Key Takeaways
- Amex Platinum provides $200 annual Uber credits, added monthly to your Uber account.
- Credits apply to Uber rides and Uber Eats within the U.S. only.
- Link your Amex card to Uber to automatically receive and use credits.
- Unused credits expire monthly, with no rollover to the next month.
- Overview of Amex Platinum Uber Credits
- How to Get Your Uber Credits
- How to Use Uber Credits for Rides and Uber Eats
- Using Uber Credits on Other Uber Services
- Tips for Maximizing Your Uber Credits
- Common Questions and Solutions
- Additional Amex Platinum Benefits Related to Uber
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Overview of Amex Platinum Uber Credits
The American Express Platinum Card is one of the best payment methods when it comes to frequent Uber users. This is because it comes with a special perk, represented in Uber credits.
Amex Platinum Uber credit refers to a bonus monthly credit automatically deposited into your Uber cash wallet. You can then use this credit while booking rides with Uber or ordering food through Uber Eats.
The American Express Card grants you a grand total of $200 in Uber Cash annually.
This breaks down to a monthly bonus of $15 that you can use for various Uber services, mainly regular rides and Uber Eats orders.
Besides the regular bonus of $15, Amex Platinum cardholders get an additional holiday bonus in December of $20, bringing that month’s total to $35.
Eligibility
To receive the previously mentioned Uber credits, you must hold an Amex Platinum credit card. Additionally, you need to link your Platinum Card to your Uber app for the credit to be applied to your account.
The good news is that once you do that, the credit should be deposited automatically without having to do any special activation steps.
Once linked, you’ll need to use the card once as a payment method to become eligible for the monthly bonus.
One thing to keep in mind here is that the use of this credit is limited to specific locations. The credit is only valid for US-based Uber services, whether Uber rides or Uber Eats orders.
How to Get Your Uber Credits
As previously established, you’ll need to link your Amex Platinum card to your Uber account in order to utilize its benefits.
Luckily, the process is fairly easy and you should complete it in one sitting. You’ll only need your smartphone and the American Express platinum card to add the method of payment and get it done. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open the Uber app and log in to your Uber account. (if the app recommends an update, you should do it first.)
- Open the app’s side menu and navigate to your Wallet section.
- Scroll down until you find the “Add Payment Method” or “button. The location of the tab varies in some older app versions, but you should be able to locate it.
- Select Credit Card or Debit Card.
- Enter the credit card details correctly in the designated fields, including the cardholder’s name, number, expiration date, and security code.
- Press save and you’re all set. (The information might take a moment to be verified, but it should be completed automatically.)
Alternatively, you can add the card by scanning it. Tap the camera icon and grant permission for the app to use the camera (if required). Adjust the camera to capture the entire card, then complete any necessary information.
After saving, the card will be linked to your account automatically. You can even navigate to the Payment Offers section to double-check. Once the bonus is activated, you’ll find “Amex Benefit: $200 Uber Cash” listed below.
Monthly Credit Allocation and Expiration
The $15 monthly Uber credit is automatically added to your Uber account on the first day of each month. If you link your card in the middle of the month, the credit will appear on the first day of the following month
However, you should be mindful that these benefits expire at the end of each month, and there’s no option for rolling over the remaining unused credit to the next month.
According to American Express, the exact time it expires is at 11:59 PM Hawaii Standard Time on the last day of the month.
This means that timing isn’t based on where you live, and you’ll need to adjust your timing accordingly. The same goes for the additional December bonus.
How to Use Uber Credits for Rides and Uber Eats
Once you’ve linked your Amex Platinum Card and activated the Uber credit benefit, using them should be a straightforward process. Here’s what you need to know.
Application of Credits
You can use the Platinum Amex card to pay for eligible Uber services. This includes rides within the Uber app and orders made through Uber Eats.
Before confirming your ride or order, always take a look at the payment section below the estimated fare or cost. Remember to activate “Pay with Uber Cash” before proceeding to utilize the credit.
It’s important to note that Amex Uber credit is only used within the United States, so you can’t use it abroad, even if your account is originally registered in the U.S. However, the credit is available for all kinds of Uber vehicle rides and Uber Eats orders.
Priority of Use
Amex credit technically functions like regular cash wallet funds, so the same priority rules apply to them as well.
For example, if the cost falls within the available credit amount, your Amex Platinum Uber Cash will automatically cover the expenses. You won’t need to take any further action.
