What the Uber Credit Card is and who issues it
The Uber Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Barclays Bank Delaware in partnership with Uber. It is not issued by Uber itself — Barclays handles the account, billing, and customer service. The card earns cash back on Uber rides, Uber Eats orders, and gas station purchases, with a lower rate on everything else.
This is a standard credit card, not a debit card or prepaid card. You receive a monthly bill, pay interest if you carry a balance, and build or damage your credit history based on how you use it. The card is only available to people in the United States with a Social Security number and a credit history that Barclays is willing to approve.
Barclays sets the credit limit, interest rate, and annual fee (if any) based on your credit score and income at the time you open the account. These terms can change after you open it, though Barclays must notify you in writing before most changes take effect.
Key Takeaways
- The Uber Credit Card earns higher cash back on Uber rides and Uber Eats purchases than on other spending, but the exact rates depend on which version of the card you hold.
- Barclays, not Uber, issues the card and decides whether to approve you based on your credit score and income.
- You pay interest on any balance you do not pay off in full each month, and late payments can damage your credit score.
- The card comes with purchase protections and fraud liability limits that are standard for Barclays credit cards, not special Uber benefits.
- You can manage your account, view rewards, and make payments through the Barclays website or mobile app, not through the Uber app itself.
Cash back rates and how rewards are earned
The Uber Credit Card offers different cash back rates depending on where you spend. On Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, the rate is higher than on other purchases. On gas station and restaurant spending, the rate is moderate. On all other purchases, the rate is lower. The exact percentages vary — Barclays has issued multiple versions of this card over time, and the rates on each version differ.
Cash back is earned automatically on every purchase you make with the card. You do not have to register categories, set up bonus periods, or take any action to earn it. The cash back appears in your account as a credit that reduces your balance or can be withdrawn as a statement credit.
Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the account, you forfeit any unspent cash back. If you miss a payment or default on the card, Barclays can freeze your rewards and explore them to what you owe.
Annual fees and other costs
Whether the Uber Credit Card has an annual fee depends on which version you hold. Some versions carry no annual fee. Others charge a yearly amount, typically between $0 and $100, though this can change. Barclays will disclose the annual fee before you open the account and will notify you before charging it each year.
Beyond the annual fee, the main cost is interest. If you carry a balance from month to month, you pay interest on that balance at the card's annual percentage rate (APR). The APR varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Barclays discloses the APR in the terms and conditions before you open the account.
Late payments incur a late fee, and making a late payment can raise your APR. Paying your full balance by the due date each month avoids both interest and late fees. If you use the card only for purchases you pay off when ready, the only cost is the annual fee (if the version you hold has one).
How to open an account and what you will need
You can open an Uber Credit Card account through the Barclays website or by visiting an Uber app screen that advertises the card. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Barclays uses this information to check your credit and decide whether to approve you.
You do not need to be an active Uber user to open the card, though Barclays will ask whether you have an Uber account. You do need a valid U.S. address, a phone number, and an email address. If you are approved, Barclays will mail the physical card to your address within 7 to 10 business days.
While you wait for the card to arrive, you can usually add it to your digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) and start using it for contactless payments right away. Barclays will send you a temporary card number by email or through the mobile app if you request one.
Managing your account and making payments
Once your account is open, you manage it through the Barclays website or the Barclays mobile app — not through Uber or the Uber app. You can view your balance, recent transactions, cash back earned, and rewards redemption options. You can also set up automatic payments, change your billing address, and report a lost or stolen card.
Payments are due on a date Barclays sets each month, usually 21 to 25 days after your statement closes. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or through automatic bank transfer. Paying the full statement balance by the due date avoids interest charges. If you pay only part of the balance, interest accrues on the remaining amount at your card's APR.
Barclays offers a mobile app that sends payment reminders and alerts you to unusual activity. You can also set up automatic payments from your bank account so you never miss a due date. If you miss a payment, Barclays will charge a late fee and may report the late payment to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score.
Fraud protection and what happens if your card is compromised
The Uber Credit Card comes with standard fraud protection under federal law. If someone uses your card without permission, you are liable for no more than $50 of unauthorized charges, and only if you report the fraud within 60 days of the statement date on which the charge appears. In practice, Barclays often waives the $50 entirely.
If your card is lost or stolen, call Barclays when ready at the number on the back of your card or log into your account online to report it. Barclays will cancel the card and mail a replacement within 7 to 10 business days. Any charges made after you report the card missing are Barclays' responsibility, not yours.
Barclays also monitors your account for suspicious activity and may block transactions or contact you if something looks unusual. If you travel or plan to make large purchases, you can notify Barclays in advance through the app so it does not mistakenly block legitimate charges.
How the Uber Credit Card compares to other rewards cards
The Uber Credit Card is one of many rewards cards on the market. It is designed for people who use Uber or Uber Eats regularly and want to earn cash back on those purchases. If you rarely or never use Uber, a different card might offer better rewards on categories you actually spend in — groceries, travel, or general purchases.
Other cards offer higher cash back rates on gas, restaurants, or travel, or offer sign-up bonuses (a lump sum of cash back or points for spending a certain amount in the first few months). Some cards have no annual fee but lower cash back rates. Others charge an annual fee but offer premium benefits like travel insurance or concierge services.
The best card for you depends on your spending habits and priorities. If you spend heavily on Uber and Uber Eats and want simplicity, the Uber Credit Card may be a good fit. If you want to maximize rewards across many categories or prefer a card with no annual fee, comparing other options through a credit card comparison tool can help you see what is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an active Uber account to open the Uber Credit Card?
No. Barclays will open an account for you even if you have never used Uber. However, you will only earn the higher cash back rate on Uber and Uber Eats purchases if you actually use the card for those services. If you do not plan to use Uber or Uber Eats, a different rewards card may be a better choice.
What happens to my cash back if I close the card?
Any unspent cash back is forfeited when you close the account. Before closing, you can redeem your cash back as a statement credit or transfer it to an Uber account if that option is available. Once the account is closed, Barclays will not restore cash back you did not redeem.
Can I use the Uber Credit Card outside the United States?
Yes, you can use the card internationally, but Barclays charges a foreign transaction fee (usually 3% of the purchase amount) on purchases made outside the U.S. This fee is added to your bill. Cash back is still earned on international purchases, but the foreign transaction fee may offset the benefit on small purchases.
What should I do if I am denied for the Uber Credit Card?
Barclays denies applications based on credit score, income, credit history, or other factors in your credit report. You can ask Barclays why you were denied and request a copy of your credit report from the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) for free at annualcreditreport.com. Improving your credit score and reapplying in a few months may result in approval.
Can I change my cash back rate or rewards program after I open the account?
No. The cash back rates are set by the version of the card you hold and do not change based on your choices or spending. Barclays can change the rates in the future, but only with written notice and usually with an effective date 30 to 60 days away. You can close the account and open a different card if you want different rewards.