Attention Uber riders: You may be missing a chance to earn extra Uber Cash

If you regularly use Uber to get around, you might be surprised to hear that the app has a card-linked offers program. With Visa Local Offers, any Visa credit card (and some debit cards) you have linked to your Uber account can earn Uber Cash on purchases at thousands of restaurants and shops.

Visa Local Offers might be Uber’s best hidden secret. The program is not advertised very prominently, and you’ll have to hunt for the opt-in button in the settings. When you open your messages on the bottom of the home screen, you might have one promoting Visa Local Offers at the very bottom of the screen. If you can’t find this, you can also locate the program in settings. We’ve discovered that it’s difficult to access the Visa Local Offers option in the settings without opting out and opting back in.

By just taking a quick minute to activate the program, you could be racking up Uber Cash to use on rides and UberEATS purchases on the spending you are already doing.

What is Visa Local Offers?

Visa Local Offers is a card-linked offers program – like Amex Offers and BankAmeriDeals – from Uber that automatically awards Uber Cash for eligible purchases made on a Visa credit card linked to your account. It is completely free for Uber riders to participate in and makes it easy for users to rack up credits for transactions at popular restaurants, clothing stores and more.

How does Visa Local Offers work?

To take advantage of Visa Local Offers, you’ll first have to opt in to the program. In your Uber app, click the bottom of the screen and scroll down to find a message from Visa Local Offers. You’ll be prompted to activate the program and be able to look at a list of deals near you. If you don’t have a message from Visa Local Offers on your home screen, you can also access the feature in settings.

Once you’ve linked your Uber account to Visa Local Offers, it is easy to start earning rewards. You won’t have to add rewards to a specific card or activate them in order to redeem. Simply use any Visa cards you have linked to your Uber account at participating locations and watch Uber Cash start to stockpile.

To get a quick view of the offers available near you, pull up your messages on the home screen. You’ll be presented a preview of Uber local Visa offers based on your location.

If you don’t see something you like, you can also search through the available list of Visa Local Offers in your area.

New deals pop up often, so be sure to keep your eye out for the latest promotions.

Restrictions and drawbacks with Visa Local Offers

Visa Local Offers is a pretty straightforward program, but there are some important restrictions to consider.

You can only link your Visa to one card-linked offers program

If you have a Visa linked to Visa Local Offers, you won’t be able to use that same card in any other card-linked offers program. Visa Local Offers seems to be a bit more limited than some other programs, so you’ll want to take a look at the available deals before deciding to enroll. Fortunately, you can always opt out of Visa Local Offers if you find a better program.

Debit cards might not earn rewards

While some Visa debit cards qualify for Visa Local Offers, you’ll need to select “credit” when you pay. Not all debit purchases are eligible to earn Uber Cash. Transactions must also be processed by the Visa network to earn rewards, which means mobile wallet purchases might not apply.

Keep a close watch on the terms and conditions

Each individual offer has its own terms and conditions, so read carefully to ensure you are within any purchase requirements or expiration dates. At most locations, gift card purchases will not earn rewards.

Cash back can only be used for Uber purchases

When you earn rewards for redeeming an offer, you’ll be credited with Uber Cash. This can be used either for an Uber ride or an UberEATS purchase. Unfortunately, you won’t have the option for a cash back redemption to your credit card account.

Types of deals you can find

Visa Local Offers include deals from restaurants, clothing stores, wholesale clubs and more. Promotions are updated every week, so keep a close eye on your Uber app to take advantage of new offerings.

While Visa Local Offers partners with thousands of merchants who participate in the program, options seem to be a bit more limited than similar card-linked offer programs.

Other ways to earn Uber Cash

If you frequently ride with Uber or order in using UberEATS, Visa Local Offers is not the only way to quickly stockpile Uber Cash. You can also earn credits by signing up for the Uber Visa Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express.

With the Uber Visa, all the rewards you earn on everyday purchases can be credited to your Uber account. The American Express Platinum also rewards Uber riders, offering a $15 credit every month (plus a bonus $20 in December) to cover U.S. Uber rides – up to $200 in credits a year.

	Introductory offer	Rewards rate	Annual fee
Uber Visa Card	$100 if you spend $500 in first 90 days	4 points per dollar on restaurants, takeout and bars, including UberEATS 3 points per dollar on airfare, hotels and vacation home rentals 2 points per dollar on online purchases, including Uber, online shopping, video and music streaming 1 point per dollar on other purchases $50 credit for online subscription services each year you spend $5,000	$0
The Platinum Card® from American Express	100,000 Membership Rewards® points if you spend $6,000 in first 6 months	10 points per dollar on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S. (on up to $25,000 in combined purchases) in first 6 months 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (starting Jan. 1, 2021, earn 5x points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) 5 points per dollar on eligible prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel 1 point per dollar on general purchases Terms apply	$695

How to maximize rewards with Visa Local Offers

One great benefit to Visa Local Offers is that it is easy to opt in and forget about it while your rewards stockpile. However, taking a few extra steps can ensure you earn the most possible cash back.

Shop using cash back portals to stack offers

By doing your online shopping using cash back portals, you can potentially stack more than one cash back promotion at the same merchant. Websites like Cashback Monitor are a great way to see where you can currently earn rewards. Take the following offer for example:

With this deal, you can earn 5% back in Uber Cash on purchases at Michi Ramen. But Cashback Monitor might show additional cash back from sites like Rakuten or Mr. Rebates for shopping with Michi Ramen through their portals. If you use one of these offers and then check out with your Visa Local Offers card, you’ll earn cash back for both deals.

Combine Visa Local Offers with paper coupons and promo codes

If you don’t mind taking a little extra time to hunt for a coupon or promo code, you can use a store promotion in conjunction with a Visa Local Offer to boost savings.

Add multiple Visa cards to your Uber account

Even if you don’t want to use the card to pay for Uber rides, be sure and add extra Visa cards you have to your Uber account. That way, you’ll ensure you earn rewards on every possible purchase.

You’ll also be able to stack your rewards with other programs this way. For example, you can add an eligible Chase card to take advantage of any exclusive Uber offers that may pop up in the Shop Through Chase portal. This can be an especially effective combo with a card that earns rewards on Uber, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and its 3X points on dining and travel (after the annual $300 travel credit – which can also be used on Uber). Just keep in mind that enrolling your card in Uber Visa Local Offers will negate any other card-link programs, like Chase Offers in this case.

Final thoughts

If you frequently ride with Uber or order takeout using UberEATS, Visa Local Offers is a hassle-free way to earn money for your next purchase. Since you don’t have to activate offers to take advantage of them, you can simply opt in to the program and forget about it while you rack up Uber Cash. However, the offers available seem more limited than other programs, so enrolling in another dining or card-linked offer program might earn you more in the long run.

See Related: Amex® Offers program guide, BankAmeriDeals® program guide, Chase Offers program guide