How to Save Money on Food Delivery Using Credit Cards

• Author: Miguel Waters
• Posted: 2024-11-06

In today's busy world, ordering groceries or a meal from the comfort of your home is more common than ever. But, the costs of service fees, tips, and higher prices can add up quickly. 

One way to help reduce these costs is by using the right credit card. However, the rules on how you can earn rewards or cash back when it comes to food delivery can be a bit confusing.
 

Limited Time Offers

The American Express® Gold Card, for example, is currently offering a special deal: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points if you spend $6,000 within the first 6 months of getting the card. 

Plus, you can get 20% back on restaurant purchases up to $100 back within the first 6 months. Offers like these are an excellent way to save on food delivery costs.
 

Understanding Credit Card Rewards for Food Delivery

Different credit cards have various policies on how you can earn rewards for food deliveries, including:

1. Amazon's Prime Visa

5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market deliveries, 2% back at restaurants. However, orders through third-party services like DoorDash don't receive the 2% back.

2. American Express® Gold Card

Earn 4 points per $1 spent at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants, including food delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats.

3. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Choose your own rewards category; 3% back on dining or online shopping, which includes food deliveries. You also get 2% back on grocery stores and wholesale clubs' deliveries.

4. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Get 6% cash back on U.S. supermarket deliveries, including through Instacart and Peapod, but not Shipt. This offer applies only to supermarkets considered eligible U.S. supermarkets.

5. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Offers a 3% cash back rate on U.S. supermarket deliveries (capped at $6,000 per year), plus up to $180 per year in statement credits for Home Chef meal kits.

6. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

3% back on dining, including food delivery from a wide variety of places like restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries.

Dig Deeper: Which Stores Let You Use EBT for Online Grocery Orders?
 

Tips for Maximizing Your Rewards

 

• Interest in Visa and Mastercard Benefits: Beyond specific cards, Visa and Mastercard payment networks offer additional food delivery benefits with certain third-party companies. It's worth checking what extra perks you might be eligible for based on the payment network of your credit card.
• Consider Merchant Category Codes (MCC): The rewards you earn can depend on a store's MCC, which tells your credit card company the type of store it is. For food deliveries, make sure the service you're using codes your purchase in a category that matches your credit card's reward categories.
• Choose Categories Wisely: With cards like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards card, where you can choose a rewards category, consider which category you spend the most in. You could select 'online shopping' for your groceries or 'dining' to cover those food delivery nights.

Earning rewards on food delivery with your credit card is all about knowing your card's specific benefits and how they apply to your favorite delivery services. 

With a little bit of research and strategic planning, you can enjoy the convenience of delivered meals and groceries while saving money through cash back and rewards points.

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