Uber offers many different payment options to pay for your ride, and there are several easy ways to add and switch between payment options in the Uber app. Some of the steps in the process might not be obvious, so here’s a guide on how to add and select different payment option to pay for your Uber ride.
Available Uber payment methods
- Credit and debit cards
- Paypal
- Venmo
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Gift card
- Uber Cash
- Commuter Benefit – An employee perk that covers Uber Pool rides
Related: How much does Uber cost? Uber fare estimator
How to add a payment method to your Uber account
There are two ways to add a payment method to your Uber account: From the main app menu, or when you request a ride. To add a payment option on the main app menu, tap the menu icon (☰) in the upper left corner of the home screen, then tap Payment. Tap ‘Add payment method’ and select the Payment Method you want to add. Follow the on-screen instructions to add your payment method.
Payment options you can manually add to an Uber account
How to select a different credit card or payment option in the Uber app
You can select a payment method before you request an Uber, and you can change you payment method during a trip.
To change your payment method before you request a ride:
- Enter your destination
- Tap the credit card number at the bottom of the screen
- Select a different payment option or enter a new one
How to change the payment method for a previous trip
If you used the incorrect payment method for a previous trip, it is possible to change the payment method if the trip is less than 30 days old. Visit Your Trips in the Uber app and find the trip. In the Help section of the trip record, find the ‘switch payment method’ option and select your preferred payment type. You can accomplish the same thing at help.uber.com or riders.uber.com.
What is Uber Cash?
Uber Cash is a type of Uber ride credit that can be used to pay for rides or Uber Eats orders. Uber Cash is Uber’s way of simplifying the many benefit programs they offer. Gift card balances appear as Uber Cash, credits offered by Uber support appear as Uber Cash, and some other promotional credits also appear as Uber Cash.
To use Uber Cash to pay for a ride, select it as a payment method before you request the ride.
How to earn Uber Cash
- Purchase it: Buy Uber Cash inside the app. Discounts of 2% – 5% off
- Earn it from Uber Rewards: For every 500 Uber Rewards points you earn, you receive $5 in Uber Cash.
- Earn it as a credit card reward: Some credit cards (such as the Amex Platinum Card) offer Uber Cash as a reward
- Use Visa Local Offers: Use a Visa card at participating restaurants to earn Uber Cash
Load your account with Uber Cash to get a small discount
Uber promo codes: Another way to get Uber discounts
Uber offers promo codes for new users that give a discount on rides. To add a promo code, head to menu (☰), then Payment, then scroll to “Add Promo.” Enter the code there.
My code: Use promo code cws7s2 to get a discount. It works for all new users in the USA. If you sign up using my promo code I may receive a bonus from Uber.
Promotions from Uber promo codes are automatically applied to rides. You can’t prevent a promo code promotion from applying to a ride. Promo codes are applied in reverse order, meaning your most recently added code will be applied to your next trip.
How to use Apple Pay or Google Pay for Uber
Uber integrates with both Apple Pay and Google Pay. If Apple Pay or Google Pay are already set up on your phone, visit the Payment section of the Uber app. Tap Apple Pay or Google Pay to link to your Uber account. After that, you’ll be able to select Apply Pay or Google Pay from your list of payment methods.
What to do if you can’t add a credit card to your Uber account
Some users follow steps to add a new payment method only to find that the card doesn’t become available in the list of payment options. If that happens, restart the app and repeat the process. If that doesn’t work, you will need to contact Uber customer service.
How to delete a credit card or payment option from your account
To delete a credit card or other payment method, tap the menu icon (☰), then Payment. Tap the payment method you want to delete, then tap the three dots in the upper corner of the screen. A menu with ‘edit’ and ‘delete’ options will appear. Select delete.
What to do when you can’t delete a payment method
When you get a new credit card, you might want to delete an old one before you add the new one. You may see this error message: “You must have at least one payment method active.” To prevent that error, add in your new card first before you delete the old one. It may take a day or two for the old card to disappear.
You can update a credit card expiration date without deleting and re adding the card. Go to Payment, select the card, then tap the icon in the upper right to edit the card info.
Another problem Uber users run into is when a deleted payment method still show up as a payment option. You can ignore the old card, but make sure to select your current card when you request a ride to prevent erros. If fully deleting the card from your account is important to you and you’re unable to do it yourself, contact Uber.
Can more than one Uber account use the same credit card?
Uber may not allow you to add or select a credit card that is already in use by another account. Uber examines credit cards, phone numbers, and accounts to prevent fraud. If you’re sharing the credit card with a family member, consider creating a Family Profile to ensure that you can share the card.
More Uber Tips
- What’s the difference between UberX, XL, Select, and Black?
- Understanding Uber fees: Cancellation fee, cleaning fee, and more
- Guide to UberEATS: Ordering food, promo codes, and more
Sylvia says
I was trying to change a payment method on a ride that was only 3 days old and it doesn’t give the option to switch cards. 3 days is still WELL UNDER the 30 day limit, so I’m not sure why this feature isn’t working. on rides over 1 day old.
DougH says
Try doing it at help.uber.com instead. Head there and search for “Switch payment” to find an article called “Switch the payment method for a past trip.” That leads to options for switching payments
Rachel says
Why Uber didn’t send me a promo code for 3 months now? How can I request for promo code?
DougH says
If you’re a passenger, go to the “free rides” page in the app to see your promo code. If you’re a driver, go to Earnings, then scroll to Invite Friends
Cydney Escoto says
Why is someone else using my account with the same name?
DougH says
Could be a coincidence. But it’s a problem if they’re using the same email address or phone number. In that case, contact Uber
Katie says
I’d like to know how to pay for a tip using a different payment form. I get $15 credits from Amex but if I come close to 15, I can’t add tip from my on-account credit card.
DougH says
You can’t use a separate payment method for the tip. You could tip in cash instead