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Nobody loves grocery shopping enough to make a weekly ritual of standing in checkout lines. Instacart skips that entirely, letting you order from multiple stores and have everything delivered to your door. That convenience comes with delivery and service fees, but those costs are easier to avoid than most people realize. Whether you’re trying Instacart for the first time or you’ve been a regular for years, this guide walks through the current offers and ongoing strategies that can shrink your bill.

New to Instacart? Get Free Delivery on Your First 3 Orders

If you haven’t used Instacart before, you can get $0 delivery fees on your first three orders. To qualify, create an account through the Instacart website or app, then place your first order within 14 days of signing up. The subtotal must be $10 or more for the free delivery promo to apply automatically at checkout. If you place your second and third orders within 14 days of your first, those orders also get free delivery.

This offer only applies to standard delivery. Choosing priority delivery means paying the standard fees, and service fees may still apply regardless of delivery speed.

Get $20 Off Instacart+ and Save on Every Order

Instacart+ is Instacart’s membership program. It costs $9.99 a month or $99 a year and includes several perks:

  • No delivery fees on grocery orders of $10 or more, though service fees may still apply. The minimum order for free delivery on Costco orders is $35.
  • The option to add other members to your account so they can share your cart and other perks.
  • A Peacock subscription, which would otherwise cost $109.99.
  • A subscription to New York Times Cooking, which would otherwise cost $50 a year.

It’s a membership that can pay for itself many times over. The value of the included subscriptions alone makes that clear, but even without them, making two or more eligible orders in a month is enough to cover the cost of membership.

This month, you can save even more on Instacart+ itself. Pay for or renew an annual membership with a valid Mastercard and you’ll automatically get $20 off. That brings the cost down from $99 to $79.

Save up to $25 at CVS, Sprouts, PetSmart, and More

Beyond convenience, Instacart is also a favorite for its store-specific deals, including discounts at CVS, Sprouts Farmers Market, PetSmart, and other partner stores.

Current store-specific promotions include:

  • $15 off a PetSmart order, expiring July 20
  • $15 off a Sprouts Farmers Market order, expiring July 28
  • $10 off a CVS order
  • $25 off a Best Buy order
  • $10 off a Home Depot order
  • $15 off a Kroger order of $85 or more
  • $10 off a Bath & Body Works order of $50 or more

Terms vary by location, including minimum spend requirements. Some areas may also have access to additional store-wide or product-specific discounts through other local Instacart partners.

How to Get Free or Reduced Delivery Fees on Instacart Orders

The best way to get free delivery on Instacart is through Instacart+. Membership costs $9.99 a month or $99 a year and includes free delivery on grocery orders over $10, with one exception: Costco orders require a $35 subtotal for free delivery. Instacart+ members also get free delivery on restaurant orders of $25 or more.

If you’re not ready to commit to a membership, signing up as a new Instacart user automatically gets you free delivery on your first three orders.

Anyone, new or existing, can also avoid delivery fees entirely by choosing in-store pickup at retailers that offer it.

Four Ways Existing Instacart Users Can Save More

  • Refer friends and family for $10 in credit. Share your referral code, and you’ll earn a $10 credit each time someone completes their first delivery. There’s no limit on invites.
  • Check “Your Items on Sale” before you shop. This section of the app shows personalized deals based on your past purchases.
  • Link your grocery store loyalty card. Connect it to your Instacart account to get the same loyalty discounts you’d get shopping in person, even when someone else does the shopping for you.
  • Compare prices and shop smart. Prices for the same item can vary by retailer, so it’s worth comparing before you check out. Many retailers also offer their own digital coupons you can stack with Instacart promotions, and buying in bulk during a good deal can save you from rebuying at full price later.

Instacart Coupon Code FAQs

How do I apply an Instacart coupon code to my order?

When you want to apply an Instacart coupon code, first select the items that you want in your cart. After you proceed to checkout, you will find a “promo code” or “coupon code” field on the checkout page. Enter your code into this field and click Apply. Make sure the discount reflects in your total before you pay.

Why is my Instacart promo or discount code not working at checkout?

Common reasons why your Instacart promo or discount code may not work are:

  1. The offer tied to the promo code has expired
  2. There are other terms and conditions tied to the offer that you have not complied with. These terms and conditions often are minimum spend requirements or the offer being limited to some eligible items. It could also be that the offer is reserved for a certain type of customer or can only be applied for some stores. 
  3. You may have made a typographical error when inputting the code.

To fix these issues, make sure to read the terms and conditions of any offer you want to participate in. If you are sure you are eligible and the code still doesn’t work, check to ensure you have entered it correctly.  

Does Instacart offer discounts for students, military members, or seniors?

There are no standard Instacart discounts for students, military members, or seniors. However, occasional, special promotions targeted to demographics like these are not uncommon on Instacart, so keep an eye out!

Can existing Instacart customers still use coupon codes and promos?

Existing Instacart customers can enjoy different coupon codes and promos. But most of the codes and promos for existing customers are sent directly to the customer’s email. Many times, these codes and offers for existing Instacart users are also personalized and influenced by the customer’s shopping habits. 

How can I get free or cheaper delivery on my Instacart orders?

The easiest way to enjoy free or cheaper delivery with Instacart is through Instacart+, Instacart’s membership service. When you sign up for Instacart+, you immediately start to enjoy free delivery on all grocery orders over $10 ($35 for Costco) and all restaurant orders over $25. 

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