If you regularly order in, you should be rewarded for it.
Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash are the biggest names in U.S. food delivery. Rather than offer loyalty programs that let you earn points redeemable for rewards (like your favorite coffee chain), each features a monthly membership that includes $0 delivery fees and other perks.
Several of the best credit cards for food delivery could even cover that membership fee for you, making your next food delivery order cheaper and more convenient.
Here's a comparison of what each subscription costs, what you get for that price and how to maximize the rewards you earn using the right credit card before you place your next order.
Related: How to earn 10 points per dollar on dining with the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash comparedProgram nameGrubhub+ (Grubhub and Seamless)Uber One (Uber Eats)DoorDash DashPass (DoorDash and Caviar)<strong>Membership price</strong>$9.99 per month$9.99 per month or $96 per year$9.99 per month or $96 per year<strong>Trial period</strong>Free trials may be available to eligible usersFour weeks for eligible first-time membersFree trials may be available to eligible users<strong>Delivery fees</strong>$0 on eligible orders from Grubhub+ restaurants that meet the order minimum$0 on eligible standard deliveries that meet the order minimum$0 on eligible orders from DashPass merchants that meet the order minimum<strong>Service fee/order savings</strong>Lower service fees on eligible ordersUp to 10% off eligible delivery and pickup ordersReduced service fees on eligible orders<strong>Rewards/credits</strong>5% back in Grubhub+ credits on eligible pickup orders5% back in Uber One credits on eligible rides5% back in DashPass credits on eligible pickup orders<strong>Other perks</strong>Member-only offers10% back in Uber One credits on eligible hotel bookings, credits on eligible car rentals and benefit sharing with an eligible family memberUp to 10% off Lyft rides (on up to four rides per month) and two free priority pickup upgrades per month, priority customer support, DashPass-only promotions and benefits on Caviar<strong>Earn points with other programs</strong>NoneDelta SkyMiles or Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible Uber and Uber Eats activity (Uber One membership is not required)None<strong>Subscription included with</strong>Amazon PrimeStatement credits with select American Express cardsSelect Chase cardsMembership prices and benefits are correct at the time of publication and exclude taxes. Order minimums vary by merchant and market.
Grubhub+
Grubhub+ costs $9.99 per month and may offer eligible users a free trial. It gets you $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders from Grubhub+ restaurants that meet the order minimum shown on the menu page.
By U.S. sales, Grubhub is the smallest of the three delivery companies covered here, though it still lists more than 415,000 merchants in over 4,000 U.S. cities, so you're unlikely to go hungry for choice.
GRUBHUBThe 5% back in Grubhub+ credit is a neat perk if you are willing to collect your own order; however, it is restrictive in that it expires 90 days after the most recent credit is issued and cannot be redeemed for orders containing any alcohol.
Perhaps a better program benefit is that Amazon Prime members get Grubhub+ at no extra cost for as long as their Prime membership stays active. You'll need to link your Amazon and Grubhub accounts to activate the benefit, and it won't convert to a paid Grubhub+ plan if your Prime membership ends; your Grubhub+ benefits simply stop. If you already have Amazon Prime, you have nothing to lose by activating your Grubhub+ account.
Remember, too, that Seamless merged with Grubhub back in 2013, so if you live in or often visit New York City, you'll likely find the Seamless app offers more options, though its membership costs the same as Grubhub+ and includes the same benefits.
Related: A New York City foodie's secret to saving on restaurants? Blackbird's dining loyalty program
Uber One
Unlike DashPass and Grubhub+, Uber One isn't only a food delivery membership. Your subscription covers both Uber Eats and Uber rides — more than 400,000 merchant partners are available in all 50 U.S. states — which can be a great way to save if you're a regular user of both services.
UBERUber One members receive $0 delivery fees on eligible orders with a minimum subtotal (for standard delivery within at least 3 miles), plus up to 10% off eligible delivery and pickup orders. Priority and long-range deliveries still cost extra.
Members also earn 5% back in Uber One credits on eligible U.S. rides. Other benefits include 10% back in Uber One credits on eligible hotel bookings and the ability for eligible paid members to share Uber One benefits with another family member.
Uber is also the only one of these apps that lets you earn airline miles or hotel points on your orders (and you don't even need an Uber One membership), as follows:
- Earn 1 Delta SkyMile per dollar spent on U.S. Uber Eats restaurant and grocery orders over $40 (excluding taxes, fees and tips) once you link your Uber account to Delta SkyMiles.
- Earn 1 Marriott Bonvoy point per eligible dollar spent on U.S. Uber Eats pickup and delivery orders of $40 or more when you link your Uber account with Marriott Bonvoy. Or, earn 2 points per dollar when an order of $40 or more is delivered to a U.S. Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites or Element hotel.
You can only earn one type of partner point or mile at a time, so you'll need to choose between Delta SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy. TPG values Delta SkyMiles higher than Marriott Bonvoy in our monthly valuations; however, keep in mind that if you're trying to earn Bonvoy status, Uber One members with a linked Bonvoy account receive complimentary Silver Elite status, which may make it the better partner program to choose.
