What the Uber Plus Card is and who can get one

The Uber Plus Card is a physical debit card issued by Uber that lets you pay for rides, food delivery, and other Uber services using money you load onto the card. You don't need a separate bank account or credit check to get one. The card is available to Uber drivers and riders in certain cities, though availability varies by location.

To get the card, you typically need to be at least 18 years old, have an active Uber account, and live in an area where the card is offered. Uber sends the physical card to your address once you request it through the app. There is no annual fee to hold the card.

The card works like a prepaid debit card: you load money onto it, and that balance is what you can spend. Unlike a credit card, you cannot spend more than what you have loaded. This means you won't go into debt or face interest charges, but it also means you need to keep the card funded to use it.

Key Takeaways

  • The Uber Plus Card is a prepaid debit card you load with money and use to pay for Uber rides, Uber Eats, and other Uber services.
  • You can only spend what you have loaded onto the card, so you cannot overspend or carry a balance.
  • The card has no annual fee, but you may pay fees for certain actions like ATM withdrawals or balance transfers, depending on your bank partner.
  • Funds you load onto the card are held by a bank partner, not by Uber directly, which means your money has some legal protection.
  • The card is not available everywhere; check your Uber app to see if it is offered in your city.

How to load money onto the card and check your balance

You load money onto the Uber Plus Card through the Uber app. Go to your account settings, find the payment or wallet section, and select the option to add funds to your card. You can link a bank account or use a debit card to transfer money. The transfer usually shows up within one to three business days, though some transfers are faster.

You can check your card balance anytime in the Uber app under your payment methods or wallet. The app shows your current balance, recent transactions, and the ability to add more funds. You can also check your balance through the card issuer's website or mobile app if they provide one.

There is no limit to how much you can load onto the card at once, but the card issuer may have daily or monthly limits on how much you can transfer in. If you hit a limit, you can load more money the next day or in the next billing period.

What fees you might pay and when

The Uber Plus Card itself has no annual fee. However, you may pay fees in certain situations. These fees depend on which bank partner issues your card, as different banks have different fee structures. Common fees include charges for ATM withdrawals, expedited transfers, or replacing a lost or damaged card.

You will not pay a fee simply for loading money onto the card or using it to pay for Uber services. Fees only apply to specific actions outside normal use. Before you request the card, check the fee schedule in the Uber app or on the card issuer's website to see what fees might apply in your situation.

If you dispute a transaction or report fraud, you will not pay a fee for that either. The card issuer handles disputes the same way they would for any prepaid card.

How the card protects your money if something goes wrong

The Uber Plus Card is issued by a bank partner, not by Uber itself. This means your money is held in a bank account and has legal protections under federal banking law. If the bank fails, your funds are insured up to $250,000 through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the same protection that covers regular bank accounts.

If your card is lost or stolen, you can freeze or cancel it immediately through the Uber app. Once you do, no one can use the card to spend your money. You can request a replacement card, and any remaining balance transfers to the new card at no cost.

If someone uses your card without permission, report it to Uber and the card issuer right away. Prepaid cards have dispute protections similar to debit cards, though the exact process and timeline depend on your card issuer. Most issuers will investigate and return your money if the transaction was fraudulent, but you need to report it quickly — usually within 60 days of the transaction.

How the card works with Uber services and other purchases

You can use the Uber Plus Card to pay for Uber rides, Uber Eats food delivery, and other Uber services like Uber Freight if you are a driver. The card is linked to your Uber account, so when you request a ride or order food, you can select the card as your payment method. The charge comes directly from your card balance.

Some Uber Plus Cards can also be used outside the Uber app — at stores, online, or at ATMs — depending on the card issuer and your location. Check your card's terms to see whether it works as a general-purpose debit card or only within Uber services. If it works outside Uber, you can use it anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted, depending on which network your card uses.

If your card balance is too low to cover a ride or order, the transaction will be declined. You will need to load more money onto the card before you can complete the purchase. The app will tell you how much you need to add.

Differences between the Uber Plus Card and other payment methods

The Uber Plus Card is different from linking a regular bank account or credit card to your Uber account. With a bank account or credit card, the payment comes directly from that account each time you use it. With the Uber Plus Card, you control exactly how much money is available by loading it yourself.

A prepaid card also differs from a credit card in that you cannot borrow money or build credit history. You spend only what you load. This means no interest charges, no debt, and no credit score impact — but also no way to build credit or access credit if you need it.

Compared to paying with cash, the card gives you a record of every transaction in the Uber app and through the card issuer. This makes it easier to track spending and dispute charges if needed. Cash leaves no record and cannot be recovered if lost or stolen.

What to do if your card stops working or you have a problem

If your card is declined when you try to use it, the most common reason is that your balance is too low. Check your balance in the Uber app and load more money if needed. If your balance is sufficient but the card is still declined, the card may be frozen or there may be a technical problem.

Contact the card issuer's customer service number, which is usually printed on the back of your card or available through their website. They can tell you whether the card is frozen, whether there is a security hold, or whether there is a technical issue. Uber's support team can also help troubleshoot if the problem is on Uber's side.

If your card is lost or stolen, freeze it immediately in the Uber app or by calling the card issuer. Request a replacement card, which will be mailed to your address. In the meantime, you can load money onto a different payment method in your Uber account and continue using Uber services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Uber Plus Card to withdraw cash from an ATM?

That depends on your card issuer. Some Uber Plus Cards work at ATMs, but others do not. If your card does work at ATMs, you may pay a fee for each withdrawal. Check your card's terms or contact the issuer to find out whether ATM access is included and what the fee is.

What happens to my card balance if I stop using Uber?

Your balance stays on the card. You can keep the card and use it anytime you want to use Uber again, or you can request to close the account and transfer your remaining balance back to your bank account. The process for closing the account is usually in the card issuer's app or website.

Is the Uber Plus Card the same as Uber Cash?

No. Uber Cash is a digital wallet within the Uber app where you load money and use it to pay for Uber services. The Uber Plus Card is a physical debit card. Some cities offer both, some offer only one. Check your Uber app to see which options are available where you live.

Can I use the Uber Plus Card if I do not have a bank account?

Yes. The Uber Plus Card is designed for people who may not have a traditional bank account or who want a separate card just for Uber. You load money onto it and use it without needing a separate bank account. However, you do need a way to transfer money onto the card — usually a debit card, another bank account, or a linked payment method.

What if I load money onto the card and then change my mind?

You can request a refund of your balance by closing the account through the card issuer's app or website. The refund is sent back to the payment method you used to load the money, usually within five to ten business days. Some issuers may charge a fee for closing the account, so check the terms first.