Most readers know about the new rule that (after November 8, 2024) Amex Platinum and Gold card members will need to use an Amex card as the default payment method in order to redeem their monthly Uber cash benefit. Point enthusiasts typically like to use Amex Gold for 4x Uber Eats point earnings and Chase Ink Preferred or Reserve to earn 3x Uber Ride earnings. If we make the Amex as the default payment method, it will be a hassle to switch the payment method on Uber Rides every time after the Amex Uber cash credit is redeemed.
Issues with Amex Uber Cash credits
What if you don’t use more than your monthly Amex Uber Cash credit?
Many assume that it will be a non-issue if your single Uber charge amounts to less than your monthly Amex Cash credit. However, it did not work when I tried a single Uber Eats charge for smaller amounts.
For example, I had $25 Uber Cash in November from my Amex Platinum & Gold and I attempted to use $11.09 for an order while leaving my VISA as the default payment method (left by mistake from my last Uber Rides overseas trip). Uber ended up charging the entire amount to VISA and my Uber Cash was untouched (see image below).
Any Amex card can be used as the default Uber payment method
Uber Cash credit worked when I placed another order after making one of my Amex cards as the default payment method (see image below).
How do I choose a default payment method on Uber?
You have to go through several steps to get to the default payment method (see images below);
- Select “Account” from the bottom tab.
- Select “Wallet” under your username.
- Scroll down to “Ride Profiles”.
- Click on your Ride Profile (Personal or Business).
- Select “Default payment”
Can you default to another payment method for Uber Rides?
Unfortunately, both Uber Rides and Uber Eats share the same payment methods and you must remember to manually choose which method should be used each time if you want it to change. For example, whenever I use Uber rides, I have to pay attention in the last step and choose my Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Preferred to earn 3 points.
Easy workaround by creating a free Business Uber Account
It is very easy to create a Business Uber Account by going to settings in the Uber Rides App and finding the “create a business profile” section. Remember to turn off reporting (weekly/monthly) and skip the expense linking options during the set up. Choose a separate credit card default option in your Business Uber profile (I chose my Ink Preferred). Finally, after you verify the email link, your business profile will be activated.
Next time you open the Uber Rides app, you will be presented with the choice of choosing either your Personal or Business profile (see images below).
While I am in the US, my plan is to use the Amex cards on my Personal Uber profile until the monthly credit is redeemed (on either Uber Rides & Eats) and then switch to my Business Uber profile if I am ordering Uber rides only.
Amex Uber Cash credits don’t work overseas and Uber in several countries may also not accept Amex as a valid payment method. It is good to have a VISA or Master Card on your Uber profile as a back up.
Conclusion
As usual, Amex unnecessarily makes it hard to redeem the Uber Cash monthly credit by enforcing a new rule instead of simply issuing a statement credit similar to Grubhub.