What an Uber Eats gift card is and how it works
An Uber Eats gift card is a prepaid card you can buy and give to someone, or use yourself, to pay for food delivery orders through the Uber Eats app or website. When you or the recipient redeems it, the dollar amount loads into an Uber Eats account as a credit balance. That balance then covers the cost of food, fees, and taxes on orders until it runs out.
The card itself is not a physical payment card you swipe at a store. Instead, you receive a code — either printed on a physical card, sent by email, or displayed on a screen — that you enter into the Uber Eats app to add the funds to your account. Once redeemed, the balance stays in that account indefinitely and works on any order you place through Uber Eats.
Gift cards come in set denominations, typically ranging from $15 to $200, depending on where you buy them. They do not expire once purchased, but the terms of service state that unused balances may expire after a period of inactivity on the account itself — usually a year or more of no app activity.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Eats gift cards are prepaid codes that load credit into your Uber Eats account, not physical payment cards.
- You can buy them directly from Uber Eats, from third-party retailers like Target or Amazon, or sometimes from grocery stores and gas stations.
- Once redeemed, the balance stays in your account and covers food, delivery fees, and taxes on any order.
- Gift cards do not expire after purchase, but the account balance may expire if the account has no activity for an extended period.
- You can check your remaining balance in the Uber Eats app under your account settings or payment methods.
Where to buy an Uber Eats gift card
The most direct source is Uber Eats itself. You can buy a gift card through the Uber Eats app or website by going to the account menu, selecting "Gift Cards," and choosing the amount and delivery method. Uber will email the code to you or the recipient immediately, or you can print it.
Third-party retailers also sell Uber Eats gift cards, often in physical form. Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, 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, or if you prefer to pay with a method those stores accept.
Gas stations and convenience stores sometimes stock Uber Eats gift cards as well, though selection varies by location. If you are looking for a specific denomination and cannot find it locally, buying directly from Uber Eats or Amazon usually offers the widest range of amounts.
How to redeem a gift card
To redeem an Uber Eats gift card, open the Uber Eats app or go to the website and sign into your account. Navigate to your account settings — usually found in the menu or profile section — and look for "Payment Methods" or "Promotions & Credits." Select the option to add a gift card or promo code.
Enter the code printed on the card or sent to you via email. The system will verify the code and add the balance to your account immediately. You will see the credit reflected in your account, and it will be available to use on your next order.
If you are redeeming a gift card for someone else, they must have their own Uber Eats account to enter the code. You can email them the code, give them the physical card, or read it to them over the phone — they will then follow the same steps to add it to their account.
Using your gift card balance on orders
Once the balance is in your account, it applies automatically to your orders. When you place an order and proceed to checkout, the app will show your available credit and deduct it from the total. If your gift card balance is larger than the order cost, the remaining balance stays in your account for future orders.
If your balance is smaller than the order total, you will need to add another payment method — a debit card, credit card, or linked bank account — to cover the difference. The gift card balance will be used first, and then the additional payment method will be charged for the remainder.
You can use your gift card balance on any food order, including restaurants, grocery delivery through Uber Eats, and alcohol orders where available in your area. The balance also covers delivery fees and taxes, not just the food itself.
Checking your balance and managing your account
To see how much credit you have left, open the Uber Eats app and go to your account or payment settings. Your current balance will be displayed under "Credits" or "Promotions & Credits." Some versions of the app also show the balance at the top of the checkout screen before you place an order.
If you have multiple gift cards or promo codes, they all combine into a single credit balance in your account. There is no separate tracking for individual cards once they are redeemed — the app shows only the total available credit.
If you lose track of a gift card code before redeeming it, contact Uber Eats support through the app. Provide the code or proof of purchase, and they can help you recover it or issue a replacement. Keep receipts or emails with codes until you have successfully redeemed them.
What happens if your balance expires
Uber Eats gift cards themselves do not expire after you buy them. However, the balance in your account may expire if your account has no activity for a long period — typically one year or more of no orders, logins, or app use. The exact policy can vary, so check Uber Eats' current terms of service for the most current information.
To keep your balance active, simply place an order or log into the app periodically. Even a small order counts as account activity and resets the inactivity timer. If your balance does expire, contact Uber Eats support with proof of the original gift card purchase or redemption, and they may be able to restore it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my gift card balance to someone else?
No, once you redeem a gift card code into your account, the balance is tied to that account and cannot be transferred. If you want to give the balance to someone else, you need to give them the code before you redeem it so they can add it to their own account.
What if I enter the wrong code or the code does not work?
Double-check that you typed the code correctly — codes are case-sensitive and should not include spaces or dashes unless they are printed on the card. If the code still does not work, it may have already been redeemed, or it may be invalid. Contact Uber Eats support with the code and your proof of purchase.
Can I use an Uber Eats gift card to pay for Uber rides?
No, Uber Eats gift cards work only for food and grocery delivery through the Uber Eats app. They cannot be used for Uber rides, Uber Eats+ membership, or any other Uber service. If you want to pay for rides, you need an Uber gift card instead.
Do I pay taxes and fees with my gift card balance?
Yes, your gift card balance covers the full order total, including delivery fees, service fees, taxes, and tips. If you want to add a tip after the order is delivered, you can do that with a separate payment method even if your gift card covered the food and fees.
What if my gift card balance is not enough for my order?
At checkout, the app will show how much of your order the gift card covers and ask you to add another payment method for the remaining balance. You can use a debit card, credit card, or linked bank account to pay the difference.