When I first encountered Instacart, I viewed it as a premium service—a small luxury that saved time and effort at a cost. In essence, you’re paying extra for the convenience of having your groceries delivered to your door. Initially skeptical about splurging for convenience, my experience with Instacart over the years has revealed many ways to minimize, eliminate, or even reverse the extra costs, making it possible to save money compared to in-store shopping. Consequently, I’ve transitioned from a casual user to a dedicated power user.
I’m excited to share several tips and hacks I’ve learned to help you save money on Instacart orders. From leveraging promotions and discounts to optimizing membership benefits and strategic shopping habits, there’s a lot to unpack. If you have any additional tips, please share them in the comments!
A Beginner’s Bonus: New User Referral
If you’re new to Instacart, start by using a referral link to earn a bonus. Existing users can refer new members, allowing both parties to benefit. While the referral bonus might be modest, it’s a great starting point.
Maximize Savings with Instacart+ Membership
Instacart+ is the service’s premium membership, typically priced at $99 annually. If you’re a regular user, the membership pays off through multiple perks:
- Unlimited free delivery on orders over $35
- 5% credit back on eligible pickup orders
- Reduced service fees
With average savings of $7.68 per order through lower fees and free delivery, even one order a month can justify the annual membership fee. A two-week free trial is available, but there are other ways to snag discounts…
Snag Discounts on Instacart+ Membership
Discounts on Instacart+ memberships often appear for customers without active subscriptions, with offers sometimes dropping to $49 or even $19 annually. These deals pop up periodically in the app, so keep an eye out.
Costco members can score even more by linking their membership, earning a 2-month free trial, and $20 off renewals.
Utilize Chase Credit Card Offers
Chase partnerships bring significant perks, including free Instacart+ for some cardholders and periodic statement credits. To see if your Chase card qualifies, check the details here. These offers need to be activated by July 31, 2024, but extensions could be possible.
Chase Instacart Credit Card Benefits
Consider the Chase Instacart Mastercard, which offers a stellar range of benefits:
- Free Instacart+ membership for a year
- $100 Instacart credit upon approval
- 5% cashback on Instacart purchases
- No annual fee
This can effectively translate to a $199 welcome bonus with ongoing 5% cashback, making it an attractive option for dedicated users.
Buy Discounted Gift Cards
One of the best strategies is purchasing discounted Instacart gift cards from various retailers. These often come with significant markdowns and can stack with other in-app promotions for additional savings. Stock up when these deals appear.
Link Retailer Loyalty Programs
Connect your retail membership or loyalty cards to your Instacart account for potential savings. Retailers like Kroger, Sam’s Club, Costco, and others offer the same in-store discounts and sales through the app. Find this option under the “Loyalty Cards” section in your Instacart account settings.
Monitor Instacart Promotions
Instacart frequently promotes deals with various retailers. Regularly check the Instacart Offers tab for current promotions. I’ve personally benefited from offers such as $20 off $50+ at Costco and Sam’s Club, among others.
Understand Retailer Markups
Be aware that some retailers mark up their prices on Instacart. Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club often have higher markups. However, some, including Walmart, offer “in-store pricing,” ensuring no price difference between in-app and in-store purchases.
Use Available Coupons and Promo Codes
Instacart occasionally releases promo codes and coupons through partners like Chase and PayPal. Though less frequent than store-specific promotions, these can add valuable savings when available.
Opt for 3-Hour Delivery Windows
When your schedule allows, choosing a 3-hour delivery window can shave an additional $2 off your order. This option appears during the checkout process.
A Real-Life Example of Saving with Instacart
To illustrate, here’s a breakdown of a recent Walmart order utilizing various savings strategies:
- Ordered $36.80 in groceries
- Saved $5.50 with my free Instacart+ membership
- Paid a $2.49 service fee and $6 tip, bringing the total to $45.29
- Applied a $10 off $35 promo and a $2 discount for a 3-hour delivery window, reducing the total to $33.29
- Paid with a 20% discounted Instacart gift card, leading to a final cost of $26.63 for $36.80 worth of food—a 28% discount, not accounting for the additional 2% cashback on the purchase of the gift card.
Even without the $10 promo, the total would’ve been $34.63, marking a 6% overall discount.
Share Your Tips
What are your go-to strategies for saving money on Instacart? Let’s swap tips and maximize those savings!
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