What an Uber voucher is and who offers them
An Uber voucher is a credit loaded onto an Uber account that you can use to pay for rides, food delivery through Uber Eats, or other Uber services. You do not purchase vouchers yourself — they come from third parties: employers, government programs, nonprofits, transit agencies, or ride-sharing partnerships.
The voucher appears in your Uber app as account credit. When you request a ride or order food, the app deducts the voucher amount from the fare before charging your payment method. If the ride costs more than the voucher covers, you pay the difference. If it costs less, the remaining credit stays in your account.
Vouchers are time-limited. Most expire between 30 and 90 days after issue, though some programs set longer windows. Once expired, the credit disappears — you cannot extend or recover it.
Key Takeaways
- Uber vouchers are account credits issued by employers, government agencies, nonprofits, or transit systems — not by Uber itself — and appear directly in your app.
- Common sources include employer commute programs, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation, local transit subsidies, and disaster relief initiatives.
- Vouchers expire within 30 to 90 days of issue, and you must use them before that date or lose the credit.
- To use a voucher, you need an active Uber account with a valid payment method on file, even if the voucher covers the full ride cost.
Government and nonprofit programs that issue Uber vouchers
Some state Medicaid programs cover non-emergency medical transportation through Uber Health, which issues vouchers or credits to patients traveling to medical appointments. may be able to access and coverage amounts vary by state. Contact your state Medicaid office or your health plan to ask whether Uber rides are covered.
Local transit agencies in some cities partner with Uber to offer subsidized rides during service disruptions or to low-income riders. These programs are city-specific and change year to year. Check your city's transit authority website or call 211 to learn whether your area has an active program.
Disaster relief organizations sometimes distribute Uber vouchers to people displaced by fires, floods, or other emergencies. These are issued case-by-case through local nonprofits or government emergency services. If you are affected by a disaster, ask the agency coordinating relief whether transportation vouchers are part of the assistance.
Employer and commute benefit vouchers
Some employers offer Uber credits as part of commute benefits or wellness programs. These are typically loaded into your account by your employer's benefits administrator and appear in your Uber app automatically. Check with your company's human resources or benefits department to see whether your employer offers this benefit.
A few employers use Uber vouchers as part of employee assistance programs for workers facing temporary hardship. These are less common and usually require you to request them through your HR department or employee assistance program (EAP).
How to learn about you have an Uber voucher
Open your Uber app and go to the Account or Wallet section. Any active vouchers or credits appear there with the remaining balance and expiration date. If you see nothing, you do not currently have an active voucher.
If you think you should have received a voucher — because your employer offers it, you are on Medicaid, or you were told one was issued — contact the organization that was supposed to send it. They can confirm whether it was issued, when it expires, and how to access it. Uber customer support cannot issue vouchers or extend expiration dates; they can only help you troubleshoot access to one you already have.
Using a voucher and what happens if it expires
To use a voucher, request a ride or order food through Uber as you normally would. The app automatically applies the voucher credit to your fare. You do not need to enter a code or take any extra step.
If your voucher expires before you use it, the credit is forfeited. Uber does not refund expired vouchers, and the issuing organization usually cannot reissue it. This is why checking your app regularly and noting the expiration date matters — set a phone reminder if the date is more than a month away.
If you have questions about a specific voucher — its terms, expiration date, or whether it covers certain ride types — contact the organization that issued it, not Uber. They set the rules for how the voucher works.
Vouchers versus promo codes and referral credits
Uber vouchers are different from promo codes and referral credits, though all three appear as account credit. A promo code is a discount you enter during checkout, usually for a single ride or a limited time. A referral credit is money you earn by inviting friends to use Uber. A voucher is credit issued by a third party — an employer, government program, or nonprofit — for a specific purpose.
Vouchers often have restrictions that promo codes do not. For example, a Medicaid transportation voucher might only work for rides to medical facilities, or an employer commute voucher might only work during business hours. Read the terms when you receive the voucher to understand what it covers.
What to do if a voucher does not work
If you try to use a voucher and the app does not apply it, first check that your account is active and you have a valid payment method on file. Some vouchers require a specific account type or payment setup.
If the voucher still does not appear or apply, contact the organization that issued it. They can check whether it was successfully loaded into your account and whether it has expired. Uber support can confirm that your account is set up correctly, but they cannot troubleshoot vouchers issued by outside organizations.
If the voucher was issued by a government program or nonprofit and you cannot reach them, ask whether there is a customer service number on the paperwork or email you received when the voucher was issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Uber voucher to someone else?
No. Vouchers are tied to the Uber account they were issued to and cannot be transferred, shared, or used by another person. If you do not use the voucher before it expires, it is lost.
What if my voucher covers only part of my ride?
The app deducts the voucher amount from your total fare, and you pay the remaining balance with your saved payment method. If the ride costs less than the voucher, the leftover credit stays in your account for future rides.
Do Uber vouchers work for Uber Eats?
It depends on the voucher. Some vouchers work for both rides and food delivery; others are restricted to rides only. Check the terms when you receive the voucher, or contact the issuing organization to confirm what services it covers.
Can I get a refund if I do not use my voucher before it expires?
No. Expired vouchers cannot be refunded or extended. The issuing organization sets the expiration date, and Uber cannot override it. Check your app regularly and use the voucher before the date passes.
How do I know if my employer offers Uber vouchers?
Ask your human resources or benefits department directly. They can tell you whether Uber credits are part of your commute benefits or employee assistance program, and how to access them if they are.