Uber makes it easy to get from anywhere you are to anywhere you want to be just by using the app on your smartphone.
They operate in hundreds of cities in 60 different countries, and they’re expanding all the time.
So it’s safe to say that people love this service.
The fact is, it’s ideal for anyone who doesn’t drive, doesn’t have access to a car, or doesn’t want to take public transportation.
But as with all great services, it will cost you.
So if you’re wishing you could get a discount on your first or next ride, you’re in the right place.
We’ve put together a list of things that you can do to keep your rideshare costs down.
Here’s everything you need to know about finding and using promo codes to help save some cash on your next trip.
Uber Coupon Codes for New Riders
In order to maintain their status as the premier ridesharing service, Uber is always trying to get new customers on board.
And one of the ways they that is by offering discounts to encourage new users to sign up.
As a first-time rider, you can enjoy up to $15 off your first trip.
It’s easy to claim your free ride.
All you have to do is visit their sign up page and sign up for an Uber account.
Fill out your basic information and click the “Add a promo code” button.
Add the coupon code HITTHEROAD to claim $15 off your first ride.
From there, you’ll be asked to download the app so you can get started.
If you’re new to Uber, know that the cost of a ride depends on the city you live in as well as the time of day and the demand for drivers.
If your first ride is less than $15, your ride will be free. If it’s over $15, you can take $15 off.
The type of vehicle and the level of service you select also affect the price of your ride.
UberPOOL is the most economical option.
It’s a carpool-style service that allows you to share the ride and the cost with other riders heading in the same direction.
UberX is also affordable, and it doesn’t follow the carpool model, so you can ride alone if you choose.
For those looking for a larger vehicle, UberXL provides additional space to fit larger groups for a small increase.
UberLUX and UberBLACK are the most expensive options.
With UberLUX you can enjoy luxury cars and professional drivers, so it’s perfect for when you need a stylish ride on a special occasion.
With UberBLACK you can enjoy a fleet of high-end black cars and professional drivers.
It’s an ideal option for a night out or business travel.
When you request a ride, you’ll have to decide which level of service you want.
If you choose one of the higher tiers of service, the $15 invite code won’t go too far, but if you opt for a lower-end vehicle type, it’s a significant discount.
And if you’re in a city or taking a short ride, your right might even be free.
Wondering what it will cost you to take the ride you need in your town?
You can use the Uber cost estimator to get an idea of what a ride will cost and then simply deduct your $15 discount from that.
If you take a $20 ride, you’ll only have to pay $5.
And that $5 will be charged to whatever credit card you have saved on file in your account as your default payment method.
This estimator allows you to plug in your pick up and drop off point and receive real-time estimates in cities across the world.
Can I Use My Discount Code More than Once?
Unfortunately, no.
The discount code is only good for your first ride.
That code expires as soon as your ride is over.
If your first ride only costs you $10, you’ll lose out on saving the other $5.
The credits cannot carry over to your next ride.
Keep in mind that other people can ride with you.
Just because you’re a first-time rider doesn’t mean you can’t have your Uber-loving friends in the car with you.
You won’t be charged extra for having other people along for the ride.
When you create your account you’ll need to register a phone number.
The promo code will be tied to that phone number.
So as long as you continue to use the same account and same phone number, you won’t be eligible to receive any more free ride credits.
How to Use Your Uber Promo Code
Using the code is easy as can be.
To get started, download the Uber app or sign up through their website (Android and iOS apps are available).
You’ll need to enter your name, phone number, and email address.
You’ll also need to create a password.
Uber will then send you a verification code – once you have that you can log into your account.
When you log in you’ll be asked to submit payment information.
Provide a debit card or credit card and every ride you take with Uber will get billed to that card.
After you’ve added your payment info, Uber will send you an email to confirm your registration.
Register and then navigate to the “payment” section within the app.
Scroll down to where it says “promotions”, click “add promo code,” and enter your code.
Tap “ADD” and your discount will be applied.
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How to Use an Uber Promo Code
- Sign up for an account and enter your basic information
- Use the promo code HITTHEROAD
- Download the Uber app
- Verify your account with the verification code that Uber sends to your phone
- Add a debit or credit card as the primary form of payment
- Verify your account through the confirmation email that Uber sends you
- Go to the “Payments” section within the app
- Add the promo code HITTHEROAD in the “Promotion” section if you haven’t done so already
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Uber Promo Codes for Existing Riders
The whole reason that Uber offers first-time promo codes is that they want to get new riders to sign up for their service.
So once you’ve taken that first ride, it can be hard to come upon any additional discounts.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
When you see an Uber email in your inbox, don’t just delete it – check it first.
Uber runs promotions with other brands and offers discounts to people that use certain products.