If the costs of the order or the ride exceed the available credit, Uber Cash will be used first. The remaining amount will be charged to your backup payment method
Additionally, if you’ve applied any other promotional codes or discounts to your Uber ride or Uber Eats order, those will typically be used first to reduce the fare or order total.
Only after you’ve applied all other applicable promotions will you be able to use Amex Platinum Uber credit to cover any remaining balance.
Tracking Credit Usage
Since the credits expire every month, you need to keep track of how much you have left. Luckily, monitoring your credit usage is fairly easy.
Simply open the Uber app, and navigate to the “Wallet” section by opening the menu or tapping your profile icon.
The tab will display your current Uber Cash balance along with your transaction history for easy reference.
Using Uber Credits on Other Uber Services
Ideally, you can use Amex Uber Benefit mainly Uber rides and Uber Eats. Yet, according to American Express, you can also use the credit to pay for scooters booked through the Uber app as well as Lime Scooters.
This is because, while Uber doesn’t own lime, it still has a minority stake in the company.
That being said, you can’t use the credits for the majority of other services, such as Uber Pass subscriptions.
You can always check whether you can pay for a service with an Amex credit benefit. But, as a general rule, it only works for services payable by Uber cash.
Tips for Maximizing Your Uber Credits
Here are some helpful strategies and tips to keep in mind for maximum utilization of your Amex Uber benefit:
Plan Ahead to Avoid Missing Out
Since Amex Platinum cards have a “use it or lose it” policy, you should set out a plan to use them.
Unlike promotions or discounts, they won’t cost you extra money to become beneficial. This makes it easier to plan ahead how to use them when you have occasions that might need a ride or a meal delivery.
For additional savings, you can plan to use the credit on days when discounts are more likely, such as weekends and holidays.
Use the Credits Even If You Don’t Need Them
Even if you don’t need the credit, you shouldn’t let free credit go to waste. Luckily, there are several creative and positive ways to utilize the credits, such as:
- Sharing them with friends and loved ones
- Exchanging them for other benefits with friends
- Buying office treats for your work colleagues or team
- Reduce the costs of a group order
- Buy simple meals and donate them to charity
- Leave a generous tip to an exceptional driver
Don’t Forget About the Extra Holiday Bonus
It’s easy to miss out on the extra $20 bonus you get in December. Luckily, since it’s the holiday season, you should find plenty of great ways to utilize the bonus through delicious food or savings on rides.
Common Questions and Solutions
Is Amex Platinum the Only Card That Offers Uber Credit?
Amex Platinum Card isn’t the only credit card that offers Uber credit. However, it does boast the highest annual value.
However, if you hold an American Express Gold credit card, you’re also eligible for Uber credit, but the total amount here is $120 rather than $200 ($10 each month with no December bonus).
Should I Contact Uber or Amex for Issues with Amex Uber Benefit?
Since Amex is the financial partner, it’s responsible for most technical issues related to Amex Uber benefits.
For example, if the credit doesn’t show or you have an inquiry about the payment, you should contact its support. However, if the problem is about the ride itself, you may contact Uber first.
Additional Amex Platinum Benefits Related to Uber
According to Amex, the $200 premium is currently the only benefit it offers in partnership with Uber. However, if you hold an Amex platinum card, you can get additional bonuses too, including:
- $200 airline fee credit that you can use for incidental flight fees for an airline of your choosing
- Access to over 1400+ VIP lounges over 650+ different cities around the world
- $189 Clear biometric identification system credit
- Application Fee Credit for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
- Walmart and Walmart+ credit
You can find out more about the Amex Platinum Benefits via the official website of American Express.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Amex Platinum Uber Credit Roll Over?
Unfortunately, American Express Platinum Uber credit expires at the end of the month with no option to roll over the credit to the following month or stockpile it for future use.
For that reason, you should always plan your rides and Uber Eats orders strategically to make the most out of this free credit every month.
Why is My Amex Credit Not Showing Up On Uber?
Ideally, it Amex Uber Benefit should be available shortly after you link the card to your account. Yet, in some cases, this may take up to 48 hours (2 business days) from the moment you confirm the payment method.
If the credit doesn’t show up in your Uber Cash balance within that period, you should contact American Express customer service by calling the number on the back of the Amex card, not Uber.
Final Thoughts
The Amex Platinum Card’s Uber credit benefit is a valuable perk that can decently enhance your monthly savings.
Simply link your Amex Platinum Card to the Uber app and the monthly credit will show up automatically every month. No need for complicated enrollment or activation processes.
However, you should remember that this credit expires at the end of each month. That’s why you need careful planning to make sure that you’ve made the most out of this free bonus!