Credit Cards and Food Delivery: Simplifying Reward Rates


When you're too busy, can't find a babysitter, or just need a late-night snack, ordering food delivery becomes super handy. However, the convenience can be expensive due to service fees, tips, and higher prices. Thankfully, choosing the right credit card can help lower these costs.

But, using your credit card for food delivery might be a bit complex. For instance, if your card rewards you for dining out, does that include food ordered from apps like DoorDash? And, what about groceries ordered through services like Instacart? 

Let's break down how you can earn rewards on your food and grocery deliveries with various credit cards.

For a limited time, the American Express® Gold Card offers a special deal for new members: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spend thresholds and get up to $100 back on restaurant purchases within the initial months of membership.

Here's a guide on how different credit cards treat food delivery in terms of rewarding you:
 
  • Amazon Prime Visa: Offers 5% back on Amazon and Whole Foods Market purchases, including their delivery services. For restaurants, 2% back applies to direct orders but not to orders via third-party delivery apps.
  • American Express® Gold Card: Rewards 4x points for money spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (limits apply), covering a variety of delivery services like Instacart, Peapod, DoorDash, and Uber Eats.
  • Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card: Earn 3% back in one category of your choice, including dining or online shopping, which can apply to food delivery, as well as 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to a quarterly maximum).
  • Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Gives 6% cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to a yearly maximum), which extends to online orders through certain delivery services.
  • Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Offers 3% back on dining, including food delivery, grocery stores, streaming services, and entertainment.

Each card has its own set of rules and rewards rates for food and grocery deliveries. Visa and Mastercard also offer certain food delivery benefits through their payment networks, but remember, these network benefits differ from the rewards provided by the card issuer.

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

Key Tips

 
  • For maximum rewards, pick the right credit card category when ordering food online.
  • Benefits from payment networks (Visa, Mastercard) are different from those your credit card issuer offers.

Understanding your credit card's rewards structure can significantly offset the cost of food delivery services. With the right card and knowledge, your next meal could earn you valuable points or cash back!

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Previous Article: What You Need to Know About the Cash App Savings Account
Category: Financial Tips


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