Introduction
Craving delicious takeout but your wallet’s feeling a little light? Grubhub, the food delivery giant, is a fantastic option for convenient meals, but those delivery fees and service charges can quickly add up. The good news is, enjoying your favorite Grubhub eats without breaking the bank is entirely possible. There are numerous strategies, tips, and tricks to unlock free food and significant discounts, allowing you to savor the flavors you crave without the financial guilt. This comprehensive guide reveals how to navigate the world of Grubhub promotions, leverage hidden perks, and master the art of finding the best deals, all in the pursuit of enjoying free food on Grubhub.
Understanding Grubhub Promotions and Deals
Grubhub frequently offers promotions to attract new users and reward loyal customers. Understanding these deals is the first step toward enjoying free food on Grubhub.
New User Promotions
The most common way to get your first taste of free food on Grubhub is by taking advantage of new user promotions. These are designed to entice you to try the service, and they can be quite generous. Typically, Grubhub offers a discount on your first order, often in the form of a dollar-off coupon. For example, they might offer ten dollars off your initial order.
Finding this promotion is usually straightforward. It’s often prominently displayed on the Grubhub website or app when you first sign up. Be sure to pay close attention to any terms and conditions associated with the offer. Many new user promotions require a minimum order size to qualify. They might also have an expiration date, so you’ll want to use them relatively soon after signing up. To redeem the offer, simply enter the provided promo code during checkout.
General Promotions and Offers
Beyond the initial welcome offer, Grubhub regularly rolls out general promotions and deals for all its users. These can come in various forms, including percentage discounts, dollar-off coupons, and free delivery offers. The key is to stay informed about these opportunities.
Grubhub typically promotes these offers through several channels:
- Email: Make sure you’re subscribed to Grubhub’s email list. They frequently send out promotional emails containing exclusive deals and discounts.
- App Notifications: Enable push notifications from the Grubhub app. This will ensure you receive real-time alerts about new promotions and limited-time offers.
- Website: Check the Grubhub website regularly for any ongoing promotions. They often have a dedicated section highlighting current deals.
- Social Media: Follow Grubhub on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. They often announce promotions and contests on their social media channels.
Examples of past promotions include discounts on specific types of cuisine (e.g., twenty percent off all pizza orders), free delivery from select restaurants, or dollar-off coupons for use on any order. Staying vigilant and checking these channels regularly is crucial for maximizing your chances of finding valuable deals.
Restaurant-Specific Deals
Many restaurants partnered with Grubhub offer their own exclusive deals to attract customers. These deals can vary widely, but they often present excellent opportunities to save money.
Common types of restaurant-specific deals include:
- Free Appetizer with Minimum Order: Some restaurants offer a complimentary appetizer, such as spring rolls or garlic bread, when you spend a certain amount.
- Percentage Off Specific Menu Items: Others might offer a discount on particular dishes or categories of food.
- Daily Specials: Many restaurants feature daily specials that offer discounted prices on select menu items.
- Bundle Deals: These deals combine several items at a lower price compared to purchasing them individually.
Finding these deals within the Grubhub app is simple. When browsing restaurants, look for those with a “Deals” or “Specials” section. You can also filter your search results to show only restaurants offering promotions.
Using Promo Codes Effectively
Promo codes are a powerful tool for saving money on Grubhub, and finding them is a worthwhile endeavor. However, it’s equally crucial to know how to use them correctly and effectively.
There are numerous places to find Grubhub promo codes:
- Coupon Websites: Several websites specialize in aggregating online coupons and deals, including Grubhub promo codes. A quick search on a reputable coupon site can often yield promising results.
- Social Media: Keep an eye on social media platforms. Influencers and bloggers sometimes share exclusive promo codes with their followers.
- Email Lists: As mentioned earlier, signing up for Grubhub’s email list is essential, but also consider subscribing to email newsletters from websites specializing in food delivery deals.
Applying a promo code during checkout is straightforward. Locate the “Promo Code” field on the order summary page and enter the code exactly as it appears. Click “Apply” to see the discount reflected in your total.
If you encounter issues when applying a promo code, consider the following:
- Expiration Date: Ensure that the promo code hasn’t expired. Many promo codes have a limited validity period.
