. The discount applies to the food and drink subtotal before taxes and fees, so it reduces what you actually pay the restaurant. You don't need a promo code in most cases — the discount shows automatically when you open the app for the first time or when you place your first order.

The exact amount varies by city and changes periodically. Some promotions also include free delivery on that first order, or they waive the small-order fee if your purchase falls below a minimum. The promotion is one-time only per account, meaning once you've placed and completed an order, the discount disappears and future orders are at full price.

Key Takeaways

  • First-order discounts typically range from $5 to $15 and apply automatically in the app without needing a code.
  • The discount covers only the food and drink subtotal, not delivery fees or taxes, so your actual savings depend on your order size.
  • You must complete your first order for the discount to work — adding items to your cart and leaving doesn't trigger it.
  • Once you've placed one order, the promotion ends for your account and standard pricing applies to all future orders.

How to see and use the first-order discount

Open the Uber Eats app or go to ubereats.com and sign in with a new account or an account that has never placed an order. The discount banner usually appears on the home screen or at the top of the restaurant list. If you don't see it immediately, scroll down — it may be displayed below featured restaurants or current promotions.

Add items to your cart from any restaurant, then proceed to checkout. The discount applies automatically at the payment screen; you won't need to enter a code or click anything extra. Review the order total to confirm the discount has been subtracted, then complete the payment. The order must be placed and delivered (or picked up, depending on the restaurant) for the promotion to count as used.

What disqualifies you from the first-order discount

If you've already placed an order on your account, even if you didn't complete payment or the order was cancelled, you may not see the discount on a second attempt. Uber Eats tracks this at the account level, so creating a new email address or phone number creates a new account with its own first-order promotion.

Some restaurants or delivery zones may not participate in the promotion, though this is rare. If you're ordering from a restaurant that doesn't accept the discount, the app will show your full price without the reduction. Promo codes from other sources (like a referral link or a promotional email) are separate from the first-order discount and may have their own rules about stacking or timing.

Combining the first-order discount with other offers

In most cases, you cannot stack the first-order discount with a promo code. If you have a referral code from a friend or a promotional code from an email, you'll need to choose one or the other. The app typically shows which offer gives you the larger discount and may recommend it, but you can override that choice at checkout.

Uber Eats Pass, the subscription service, does not combine with the first-order discount either. If you're a Pass member, you already receive discounts on delivery fees and some restaurant items, but you won't receive an additional first-order reduction. Loyalty points or cash-back offers from your credit card or payment method work alongside the discount because they're handled outside the Uber Eats system.

When the discount doesn't appear

If you don't see a first-order discount in your app, it may not be available in your delivery zone at that moment. Promotions rotate by region and change throughout the year, so your city might not have an active offer. Check back in a few days or a week — new promotions often launch on weekends or at the start of a month.

Clear your app cache and restart it to rule out a display glitch. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find Uber Eats, and tap Offload App; then reinstall it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Uber Eats > Storage > Clear Cache. If the discount still doesn't appear after that, contact Uber Eats support through the app's Help section and describe what you're seeing.

How first-order promos compare across delivery services

DoorDash, Grubhub, and other delivery platforms offer similar first-order discounts, usually in the $5 to $15 range. The mechanics are nearly identical: the discount applies automatically, covers only the food subtotal, and is one-time per account. The main difference is the restaurants available in your area and how often each service rotates its promotion amount.

If you're new to food delivery overall, you can use a first-order discount on each service once, spreading them across different apps over time. This is a practical way to try each platform without paying full price. However, if you're comparing which service to use regularly, factor in delivery fees, restaurant selection, and customer service reputation alongside the one-time discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the first-order discount on a pickup order instead of delivery?

Yes. The discount applies to pickup orders the same way it applies to delivery. The amount you save is the same regardless of how you receive your food.

What happens if my first order is cancelled or refunded?

If you cancel before the restaurant accepts the order, the discount is typically not used and may remain available. If the restaurant or Uber Eats cancels after acceptance, check your account — some refunds restore the promotion, others don't. Contact support with your order number if you're unsure.

Can I split a first-order discount between two accounts?

No. Each account receives one first-order discount tied to that account only. You cannot transfer it or combine it with another person's account.

Does the first-order discount work on alcohol or convenience items?

It depends on the restaurant and your location. Most discounts apply to all items, including alcohol where it's sold through the app. Some regional restrictions may exclude certain categories, but this is uncommon.

How long do I have to use the first-order discount before it expires?

Uber Eats does not publish an expiration date for first-order discounts. In practice, promotions remain available indefinitely until you place an order, but the discount amount or terms may change if the promotion is updated.