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The Best Credit Cards for Food Delivery Services in 2021 [DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats & More]

Couple with Uber Eats
BY 
Christine Krzyszton
- UPDATED:
  1. Credit Cards  / 
  2. Strategies & Guides

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It’s a stark sign of recent times that ordering carryout has replaced dining out. And if you live in a metropolitan area, and/or are confined at home, it’s likely that using food delivery services has largely replaced picking up your own carryout food orders.

Who doesn’t enjoy the convenience of spending a few minutes on your phone placing a food order, then having your meal magically arrive at your doorstep? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in its most recent study, tells us that the average household spent nearly $3,500 on food away from home in 2018. With the option of dining out recently eliminated, some or all of those dollars may now go towards food delivery services.

If you’re one of many consumers finding yourself using food delivery services with greater frequency, you’re sure to find value in our article today.

We’re going to talk about how some popular reward-earning credit cards have teamed up with food delivery services to offer free or discounted memberships, statement credits for food delivery purchases, elevated rewards earning, money-saving offers, and additional perks.

Top Food Delivery Services

There are a lot of food delivery services in the marketplace right now, along with accompanying debates as to which one is best. According to CNET, the popular and well-established technology media company, here are the most popular apps to top its list. Keep in mind that your favorite will likely depend on your geographic location and personal experience.

  • DoorDash — One of the most popular food delivery apps, you can order from local restaurants via your computer or smartphone.
  • Uber Eats — Just like the ride-sharing service, you can track your order in real-time when you order food delivery via the Uber app.
  • Postmates — As long as the restaurant you’re ordering from is open, you can request a food order delivery 24/7.
  • Grubhub/Seamless — With lots of promotions and discounts, plus the ability to use PayPal for your purchases, Grubhub and Seamless can be both cost-effective and convenient.
  • Delivery.com — More than just food delivery, Delivery.com delivers groceries, gifts, and more.

In addition to single-delivery pricing, most food delivery services offer subscriptions that allow you to pay a monthly fee and receive free delivery, reduced fees, and special offers.

Let’s now take a look at which credit cards offer food delivery service benefits you can use.

Best Chase Credit Cards for Food Delivery Services

DoorDash Dash Pass
Receive a complimentary or discounted DashPass membership with your eligible Chase credit card. Image Credit: DoorDash

Chase has partnered with food delivery service DoorDash to offer complimentary benefits when using this popular app.

Here are some of the service benefits you can expect on specific Chase credit cards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Why the Card is Best for Food Delivery Services

  • Free DoorDash DashPass Subscription — Qualify for free delivery on DoorDash AND Caviar orders over $12 and discounted service fees when purchasing from eligible restaurants.

Be sure to register your card with DoorDash to receive the related benefits.

To learn more about all the things you should do when you receive your Chase Sapphire Preferred card, check out our helpful list.

Why We Like the Card Overall

  • 2x earnings on travel and dining (and up to $1,000 in monthly grocery store purchases from November 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021)
  • The card earns flexible Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel at 1.25 cents each or transferred to airline and hotel partners
  • Premium travel benefits such as primary car rental coverage and trip cancellation/interruption/delay
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty
  • $60 Peloton Digital and All Access Membership statement credit (through December 31, 2021)
  • Enroll in complimentary Spot Club Platinum status at The Parking Spot for 2 years and receive 20% off of your first reservation and points for 1 free day of parking
  • Enroll to receive 10% back on Groupon deals every month for 12 months (up to $50), rewarded as Groupon Bucks

Hot Tip: Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred to purchase discounted Uber gift cards when on sale via the Chase Shopping portal. You’ll save on Uber Eats food delivery purchases and receive elevated earnings. 

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

Why the Card is Best for Food Delivery Services

  • Free DoorDash DashPass Subscription — Qualify for free delivery on orders over $12 and discounted service fees when purchasing from eligible restaurants.
  • Statement Credits — Receive a $60 statement credit for DoorDash purchases January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021.
  • Free Grubhub+ and Seamless+ Membership — By enrolling for this benefit through the Lyft Pink perk, members can enjoy unlimited free delivery and exclusive discounts.

