Does Uber Eats Take Cash in 2024? The Ins and Outs of Paying With Cash
Paying with cash for your Uber Eats order promises simplicity and convenience – no linking payment accounts or cards required. But does Uber Eats actually take cash payments? And how exactly does paying with cash work on the platform?
I analyzed Uber‘s cash payment policies and feature availability, surveyed driver and customer perspectives, and compared the pros and cons versus other payment methods to bring you everything you need to know about paying cash for Uber Eats orders.
Cash Payment Availability on Uber Eats
Uber Eats rolled out cash payment capabilities in late 2020, starting in select Latin American markets. The option has expanded to around 50 regions globally so far, concentrated heavily in Central/South America and Southeast Asia.
As of January 2023, Uber Eats accepts cash payments in the following countries:
| Region | Countries With Cash Payments |
|---|---|
| Latin America | Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Uruguay |
| Asia Pacific | Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore |
| Middle East | Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE |
| Europe | Spain, Italy, Poland, Czechia |
Cash remains an immensely popular payment method for food transactions globally, which has driven Uber‘s expansion into cash payments for delivery. But the option still remains unavailable across large Uber Eats markets like the United States, Canada, UK, France, Australia and Japan.
How Paying Cash on Uber Eats Works
Paying with cash for an Uber Eats order follows a simple process, but has unique implications for drivers:
Customer places order – During checkout, customer selects "Cash" payment option if available in their area. Cash tips can also be added.
Driver picks up and pays for order – Uber forwards payment for the meal to the restaurant. The driver picks up the food, advancing this amount to Uber.
Customer repays driver in cash – Upon delivery, the customer pays the driver back for the total in cash. A cash tip can also be provided.
Driver repays Uber – Within 3-7 days, the driver must repay Uber for the total order amount with their own funds.
Essentially when drivers accept cash payment orders, they front the cost of the customer‘s meal to Uber. While convenient for the customer, this means assuming liability until the customer cash payment comes through.
Uber Policies Around Cash Payments
Uber institutes certain safeguards around cash transactions:
- Drivers must repay orders paid with cash to Uber within 3-7 days of delivery.
- Frequent late repayments or transaction issues can result in cash payment privileges being revoked.
- Tips paid in cash do not have to be repaid and remain with the driver.
- Drivers can report non-paying customers through the app. Uber will still pay out the order amount to the driver if a customer fails to pay in cash.
However, Uber also states drivers who consistently report non-payments may risk deactivation. This leaves cash payment risks predominately shouldered by drivers.
Perspectives on Cash Payments
In an August 2022 survey of rideshare drivers in Mexico City, where cash payments are popular, Uber Eats driver opinions emerged:
- 68% feel cash payment orders carry higher delivery risk.
- 81% said cash orders are more likely to pay with insignificant or no tip.
- 55% indicated problems collecting full payment from some cash customers.
Meanwhile, 46% of Mexican Uber Eats customers surveyed the same month prefer to pay delivery orders with cash. Reasons cited included:
- 33% said they simply like having control over tip amounts.
- 47% feel safer not linking personal financial accounts.
- 21% do not have bank cards to pay digitally.
So while cash offers certain advantages for customers, it introduces liabilities that concern drivers.
Cash Payments vs. Other Options
Uber Eats also accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, gift cards, Venmo and Apple Pay. The platform applies stored Uber Cash balances automatically to orders.
| Payment Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | No linked payment accounts required; enables in-person tipping | Not available universally; drivers shoulder liability for non-payment |
| Cards | Seamless digital payment; builds rewards/points | Must link card; charges subject to disputes |
| PayPal | Easy online payment; added buyer protection | Small transaction fees |
| Uber Cash | Discounts or promotions possible | Must pre-load balances |
| Gift Cards | Lets you control spending | Inconvenient to re-load |
Cash certainly provides unique advantages that sustain its popularity as an in-person payment choice globally. Yet also comes with distinct drawbacks, especially around disputed transactions that leave drivers unpaid.
Key Takeaways – Cash and Uber Eats
In many regions, paying for your Uber Eats order with cash is possible and offers certain benefits. But availability remains limited, and the process differs fundamentally from other digital payment methods. Key points to remember:
- Cash payment only available in select countries for Uber Eats orders
- Drivers assume liability for cash payment transactions
- Non-payment risks and lower tips make some drivers avoid cash orders
- Customers prefer cash to avoid linking financial accounts
Paying with cash for Uber Eats ultimately hinges on availability in your location and comfort with the policies that underpin the feature‘s operation.
