Food delivery apps have made it easier than ever to enjoy restaurant meals at home—but convenience often comes with a hidden price tag. Between service fees, delivery charges, and inflated menu prices, your $12 burger can quickly turn into a $25 expense. Fortunately, there are smart strategies (and cashback tools) to help you cut costs without sacrificing the food you love.

Here’s how to save money while ordering from apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub—and how platforms like Rakuten and Ibotta can help you earn some of that money back.

1. Compare Fees Across Apps Before Ordering

Each delivery platform has its own pricing model. A menu item might be $10 on Uber Eats, $11.50 on DoorDash, and $9.75 on Grubhub. Add in different service fees and promotions, and one app could cost significantly less than the others—for the same meal.

Tip: Use all three apps to price-check before confirming your order. Sometimes ordering directly from the restaurant (for pickup) is even cheaper.

• DoorDash
• Uber Eats
• Grubhub

2. Avoid Markups by Ordering Pickup Instead of Delivery

Many restaurants increase menu prices on delivery platforms to offset commission fees. By choosing the pickup option, you’ll often pay the in-store price and skip delivery and service charges.

Some platforms even offer discounts on pickup orders to encourage this behavior. It’s a win-win for both you and the restaurant.

3. Use Rakuten or Ibotta for Cashback on Delivery

Several delivery apps are now available through Rakuten and Ibotta, which means you can earn cashback just for placing an order.

• Rakuten often features cashback on Grubhub, Uber Eats, and others when accessed through its shopping portal or Chrome extension.
  
• Ibotta provides cashback for specific food delivery purchases and even bonuses for repeat orders. Users can upload receipts or link accounts depending on the offer.
  

How to stack savings:

1. Start your order from Rakuten’s site or app to activate cashback.
   
2. Place your order through the delivery app as usual.
   
3. If eligible, upload your receipt to Ibotta for an additional reward.
   

4. Skip the Add-Ons That Inflate Your Bill

Extra sauces, drinks, or sides can add up quickly—especially when each one carries its own markup. If you have those items at home (like bottled drinks or condiments), skip them in the app and enjoy your meal for less.

5. Check for Promo Codes and Free Delivery Offers

Before checking out, search for promo codes using tools like Honey or check the app’s promotions tab. Many platforms offer first-time user discounts or loyalty perks like:

• Free delivery after a certain number of orders
  
• Restaurant-specific deals (e.g., $5 off from your favorite Thai spot)
  
• Bundled meals at a discount
  

6. Consider Subscription Plans—But Only If You Order Often

Frequent users may benefit from subscriptions like:

• DashPass (from DoorDash)
  
• Uber One (from Uber Eats)
  
• Grubhub+
  

These services offer perks like $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees. Just make sure the savings outweigh the monthly cost based on how often you order.

Smart Ordering = Bigger Savings

With a few small adjustments—and a little help from cashback apps like Rakuten and Ibotta—you can enjoy your favorite delivery meals without the regret of a bloated bill. Dining at home doesn’t have to cost more than dining out.