Why We Like the Card Overall

  • 3x earnings on travel, dining (and up to $1,000 in monthly grocery store purchases from November 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021)
  • Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with access to over 1,300 airport properties worldwide
  • $300 statement credit for travel purchases each card anniversary year (including gas and grocery purchases through June 30, 2021)
  • $120 Peloton Digital and All Access Membership statement credit (through December 31, 2021)
  • Enroll in complimentary Spot Club Platinum status at The Parking Spot for 2 years and receive 20% off of your first reservation and points for 1 free day of parking
  • Enroll to receive 10% back on Groupon deals every month for 12 months (up to $50), rewarded as Groupon Bucks
  • Redeem Ultimate Rewards points for 1.5 cents each via Chase Travel Portal or transfer to travel partners for potentially greater value
  • Primary car rental insurance and trip interruption/cancellation coverage
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty

Register your card with DoorDash before using the food delivery service. If you don’t have the card, you’ll want to check out all the reasons to consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Bottom Line: With a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve card are great choices for food delivery service purchases. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also offers $60 in statement credits for DoorDash purchases each calendar year (through December 31, 2021).

Additional Chase Cards with Food Delivery Service Benefits

Several additional Chase cards also come with DoorDash benefits.

The following Chase cards offer a free 3-month DashPass subscription plus an additional 9 months at 50% off:

The free DashPass subscription alone is not a reason to select one of these Chase cards, but is a nice benefit considering that none of these cards charges an annual fee.

Hot Tip: Cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, Chase Sapphire Reserve card, Freedom Flex card, and Ink cards receive access to the Chase Dining hub via Ultimate Rewards online. This new program offers benefits like exclusive Chase Cardmember tables, virtual dining experiences with top chefs, curated meals to-go, and the ability to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards Points for Tock app purchases through April 30, 2021.

Burrito
The Uber Eats app allows you to track the arrival of your food delivery just like you track your Uber driver. Image Credit: Qdoba Mexican Eats

Best American Express Cards for Food Delivery Services

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Why the Card is Best for Food Delivery Services

  • $200 in Uber Cash Credits — Receive $15 in Uber Cash each calendar month with an additional bonus of $20 in December. Uber Cash credits can be used for Uber Eats food delivery services.
  • Uber Eats Pass — Receive a 12-month complimentary Eats Pass subscription featuring discounts and free delivery (enroll by December 31, 2021).

Why We Like the Card Overall

American Express Gold® Card

Why the Card is Best for Food Delivery Services

Register your card and receive $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with Grubhub/Seamless food delivery or with these additional merchants:

  • Boxed
  • The Cheesecake Factory
  • Ruth’s Chris Steak House
  • Shake Shack (participating locations)

You can also receive a 12-month complimentary Eats Pass subscription featuring discounts and free delivery (enroll by December 31, 2021). Starting in 2021, cardmembers will receive a monthly $10 Uber Cash credit (up to $120 per year) to use for Uber Eats or Uber rides.

Why We Like the Card Overall

  • 4x earnings at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year
  • 4x earnings on dining worldwide
  • 3x earnings on flights purchased directly with the airline or at Amex Travel
  • Earns flexible Membership Rewards that can be transferred to travel partners for potentially increased value
  • Travel and shopping benefits/protections

Hot Tip: Be sure to check your Amex Offers for DoorDash, Uber Eats, Boxed, or Grubhub bonus offers before making a purchase with your eligible card.

Additional Cards for Food Delivery Services

Utilize these additional cards for earning on Uber Eats food deliveries.

  • Uber Credit Card — 5% Uber Cash-back per dollar spent on Uber Eats, at restaurants, and takeout
  • Apple Card — 3% cash-back on Uber Eats

Additional Earning Options for Dining

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Food
Earn rewards on every food delivery service purchase you make. Image Credit: Tropical Smoothie Cafe

You don’t have to use a food delivery service to earn rewards on restaurant food purchases.

Several rewards cards offer elevated earning on dining purchases that would, in turn, apply to carryout orders purchased directly from the restaurant.

In addition to the cards we mentioned earlier, you can receive bonus earnings at restaurants with these cards.

For more ways to earn rewards on dining, you’ll want to review our list of the best credit cards for restaurants and dining.

Bottom Line: Chase has partnered with DoorDash to offer food delivery service benefits, while Amex aligns with Uber Eats. However, both issuers offer several card options that earn elevated rewards for restaurant and dining purchases. 

Best Credit Cards for Food Delivery Services and Restaurant Purchases — Summary

Whether you use a food delivery service or purchase from a restaurant directly, it’s easy to earn rewards on your meal purchases.

Let’s summarize the food delivery and restaurant earnings information for the group of cards we’ve mentioned in our article today for comparison.

