Mastercard, Uber Launch Instant Payouts for Drivers Globally

Mastercard and Uber are deepening their global partnership through an expanded agreement that is set to revolutionise how payments are managed across the Uber platform. This enhanced collaboration introduces faster earnings access for drivers and couriers, provides new rewards for Mastercard users, and gives gig workers comprehensive control over their finances.

Travel and Tour World reports that at the core of this initiative, Uber will integrate several key payment technologies from Mastercard to streamline its financial operations.

A central feature is the implementation of Mastercard Move, a real-time payment solution that provides drivers and couriers with immediate access to their earnings after each trip or delivery. This innovation eliminates the traditional wait times for payouts, bolstering financial stability for workers in the on-demand economy.

Complementing this is Mastercard One Credential, a cutting-edge technology that consolidates various payment methods under a single, secure digital profile. By adopting this tool, Uber empowers its network of drivers and couriers with greater flexibility and enhanced security in managing their finances.

Underpinning the entire system, Mastercard Gateway will act as Uber’s global engine for payment processing and fraud prevention. This robust infrastructure enables Uber to efficiently accept a diverse range of payment methods and facilitate secure, real-time transfers in markets worldwide.

According to Travel and Tour World, the partnership also marks the international expansion of the Uber Pro Card, a co-branded financial product developed in collaboration with Mastercard that has already proven successful in the United States and Canada. The card is now slated for launch in new markets, beginning with the United Kingdom, and will extend its benefits to a wider network of Uber drivers and couriers.

The Uber Pro Card empowers workers with immediate access to their funds after each trip and offers valuable cash-back rewards, with a special focus on essentials like fuel. The integration of Mastercard One Credential further enhances the card, providing users with more innovative digital payment options and seamless control over their money in both physical and online environments.

This collaboration extends its benefits beyond drivers to the millions of customers who use the platform daily. Mastercard cardholders worldwide can now expect exclusive offers, including discounts on rides and Uber Eats orders, available through the Mastercard Offers Platform.

With Mastercard Gateway powering its transactions, Uber can securely and swiftly process a wider array of digital payments, from contactless cards to mobile wallets. This ensures Uber can meet the evolving demands of a digital-first economy that values both convenience and trust.

Ultimately, this expanded partnership represents a shared vision between Mastercard and Uber to create a more inclusive and efficient financial ecosystem. By combining Mastercard’s robust financial technology with Uber’s extensive mobility and delivery network, the two companies are pioneering a more innovative and accessible way for people to manage, spend, and receive money.

The global rollout of these financial tools is expected to enhance financial access for gig workers, minimise payment friction for users, and establish a new industry standard for how digital platforms support their partners and customers alike.

Karl Hebert, Vice President of Global Commerce at Uber, commented on the significance of the partnership: “We could not be more excited to be deepening our relationship with a similarly forward-thinking and innovative business like Mastercard. At the heart of this partnership is a desire to grow benefits for all our mutual customers, be it the businesses that rely on Uber to earn each day, or those using the platform to Go Anywhere and Get Anything.”

“This partnership connects over 3.5 billion cards and more than 150 million merchants that accept Mastercard globally, together with Uber’s community of over 8.5 million earners and 170 million users worldwide,” stated Sherri Haymond, Co-President of Global Partnerships at Mastercard. “By leveraging Mastercard’s end-to-end payment solutions, this deepened work will provide integrated, trusted and seamless payment experiences for Uber’s workers, small business owners, and consumers while also supporting Uber’s growth.”

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The expanded global partnership between Mastercard and Uber is poised to have a significant and positive impact on tourism and travel, not just globally, but with specific and tangible benefits for Africa and its most populous nation, Nigeria.

By integrating sophisticated payment technologies that ensure smoother transactions, enhanced security, and greater financial inclusion, the collaboration directly addresses long-standing friction points for travellers and local transport providers, promising a more seamless and reliable travel experience.

