Quick points: Earn Delta SkyMiles on Instacart grocery deliveries
When Delta launched its partnership with grocery delivery service Instacart earlier this year, it introduced a new way for SkyMiles members to earn miles from the comfort of their homes.
By linking your SkyMiles and Instacart accounts, you can earn 1 mile per dollar spent with Instacart grocery deliveries, excluding taxes, fees and tips. SkyMiles members who subscribe to Instacart’s $99-annual Express membership will enjoy a 50% mileage earning bonus, for a total of 1.5 miles per dollar spent on eligible orders.
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How to link your accounts
Linking your Delta and Instacart accounts is easy and can be done via this landing page.
Just be careful when linking your accounts so you don't end up with a surprise charge. Specifically, when you add your Delta SkyMiles number to your Instacart account, your Instacart Express membership will immediately begin. Consequently, you are authorizing an Instacart Express membership charge of $99/year to be billed automatically to any active card on file with Instacart after your free trial expires. If you're not interested in keeping the membership after the promotional period, you'll want to set yourself a reminder to cancel.
Related: Your credit card now has you covered if you forget to cancel a subscription service
Depending on your status with Delta, your "free" Instacart Express membership will differ in length:
- 3 free months for eligible SkyMiles members.
- 12 free months for eligible Diamond/Platinum Medallion members.
After this time, you will be automatically billed for a $99 Instacart Express membership unless you cancel your Instacart Express membership before that.
Instacart Express offers three main benefits:
- $0 delivery fee on orders over $35.
- 5% credit back on eligible pickup orders (excludes alcohol).
- Lower service fees versus non-member pricing.
Related: Your definitive guide to online grocery delivery services
Best credit cards to use with Instacart
There are a variety of credit cards that can use you use to amplify your earnings on Instacart and other grocery store purchases. Here are some of our favorites for grocery shopping:
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar). That's an 8% return based on TPG valuations.
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Earn 6% back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per calendar year (then 1% back). Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as as statement credit.
- Instacart Mastercard®: Earns 5% cash back on Instacart purchases.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).
Bottom line
Delta's partnership with Instacart is a neat way to earn bonus miles on your grocery delivery orders. TPG values Delta SkyMiles at 1.41 cents apiece, so by linking your accounts, you're getting an additional 1.41% (for general customers) or 2.12% (for Instacart Express customers) back on your purchases. Depending on what grocery credit card you pay with, you could walk away with a net return of around 10% back in points on your next Instacart purchase.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees