The last few chilly nights of winter are the perfect time for one more cozy dinner at home. Takeout containers, fuzzy blankets and a movie marathon are the best way to (hopefully) usher out the cold. But before you tap “order now,” why not make sure you’re saving as much as possible on that delivery bill? Food delivery apps make life easier, but fees and markups can add up fast. Whether you’re treating the family or just avoiding the cold, it’s worth knowing how to stretch every dollar.

Here’s how savvy diners are keeping more cash in their wallets, with four easy, proven ways to save money on restaurant delivery, including stacking Rakuten Cash Back, using subscriptions and discovering deals directly from the apps.

Before the temperatures start to rise, take advantage of those final cozy nights in by making every delivery deal sweeter. With Rakuten Cash Back, you can enjoy your favorite meals and earn real rewards at the same time.

Score Rakuten Cash Back and Coupons on Delivery Orders

Rakuten makes it simple to earn Cash Back on food delivery from your favorite restaurants. Just start your order through Rakuten’s website, browser extension or mobile App, and you can earn real Cash Back from top delivery services like Grubhub or Postmates.

Think of it like a tip, but it goes to yourself instead of the Uber Eats or DoorDash delivery driver. (But feel free to bump up your driver’s tip, too, since you’ll have all that sweet Cash Back in your pocket. They work hard!) Here’s how it works:

1. Search Rakuten for your favorite food delivery service, such as Grubhub 
2. Click “Shop Now” to activate Cash Back.
3. Order your wings, pizza or coffee just like normal.
4. The Cash Back will be applied to your account automatically.

The best part? You can stack Rakuten Cash Back with other discounts and food delivery coupons. Every time you have a hankering for some tacos or tots, you could apply a promo code, pay with a rewards credit card and score Rakuten Cash Back on top of it all. That’s tripling the ways you save, with very little effort on your end!

The Cash Back will hit your Rakuten account automatically, and you’ll be paid via check, PayPal or AmEx Membership Rewards points every three months. Rakuten has paid out over $4.6 billion to 17 million members, so the savings are legit.

But how can all that be free? Simple. Brands partner with Rakuten to send them shoppers. They pay Rakuten and Rakuten shares that money with you as Cash Back.

Those small percentages add up quickly, especially if delivery is part of your weekly routine. And now that you’ve got a little extra money, don’t be afraid to order dessert!

Sign Up for a Delivery Subscription to Lower Fees

If you order out more than a few times a month, subscribing to a food delivery membership like Grubhub+, DoorDash Dash Pass or Uber One can quickly pay for itself. A Grubhub+ membership, for example, costs $9.99 per month and comes with unlimited $0 delivery and 5% back on pickup orders.

For families or frequent delivery diners, the math will work out in your favor. You’ll likely save money on waived delivery charges alone, and then you’ll get member-only offers from select restaurants that sweeten the deal even more.

Food delivery subscriptions act like built-in delivery fee waivers, and they pair seamlessly with Rakuten Cash Back for even bigger savings.

Bundle Orders and Choose Off-Peak Times

Fully maximizing your savings on food delivery may require some strategy with timing and order size. Delivery platforms often tack on small-order fees to cover the cost of low-value orders, so having that single cappuccino delivered may not be the most cost-effective decision.

But you can avoid those fees by bundling your orders. Order your lunch and dinner at the same time, pre-plan your leftovers or place a single order for your coworkers or roommates. That way you’ll get multiple meals with only one delivery charge.

It also helps to schedule deliveries for off-peak times. Midafternoon and early evening deliveries often have lower service fees, fewer surcharges and faster delivery times.

Try this quick planning flow:

1. Look ahead at your busier nights of the week.
2. Place one large delivery order instead of a smaller one each night.
3. Choose an off-peak delivery time to avoid surge pricing.
4. Put your leftover meals in the fridge and save them for the rest of the week.

Bundled delivery helps cut surcharges and keeps your schedule (and your budget) balanced.

Order Directly From Restaurants

Ordering directly from a restaurant often costs less than using third-party platforms that charge both you and the restaurant extra fees. Delivery apps can take as much as 30% in commissions from each order, which means the menu prices are often marked up to cover the extra costs.

When you skip the middleman, restaurants can keep more of the sale and you can avoid delivery and service fees. Many local spots even offer pickup discounts or loyalty programs when you order directly.

The options to earn Cash Back are limited when you order directly from a restaurant, but you can try Rakuten partners such as Longhorn Steakhouse and Bahama Breeze, or check out Restaurants.com to find an eatery in your area. And if you decide that a cozy night in isn’t what you’re looking for after all, you can use Rakuten Dining to earn Cash Back at thousands of dine-in locations across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions About Saving Money on Food Delivery

How can I find promo codes and Cash Back for food delivery?

Check Rakuten for Cash Back offers and combine them with available promo codes before you order to maximize your savings.

Are delivery subscription services worth the cost?

They are if you order at least four times a month, since waived fees and member perks usually offset the subscription price.

Is pickup generally cheaper than delivery?

Yes. Picking up your orders lets you avoid delivery fees and surge pricing, keeping your total lower.

What payment methods offer the best rewards for food orders?

Use Rakuten to earn Cash Back, and pair it with a rewards credit card to keep stacking value on every order.