The Ultimate Instacart Savings Guide for 2025

Instacart is one of the most convenient grocery delivery platforms in the U.S. in 2025, but convenience often comes at a cost. With service fees, delivery surcharges, and peak-hour pricing, a single order can see $20–$40 in added fees.

But here’s the truth: smart shoppers don’t pay full price. Whether you’re a new user, SNAP/EBT recipient, bulk buyer, or Instacart+ subscriber, this ultimate guide will teach you how to stack promo codes, apply cashback hacks, and avoid overpaying every single time. For specific deals, you can always check our guides on Publix, Wegmans, or Sprouts.

How Instacart Pricing Works in 2025

Let’s break down where your Instacart bill goes:

• Delivery Fee: $3.99–$7.99 (free with Instacart+)
• Service Fee: 5%–10% of order subtotal
• Heavy Item Fee: Charged for bulk or oversized items
• Peak Hour Surcharge: $2–$5 extra during high demand
• Tip: Optional but expected (5–20%)

The solution? Stacked savings strategies that neutralize these charges and more.

Segmented Savings Tips by User Type

To help every type of Instacart shopper, we’ve broken the strategies down by category:

1. New Users

Top Tricks:

• Apply SAVE20NOW or similar codes for $20 off your first order.
• Get referral credits (up to $15) from friends or family.
• Check out using Rakuten for 5–10% cashback.
• Add Fresh Funds (Instacart promotional credits) at checkout if available.
• Use prepaid Visa gift cards to create new legal accounts for other family members.

Code Stacking Example: Create new account → Use referral → Apply SAVE20NOW → Checkout via Rakuten → Add Fresh Funds → Save $35+ on a $60 order.

2. Existing Users

Best Tricks:

• Use browser extensions like Honey or Capital One Shopping to find hidden codes.
• Enable Rakuten, Upside, or Fetch for cashback.
• Watch for daily rotating promos on Instacart’s homepage.
• Leave items in your cart, and Instacart often emails you with “Complete your cart” discounts. Learn more tricks in our existing user guide.

Pro Move: Use the “abandoned cart” trick to trigger a $10-off coupon via email.

3. SNAP/EBT Cardholders

How to Save:

• Toggle the “EBT-eligible” filter to find approved products.
• Get free delivery on your first 3 orders with EBT.
• Use EBT promo codes like EBTFIRST20.
• Pay service or delivery fees with promo codes, while EBT covers eligible items.
• Eligible for Fresh Funds credits, check the account dashboard.

EBT Stacking Flow: Use EBT → Cover fees with a promo → Apply Rakuten cashback. Our full EBT/SNAP guide has more details.

4. Instacart+ Members & Power Users

If you shop with Instacart weekly or more, these advanced strategies will transform your savings:

Instacart+ Membership

• Cost: $9.99/month or $99/year
• Benefits: Free delivery on $35+ orders, Reduced service fees, Access to exclusive promotions and priority delivery windows.

Chase Cardholder Bonus: Get 3 months of Instacart+ free + $10 monthly Instacart credit when using an eligible Chase co-branded card.

Fresh Funds: Instacart’s built-in promo credit system works just like store credit. Earned through referrals, customer service refunds, or select gift card promotions. Redeemable at checkout.

Coupon Stacking with Store Deals: Clip in-app coupons for specific stores (marked “Save $”) and stack with seasonal promo codes. Avoid peak surcharges by selecting midweek or early-morning delivery windows.

Max Strategy: Instacart+ + Promo Code + Fresh Funds + Cashback = 40–60% off large orders consistently.

5. Bulk Shoppers & Small Businesses

Smart Shopping Tips:

• Order mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday) to avoid surcharges.
• Shop at Costco via Instacart – no membership required.
• Use BOGO offers or Sprouts/Kirkland multipacks.
• Stack with business-exclusive codes or “Instacart for Work” perks.

Pro Strategy: Order during low-demand windows, use the code, and cash back to maximize savings.

Hidden Coupon Stacking Methods

Method 1: The Double-Account Loop

1. Create Account A.
2. Refer it from Account B.
3. Account A uses SAVE25 + Rakuten cashback.
4. Reverse the loop next time.

Result: Two users rotate $20–$30 in savings every few weeks using gift cards and legal email aliases.

Method 2: Triple Stack (Instacart+ + Promo + Cashback)

1. Start a free Instacart+ trial.
2. Apply seasonal code like GETFRESH.
3. Check out with a Chase-linked card.
4. Use Rakuten or Ibotta for cashback.

Result: Save $10–$25 + cashback + waived fees.

Best Cashback Apps & Extensions (2025)

Tip: Use only one cashback app and one extension per order to avoid tracking conflicts.

Best Times to Order for Maximum Savings

• Tuesdays and Wednesdays offer lower fees and more delivery windows.
• Avoid 6–9 PM and weekends due to peak surcharges.
• Use the “Flexible delivery” window to get a delivery fee discount.

Daily Rotating Promo Pages You Should Bookmark

• instacart.com/promos
• Chase & Amex Instacart Offers
• Email promotions (subject: “Here’s $10 for your next order”)
• Store-specific deal pages (e.g., Sprouts, Publix, Costco)

Quick Recap – Expert Strategies

• Create multiple accounts legally (different names/emails/family cards).
• Stack referral + new user + Fresh Funds + cashback.
• Use Chrome extensions to auto-apply all coupons.
• Pick off-peak times and flexible delivery slots.
• Track rotating offers on Instacart’s official promo page.
• Watch for “Complete your cart” deal emails.

Conclusion!

Instacart doesn’t make saving easy on purpose. But once you understand how to layer promo codes, strategically use cashback, and rotate accounts or cards, you’ll shop like a pro. Whether you’re using SNAP, Instacart+, or just trying to lower your weekly costs, one or more of these strategies can put $20–$70+ back in your pocket per month.

Start by applying just one stacking method today and test it with your next order. The savings are real, if you know where to look.

Start Stacking Savings Today!