Globally, the partnership ensures a standardised, high-quality experience for travellers. Tourists are increasingly seeking destinations that are easy to navigate and digitally accessible.

By providing a reliable and secure payment method for ground transportation—often the first and last transaction a tourist makes in a country—the collaboration enhances a destination’s appeal. 

The inclusion of Mastercard’s exclusive offers platform also adds value, potentially giving tourists discounts on rides to and from airports, major attractions, or even on Uber Eats, enriching their travel budget and overall experience.

Across Africa, where tourism is a vital economic driver, the impact could be even more profound. Many African cities have underdeveloped public transport systems, making reliable ride-hailing services like Uber essential for tourist mobility. However, payment can be a significant hurdle.

This partnership tackles that head-on. By strengthening the digital payment backbone with Mastercard Gateway, it enhances the reliability of card transactions, reducing instances of payment failures that can frustrate tourists and drivers alike.

Furthermore, the initiative aligns with the continent’s rapid push towards digitalisation and financial inclusion. For the Uber driver in an African city, the introduction of Mastercard Move, offering instant access to earnings, is revolutionary. This immediate payment, a departure from traditional weekly or biweekly cycles, increases driver satisfaction and motivation.

A more stable and motivated driver community leads to better vehicle maintenance, higher service standards, and greater car availability—all of which directly benefit tourists seeking safe and dependable transportation. This financial empowerment can help build a more professional and resilient gig economy workforce, which is crucial to the tourism sector.

In Nigeria, a market with unique challenges and immense potential, the benefits of the Mastercard-Uber alliance are particularly compelling. Tourists and even domestic travellers often face difficulties with transportation payments, from fare unpredictability to a reliance on cash, which carries security concerns. While Uber has a cash payment option in Lagos, digital transactions offer superior security and convenience.

This partnership strengthens the case for a digital-first approach to travel. For a tourist landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos or Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, the ability to seamlessly book and pay for an Uber with their international Mastercard removes a significant point of friction. It mitigates concerns about card fraud in physical transactions and eliminates the need to acquire local currency upon arrival.

Moreover, the improved financial infrastructure for drivers can lead to a more reliable service in cities like Lagos and Abuja. Instant payouts mean drivers have immediate access to funds for fuel—a critical operational need—and daily expenses. This stability can attract more drivers to the platform, thereby increasing the supply of rides and potentially reducing wait times, a key factor in a positive tourist experience. 

As Nigeria seeks to grow its non-oil economy and attract more international visitors, creating a travel environment that is perceived as safe, modern, and efficient is paramount. This partnership is a significant step in that direction, using financial technology to build trust and reliability in the foundational tourism service of transportation.

 

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FAQs

1. What is the biggest change for Uber drivers and couriers from this partnership?

The most significant change is the ability to access their earnings instantly. Through Mastercard Move, drivers and couriers can receive their payment immediately after completing a trip or delivery, eliminating the traditional waiting period for payment.

2. What is the Uber Pro Card, and is it available everywhere?

The Uber Pro Card is a financial product that provides drivers with instant access to their earnings, along with cash-back rewards on select purchases, such as fuel. It was previously available in the U.S. and Canada and is now expanding internationally, starting with the United Kingdom.

3. How does this partnership benefit Uber riders and customers?

Mastercard cardholders who use Uber will gain access to exclusive offers and promotions, including discounts on rides and Uber Eats orders. These perks will be available through the Mastercard Offers Platform.

4. What key Mastercard technologies are being used?

Uber is integrating three main technologies:

Mastercard Move: For real-time, instant payments to drivers

Mastercard One Credential: To unify a user’s payment methods under a single, secure digital profile.

Mastercard Gateway: To securely process global payments and prevent fraud.

5. Is this a new partnership between Mastercard and Uber?

No, this is an expansion and deepening of their existing global collaboration. The new agreement builds on their previous work to introduce more advanced financial tools and expand successful products, such as the Uber Pro Card, to new markets.