Convenience is great, until the “small” fees start showing up like a second grocery bill. Pickup and delivery can still save money, but only if you use the right programs at the right time and avoid paying for perks you don’t need. The good news is that many retailers and apps rotate free trials, waived delivery fees, and membership add-ons that can pay off fast for regular shoppers. The trick is treating these like tools, not subscriptions you forget about. Here are seven options that can help you score delivery deals without letting convenience inflate your total.
1. Delivery Deals With A Walmart+ Free Trial
Walmart promotes a free 30-day Walmart+ trial, which can be an easy way to test grocery delivery before you commit. Use the trial during a busy month so you get a clear sense of how much you’d actually use it. Before checkout, compare the delivery total to what you’d spend on one in-person trip, including gas and impulse buys. Turn off auto-renew right away so the trial doesn’t roll into a charge you didn’t plan for. If you keep it, set a reminder to review it every 60 days so it stays worth it.
2. Kroger Boost’s 30-Day Trial For Delivery And Fuel Points
Kroger’s Boost program offers a free 30-day trial and includes benefits like free grocery delivery and 2X fuel points. This one can be especially useful if your household already shops Kroger banners often. Use the trial to batch orders into fewer, bigger deliveries so you maximize value. Check the fine print on order minimums and delivery windows, because those details affect whether it truly saves money. If you don’t reorder at least a couple times a month, you may be better off sticking with pickup only.
3. Target Circle 360 For Same-Day Delivery Without Markups
Target Circle 360 is positioned as a paid membership with monthly or annual pricing and includes delivery deals like unlimited same-day delivery perks for eligible orders. It’s most useful if you already buy household basics at Target and want to stop making “one quick stop” trips. Build one weekly order of shelf-stable items and another smaller order for essentials, instead of placing tiny orders that trigger extra fees. Keep an eye on cart-building habits, because convenience can lead to adding extras you wouldn’t grab in-store. If your area has limited same-day coverage, this may not perform as well as it sounds.
4. Instacart+ Trial Windows And Card-Linked Free Offers
Instacart says new members may be eligible for a 14-day or 30-day trial, and it lists pricing at $99/year or $9.99/month. Instacart also runs card-linked offers, including a page advertising Instacart+ for free with eligible Mastercard cards. This option works best when you comparison-shop inside the app and avoid “fastest delivery” surcharges. Set a firm substitution rule like “equal or lower price only” so swaps don’t undo your savings. If you don’t plan to keep it, cancel before renewal and screenshot the cancellation confirmation for peace of mind.
5. Amazon Prime Grocery Delivery Thresholds That Reduce Fees
Amazon’s help page notes that orders over $100 with a two-hour delivery window are free with Prime and do not incur a service fee. That can work well if you already have Prime and can consolidate grocery and household items into one planned order. Aim for pantry staples, frozen items, and repeat buys so your cart is steady and you’re not impulse-adding to hit a minimum. Watch the window you choose, because faster delivery options can change the math. If you can’t reliably hit the threshold, pickup or local store delivery programs may be cheaper.
6. Safeway/Albertsons FreshPass: Subscription Perks Plus Promo Windows
FreshPass marketing highlights delivery deals like unlimited free delivery and mentions a $5 monthly credit with an annual subscription, and Safeway also lists limited-time free delivery promo dates in its terms. Albertsons’ FAQ explains FreshPass waives delivery fees on orders of $30+ for the subscription duration. This can be a strong option if you already shop these stores and place delivery orders regularly. Treat the monthly credit like “use it or lose it” value, and plan one order that uses it fully. Skip it if you mainly buy loss leaders in-store, since delivery carts can make it easier to miss markdowns.
7. Favor Gold For H-E-B Shoppers Who Want Fewer Fees
Favor’s membership program promotes a free trial and $0 delivery fees on eligible merchants, with benefits geared toward H-E-B and Central Market orders. (HEB)
This is a good fit for Texans who already use Favor and want to reduce delivery fees over multiple orders. Use the free trial during a month when you know you’ll be slammed, so you can test real value. Focus orders on planned meals and staples, because convenience shopping gets expensive when you browse. If the eligible-merchant list doesn’t match your usual stores, it won’t pay off.
The “Best Deal” Is The One You Actually Use
Pick one program to test for 30 days, then measure results like a mini experiment. Track what you saved in fees, what you spent on tips or add-ons, and whether your cart got bigger than usual. Build one rule that keeps totals in check, like “no browsing, only list items” or “no paid upgrades for faster delivery.” Stack savings by pairing pickup for markdown hunting with delivery for heavy staples. When you stay intentional, pickup and delivery can save time without quietly draining your budget.
Which services with delivery deals have you tried lately, and what’s the one fee or “gotcha” you wish you’d noticed sooner?
What to Read Next…
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Are Online-Only Grocery Deals Really Worth Your Time?
The Pros and Cons of Using Walmart’s Grocery Pickup Service
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