In general, if a trip is cancelled within 2 minutes of the initial request, you will not be charged a cancellation fee. However, if it is cancelled after 2 minutes on a cash trip, the cancellation fee will automatically be charged to your next successfully completed trip.

Whether you lose money depends on when you cancel. As of 2026, Uber typically allows a "grace period" of about two to five minutes after a driver accepts your request during which you can cancel for free. If you cancel after this window, you will usually be charged a cancellation fee (typically ranging from $5 to $10 depending on the city and vehicle type) to compensate the driver for their time and fuel. Additionally, if the driver arrives at your location and waits for a specific duration (usually 5 to 7 minutes for UberX or 15 minutes for Uber Black) and you do not show up, they can cancel the ride, and you will be charged a "no-show" fee. However, if the driver is significantly delayed—usually 5 minutes or more past their original estimated arrival time—you can often cancel without a fee. If you believe you were charged unfairly, you can dispute the fee through the "Activity" section in the app.