Since staying in has become the new norm, food delivery services have been in the spotlight. One of the most well-known food delivery services is DoorDash, which has become a staple for many of us this year.
If you’re not familiar with how DoorDash works, then you’re in the right place. This post will go over everything you need to know about using DoorDash, including how to find promo codes and how to get free shipping.
How Does DoorDash Work?
DoorDash is a website and mobile app (iOS, Android) that coordinates food delivery from local restaurants directly to you. All you need to do is order your food through DoorDash and a Dasher will pick up your order at the restaurant and deliver it wherever you are — a home, office, hotel, park, etc.
You’ll be charged a delivery fee and/or a service fee by DoorDash and it will process your payment to the restaurant.
How to Get Free Delivery on DoorDash
Choose Restaurants That Offer Free Delivery
While most locations on DoorDash charge a delivery fee, sometimes you’ll be able to find ones that aren’t. After opening the DoorDash website or mobile app, you’ll be able to see restaurants that are offering a $0 delivery fee on your first order and some that are offering a $0 delivery fee to any customer.
Image Credit: DoorDashSign up for DashPass
DashPass is a monthly subscription service that gives you free delivery and reduced service charges on orders over $12 from your favorite restaurants through DoorDash or sister-company Caviar. You can try DashPass free for 1 month and it can be canceled at any time.
To sign up for DashPass online, look for a DashPass promo box or click the 3 lines in the upper left-hand corner of your screen (☰) and select Get Free Deliveries.
Image Credit: DoorDashTo sign up for DashPass on the mobile app, look for the DashPass banner or click on the profile icon in the upper left-hand corner of your screen and select Get $0 delivery fees with DashPass.
Image Credit: DoorDashHot Tip: Want to save money on DoorDash delivery fees? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® both include a free subscription to DashPass.
Best Credit Cards to Use on DoorDash
Using the right credit card when ordering from a food delivery service like DoorDash can save you money and help you earn lots of points. While you might not think that a credit card can be beneficial when ordering dinner to eat at home, it can have lots of perks.
Here are our favorite credit cards to use on DoorDash:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
DoorDash Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a free subscription to DashPass which gives you free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12 at both DoorDash and Caviar.
If activated by December 31, 2023, the subscription is active through December 31, 2024. If activated during the 2024 calendar year, the subscription will be valid for 1 year from the date of activation.
Other Great Benefits
- Earn 3x points on dining (including DoorDash purchases)
- Get 1.25 cents per point in value when you redeem your points for travel through the Chase travel portal
- Transfer points directly to Chase’s hotel and airline partners
- Premium travel benefits including primary car rental coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and baggage delay insurance
- 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
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
DoorDash Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card provides a $5 monthly DoorDash credit and a complimentary DashPass subscription. If activated by December 31, 2023, the subscription is active through December 31, 2024. If activated during the 2024 calendar year, the subscription will be valid for 1 year from the date of activation.
Other Great Benefits
- Earn 3x dining purchases (including DoorDash purchases)
- Transfer points directly to Chase’s hotel and airline partners
- $300 annual travel credit
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
- Priority Pass Select membership
- Premium travel benefits including car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, and lost luggage insurance
- 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
Hot Tip: Not sure which one of these cards is the better fit for you? Check out our head to head comparison for some guidance: Chase Sapphire Preferred card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
World & World Elite Mastercards
As part of a new partnership, all U.S. World and World Elite Mastercard DashPass members will receive $5 off their first 2 DashPass orders each month until September 30, 2022.
Those cardholders who are not yet members can register for a complimentary 3-month DashPass membership.
DoorDash Promo Codes and Coupons
There are lots of different ways to find DoorDash promo codes and coupons to help you save money on your next delivery.
The first place to look is on the DoorDash website. Often you’ll be able to find locations that are offering free delivery or even a discount without having to search for a separate coupon code.
Image Credit: DoorDashIf you’re on the DoorDash mobile app, click on Offers on the bottom menu bar to see any locations that are offering free delivery or discounts.
Image Credit: DoorDashYou’ll also be able to find promo and coupon codes on popular deals and coupon websites:
Hot Tip: DashPass members will also earn 5% credit back (on orders up to $100) when ordering Pickup from DashPass restaurants. Look for the blue P logo, opt for Pickup, and select the DashPass Pickup Benefit promo code when you checkout. Once your Pickup is complete, the credit earned will be added to your account and applied to your next order.
DoorDash Competitors (Grubhub, Uber Eats, Postmates)
You might be wondering how DoorDash stacks up to its competitors. Here’s a little head to head comparison to see how these food delivery companies compare — DoorDash vs. Grubhub vs. Uber Eats vs. Postmates.
| Company | Delivery Fees | Service Fees | Monthly Subscription | Small Order Fee |
| DoorDash | $1.99 to $6.99 | 11% of the subtotal | DashPass: $9.99 (free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12) | $2.50 (for orders under $10) |
| Grubhub | $1.99 to $6.99 | 5.25 % of the subtotal | Grubhub+: $9.99 (free delivery plus $30 in perks after joining) | $2 (for orders under $10) |
| Uber Eats | $0.59 to $5.49 | 15% of the subtotal | Uber One: $9.99 (free delivery plus 5% off orders over $15) | $2 (for orders under $10) |
| Postmates | $0.99 to $9.99 | 18% of the subtotal | Postmates Unlimited: $9.99 (free delivery on all orders over $12); or $99.99 annually | $2.50 (minimum varies by location) |
All fees can vary based on location and are subject to change at any time.
Final Thoughts
With so many of us sticking closer to home these days, food delivery services like DoorDash have become commonplace. With DoorDash, you can order from your favorite restaurants online or through the mobile app, and a Dasher will pick up your order and deliver it to your door.
DoorDash charges delivery and service fees but there are ways to avoid them. DashPass is a monthly subscription that gives you free delivery and reduced service charges on any order over $12. Best of all, you can get a free subscription to DashPass with credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
Featured Image Credit:
DoorDash
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