Food delivery services provide convenience, but they come at a price. These fees often include subscriptions, delivery charges, location surcharges, peak pricing, and other fees. Luckily, a few tricks help you save money on food delivery services. These tips include shopping, signing up for a subscription plan, ordering bulk, and more!
Sign Up for a Subscription Plan
More restaurants offer delivery services or partner with third-party delivery apps. If you can get your food delivered directly from a restaurant, it may cost less than ordering from a third-party service and paying extra for their service fees and tip. If you order from a certain app often, it might be worth signing up for a premium subscription plan to save money in the long run. Other delivery services offer similar goals, and some credit cards include food delivery services in their dining and entertainment rewards programs with credits that can go toward your monthly delivery costs.
Many restaurants also try to lure repeat business by printing coupons on their receipts that can be used on future orders. You can also check the bottom of your food bag or search online for promo codes and discounts from websites like RetailMeNot. Paying for meal delivery services using a cash-back credit card that reimburses you for every dollar spent at restaurants is an additional option to save money. These cards typically pay 1% to 3% cash back on all dining and entertainment purchases, including delivery services.
Shop Around
Food delivery services offer convenience and ease, but they come with a price. The same order of a restaurant meal delivered on an app can cost anywhere from 25% to 91% more than ordering it directly from a restaurant. To combat these added costs, try switching up your delivery service options. Many major players in the food delivery space are highly competitive and regularly run discounts and promotions to lure customers away from competitors. You can find these coupons on sites or even the websites of food delivery services themselves.
Another way to save is by paying with a cash-back credit card. These cards often pay a percentage back on every dollar spent, and you can get even more money back when you use them to order food. Another way to save is by referring friends and family members to the food delivery service you use. Many apps will give you credit for each person you refer who places an order, and it’s a great way to earn some extra money while saving on your deliveries. These tips will help you stretch your food delivery dollars as far as possible. And when you’re ready for a break from cooking, you can always head to your local grocery store and take advantage of their prepared meals sections to avoid costly food waste.
Skip the Delivery
The one trick that saves you money on food delivery services is to skip the service altogether and pick up your meal at the restaurant. It may require a little extra effort, but it’s a great way to avoid the cost of both delivery and tip. Some restaurants have their delivery services or offer curbside pickup options, so check to see if you can avoid the extra fees by going this route. Some of the tips you’d normally leave a driver are included in the price of the meal through your app, so don’t be afraid to double-check. You can save on food delivery service costs by using a credit card with bonus offers or rewards for these purchases. No doubt, using food delivery services can save you time, but they can also save a lot of money if used regularly. If you want to cut down on the cost of these services, try one of these strategies or limit how often you use them. You can get by just fine without them.
Order in Bulk
Food delivery services have become commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s a great way to avoid wasting food. However, the convenience comes at a cost. Luckily, there are a few ways to stretch your dollar. First, be sure to shop around before ordering. Different apps calculate their service charges uniquely and can sometimes tack on additional fees without your knowledge.
Additionally, some restaurants have delivery services that may be cheaper than a third-party app. Another way to save money is to order in bulk. Many food delivery services offer discounts if you order more than a certain amount. You can also split up larger delivery boxes with friends or neighbors to minimize the cost per person.
Finally, consider paying for your food deliveries with a cash-back credit card. Cards that pay 1% to 2% in cash back on all purchases can effectively lower the costs of meals delivered to your home.
For those caring for small children or elderly parents, meal delivery services are a fantastic choice. They can save you time and money by eliminating the need for grocery shopping trips and help cut down on food waste by delivering pre-portioned meal ingredients to your door. The best meal delivery services will provide you with nutritious, flavorful meals at an affordable price.