CardFood Delivery Service BenefitsEarnings at Restaurants
Chase Sapphire Preferred card
  • Free DoorDash DashPass Subscription
  • 2x Ultimate Rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve card
  • Free DoorDash DashPass Subscription
  • $60 statement credit for DoorDash purchases in 2021
  • 3x Ultimate Rewards
Freedom Flex card
  • Free 3-month DoorDash DashPass subscription and 9 additional months at 50% off
  • 5% cash-back on quarterly categories (which can include restaurants), 1% cash-back at restaurants if not a quarterly category
Freedom Unlimited card
  • 3% cash-back
Chase Slate card
  • N/A
Freedom Student card
  • 1% cash-back
Amex Platinum card
  • $200 annual Uber Cash credits
  • Free 12-month Eats Pass subscription
  • 1x Membership Rewards
Amex Gold card
  • $10 per month statement credit for GrubHub/Seamless purchases
  • Free 12-month Eats Pass subscription
  • 4x Membership Rewards
Amex Green card
  • 1x Membership Rewards
  • Free 12-month Eats Pass subscription
  • 4x Membership Rewards
Uber card
  • 5% Uber Cash-back on Uber Eats
  • 3% Uber Cash-back
Apple card
  • 3% cash-back on Uber Eats
  • 2% cash-back with Apple Pay
Citi Prestige card
  • 1x earnings
  • 5x earnings
CapOne Savor card
  • 1% cash-back
  • 4% cash-back

Bottom Line: If you spend a lot with food delivery services and restaurant carryout, selecting a card that earns big on both of those category purchases could make economic sense with bottom-line value in the form of cash-back or redeemable points.

Final Thoughts

Food delivery services are convenient, but they can also be expensive. By using a card that offers a subscription for free delivery, statement credits for purchases, special discounts, or elevated rewards earning, you can reduce the overall cost of using these services.

Another way to save is to check with your favorite restaurant first to see if they deliver, as many do. If you can make your purchase directly with the eating establishment you may save on delivery charges and extra fees. In addition, you’ll be supporting local businesses, especially small businesses, with direct revenue.

Plus, many credit cards offer restaurant purchases as a bonus category, so you’ll still be earning elevated rewards on your purchase.

Food delivery service benefits alone are not a reason to select a specific credit card, but knowing which cards offer the benefits, and using those cards for your purchase, could put dollars back in your wallet.

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card, Chase Slate® Card, Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card, Uber Credit Card, Apple Card, Citi Prestige® Card, American Express® Green Card, and Capital One® Savor® Rewards Card were independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Uber Eats

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best credit card for food delivery services?

The credit card with the best food delivery service benefits may be either the Amex Platinum card with its $200 in Uber Cash each year that can be used for Uber Eats or the Chase Sapphire Reserve card with its free DoorDash DashPass subscription and $60 in annual statement credits for DoorDash purchases.

However, the best card for you will be the one with overall earnings that match your spending mix, has an annual fee you are willing to pay, redemption options you prefer, and an overall benefits package that provides value.

What is considered credit card dining?

The establishments that are considered bonus category merchants for earning elevated rewards on dining purchases are those that have chosen to identify themselves as restaurants and have an associated merchant code with the card issuer.

For example, a restaurant located in a hotel may not categorize as a restaurant. A cafe located in a department store may also not qualify as a restaurant. Restaurants that use Square payment processing have been known not to code as a restaurant.

Most restaurants, fast food establishments, bars, coffee shops, and cafes will code appropriately but there can be exceptions, like those mentioned.

How does the DoorDash DashPass work?

DoorDash is a technology company that facilitates door-to-door food delivery for a fee. You can place your order for local restaurant food via a smartphone app and have it delivered to the address of your choosing.

You can pay for food delivery and fees each time you use the app or you can purchase a subscription. The DashPass subscription includes free delivery and reduced fees to DoorDash and sister-company Caviar.

Select Chase credit cards come with a complimentary or discounted DoorDash DashPass subscription.

Can I use Uber Cash for Uber Eats?

Yes, Uber Cash that you have in your Uber account can be used for Uber Eats. When you place an order via the Uber Eats app, select Uber Cash as the payment method before you submit your order.

Christine Krzyszton

About Christine Krzyszton

Christine, who lives in Northern Michigan, travels about 300,000 miles a year despite her remote location. Her expertise is traveling the world on a weekend with no pre-determined destination in mind, letting the cost of the airfare determine where she will go. She has over four million flown miles and elite status on all three major domestic carriers.
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