For example, they recently did a deal with Venmo to offer a $7 discount to any rider who uses Venmo for payment.
The code was sent to Venmo users via email, so if you use Venmo check your inbox to find it!
Uber also works with with American Express. Riders who use an American Express card to pay for their rides are eligible for a $30 discount.
The credits don’t carry over, so if you don’t use them all on one ride, you’ll lose them.
To make use of this discount, simply add the promo code “UBERAMEX” when you checkout and it will be applied to your ride.
Existing riders won’t see a ton of discounts and deals, but they do pop up from time to time.
Whenever there’s a chance for you to save money, Uber will send you an email.
In many cases, these emails go directly into the “promotions” folder in your email account, so it’s worth checking that folder every once in a while.
Earn Rewards Through Uber and Visa Local Offers
Uber teamed up with Visa last year to offer rewards for customers who make charges with their Visa card.
Use you Visa card at certain stores and you can earn ride credits to use toward the cost of a ride.
There are local retail and restaurants in various U.S. cities, as well as national merchants that you can find in any town.
Some of those merchants include Dunkin’ Donuts, Walgreens, Regal Cinemas, QDOBA, and Neiman Marcus.
Here’s the way it works:
First, add your Visa card to your payment method in the Uber app.
Sign up for the Visa Local Rewards program and spend money at the merchants on the list to earn credits.
Every time you make a payment with your Visa card, you’ll earn credits.
You can view the full list of terms within the Uber app.
Rewards vary from merchant to merchant, but they can stack up quickly.
One lucky customer reported earning a $5 Uber credit just for spending $100 at Whole Foods.
To sign up, open the Uber app and tap “Settings button”.
Scroll down and click the button labeled “Visa Local Offers”, then click the button labeled “Count me in”.
Keep in mind that in order to earn the ride credits you have to pay for your rides using the same Visa you use at the merchants.
You also have the ability to opt out of the program anytime you want.
For frequent riders who know they won’t be seeing any promo codes anytime soon, it’s a great way to earn Uber discounts.
And if you’re buying things you would have to pay for anyway, there’s no sense in not earning the rewards.
Ride Pass
Uber has been testing out something called “Ride Pass.”
It’s a new feature that lets Uber users pay one rate for every ride they take.
However, in order to enjoy the Ride Pass, you need to pay a subscription amount.
The program is only offered in select markets and only open to select individuals.
(And no one is sure how the company is selecting those individuals).
The Ride Pass was recently tested in the city of Atlanta.
Drivers were given the option to pay a $15 activation amount and enjoy a $7.99 flat rate for every UberX ride they took.
Uber is still testing the service, so we’ll need to wait and see if they go forward with it and offer it to more people in more cities.
For now, there’s no way to sign up, but if it does become available it seems like it could be a great way to save some extra cash.
We don’t know yet how this affects driver earnings either.
Hopefully, in the near future, we’ll have more info on how the Ride Pass service is working out, both for riders and for drivers.
Uber and Groupon
You can always find good deals on Groupon – and you can find some Uber deals there too.
On occasion, Groupon sells discounted Uber Gift Cards that can save you between $5 and $10.
For instance, you can purchase a $20 gift card for just $10, and that’s the same as having $10 in free rides.
The offers don’t happen often, and they usually don’t last long, so stay up to date with Groupon if you want to catch the next deal.
Check your Groupon app or visit their website to see all current promotions.
Sometimes you can even find Uber codes on the Groupon website, though sometimes they’re not verified and not legit.
But if you see one, you may as well try it out.
You might have to try a few to find one that actually works, but if you can save a few bucks, it’s worth it.
If you don’t like to drive, don’t have a car, or can’t access public transportation, Uber makes life a whole lot easier. And when you want to go out and have a couple of cocktails, you know that the Uber is your best friend.
There’s a reason we see a line of Uber cars outside every bar at closing time. For a few dollars, you can get home safely and never have to worry about driving after you’ve been drinking.
There’s no question that Uber is a great service. But it’s even better when you can get your rides at a discount. Make sure you take advantage of the first-time $15 free credit. No matter how far you’re going, you’ll save yourself $15, which in some cases might even mean you get a free ride.
Existing customers won’t see too many promo codes coming their way, but there are a few things you can do to earn ride credits and enjoy some Uber discounts. Keep an eye out for Uber promotions with other companies and you just might find a deal that offers you some money off your ride amount.
You can also take advantage of the Visa Local Rewards program. Shop in your favorite stores and earn credits toward future rides. And check on Groupon to find deals – sometimes you’ll even find a promo code or two. Now that you know some of the ways you can save, we hope you can keep a few extra bucks in your pocket on your next ride!
