Can You Use Restaurant Gift Cards on Uber Eats?

Have you found yourself craving your favorite meal with a restaurant gift card and wondered If you could order it through Uber Eats?   

You would not be the only one! With the rapid growth of food delivery platforms, many believe that any gift card could be used to order such services.   

But, as you might have found, Uber Eats does not accept gift cards for specific restaurants. Why? What is the reason behind this limitation? And, is there any workaround for all of us to get a meal without much stress on Uber Eats?  

This article will examine why the Uber Eats platform does not accept restaurant gift cards, how the payment system works, and which gift cards it accepts.   

We will also consider workaround methods, such as taking your restaurant gift card directly to the restaurant, and flexible payment options, such as Uber Eats gift cards and Visa/MasterCard gift cards.  

By the end of this article, you will discover how to spend your gift cards, whether ordering through Uber Eats or dining at a restaurant.  

Send Uber gift cards anywhere.

97% of gift cards sent with Send Credit arrive in less than 3 seconds.

Shop Uber Gift Cards

But before you discard that gift card, read ahead to see how it is possible to gain from this card and still have a delicious meal with the least stress. 

Does Uber Eats Accept Restaurant Gift Cards? 

No, Uber Eats does not accept restaurant gift cards. These functions cannot be used to make payments.  

The only gift cards permitted on the platform are Uber Eats and Visa, MasterCard, and AmEx gift cards.   

These payments are recognized because they are specifically linked to financial institutions, giving them a far wider use as a payment method.   

However, the Uber Eats app does not accept gift cards from specific restaurants, such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, or local eateries. 

Why Don’t Restaurant Gift Cards Work on Uber Eats? 

Gift cards are designated for use directly at the restaurant and for ordering on the restaurant’s online platforms.  

Because of the various constraints imposed by the payment systems, these cards aren’t equipped with apps like Uber Eats. A restaurant gift card communicates with the restaurant’s POS system.  

On the other hand, Uber Eats has its own payment system and would instead prefer universal payment methods that can be accepted by every merchant on the platform.  

Restaurant gift cards don’t integrate properly within the Uber Eats payment system.

How Do Uber Eats, Visa, and Other Accepted Gift Cards Work? 

Uber Eats offers gift cards under its brand, which can be used on its app. You can buy Uber Eats gift cards from different retailers online. After redeeming the card inside the app, the balance is registered to your account and applied to orders.  

However, Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and PayPal debit and gift cards will work just like regular debit-credit cards. Once added to the Uber Eats app, they are like any other payment option.  

As they are processed via the significant financial networks of either Visa, MasterCard, or Amex, they are thus supported by Uber Eats and are flexible to use. 

Alternative Option: Using Restaurant Gift Cards Directly at the Restaurant 

If you have a restaurant gift card you can’t use on Uber Eats, your best option will be to visit the restaurant personally. These days, several restaurants offer online ordering and delivery services. You may also order online using the gift card on the restaurant’s official website or an app.  

Some restaurants may even let you call, place orders, and pay with restaurant gift cards. 

Although this doesn’t offer the convenience of Uber Eats, it’s still a way to use your gift card at restaurant to enjoy a meal from your favorite restaurant.  

Wrap it Up 

Although restaurant gift cards can be used on Uber Eats, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy a delicious meal from your favorite spots.  

Depending on how you would like to have your meal delivered, you may want to use either an Uber Eats gift card or a Visa/Mastercard gift card, or you can just make use of your restaurant card directly to pay for the meal at the restaurant. 

Knowing what to do and what not to do when ordering from a third-party platform such as Uber Eats helps to save time and avoid the frustration that comes with such ordering. Knowing what gift cards you can use is instrumental in completing the order.  

The next time you order online, think of your gift cards and use them to best advantage pickup, call-in orders, or whatever you have on the delivery platform you plan to use. 

If you’re flexible about your food choices, those gift cards won’t go to waste, provided you don’t mind a bit of work to get your favorite meals.