Food delivery has become an everyday convenience for millions of Americans, and subscription bundles are increasingly shaping how people access these services. One offer that regularly sparks interest is the partnership between Amazon Prime and Grubhub. Many Prime members wonder whether Grubhub is truly free with their membership and what benefits they actually receive.

TLDR: Grubhub+ is included at no extra cost for eligible Amazon Prime members, but it is not entirely “free food.” The benefit provides a $0 delivery fee on eligible orders, reduced service fees, and exclusive perks. You must activate the Grubhub+ membership through your Amazon account, and certain minimum order requirements and restaurant limitations may apply. The value depends on how frequently you order and where you live.

Understanding the Amazon Prime and Grubhub Partnership

Amazon Prime is known for perks like free shipping, streaming video, and exclusive deals. In an effort to expand lifestyle and convenience benefits, Amazon partnered with Grubhub to offer a complimentary Grubhub+ membership to Prime subscribers.

Grubhub+, which typically carries a monthly subscription fee when purchased separately, provides members with food delivery benefits such as $0 delivery fees on eligible orders and occasional exclusive offers. Through this collaboration, eligible Prime members can activate Grubhub+ without paying the regular subscription cost.

However, “free with Prime” does not mean unlimited free food. It specifically refers to the subscription fee being waived—not to the cost of meals or all associated charges.

What Exactly Do Prime Members Get?

After activating the offer, Prime members receive the core benefits of Grubhub+, including:

• $0 delivery fees on eligible orders from participating restaurants
• Lower service fees compared with non-members in many cases
• 5% credit back on pickup orders at participating restaurants
• Exclusive offers and promotions available only to Grubhub+ members

It is important to note that the $0 delivery fee applies only to restaurants that participate in Grubhub+ and typically requires a minimum order (often around $12 before tax, though this can vary by location).

What Is Not Included?

Many customers are surprised to discover that even with Grubhub+, certain charges still apply. Being clear about what is not covered prevents misunderstandings.

Prime members should expect to pay:

• The full cost of the food
• Taxes
• Service fees (although sometimes at a reduced rate)
• Driver tips
• Small order fees if the minimum purchase threshold is not met

In other words, the primary savings come from the waived delivery fee and occasional promotional discounts, not from eliminating all extra charges.

How to Activate Grubhub+ Through Amazon Prime

Enrollment is straightforward but requires manual activation. It does not automatically appear in your Grubhub account simply because you are a Prime member.

1. Log in to your Amazon Prime account.
2. Navigate to the Prime benefits section.
3. Find the Grubhub+ offer and click to activate.
4. Sign in to your existing Grubhub account or create a new one.
5. Link the accounts as instructed.

Once completed, your Grubhub account should reflect the active Grubhub+ membership at no monthly charge, as long as your Prime subscription remains active.

Is It Really Free?

The precise answer is: the membership is free, but the service is not entirely free.

The retail price of Grubhub+ when purchased separately can be several dollars per month. Prime members avoid this fee entirely. For frequent food delivery users, especially those who order multiple times per month, the savings on delivery fees can quickly add up and exceed the standalone cost of the membership.

However, if you rarely order food or live in an area with limited participating restaurants, the value may be modest.

Who Benefits Most From This Offer?

This bundled perk is particularly beneficial for:

• Urban residents with many participating restaurants
• Busy professionals who rely on delivery multiple times per month
• Families placing larger orders that exceed minimum thresholds
• College students who frequently use takeout and delivery services

Those who order infrequently may not notice dramatic savings. The key factor is usage frequency combined with restaurant availability in your specific region.

Comparison: Grubhub+ With Prime vs. Paying Separately

The benefits are essentially identical, but Prime members avoid paying the extra standalone subscription cost.

Are There Any Limitations?

Yes, several practical limitations should be considered.

• Restaurant Participation: Not all restaurants participate in Grubhub+.
• Minimum Order Requirements: Orders typically must reach a certain dollar amount.
• Geographic Coverage: Availability varies by city and neighborhood.
• Promotional Changes: Terms and benefits may evolve over time.

Additionally, canceling your Amazon Prime subscription will generally remove access to the complimentary Grubhub+ benefit.

How Much Can You Actually Save?

Let’s consider a simple example: assume the average delivery fee is $3.99 to $5.99. If you order twice per week, savings could range from $30 to $45 per month solely from waived delivery charges. Over a year, that becomes a significant amount.

Even ordering four times monthly could offset what would otherwise be the monthly subscription fee for standalone Grubhub+.

However, if you only order once every few months, the real-world savings may be negligible.

Is It Worth It If You Already Have Prime?

If you are already paying for Amazon Prime, activating Grubhub+ is generally worthwhile. There is no extra cost to enroll, and even occasional use may produce modest savings. Since enrollment does not require additional payment, there is little downside in claiming the benefit.

That said, Prime membership itself carries an annual or monthly price. If your sole motivation for subscribing to Prime is accessing Grubhub+, you should carefully evaluate whether the total Prime cost justifies your anticipated food delivery savings.

Key Takeaways

• Grubhub+ is included with eligible Amazon Prime memberships at no additional cost.
• The benefit eliminates delivery fees on eligible orders but does not make food free.
• You must activate the offer through your Prime account.
• Savings depend heavily on how often you order and where you live.

Final Assessment

The Grubhub+ inclusion with Amazon Prime represents a practical and potentially valuable benefit, particularly for frequent delivery users in areas with strong restaurant participation. While it does not eliminate all fees, avoiding delivery charges alone can provide meaningful savings over time.

For Prime members, the offer is largely a risk-free addition—one that enhances the overall subscription value. For those considering Prime solely for this purpose, a realistic calculation of your ordering habits will determine whether the bundle makes financial sense.

Ultimately, Grubhub is not “free” with Amazon Prime in the literal sense. Rather, the subscription component is covered, providing a meaningful yet conditional financial advantage for those who regularly use food delivery services.