- Eligibility: Check the terms and conditions of the promo code to see if it applies to your order. Some promo codes are only valid for specific restaurants, menu items, or order amounts.
- Typographical Errors: Double-check that you’ve entered the promo code correctly, paying close attention to capitalization and special characters.
Leveraging Grubhub Perks and Rewards
Beyond promotions and deals, Grubhub offers perks and rewards programs that can lead to free food and substantial savings.
Grubhub Plus Program
Grubhub Plus is a subscription service that offers a range of benefits, most notably unlimited free delivery on eligible orders. For a monthly fee, Grubhub Plus members avoid paying delivery charges, which can quickly add up if you order frequently.
In addition to free delivery, Grubhub Plus members often receive exclusive perks, such as access to special discounts and promotions that are not available to non-members. The program may also include other rewards, such as bonus points on every order.
Deciding whether Grubhub Plus is worthwhile depends on your ordering habits. If you order from Grubhub frequently, the cost of the subscription can quickly be offset by the savings on delivery fees. Consider tracking your Grubhub usage for a month to see how much you typically spend on delivery charges. If the savings exceed the cost of the Grubhub Plus subscription, it’s likely a worthwhile investment.
Grubhub sometimes offers trial periods for Grubhub Plus, allowing you to test the service for free before committing to a subscription. Look for these trial offers on the Grubhub website or app.
Grubhub Rewards Program
Grubhub operates a rewards program that allows you to earn points for every dollar you spend. These points can then be redeemed for discounts or free items. The specifics of the rewards program, such as the earning rate and redemption options, may vary. The most current details about earning points, special challenges and rewards is listed on the Grubhub website.
The Referral Program: Sharing the Love (and the Food)
Grubhub’s referral program is a win-win situation: you get free food, and your friends get to experience the convenience of Grubhub. It’s a great way to spread the word about a service you love and reap the rewards.
The referral program works simply. You share your unique referral link with your friends, family, and social media followers. When someone signs up for Grubhub using your link and places their first order, you earn a referral credit. The amount of credit you earn can vary, but it’s typically enough to cover a significant portion of a future meal.
Finding your referral link is easy. You can usually find it in the “Account” section of the Grubhub app or website.
There may be limitations on the amount of credit you can earn through the referral program. Grubhub might cap the total amount of referral credit you can accumulate or limit the number of referrals you can make within a certain period.
To maximize your referral earnings, consider sharing your referral link across multiple channels. Post it on your social media accounts, include it in emails to friends and family, and mention it in conversations with people who might be interested in trying Grubhub.
Alternative Strategies for Saving Money on Grubhub
While promotions, perks, and referrals are effective ways to save money, consider these additional strategies.
- Order During Off-Peak Hours: Restaurants sometimes offer discounts during slower times of the day to boost sales.
- Choose Pickup Over Delivery: Opting for pickup instead of delivery eliminates delivery fees and service charges.
- Group Orders: Combining orders with friends or family to reach minimum order amounts for promotions.
- Compare Prices: Check prices between different restaurants offering the same type of food.
- Look for “Free Delivery” Restaurants (Outside of Grubhub Plus): Some restaurants offer free delivery on their own.
- Contact Grubhub Support (Politely): If you have a legitimate issue (e.g., missing item), Grubhub support may offer a credit or refund.
- Use a Cash Back Credit Card: Get a percentage of your purchase back with a rewards credit card.
- Check for Employee Perks: Some companies offer Grubhub discounts or credits as an employee benefit.
The Ethical Considerations
While saving money is a priority, it’s important to approach Grubhub promotions and deals ethically. Avoid abusing promotions, creating multiple accounts to exploit new user offers, or engaging in any other practices that could be considered fraudulent or unfair. Focus on legitimate ways to find deals and save money without compromising the integrity of the system.
Conclusion
Getting free food on Grubhub is entirely possible with the right strategies and a bit of diligence. By understanding and leveraging promotions, taking advantage of perks and rewards programs, mastering the art of referrals, and employing alternative saving strategies, you can significantly reduce the cost of your Grubhub orders and enjoy your favorite takeout without straining your budget. Start exploring these tips and tricks on your next Grubhub order today, and discover the satisfaction of eating well while saving money. What are your favorite Grubhub saving tips? Share them in the comments below!
