Uber makes a big change some travelers will like

When it was launched by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp in 2009, what was initially known as UberCab was designed to be an entirely digital and cashless experience.

The option of calling for a ride directly from one's phone was at the time seen as a revolutionary ride alternative, but as the startup grew into a transportation behemoth over the ensuing two decades, Uber added a number of features that brought it closer to what is offered by a traditional yellow or black cab.

In September 2025, Uber began experimenting with accepting cash payments in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, as well as several cities in Florida. Earlier in the year, it had allowed riders to give their driver a cash tip.

"Verified riders will be able to select cash," Uber says

The ride-hailing app has gradually been rolling out cash payments to more cities, and this week, users in Texas and New York reported receiving emails telling them that cash payments are now available.

"When requesting your next trip in the Uber app, verified riders will be able to select Cash under Payment options," the email sent to Uber customers reads. "[...] You'll see the cost of the ride up front and will need to make sure you have enough cash to cover the fare."

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Verification refers to an app feature in which a rider can opt to allow the app to cross-check their personal information with a government-issued ID and information available through background verification platforms.

Verified riders in cities where the option is available will select cash as their payment option. They can switch back to credit card payment at any point during the ride (if the cash provided is not enough, the remaining value of the ride will be charged directly to the card).

It is not possible to ride Uber without having some form of card on file.

"If you overpay, Uber will add the excess amount to your account"

"If you overpay, Uber will add the excess amount to your account as Uber Cash after the trip ends, which you can use for future rides," Uber writes on its page explaining the new service.

"If you don't have the exact change, you can switch to a supported bank card as your payment method while on the trip. Alternatively, any outstanding balance will need to be repaid in the app before you can request your next ride."

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Cash trips are limited to hours outside of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., and riders should plan to pay in exact change, since, according to Uber, "drivers will decide whether or not to carry cash as change" (they are not required to and will thus not be guaranteed to have it).

The other big change compared to trips prepaid by credit card? Once the ride starts, riders will not be able to change the destination or add additional stops. Any tip offered to the driver will also need to be paid in cash if this option is selected.

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