DoorDash Review – How to Get Free Delivery & Maximize Rewards [2021]
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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.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
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.
Sign 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.
To 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.
Hot Tip: Want to save money on DoorDash delivery fees? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card both include a free subscription to DashPass in their list of benefits.
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
| Credit Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Apply Now (at Chase's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more info on the Chase Sapphire Preferred, see our thoughts on its benefits, travel insurance coverage, and credit score requirements. Take a look at our full review to see why it's one of our favorite Chase credit cards. *This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP and not the card issuer. |
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. This service usually costs $10 per month, so you’ll be getting $120 in value over the course of 1 year.
When you get your Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you’ll need to activate this benefit by December 31, 2021.
Other Great Benefits
- Earn 2x Chase Ultimate Rewards Points on all travel and dining purchases (including DoorDash purchases); includes up to $1,000 in monthly grocery store purchases from November 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021
- 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
- $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
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
| Chase Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Apply Now (at Chase's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more on the Chase Sapphire Reserve, see our thoughts on its benefits, global airport lounge access, and travel insurance protection. Take a look here for our full review. *This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP and not the card issuer. |
DoorDash Benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card also includes a free subscription to DashPass and comes with an annual $60 DoorDash credit through 2021 that can be applied to food, delivery fees, service charges, and tips charged to your card.
Other Great Benefits
- Earn 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards Points on all travel and dining purchases (including DoorDash purchases); includes up to $1,000 in monthly grocery store purchases from November 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021
- Get 1.5 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
- $300 annual travel credit (including gas and grocery purchases through June 30, 2021)
- $120 Peloton Digital and All Access Membership statement credit (through December 31, 2021)
- 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
- Free Grubhub+/Seamless+ membership via the Lyft Pink perk
- 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: 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.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card
The Freedom Unlimited card is a fantastic no annual fee credit card that makes a great addition to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
| Credit Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Learn More (at Chase's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more info on the Chase Freedom Unlimited, see our thoughts on its benefits and our full review. |
DoorDash Benefits
As a Freedom Unlimited cardholder, you’ll receive a complimentary 3-month subscription to DashPass, plus you’ll be able to continue your membership at 50% off for the following 9 months. Activation is required by December 31, 2021.
Other Great Benefits:
- Earn 5% cash-back on travel purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- Earn 3% cash-back on dining and drugstore purchases
- Earn 1.5% cash-back on all other purchases
- No annual fee
- Purchase and extended warranty protection
- Travel benefits including car rental insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card
The Freedom Flex card is a new product that’s replacing the Chase Freedom® card (now closed to new applicants).
DoorDash Benefits
With the Freedom Flex card, you’ll receive a complimentary 3-month subscription to DashPass plus you can continue your membership at 50% off for the following 9 months. Activation is required by December 31, 2021.
Other Great Benefits:
- Earn 5% cash-back on rotating categories each quarter (up to $1,500)
- Earn 5% cash-back on travel purchases through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- Earn 3% cash-back on dining (including delivery services like DoorDash) and drugstore purchases
- Earn 1% cash-back on all other purchases
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
- Purchase and extended warranty protection
- Travel benefits including car rental insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Hot Tip: Be sure to check your Amex Offers for statement credit offers from DoorDash (as well as Uber Eats, Boxed, or Grubhub) before making a purchase with your eligible card.
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.
If 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.
You’ll also be able to find promo and coupon codes on popular deals and coupon websites:
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 | Eats Pass: $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.
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card, and Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
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