You can change your card in the Uber app in about one minute, either by replacing an existing card or adding a new one alongside it
Open the Uber app, tap your profile icon in the bottom right, then select "Payments." From there, you can add a new card, delete an old one, or set which card Uber charges by default. The app accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You'll need the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back), and Uber will process a small temporary charge to verify the card works — this charge drops off within a few days.
The reason you might want to change cards is straightforward: your old card expired, you're closing an account, you got a new card with better rewards, or you want to use a different card for Uber trips than you use elsewhere. Uber doesn't require you to have just one card on file — you can keep several and pick which one to charge before each ride, or set a default and change it later.
Key Takeaways
- You can add, remove, or switch payment cards directly in the Uber app under your profile's Payments section without calling support.
- Uber will place a small temporary charge on a new card to verify it works; this charge reverses within a few days and does not count as a real transaction.
- You can keep multiple cards on file and choose which one to charge before each ride, or set one as your default.
- If a card is declined during a ride, Uber will prompt you to add or switch to a different card before the trip ends.
Step-by-step: Adding a new card to your Uber account
Start in the Uber app and tap your profile icon — it's in the bottom right corner on most phones. Tap "Payments" to see all the cards you have on file. At the top of the screen, you'll see an option to add a new payment method. Tap that, then select "Credit or Debit Card."
Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV. You can also add your name and billing zip code if you want, though Uber doesn't always require them. Once you submit, Uber will charge your card a small amount (usually between $0.01 and $2) to confirm the card is real and active. This charge is temporary and will reverse on its own within three to five business days — you don't need to do anything.
After the charge posts and reverses, your card is ready to use. You can now select it as your default payment method, or leave it as a backup and pick it manually before each ride.
Removing a card or setting a different default
To remove a card, go to Payments in your profile, find the card you want to delete, and swipe left on it (or tap the three dots on some phones). Select "Remove" or "Delete." Uber will not charge you again, and the card will disappear from your account immediately.
To change which card Uber charges by default, go to Payments and tap the card you want to use most often. You should see an option to "Set as Default" or a radio button to select it. From then on, Uber will charge that card unless you manually pick a different one before a ride.
If you want to use a different card for a single ride without changing your default, you can do that too. Just before you request a ride, tap the payment method at the top of the screen and select the card you want for that trip.
What happens if your card is declined during a ride
If Uber tries to charge your card and it's declined — because the card expired, you hit your limit, or the card was reported lost — the app will notify you before the ride ends. You'll see a prompt to add a new card or switch to a different one you already have on file. You must update your payment method before you can request another ride, but you won't be charged twice for the ride that was declined.
If you're already in a ride when the card is declined, Uber will ask you to update your payment after the trip is complete. The driver won't be affected, and you can finish your ride normally.
Why Uber places a temporary charge on new cards
The small charge Uber places on your card is a verification hold, not a real purchase. It proves two things: that the card number is correct and that the card is active. Without this step, someone could add a card that doesn't belong to them, and Uber wouldn't know until they tried to charge it for a real ride — by then it might be too late to stop fraud.
The charge reverses automatically, so you don't need to contact Uber or your bank to remove it. If for some reason it doesn't reverse within five business days, contact your card issuer (the bank that issued your card) and mention that it was a verification hold from Uber. They can reverse it manually.
Updating your card if it expired or was replaced
If your card expired and your bank sent you a replacement with the same number but a new expiration date, you can update it in Payments without deleting the old entry. Tap the card, look for an "Edit" option, and update the expiration date. Some banks issue a completely new card number when yours expires; in that case, add the new card as a new payment method and delete the old one.
If you're switching banks entirely and getting a card from a different issuer, add the new card first and test it with a ride or two before you delete the old one. That way, if something goes wrong with the new card, you still have a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a debit card on Uber instead of a credit card?
Yes. Uber accepts debit cards from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The process is the same as adding a credit card — enter the number, expiration date, and CVV. Debit cards are subject to the same verification hold as credit cards.
What if the verification charge doesn't reverse after a week?
Contact your bank and tell them it was a verification hold from Uber. Provide them with the transaction date and the small amount charged. Your bank can reverse it, or it will drop off on its own within a few more days. Uber's support team can also confirm the charge was legitimate if your bank asks.
Can I use the same card on multiple Uber accounts?
Yes, one card can be added to multiple Uber accounts. Each account is separate, so you can have different default cards on each one. Uber won't flag this as suspicious.
What payment methods does Uber accept besides cards?
Uber also accepts PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and some regional digital wallets depending on where you live. You can add these in the same Payments section of your profile. The steps are similar, though some may require you to log into the service first.
Do I have to update my card if I get a new one with the same number?
If your bank issued a replacement card with the same number but a new expiration date and CVV, you should update those details in Uber. You can edit the card in your Payments section rather than deleting and re-adding it. If the card number itself changed, add the new card and remove the old one.