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CIt’s a stark sign of recent times that ordering carryout has become as popular as dining out. And if you live in a metropolitan area it’s likely you’re using food delivery services more than ever.
Who doesn’t enjoy the convenience of spending a few minutes on your phone placing a food order, then having your meal magically arrive at your doorstep? Hotel Tech Report, a leader in providing stats to the hospitality industry, tells us that 47% of American households have used a food delivery app.¹ Bloomberg Second Measure adds that the average DoorDash customer spends over $300 a quarter.²
If you’re one of many consumers finding yourself using food delivery services with greater frequency, you’re sure to find value in our article today.
We’re going to talk about how some popular reward-earning credit cards have teamed up with food delivery services to offer free or discounted memberships, statement credits for food delivery purchases, elevated rewards earning, money-saving offers, and additional perks.
Top Food Delivery Services
There are a lot of food delivery services in the marketplace right now, along with accompanying debates as to which one is best. According to CNET, a well-established technology media company, here are the most popular apps and services to top its list.³ Keep in mind that your favorite will likely depend on your geographic location and personal experience.
DoorDash — One of the most popular food delivery apps, you can order from local restaurants via your computer or smartphone.
Uber Eats — Just like the ride-sharing service, you can track your order in real-time when you order food delivery via the Uber app.
Postmates — As long as the restaurant you’re ordering from is open, you can request a food order delivery 24/7.
Grubhub/Seamless — With lots of promotions and discounts, plus the ability to use PayPal for your purchases, Grubhub and Seamless can be both cost-effective and convenient.
Delivery.com — More than just food delivery, Delivery.com delivers groceries, gifts, and more.
In addition to single-delivery pricing, most food delivery services offer subscriptions that allow you to pay a monthly fee and receive free delivery, reduced fees, and special offers.
Let’s now take a look at which credit cards offer food delivery service benefits you can use.
The 9+ Best Credit Cards for Food Delivery Services — Summary
Before we get to the details of the food delivery and restaurant benefits for the featured cards in our article today, let’s look at a high-level overview of how the cards compare.
NEW OFFER: Earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 6 months. Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first 6 months, up to $200 back as a statement credit.
Annual fee of $150
3x points on dining, including takeout and delivery in U.S.
INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Annual fee of $0
The 5 Best Credit Cards for Food Delivery Services
Whether you use a food delivery service or purchase from a restaurant directly, it’s easy to earn rewards on your meal purchases.
If you spend a lot with food delivery services, selecting a card that earns big on those category purchases could make economic sense for realizing value in the form of cash-back, statement/account credits, or redeemable points.
DoorDash DashPass — Receive a complimentary DashPass subscription. If activated by December 31, 2023, the subscription is active through December 31, 2024. If activated during the 2024 calendar year, the subscription will be valid for 1 year from the date of activation.
Hot Tip: Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred card to purchase discounted Uber gift cards when on sale via the Shopping through Chase portal. You’ll save on Uber Eats food delivery purchases and receive elevated earnings on eligible purchases.
DoorDash DashPass — Receive a complimentary DashPass subscription. If activated by December 31, 2023, the subscription is active through December 31, 2024. If activated during the 2024 calendar year, the subscription will be valid for 1 year from the date of activation.
$5 Monthly DoorDash Credit —- Cardholders and authorized users can bank up to $15 in credits every 3 months with a total of $60 in credits annually.
Why We Like the Card Overall
10x points ondining booked through Chase Dining, powered by Tock (including dine-in, takeout, and delivery)
10x points on car rentals and hotels booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
10x points on Lyft (through March 31, 2025)
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on airfare booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Bottom Line: With a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card are great choices for food delivery service purchases. Just make sure you activate your subscription by December 31, 2024.
Amex Platinum Card — Uber Cash
Why the Card is Best for Food Delivery Services
Up to $200 in Uber Cash — Receive $15 in Uber Cash each calendar month with an additional bonus of $20 in December, up to $200 in Uber Cash each year. You must add your card to your Uber account to receive the credit. Uber Cash can be used for U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats food delivery services or pickup.
Why We Like the Card Overall
5x earnings on flights purchased directly with the airline and through Amex Travel
Hot Tip: Be sure to check your Chase Offers or Amex Offers for DoorDash, Uber Eats, Boxed, or Grubhub bonus offers before making a purchase with your eligible card.
Register your card and receive $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with Grubhub/Seamless food delivery or with The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations.
