How to Save Money on Food and Grocery Delivery

7 Min Read | Last updated: January 29, 2024

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Food delivery has become a popular service for many, whether for groceries, restaurant orders, or snacks. You can save money on food with these tips on delivery from around the web.

At-A-Glance

Though convenient, food delivery services can sometimes be pricey.
With a little effort, you can find ways to save money on food when ordering in.

Food delivery can be pricey. You could end up paying subscriptions, delivery fees, location surcharges, peak pricing, fees for small orders, and, notably, markups on the original menu or store item.^1,2 This article suggests ways to save money on food delivery, including comparison shopping, complimentary subscriptions, cash back, promo codes, sign-up bonuses, rewards, and other (often limited-time) promotions.

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How to Save Money on Restaurant Food Delivery

A 2020 New York Times analysis found that food purchased via third-party delivery apps can include hefty markups. It compared four delivery services, showing that the same sandwich cost 25% to 91% more than if you picked it up yourself.¹ A good step toward saving money on food delivery is to understand the different fees each restaurant and delivery service charges.

They’re not easy to compare, though. To begin with, some restaurants charge more for food ordered for delivery, and some don’t. Some delivery companies have relationships with the restaurants they cater to, which could mean lower fees for you, but others don’t. Prices can be a moving target, depending on the time of day, availability of drivers, proximity to the restaurant, and other factors. You may also be expected to tip the courier.

But there are ways to save money on food delivery. Tips gathered from around the web include:

Sign-up bonus. Some delivery apps give a complimentary first delivery or account credit when you sign up.
No fee. National chains that partner with delivery services sometimes waive the delivery fee for your first order.
Rewards. Multiple orders from the same restaurant may earn you rewards depending on the restaurant or delivery service you use—free fries with that? Delivery services sometimes have their own loyalty and rewards programs, which can add up to a free delivery or other perk.
Subscriptions. Many food delivery services have subscriptions you can sign up for. Through a subscription, you may be eligible for special offers, or lower or even eliminated individual delivery charges for most orders. Some delivery companies offer a complimentary trial of their subscription services.
Coupons, promo codes. Promo codes or coupons might be available online. Some delivery services also push out promotions by email.
Charging it. Some credit cards offer limited-time memberships to food delivery services and credits for deliveries. Other cards include popular delivery services in their dining and entertainment rewards programs. Some let card members use their points to pay for delivery.
Going direct. As more restaurants offer their own delivery services, ordering directly may prove less expensive than using third-party delivery.3
Takeout. Of course, it usually costs less to pick up your dinner yourself.

How to Save Money on Food with Grocery Deliveries

Many of the tips for saving money on restaurant deliveries also apply to groceries—and some of the same delivery companies do both. But national retail chains, e-commerce giants, specialty food suppliers, and local outlets provide a wider range of options for delivering groceries. Here are more tips:

Size your order. With groceries, it’s particularly useful to know that the larger the order, the smaller the delivery fee may be as a percent of your total.
Discounts, promo codes. Discounts may drive delivery fees down to about a few dollars.
Subscriptions. If you subscribe—which may be required—or join through your credit card, you could gain benefits including rewards for the groceries purchased as well as delivery.
Markups. Grocers with their own delivery services may be less likely to mark up the items you order, but they may increase in-store prices on items if you order from third-party delivery services.
Thresholds. Delivery charges can be waived as part of a subscription service—but you might have to pay anyway for smaller orders if your order doesn’t meet the minimum threshold for an individual delivery.
Location, location. Some fees are simply assessed by your proximity to a store, so it may cost less to shop closer to home.

The Takeaway

Whether in the best of times or in times of hardship, Americans value getting food delivered right to their door. This convenience comes at a cost, but there are ways to save money on food delivery. You can start by comparison shopping, then looking for discounts, rewards, coupons, and other promotions.

¹ “Up to 91% More Expensive: How Delivery Apps Eat Up Your Budget,” New York Times

² “Consumer Alert: The Division of Consumer Protection Informs New Yorkers of the Hidden Costs in Grocery Delivery Apps,” New York Department of State

³ “Pay-Per-Chew: More restaurants trying subscription programs,” The Associated Press

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Karen Lynch is a journalist who has covered global business, technology, finance, and related public policy issues for more than 30 years.

All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.

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