How To Get Free Delivery And Membership Benefits On Instacart

Instacart is a United States-based company that provides grocery delivery and pickup services across the U.S. and Canada. Through the Instacart website or mobile app, customers connect with a network of shoppers who fulfill orders from local retailers partnered with the service. While the convenience of having groceries delivered to one’s home is a primary benefit, delivery fees can add significant costs to orders. Understanding the various methods available to eliminate or reduce these fees is essential for cost-conscious consumers. The source material outlines several specific strategies for obtaining free delivery or accessing complimentary membership benefits on Instacart.

Instacart Express Membership

One of the most reliable methods for securing free delivery is through the Instacart Express membership, also referred to as Instacart+. This premium subscription service is designed for frequent users of the platform.

Subscription Details Instacart Express offers unlimited free delivery on orders that meet a minimum threshold. According to the source material, members receive free delivery on orders over $35 per store. The membership also includes reduced service fees. The cost of the subscription is a flat fee of $99 per year or $9.99 per month. The source notes that there is no difference between "Instacart Express" and "Instacart+"; the service has been renamed, but the benefits remain consistent.

Eligibility Requirements To qualify for free delivery under this membership, orders must meet specific criteria: - The order total must be at least $35 per store. - All orders, regardless of membership status, require a minimum total of $10 to qualify for delivery.

Service Fees While Instacart Express reduces service fees, it does not eliminate them entirely. Service fees are added to support the platform and cover operational costs such as shopper operations, insurance, background checks, and customer support. Additional fees may apply depending on the order contents, such as an alcohol service fee or a surcharge if the order's estimated weight exceeds 50 pounds.

First Order Promotions

New users can often take advantage of free delivery on their initial purchase. Instacart frequently promotes free delivery for a customer's first order. However, this offer may be subject to a minimum spending requirement determined by the specific retailer selected. This promotion applies to one order placed through Instacart.

Promotional Codes and Coupons

Instacart occasionally collaborates with businesses to distribute free delivery codes. These codes can be found on various websites and apps. To redeem a code, a user must: 1. Open the Instacart app and access the side menu. 2. Select "Credits, promos & gift cards." 3. Tap the "Add promo or gift card" option. 4. Enter the promo code and tap "Redeem" to apply it to the account.

In addition to third-party codes, Instacart offers its own "Instacart Free Delivery Code" coupon, which can be used to get free delivery on a subsequent order.

Retailer and Store-Specific Promotions

Certain supermarkets partnered with Instacart may run exclusive promotions offering free delivery on their specific goods. These offers represent a joint venture between the stores and Instacart to provide convenience to customers. Users are advised to check the store's website or app for information on these specific deals. Furthermore, Instacart itself runs periodic free delivery offers on specific stores or order values. These promotions are advertised on the Instacart website and app.

Credit Card and Employee Benefits

Some credit card issuers and employers offer benefits that can result in a free Instacart membership or statement credits. The specifics of these benefits, such as the amount of the statement credit or the duration of a complimentary membership, vary depending on the card issuer and any active promotions. Consumers should verify current benefits directly with their credit card issuer to confirm eligibility.

EBT SNAP Users

Instacart provides a specific benefit for customers who use an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). For users with an EBT card, the first three Instacart purchases that total $35 or more and include at least one SNAP-eligible item may qualify for free delivery. Users should check back frequently for updates to this program.

Free Trials and Referral Programs

Free Trials Instacart occasionally offers free trial periods for the Instacart Express membership to new users. These trials allow users to experience the benefits of the membership without an upfront cost. To sign up for a trial, users typically need to visit the Instacart website or app, look for promotional banners, and provide payment information. It is important to cancel the trial before it ends if the user does not wish to continue with a paid subscription, as failure to cancel results in automatic charging of the subscription fee.

Referral Programs The source material mentions referral codes as a method for saving on Instacart. While specific details on the savings amount are not provided, utilizing referral codes from friends or promotional sites can result in credits or discounts applied to an account.

Affiliate Programs

Users can save more on Instacart by joining affiliate programs with certain stores. By participating in these programs, users may earn commissions or credits that effectively reduce the cost of using the delivery service.

Promotional Monitoring

To discover limited-time offers or partnerships that provide free membership or delivery, users should actively monitor Instacart’s communication channels. This includes looking for banners, pop-up messages, and dedicated promotion pages within the app or on the website. Additionally, using online search engines to search for terms like "Instacart promotions" or "Instacart deals" can lead to external websites or blogs that track the latest offers.

Shopper Bonuses

While not a direct benefit to the customer, understanding Instacart's shopper incentives provides context for the service. Toward the end of 2020, Instacart offered "thank you bonuses" ranging from $50 to $500 to active shoppers who had consistently worked throughout the year. Currently, shoppers can benefit from earnings promotions such as guaranteed earnings, additional bonuses for completing batches, and referral bonuses.

Conclusion

Obtaining free delivery or a complimentary membership on Instacart is achievable through several verified methods. The most consistent approach is the Instacart Express (Instacart+) subscription, which offers unlimited free delivery on orders over $35 for a yearly or monthly fee. New users can utilize first-order promotions, while frequent users should monitor for promotional codes, retailer-specific deals, and affiliate programs. Specific benefits exist for EBT SNAP users and those with qualifying credit cards or employer benefits. Finally, free trials and referral programs offer additional avenues for cost savings. By leveraging these strategies, consumers can minimize delivery fees and service charges while maintaining the convenience of grocery delivery.

Sources

1. How to get Free Delivery On InstaCart Orders ? (7 Ways )
2. How to Get Free Delivery on Instacart in 2024
3. How can I get a free Instacart membership?