How to use your Amex Uber credits for rides and meals

Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

At first glance (and for the uninitiated), credit card annual fees can induce sticker shock. But upon further inspection, some of the perks and benefits embedded within specific cards can more than make up for the initial yearly investment.

Take The Platinum Card® from American Express, for instance. While it carries a sky-high, $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), the card also has over $1,500 in benefits in the form of numerous travel and lifestyle statement credits. And that doesn’t even include other great perks that don’t have a specific dollar value, such as lounge access and hotel elite status.

Let’s dive into one of my favorite perks on two Amex cards: the Uber Cash benefit embedded on both The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card.

Here’s how to use your Amex Uber credits for rides and meals.

Overview of Uber credits with American Express

One of the most straightforward benefits of both the Amex Platinum and Amex Gold is an Uber credit automatically deposited into your account each month. But there’s a little nuance to exactly how this perk works, especially if you’re a beginner to either of these cards.

Related: It’s a ‘lifestyle’ card now: A closer look at the Amex Platinum’s 6 new benefits launched in 2021

First, for the Platinum card, you’ll receive up to $200 in Uber Cash annually (for use in the U.S.). The credit is split into monthly increments of $15 each, plus a $20 bonus in December (for a total of $35 that month).

Meanwhile, on the Gold card, you get up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (also for use in the U.S.). This comes in the form of a $10 monthly credit. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

To get your Uber Cash, you’ll first need to link your card(s) to your Uber account. To do this, head to your wallet on the Uber app and add your Amex Gold and/or Amex Platinum as a payment method. If you have both of these cards (as I do), the two monthly credits will be combined into your total Uber Cash balance.

From there, the credits should automatically appear in the Uber Cash section of your wallet. And as long as your card remains linked to your Uber account, your Uber Cash will automatically be deposited into your wallet every month.

Typically, I get an alert that my Uber Cash has been deposited into my account late in the evening before the first of each month. However, it’s important to remember that your credits will expire at the end of each month. In other words, if you don’t use your credits one month, they won’t roll over into the next month.

How to use Uber Cash for rides

When you’re ready to take a ride, you can find the payment information right before confirming the ride (this can be edited mid-ride as well).

In the example above, my Uber Cash balance will be depleted and the additional fare will be charged to a card that I have on file. Make sure you use a card that earns additional rewards on Uber purchases, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve (which earns 3 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases, including Uber rides and Uber Eats).

To ensure you actually redeem your credit, make sure Uber Cash is toggled on as your payment method before requesting a ride.

However, there are some instances where you may not want to use your card’s Uber Cash benefit. For instance, if you’re traveling for work, you may not want to use the balance on a ride that your company will cover.

How to use Uber Cash for dining or groceries

To redeem your Uber Cash for Uber Eats or Uber Grocery, the process will work similarly to when requesting a ride. After deciding on your food of choice, you’ll see your payment method right before confirming the order.

Again, you’ll want to confirm that your Uber Cash is toggled on in your wallet if you do, in fact, want to make use of this balance.

However, again, if you’re looking to expense a meal to your employer, for instance, you may not want to use Uber Cash. In this case, ensure Uber Cash is toggled off and you’re using a credit card on file.

Related: How to maximize benefits with the Amex Platinum card

Bottom line

The Uber credit on both the Amex Platinum and Amex Gold is one of the simplest to use for many cardholders, as it can be applied to Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. However, remember that these are “use it or lose it” benefits, meaning the credits won’t roll over into the next month. The good news is that you have many use cases, including on rides or Uber Eats orders, so you can pretty easily get the most out of this benefit.

Additional reporting by Emily Thompson and Brendan Dorsey.

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.