Best Cashback Cards for Delivery
Every time you use a food‑delivery app—whether it’s DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Postmates—you’re adding money to your monthly spending. The good news is that you can turn that spend into savings with the right credit card. This post walks you through the best cashback cards for food delivery, how they stack up against each other, and tips for maximizing your returns. By the end, you’ll know exactly which card rewards you the most per dollar spent on restaurant orders.
Why Cashback Matters for Food Delivery
Food delivery is one of the fastest growing categories in ecommerce, with consumers spending an average of $30–$50 per month on ordered meals. Unlike traditional grocery purchases, most delivery apps do not offer loyalty discounts or point systems. Instead, cashback credit cards—those that refund a percentage of the amount you spend—are the most straightforward way to recoup a portion of that bill. Benchmark studies from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau note that the average food‑delivery credit card reward rate ranges from 1% to 5%, depending on the issuer. By selecting a card that offers a higher percent on “restaurant” or “eating out” categories, you can earn extra cash back that’s almost “free.”
Top Cashback Cards for Food Delivery
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: 5% cash back on restaurants, bars, and grocery delivery services—including food‑order apps—and 3% on dining.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 3% back on dining and travel, plus points that can be converted to a variety of travel partners.
- American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card: 3% back on U.S. supermarkets and 2% on U.S. restaurants, payoff in both cash and points.
- Discover it® Cash Back: Rotating 5% categories include restaurants in the first year, and a 5% cashback match at year‑end.
- Citi® Double Cash Card: Flat 2% cash back on all purchases, making it a solid all‑rounder if you prefer simplicity.
Capital One SavorOne: The Foodie’s Favorite
Capital One’s SavorOne is the most popular choice for delivery lovers. With a flat 5% cash back on “restaurants, bars, and food delivery,” you plug in each order and watch the points pile up. The card has no annual fee, and you’re rewarded in U.S. dollars. Because it uses the same “restaurant” classification as many apps, the category is typically applied automatically, reducing the risk of missed rewards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred: 3% On Dining, Plus Travel Flexibility
While SavorOne offers a higher percentage, the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s 3% cash back on dining is balanced by 3% on travel, a versatile benefit for those who also book flights and hotels. The card has an annual fee of $95, but the value of the points (use them for travel within travel rewards) often makes up for that cost. Additionally, the Sapphire’s sign‑up bonus can net you a substantial reward after just a few deliveries.
American Express Blue Cash Everyday: Balanced Rewards
From American Express, the Blue Cash Everyday offers 3% cash back on restaurants and 3% on U.S. supermarkets, which is particularly useful if you need to slash any grocery bills as well. There’s also a 2% revolving credit balance if you qualify. The card’s annual fee is $0, and the rewards are redeemed straight to a bank account.
Discover it® Cash Back: 5% Rotating Categories
Discover’s twist on rotating categories means that for the first year, you can snag 5% on restaurants every month. After the first year, standard 1% cash back applies. The appealing feature: Discover automatically matches all your cash back at the end of the year, essentially doubling your earnings.
Citi Double Cash: Flat 2% – The Simplest Option
For those who hate keeping track of categories, the Citi Double Cash card offers a flat 2% cash back on all purchase types, making it an excellent “set it and forget it” solution for frequent food delivery orders. No annual fee and can be used worldwide.
How to Maximize Your Cashback from Delivery Orders
1. Check the App’s Category: Some delivery apps categorize orders as “grocery” rather than “restaurant.” Verify that the card’s reward applies before you finalize the order.
2. Use a Primary Card Wisely: Keep your primary card dedicated to food delivery for reliable categorization. If you have more than one card, try stacking them: your primary chip for the order, while a secondary card can capture additional categories like “gas” or “travel.”
3. Capitalize on Bonus Offers: Sign‑up bonuses often come with spending requirements. Use your delivery card during the period you’re spending for bonuses.
4. Redeem Strategically: If your card rewards points that can be transferred to travel partners (e.g., Chase Sapphire), consider using high‑value partners like United MileagePlus or American Airlines AAdvantage to maximize redemption value.
Potential Drawbacks & How to Avoid Them
1. Annual Fees: Chase Sapphire Preferred and some premium rewards cards charge a yearly fee that may offset the cash back if you don’t spend enough. Calculate the breakeven rate using a credit card calculator.
2. Mis‑categorized Spending: If your order is routed to a different merchant name (e.g., “Uber”), the card may not treat it as a restaurant. Keep a spreadsheet of category tags for each app.
3. Credit Utilization Caps: Some issuers limit cashback or points to 20–25% of your credit limit. If you’re closer to your limit, you might earn fewer cash back points.
Conclusion: Get the Most Out of Your Delivery Dollars
Choosing the right card turns a simple meal delivery expense into real savings. If you value eating out frequently and want the highest cash back immediately, the Capital One SavorOne card is the clear winner—no annual fee, 5% on every order, and automatic categorization. For those who also travel often, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers flexibility that transcends dining. For everyday and all‑rounders, the Discover it® Cash Back or Citi Double Cash provide solid returns with minimal hassle.
Ready to slash your monthly food delivery cost? Apply for the card that best matches your habits now, and start collecting cash back tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which credit card gives the highest cash back for food delivery?
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 5% cash back on restaurants, bars, and food delivery apps—currently the highest flat rate specifically for delivery orders.
Q2. Do all food delivery apps track categories correctly for cashback cards?
Most major apps use the “restaurant” merchant category code, which most cards recognize. However, some smaller or regional services might tag orders differently, so it’s wise to check the statement description before you shop.
Q3. Is the annual fee worth paying for higher rewards on dining?
Cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred have a $95 fee but offer 3% back on dining plus travel benefits. If you spend over $5,000 a year on dining, the rewards usually outweigh the fee; otherwise, a no‑fee card is preferable.
Q4. How can I maximize cashback on rotating categories like Discover’s 5% offer?
Enroll in Discover’s rotating categories each quarter, ensure your food delivery order falls under the “restaurants” or “gas stations” code, and then use the annual cash‑back match to double your earnings.
Q5. Can I use the same card for multiple delivery services?
Absolutely—anytime you place an order through an app, the transaction goes through the same merchant name, so using a single cashback card consistently maximizes your rewards while simplifying budgeting.






