How to Save Money on Food and Grocery Delivery

Most people ordering restaurant delivery use third-party delivery apps, though more restaurants are developing their own courier services. A 2020 New York Times analysis found that food purchased via those 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 Clearly, 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’re also 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 can earn you rewards—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. You can sign up for subscriptions if you get a lot of food deliveries. These can include special offers, and can lower or even eliminate individual delivery charges for most orders (except the smallest). You might get a complimentary trial.
• Coupons, promo codes. One order might arrive with a coupon for 25% off the next delivery. Promo codes are 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.
• Takeout. Of course, it usually costs less to pick up your dinner yourself.

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. One delivery service might charge about $10 for orders of $30 to $75, but about $7 for orders $100 and up.
• Discounts, promo codes. Discounts can drive delivery fees down to about $3. In addition, some food brands offer promo codes that are redeemable only through a particular delivery service.
• 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 often increase in-store prices on items if you order from third-party delivery services.
• Thresholds. Delivery charges are usually 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.