The fastest way to change your card on Uber
Open the Uber app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, then tap "Payments." Find the card you want to remove, swipe left on it, and tap the trash icon. Then tap "Add payment method," enter your new card details, and save. The whole process takes about two minutes on your phone.
If you're using Uber on a web browser instead, go to your account settings, select "Payments," and follow the same steps to remove the old card and add the new one. The app is usually faster, but the website works just as well.
Your new card becomes active immediately. If you have multiple cards saved, Uber will use whichever one you've marked as your default. You can change which card is default by tapping it in your Payments list and selecting "Make default."
Key Takeaways
- You can add a new card and remove an old one directly in the Uber app under Payments without contacting Uber support.
- Removing a card from Uber does not cancel any subscription or membership you have with them — it only stops that card from being charged.
- If a ride is already in progress when you change your card, that ride will charge to the card you had selected before you made the change.
- Uber accepts all major credit and debit cards, and you can save multiple cards to switch between them for different rides.
Why you might need to change your card
The most common reason is that your card expired or your bank issued you a new one with a different number. When that happens, Uber will usually send you a notification that your payment method failed, but you don't have to wait for that — you can update it yourself as soon as you get the new card.
You might also change your card if you want to use a different card for rewards purposes. Some cards earn higher cash back on ride-sharing, and switching between them for Uber trips is a straightforward way to maximize what you earn. Since Uber lets you save multiple cards, you can keep both active and choose which one to use before each ride.
Another reason is fraud or security concerns. If you think your card number has been compromised, removing it from Uber and adding a replacement is faster than waiting for your bank to issue a new card — you can use a different card you already have in the meantime.
What happens to pending charges and refunds
If you remove a card that has a pending charge on it, that charge will still go through to that card. Uber doesn't move pending charges to a new card — the original card stays responsible for any transaction that was already in progress when you made the change.
This matters most if you've just finished a ride but the charge hasn't posted yet. The safest approach is to wait a few minutes after your ride ends before removing the card, so the charge completes. If you're in a hurry, just make sure the card you're removing stays active long enough for the ride to settle — usually within a few hours.
If you're due a refund (for example, if Uber charged you twice by mistake), that refund will go back to the original card that was charged, not to a new card you add later. You can't redirect refunds to a different card, so keep the old card active until any refunds have posted.
Removing a card without adding a new one
You can remove a card from Uber even if you don't have another payment method saved yet. However, you won't be able to request a ride until you add at least one card back. Uber requires an active payment method on file before you can book.
This is useful if you want to delete a card immediately for security reasons but don't have a replacement ready. You can remove it right away, then add your new card whenever it arrives. Until you do, you simply won't be able to use Uber — the app will prompt you to add a payment method when you try to request a ride.
Changing your card if you have an Uber Pass or subscription
If you pay for Uber Pass (a monthly membership that gives you discounts on rides and food orders), changing your card does not cancel your subscription. Your Pass will keep charging to whichever card you have set as your default payment method.
If you remove the card that Uber Pass is charging to without adding a new default card, your subscription will fail and Uber will notify you that payment couldn't go through. You'll have a short window to update your payment method before Uber cancels your Pass. The safest approach is to add your new card before removing the old one, so there's never a gap in your payment methods.
If you want to change which card your Uber Pass charges to, just set a different card as your default in Payments. The next billing cycle will charge the new card instead.
Troubleshooting if your new card won't save
If you're trying to add a new card and Uber keeps rejecting it, the most common reason is that the card details don't match exactly what your bank has on file. Make sure the name, address, and ZIP code are spelled and formatted the same way your bank shows them. Even a small difference — like "St." versus "Street" — can cause the card to be declined.
Another reason is that your bank is blocking the transaction. Some banks flag unusual activity as fraud, and Uber's payment system might trigger that. Call your bank and let them know you're adding the card to Uber, then try adding it again. Your bank can also tell you if there's a specific issue with the card itself.
If you're still having trouble, try removing the card and adding it again from scratch. Sometimes the app gets stuck on a failed attempt. If that doesn't work, try adding the card through the Uber website instead of the app, or vice versa — one platform sometimes works when the other doesn't.
Keeping your card information secure on Uber
Uber doesn't store your full card number on your phone or their servers. Instead, they use a system called tokenization, which means they store a code that represents your card rather than the actual card details. This makes it harder for hackers to steal your card information even if they break into Uber's system.
You should still treat your Uber account like any other account with payment information. Use a strong, unique password, enable two-factor authentication if Uber offers it, and don't share your login with anyone. If you think your Uber account has been hacked, change your password immediately and review your ride history for charges you didn't make.
If you see a charge on your card that you don't recognize, contact your bank first — they can dispute it and issue you a new card if needed. You can also contact Uber support through the app to report the charge, but your bank is the one with the power to reverse it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my card in the middle of a ride?
You can open the app and change your card while a ride is happening, but the charge will still go to the card you had selected when you requested the ride. Changing it mid-ride won't affect that trip — only future rides will use the new card.
What if I delete a card by accident?
Just add it back the same way you added it the first time. Uber doesn't have a "restore" option, but adding the card again takes less than a minute. If the card is still active at your bank, it will work immediately.
Does Uber charge a fee to change my payment method?
No. Changing, adding, or removing cards is free. Uber only charges you for rides and food orders, not for managing your payment methods.
Can I use a prepaid card on Uber?
Yes, most prepaid cards work on Uber as long as they're Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. Some prepaid cards have restrictions that prevent them from being used with certain services, so if one won't save, contact the card issuer to ask if they allow ride-sharing charges.
What happens if my new card expires before I update Uber?
Uber will notify you that your payment method failed the next time you try to request a ride. You'll need to add a different card or update the expired one before you can book. It's easier to update it yourself as soon as you get a new card from your bank rather than waiting for Uber to reject it.