Related: Monthly checklist: Credit card perks and benefits you should be using
DoorDash DashPass
DoorDash is (by far) the largest food delivery platform in the U.S., offering approximately 615,000 merchants in 7,000-plus cities across the U.S.
For $9.99 per month or $96 per year (eligible users may receive a free trial), DashPass members get $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders from DashPass merchants that meet the order minimum.
That minimum is typically $12, though it drops to $10 in select markets, including Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles and Phoenix.
DOORDASHAccording to DoorDash, DashPass members save an average of $4 to $5 per eligible order. That means the monthly plan starts paying for itself after two or three orders per month, while the annual plan (which works out to $8 per month) needs only two orders, so hungry customers can quickly come out ahead.
Many eligible Chase cards offer complimentary or promotional DashPass memberships. You can also link your Lyft account to DoorDash, and eligible new DashPass members can receive three months of DashPass at no cost. Active U.S. DashPass members with linked Lyft accounts can also receive up to four discounted Lyft rides per month, including 5% off eligible on-demand rides and 10% off eligible scheduled airport rides, plus two priority pickup upgrades every month.
Since acquiring upscale restaurant delivery platform Caviar in 2019, DoorDash has offered similar DashPass benefits for Caviar orders, namely $0 delivery fees, member-exclusive savings and 5% back in DashPass credits when placing eligible orders.
Related: How to easily earn extra rewards on Lyft rides
How to earn additional rewards with food delivery appsIf you pay for your next food delivery or pickup with the right credit card, you can earn points or miles and potentially cover the cost of the subscription.
Most issuers code orders placed through delivery apps as dining purchases (though this can vary by merchant), so cards with a dining bonus usually earn their elevated rate on DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub orders.
The best options currently available include:
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 4 American Express Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), plus up to $10 in monthly statement credits when you use the card for Grubhub (and Seamless) purchases and those made with other select merchants (enrollment required). Additionally, receive up to $10 in Uber Cash each month for Uber Eats orders and Uber rides in the U.S. after adding the card to your Uber account; you can redeem your Uber Cash with any Amex card.
- American Express Platinum Card®: Receive up to $200 in Uber Cash each calendar year (up to $15 per month, plus a bonus of up to $20 in December) for eligible Uber Eats orders and Uber rides in the U.S. Add the card to your Uber account to receive your Uber Cash, which you can redeem with any Amex card, plus up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year toward an auto-renewing Uber One membership.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): Earn 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining. You'll also receive a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership when you activate by Dec. 31, 2029, and monthly DoorDash promos while enrolled in DashPass, including a $5 promo on one restaurant order (increasing to a $15 promo usable on any order type from Oct. 1, 2026) and two $10 promos on nonrestaurant orders.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining. You'll also receive a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership for at least 12 months when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027, and one $10 promo each calendar month on a nonrestaurant DoorDash order through Dec. 31, 2027.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees): Earn 3% cash back on dining. Plus, enjoy six months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027, and up to $10 off one qualifying nonrestaurant DoorDash order each quarter through Dec. 31, 2027.
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees): Earn 6 Citi ThankYou Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, on CitiNights purchases from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday Eastern time and from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday Eastern time (but 3 points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases outside of this window).
Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve turns 10 with massive point giveaway, new credits and bigger DoorDash perk
UBERWhich food delivery app is best?With all three memberships priced at $9.99 per month, there's no clear winner on price, though Uber One and DoorDash DashPass offer $96 annual plans that work out to $8 per month.
Grubhub+ is best for Amazon Prime members since it costs nothing extra. If you also have the Amex Gold, the card's up to $10 monthly dining statement credit can cover the monthly Grubhub+ membership fee.
DoorDash DashPass is the best all-around program for most people. That's because it has broad restaurant availability in most U.S. markets, its benefits extend to groceries and other nonrestaurant orders, and its Chase partnership means many cardholders already have a complimentary DashPass membership waiting to be activated.
Sapphire Reserve cardmembers get the most out of it, with up to $35 in monthly DoorDash promos from Oct. 1.
Uber One is the best choice if you use Uber for rides and food or want your food delivery to earn extra points or miles. It's the only one of the three apps that lets you choose between Delta SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible orders. The catch is that both Delta SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy require qualifying Uber Eats orders to exceed $40, so only users who place larger orders will benefit from one of these partnerships.
It's also a better choice for Amex cardholders, as those with an Amex Gold and/or an Amex Platinum can use their monthly Uber Cash benefit toward eligible Uber Eats orders. Don't forget that Amex Platinum Card members can also offset the standard Uber One membership cost with the card's up to $120 annual Uber One statement credit.
DOORDASHBottom lineIt's never been easier to enjoy whatever type of cuisine you're craving from the comfort of home. All it takes is a few taps on your smartphone.
If you only order in occasionally (say, once per month), you're probably better off paying the delivery fee rather than enrolling in an extra-charge delivery membership unless you receive a complimentary membership or recurring delivery benefit through Amazon Prime or an eligible credit card.
However, if you're eligible for a free trial, it can be worth testing a membership the next time you don't feel like cooking to see which platform offers the best selection and sweetest savings where you live without committing to a recurring subscription.
Just be sure to set a reminder to assess whether you want to continue at the end of the trial period, as these programs renew automatically.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.