Does Uber Take Cash? (Understanding Uber’s Cash Options)

Does Uber Take Cash?

Yes, Uber does accept cash payments. However, this option is location-dependent and is not available in all countries.

Uber first introduced cash payments in 2015 in Hyderabad, India, and has since expanded this option to over 50 countries. However, it is not available in most cities or states in the United States.

Similarly, Uber Eats also allows for cash payments in certain areas. When a customer opts to pay with cash, the driver is notified through the app with a cash icon, indicating that they need to collect cash from the customer.

After the food delivery or the trip, the driver collects the cash and completes the transaction in the usual manner. Uber then calculates the amount owed to the restaurant and Uber, and deducts the necessary fees from the driver’s digital payouts.

Where Can You Use Cash for Uber?

It’s challenging to know which countries, states, and cities Uber lets you pay cash for rides in. The only way to find out is to open the app, navigate to the “Wallet” area, and look for the “Cash” icon.

The cash payment option started initially in areas where debit cards and credit cards aren’t the preferred ways for people to pay for services. This included areas such as:

• Peru
• India
• Indonesia
• South Africa
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Brazil
• Egypt

How Cash Payments Work with Uber

Delivery services that accept cash are rare nowadays. And with most ride-hailing services opting for cashless services, it’s easy to picture yourself stranded without a credit card.

So, how does paying cash on Uber work?

Eligibility and Location

First, you’ll want to check your area’s eligibility. You can do this by looking at the payment options available to you in the app.

1. First, launch your Uber application and sign in to your account.
2. Next, tap the “Account” on the lower right corner of your screen.
3. Once in the drawer, find and tap “Wallet” for Android devices and “Payments” for iPhones.
4. After tapping, the app will show the payment methods you can use.
5. If you don’t see the “Cash” icon, it means it’s not available in your city.

Uber primarily offers cash fare options in countries where few people carry credit cards or mobile phones. It’s mainly available in most Asian and South American cities.

Setting Up Cash Payment

To start paying your Uber driver in cash, set up “Cash” as your account’s payment option. Follow these steps to do it:

1. Open your Uber app and sign in.
2. Go to your account settings by tapping “Account” on the lower right.
3. Next, click “Wallet” for Android devices or “Payment” for iPhones.
4. Select “Add Payment Options” on the menu screen.
5. Finally, choose “Cash” from the payment method menu.

Follow the instructions on the screen to set up “Cash” as the payment method for your account. From here, you can make it your default option whenever paying for an Uber ride.

In some countries, Uber will require you to provide an ID for further verification. They could also ask for an initial deposit before they let you use the cash as payment.

During the Ride

After setting up, it’s easy to grab a ride and pay with physical money instead of a credit card.

Open the app and choose your destination and pickup location as usual. But now, you can select “Cash” as your payment option when booking.

Bring your cash and wait for your Uber driver at the pickup location. Once at your destination, pay the driver in cash.

Tips for Riders Paying with Cash

If you decide to pay cash on Uber, here are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Pay Exact Amount: Before booking, ensure you have the right amount of cash. You can estimate the cost through the Uber app and website.
• Carry Small Bills: Always carry small bills when commuting. This little hack makes paying the exact amount easier and avoids inconvenience for you or your Uber driver.
• Inform Your Driver: Tell your driver you’re paying in cash before boarding the vehicle. More than courtesy, it prevents confusion and a low rider rating!
• Tip in Cash: Most drivers prefer passengers who tip in cash. As independent contractors, a tax-free customer tip makes up a large chunk of their income.
• Use Uber Cash: If you find carrying change everywhere inconvenient, you can prepay your rides using Uber Cash. With this feature, you can plan your budget ahead of time.

Paying With Cash vs. Uber Cash

Despite bearing the term “cash,” you should know it’s completely different from actual cash payments.

Uber Cash allows users to load money into an online wallet that can then be used to pay for trips. It’s a way to manage your ridesharing budget, as you can prepay for your rides, Uber Eats orders, bikes, and other services provided by the company.

Your Uber Cash balance never expires either, so you don’t have to worry about losing money. You can also choose to auto-refill your wallet and add a pre-chosen amount of money to your account every time your balance drops below $10.

Uber lets you use most of the regular payment methods to top up your account, such as debit or credit cards, PayPal, or even Venmo. Brazil users are on the luckier side since they can also top up at physical retail points in the country.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Paying with Cash

There are plenty of benefits to paying for your Uber ride in cash. For one, it doesn’t require opening a bank account or applying for a credit card.

It’s a straightforward solution for people who don’t know their way around digital money.

Holding real money also promotes careful spending, making it easier to follow a budget. There are no additional charges in cash payments, which can help you save more.

However, paper money is less secure compared to credit cards. Unlike bank cards, if you lose your bills in your pocket, there’d be no way to recover them.

Even if we set security aside, carrying pocket change while commuting is inconvenient. Preparing to pay the exact amount every time you hitch is cumbersome, too.

With cash fares, you’ll miss out on opportunities credit card users enjoy, such as building credit history, cash-back rewards, and fraud protection.

Overview of Uber Payment Options

Uber or Uber Eats accept cash, but they also have other primary payment systems other than credit or debit cards.

If you have Paypal or Venmo, you can use it to transfer funds and pay your Uber through their respective apps. You can do this by linking your Venmo or Paypal with your Uber account.

Uber also accepts payment through the Cash App. It’s a little different from Uber Cash, but it works similarly by transferring funds to your account and using them for purchases.

Other than those, Uber also accepts Apple Pay, Google Pay, Uber gift cards, and CVS payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Payment Method for Your Uber Ride

There you have it! That’s how you pay cash with Uber. You verify its availability in your area, prepare your money and tip, and complete your payment.

That said, paying physical bills to your Uber drivers has its drawbacks, too. It’s less secure, lacks the convenience of cards, and takes a lot of effort in the long run.

Thankfully, Uber does provide plenty of other methods to pay! So, choose what works best for you and enjoy the ride.