Add your card to your Uber account and receive up to $10 per month in Uber Cash, up to $120 per year. Uber Cash can be used for U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats.
Why We Like the Card Overall
4x earnings at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year
4x earnings at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
3x earnings on flights purchased directly with the airline or at Amex Travel
Bottom Line: Chase has partnered with DoorDash to offer food delivery service benefits, while Amex aligns with Uber Eats. However, both issuers offer several card options that earn elevated rewards for restaurant and dining purchases.
Capital One Savor Card — Uber One Membership, 10% Cash-back
Why the Card is Best for Food Delivery Services
The Capital One Savor card earns 10% cash-back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases, as well as 4% cash-back on dining, including restaurants, cafes, bars, lounges, fast-food chains, and bakeries (food delivery services may code as dining).
Cardholders can also enroll in a complimentary Uber One membership through November 14, 2024.
You don’t have to use a food delivery service to earn rewards on restaurant food purchases.
Several rewards cards offer elevated earnings on dining purchases that would, in turn, apply to food delivery services and carry-out or delivery orders purchased directly from the restaurant.
In addition to the cards we mentioned earlier, you can receive bonus earnings at restaurants with these cards:
Apple Card — earn 3% cash-back on Uber Eats and 2% cash-back on Apple Pay purchases
Amex Green card — earn 3x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
After the 3-month period, you’ll be auto-enrolled at a 50% discount ($4.99 per month) in DashPass for another 9 months. After that, the membership will be auto-enrolled at full price.
Hot Tip: Both the Freedom Flex card and Freedom Unlimited card also earn 3% cash-back on dining.
The free DashPass subscription, which must be activated by December 31, 2024, is not reason alone to select one of these Chase cards, but is a nice benefit considering that none of these cards charges an annual fee.
Complimentary 12-Month DoorDash DashPass
The following co-branded cards come with free DashPass benefits for 12 months after activation:
Those cardholders who are not yet members can register for a complimentary 3-month DashPass membership.
Final Thoughts
Food delivery services are convenient, but they can also be expensive. By using a card that offers a subscription for free delivery, statement credits for purchases, special discounts, credit card welcome bonus, or elevated rewards earning, you can reduce the overall cost of using these services.
Another way to save is to check with your favorite restaurant first to see if they deliver, as many do. If you can make your purchase directly with the eating establishment, you may save on delivery charges and extra fees. In addition, you’ll be supporting local businesses — especially small businesses — with direct revenue. We’ve included the associated earnings on dining for our featured cards. Plus, many credit cards offer restaurant purchases as a bonus category, so you’ll still be earning elevated rewards on your purchase.
Food delivery service benefits alone are not a reason to select a specific credit card, but knowing which cards offer the benefits, and using those cards for your purchase, could put dollars back in your wallet.
For the car rental collision damage coverage benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
The information regarding the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Apple Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Freedom Unlimited® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Slate® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Chase Disney Premier Visa® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Disney® Visa® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the United Club℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here. For rates and fees of the American Express® Green Card, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Frequently Asked Questions
The credit card with the best food delivery service benefits may be either the Amex Platinum card with its $200 in Uber Cash each year that can be used for Uber Eats or the Chase Sapphire Reserve card with its free DoorDash DashPass subscription and $5 in monthly credits.
However, the best card for you will be the one with overall earnings that match your spending mix, has an annual fee you are willing to pay, redemption options you prefer, and an overall benefits package that provides value.
The establishments that are considered bonus category merchants for earning elevated rewards on dining purchases are those that have chosen to identify themselves as restaurants and have an associated merchant code with the card issuer.
For example, a restaurant located in a hotel may not categorize as a restaurant. A cafe located in a department store may also not qualify as a restaurant. Restaurants that use Square payment processing have been known not to code as a restaurant.
Most restaurants, fast food establishments, bars, coffee shops, and cafes will code appropriately but there can be exceptions, like those mentioned.
DoorDash is a technology company that facilitates door-to-door food delivery for a fee. You can place your order for local restaurant food via a smartphone app and have it delivered to the address of your choosing.
You can pay for food delivery and fees each time you use the app or you can purchase a subscription. The DashPass subscription includes free delivery and reduced fees to DoorDash and sister-company Caviar.
Select Chase credit cards come with a complimentary or discounted DoorDash DashPass subscription.
Yes, Uber Cash that you have in your Uber account can be used for Uber Eats. When you place an order via the Uber Eats app, select Uber Cash as the payment method before you submit your order.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
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