The Uber Credit Card is a cash-back card issued by Barclays that rewards spending at Uber, restaurants, and travel
The Uber Credit Card, issued by Barclays Bank Delaware, gives you cash back on purchases at Uber (including Uber Eats), restaurants, and travel. The card has no annual fee. Cash back rates vary by category: you earn a higher percentage on Uber and restaurant purchases, a lower percentage on travel, and a baseline rate on everything else. The card is a standard rewards card, not a charge card — you can carry a balance month to month, though interest will accrue.
Whether this card makes financial sense depends on how much you actually spend in the categories that earn the higher rates. If you rarely use Uber or eat out, the card's value drops significantly. If you do spend regularly in those categories, the cash back can offset the cost of those purchases over time.
Key Takeaways
- The Uber Credit Card earns higher cash-back rates on Uber, Uber Eats, and restaurants, with lower rates on travel and other purchases.
- There is no annual fee, but you will pay interest on any balance you carry beyond the grace period.
- You need to be approved by Barclays, which will check your credit history and current debt.
- Cash back is deposited as a statement credit or can be transferred to an Uber account, but it does not carry over indefinitely if unused.
Cash-Back Rates and How They Work
The card currently earns 5% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases, 3% on restaurants and travel, and 1% on all other purchases. These rates are subject to change, and Barclays publishes the current rates on the card's terms page. The 5% rate on Uber and Uber Eats is the main draw for frequent users of those services.
Cash back is calculated on the full purchase amount, including taxes and fees. It posts to your account monthly as a statement credit. You can also transfer cash back to your Uber account to use toward rides or food orders, though this is optional. If you do not use the cash back within a certain period, it may expire — check your cardholder agreement for the exact timeline.
Annual Fee and Interest Charges
The Uber Credit Card has no annual fee, which means you are not charged straightforward for holding the card. However, if you carry a balance from one month to the next, you will pay interest on that balance at the card's variable annual percentage rate (APR). The APR is not fixed and will vary based on your creditworthiness and current market rates.
If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you will not pay interest. This is the most cost-effective way to use any rewards card: earn the cash back and avoid interest charges by paying in full. Carrying a balance erodes the value of the rewards you earn.
How to Get Approved and What Barclays Checks
To open an Uber Credit Card account, you submit an process through Barclays' website or through Uber's app. Barclays will pull your credit report, review your credit score, and look at your current debt and income. The bank uses this information to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer.
There is no minimum credit score published by Barclays, but in practice the card is typically available to people with good to excellent credit (usually a score of 670 or higher). If you are denied, Barclays will send you a notice explaining the reason. You can dispute inaccuracies on your credit report through the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) if you believe the denial was based on incorrect information.
Comparing the Uber Card to Other Rewards Cards
The Uber Credit Card's main advantage is the 5% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats, which is higher than most general-purpose rewards cards offer on those merchants. If you spend heavily on Uber or Uber Eats, this rate can add up. The 3% on restaurants and travel is competitive but not unique — many other cards offer similar rates in those categories.
Other cards to consider: the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 3% on dining and travel but charges an annual fee of $95. The American Express Blue Cash Everyday offers 3% on transit (including Uber) with no annual fee but lower cash back on restaurants. The Discover It offers rotating 5% categories but requires you to set up them each quarter. Your choice depends on where you spend most of your money and whether you value the simplicity of a no-annual-fee card.
What Happens to Unused Cash Back
Cash back you earn does not automatically disappear, but it does not roll over indefinitely. Barclays' terms specify that cash back must be redeemed within a certain window — typically one to three years, depending on the specific promotion or offer period. If you do not use it by that important date, you forfeit it.
To avoid losing cash back, check your account regularly and redeem it as a statement credit or transfer it to Uber before any expiration date. Setting a calendar reminder once a year to review your cash-back balance is a straightforward way to make sure you do not leave money on the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Uber account to open the card?
No, you can open the card through Barclays without an Uber account. However, if you want to transfer cash back to Uber, you will need to link an Uber account later. Most people open the card to earn cash back on Uber purchases they already make, so having an account is practical even if not required.
What happens if I close the card — do I lose my cash back?
Cash back you have already earned remains yours and can be redeemed even after you close the card. However, you will stop earning new cash back once the account is closed. Any cash back that has not been redeemed by the expiration date will be forfeited.
Can I use this card outside the United States?
Yes, you can use the card internationally, but you will pay a foreign transaction fee (usually 3% of the purchase amount). The card does not earn bonus cash back on international purchases. If you travel frequently, a card with no foreign transaction fee may be more cost-effective.
How does the cash back affect my credit score?
Earning cash back does not directly affect your credit score. However, how you use the card does: carrying a high balance relative to your credit limit (high utilization) can lower your score, while paying on time and keeping balances low can help it. The card itself is reported to the credit bureaus like any other credit card account.
What if Barclays denies my process?
If you are denied, Barclays will send you a notice with the reason. Common reasons include a low credit score, high existing debt, or recent negative marks on your credit report. You can request a copy of your credit report from each bureau for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com to see what information Barclays reviewed.