How to use your American Express Uber benefits for rides and meals
Editor's Note
At first glance, credit card annual fees can feel steep, especially if you're new to the points and miles world. But dig a little deeper, and the built-in perks and benefits on certain cards can easily offset — or even exceed — the upfront cost.
Take American Express Platinum Card®, for instance. While it carries a sky-high $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), the value of the card's benefits, in the form of numerous travel and lifestyle statement credits, is more than double the cost of the annual fee. 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.
One standout benefit is the Uber Cash perk that comes with both the American Express® Gold Card and Platinum.
Here's how to use your Amex Uber Cash for rides and meals.
American Express Uber Cash overview
One of the most straightforward benefits of both the Gold and Platinum is Uber Cash automatically added to your account each month. But there's a little nuance to exactly how this perk works, especially if you're a new cardmember.
With the Gold, you'll receive up to $120 in Uber Cash each year (valid in the U.S.):
- $10 each month
Meanwhile, the Platinum offers up to $200 in Uber Cash annually:
- $15 each month
- An extra $20 in December (for a total of $35 that month)
To get your Uber Cash, you'll first need to link your card(s) to your Uber account. To do this, go to your wallet in the Uber app and add your Gold and/or Platinum card as a payment method.
From there, the Uber Cash should automatically appear in the Uber balance section of your wallet. As long as your card remains linked to your Uber account, your Uber Cash will be automatically deposited into your wallet every month.
Typically, Uber sends an alert the evening before the first of each month when your Uber Cash is deposited. If you hold both the Gold and Platinum, your monthly benefits will be combined into a single Uber Cash balance.
It's important to remember that this Uber Cash 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.
Platinum cardmembers also receive up to $120 in statement credits annually for an Uber One membership, which fully covers an auto-renewing $9.99 monthly or $96 annual plan (enrollment required).
Uber One offers members:
- $0 delivery fees on eligible Uber Eats orders and reduced service fees
- 6% back on rides in the form of Uber One credits
- Discounted delivery and pickup orders
- Discounted rides
Related: Frequent Uber or Lyft user? These are the best credit cards for you
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 an Amex card I have on file.
You must have an eligible American Express card set as your payment method to use Uber Cash.
To ensure you use your Uber Cash, make sure it 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.
Related: Forgettable statement credits checklist: Perks and benefits not to be overlooked
How to use Uber Cash for meals or groceries
To redeem your Uber Cash for Uber Eats or Uber Grocery, the process works similarly to when requesting a ride. After deciding on your order, you'll see your payment method right before confirming the order. You'll have to use an Amex card as your payment method in order to use your Uber Cash.
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 plan to expense a meal through work, 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 monthly Uber Cash benefit on both the Amex Platinum and Amex Gold is one of the easiest for cardmembers to use and it can quickly help offset each card's annual fee. However, remember that this is a "use it or lose it" benefit, meaning your Uber Cash won't roll over into the next month.
The good news is that you have many use cases, including on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders, so you can easily get the most out of this benefit.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the American Express Gold and Platinum.
Apply here: American Express Gold
Apply here: American Express Platinum
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.