How to request a refund through the Uber Eats app
Open the Uber Eats app and go to your Account tab at the bottom right. Tap Trips to see your order history. Find the order you want a refund for and tap it. At the bottom of the order details, tap Help, then select the reason that matches your situation — missing items, wrong order, food quality, or delivery issue. Describe what happened in the text box, then tap Submit.
Uber Eats will review your report and respond within 24 to 48 hours. Most refunds process to your original payment method within 3 to 5 business days after approval. If you paid with a credit or debit card, the refund appears as a credit on your card statement. If you used Uber Cash or a gift card, the refund goes back into that account balance.
You do not need to contact the restaurant or driver separately. Uber Eats handles the investigation on its side. Keep screenshots of your order confirmation, the items you received, and any messages with the driver — these help Uber Eats understand what went wrong.
Key Takeaways
- Refunds are requested through the Help section of each order in the Uber Eats app, not through email or phone support.
- Uber Eats reviews your report within 24 to 48 hours and decides whether to refund the full order, a partial amount, or nothing.
- Approved refunds return to your original payment method or account balance within 3 to 5 business days.
- Screenshots of your order, what arrived, and driver messages strengthen your refund request.
- Refunds for missing items, wrong orders, and food quality issues are handled differently — be specific about what happened.
What reasons Uber Eats accepts for refunds
Missing items are the most common refund reason. If your order arrived without something you paid for, report it with a photo of the bag or container if possible. Uber Eats compares what you ordered to what the restaurant packed and decides whether to refund that item or the whole order.
Wrong order means you received food you did not order — a different meal, someone else's order, or items from a different restaurant. This is treated as a fulfillment error and usually results in a full refund.
Food quality or condition covers spoiled food, cold food that should be hot, or items that arrived damaged or inedible. Describe the specific problem — "arrived cold," "visibly moldy," "broken in half" — rather than general complaints. Uber Eats may ask for a photo.
Delivery issues include orders that never arrived, arrived much later than the estimated time, or were left in an unsafe location. If your order was not delivered at all, report it as soon as you realize it is missing, ideally within an hour of the delivery window closing.
When Uber Eats denies refund requests
Uber Eats denies refunds when the restaurant or driver has proof the order was correct and delivered as requested. This happens most often when you report a missing item but the restaurant has a photo showing it was packed, or when you report non-delivery but the driver has a photo showing the food was left at your door.
Refunds are also denied for complaints about taste, portion size, or menu accuracy — these are treated as issues with the restaurant's food or description, not Uber Eats' service. If you ordered something and it tasted different than expected, or the portion was smaller than you hoped, Uber Eats typically will not refund it.
If your refund is denied, you can appeal through the Help section of that same order. Tap Help again, select I still need help, and explain why you disagree with the decision. Uber Eats reviews appeals, but they rarely overturn a denial without new evidence.
Refunds for partial orders and delivery fees
If some items arrived and others did not, Uber Eats may refund only the missing items rather than the whole order. The refund amount depends on what you ordered and what arrived. You can see the proposed refund amount before you confirm the report.
Delivery fees are refunded only in specific situations. If your order never arrived, the delivery fee is usually included in the refund. If the order arrived but was wrong or damaged, the delivery fee may not be refunded — Uber Eats considers the delivery itself complete even if the contents were wrong. You can ask for the delivery fee to be included in your refund request, but approval is not may provide.
Service fees and small-order fees are treated the same way as delivery fees. They are refunded if the order was not delivered, but rarely refunded for quality or accuracy issues.
What to do if you do not receive your refund
Check your Uber Eats account first. Go to Account > Payments and look for the refund in your transaction history. If it shows as processed but you do not see it on your card or bank account, contact your bank or card issuer — the refund may be pending on their end.
If the refund does not appear in your Uber Eats transaction history, go back to the order and tap Help again. Select I still need help and explain that you were refunded but have not received the money. Include the date you submitted the original report and the amount you were refunded. Uber Eats can check the status with their payment processor.
Refunds to credit or debit cards can take 3 to 5 business days to show up. Refunds to Uber Cash appear when ready in your account balance. If more than 5 business days have passed and you still do not see a card refund, contact your bank to ask if the transaction is stuck in their system.
Refunds for Uber Eats Pass members
If you have an active Uber Eats Pass subscription, refunds work the same way — you still report through the Help section and receive money back to your original payment method. The subscription fee itself is not refunded for a single bad order.
Pass members do get free delivery on most orders, so if your order was wrong or did not arrive, the delivery fee that would have been free is not part of your refund calculation. You are refunded for the food cost and any paid fees only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a refund on Uber Eats?
Uber Eats reviews your report within 24 to 48 hours. Once approved, the refund takes 3 to 5 business days to reach your card or bank account. Refunds to Uber Cash appear when ready. The total time from report to money in hand is usually one week.
Can I get a refund if I just did not like the food?
No. Taste preferences, portion sizes, and menu descriptions are not refundable through Uber Eats. Refunds are for missing items, wrong orders, food that arrived spoiled or damaged, and orders that were not delivered at all. If the food quality was genuinely poor — cold when it should be hot, visibly moldy, or inedible — that may be refundable.
What if the restaurant says they packed everything correctly?
Uber Eats investigates both sides. If the restaurant has a photo showing an item was packed and the driver has a photo showing the bag was sealed, Uber Eats may deny your refund. If you have a photo of the empty bag or the missing item, include it in your report. If the denial stands, you can appeal and provide additional details.
Do I have to return the food to get a refund?
No. Uber Eats does not require you to return food for a refund. You keep what arrived and receive money back. This applies even if the order was wrong — you are not expected to ship it back or meet the driver.
Can I request a refund through email or phone?
Uber Eats does not have a phone support line for refund requests. All refunds must be reported through the Help section in the app. You cannot email Uber Eats directly about a refund, though you can message them through the app after you submit a report.