Are you a savvy consumer looking to save money on your food delivery orders? If you‘re a fan of DoorDash, one of the leading platforms in the booming food delivery industry, then you‘re in luck. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive into the world of free DoorDash gift card codes and how you can use them to score discounts on your favorite meals.
But first, let‘s take a step back and look at just how much the food delivery market has grown in recent years. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global online food delivery services market size was valued at USD 136.43 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4% from 2021 to 2028.
DoorDash has been a major player in this rapid expansion. The company, founded in 2013, now commands a 57% market share in the U.S. food delivery space as of 2022 (Source: Bloomberg Second Measure). So what‘s behind DoorDash‘s success? A key factor is their innovative technology and user-friendly app interface. By leveraging data and machine learning, DoorDash is able to optimize delivery routes, pricing, and restaurant recommendations for each individual user.
How DoorDash Gift Cards Work
Now that we have some context on the food delivery landscape, let‘s zoom in on DoorDash gift cards specifically. When you have a DoorDash gift card, you essentially have a pre-loaded balance that you can apply towards your orders. Gift cards can be purchased in various denominations, typically $25, $50, $100, or custom amounts.
You can buy DoorDash gift cards directly from DoorDash‘s website or app, or from third-party retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, or Kroger. Some stores even offer discounts on DoorDash gift cards from time to time – for example, Kroger has been known to offer $50 DoorDash gift cards for just $45 as part of their 4X Fuel Points promotions.
Redeeming a DoorDash gift card is easy – simply follow these steps:
- Open the DoorDash app or go to DoorDash‘s website
- Navigate to your account settings and select "Payments"
- Tap "Add Credit/Debit Card"
- Instead of entering card info, select "Promo Code" at the bottom
- Enter your gift card PIN and tap "Apply"
Your gift card balance will then be added to your account and applied automatically to your next eligible order. If your order total exceeds your gift card value, you‘ll just need to select an additional payment method to cover the difference.
One important thing to note is that DoorDash gift cards do have expiration dates, typically one year from the date of purchase. Make sure to keep track of your gift card‘s expiration and use up the balance before it expires, or else you‘ll forfeit the remaining value.
Legitimate Ways to Earn Free DoorDash Gift Cards
Now for the part you‘ve been waiting for – how to get your hands on some free DoorDash gift card codes. While there‘s no magic hack to get an unlimited supply, there are a few tried-and-true methods to earn DoorDash credits without paying full price:
1. Referral Programs
One of the easiest ways to earn free DoorDash credit is by referring friends and family to sign up for the service. When you share your unique referral link and someone creates a new account with it, you‘ll typically earn $10-25 in DoorDash credit once they place their first order. Your friend will also usually get a discount on their first order, so it‘s a win-win. Just be careful not to spam your referral link or create fake accounts, as this violates DoorDash‘s terms of service.
2. Survey and Rewards Apps
Another option is to use rewards and survey apps to accumulate points that you can exchange for DoorDash gift cards. Some popular apps for this include:
Swagbucks: Earn SB points by completing surveys, watching videos, shopping online and more. Redeem your SB for free DoorDash gift cards starting at $25 for 2,500 SB.
MyPoints: Similar to Swagbucks, MyPoints rewards you with points for various online activities. You can cash out your points for DoorDash e-gift cards in denominations of $25, $50, or $100.
Survey Junkie: Share your opinions and feedback on Survey Junkie‘s market research surveys. Once you reach 500 points ($5), you can redeem your earnings for DoorDash credit or other gift card options.
These apps won‘t make you rich overnight, but they offer an easy way to turn your spare time into a few extra DoorDash orders. Just be prepared to grind for a while to build up enough points for a gift card.
3. Credit Card Rewards
If you‘re a savvy credit card user, you may be able to turn your credit card points or cash back into DoorDash credit. Some cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, even offer special promotions with DoorDash – for example, the Reserve card recently offered a free DashPass membership and $60 in annual DoorDash credits for 2020 and 2021.
Other cash back cards let you redeem your rewards directly for DoorDash gift cards. Here are a few examples:
| Credit Card | DoorDash Gift Card Redemption |
|---|---|
| Discover it | $25 gift card for 2,500 points |
| Chase Freedom | $25 gift card for 2,500 points |
| Capital One Quicksilver | $25 gift card for 2,500 miles |
If you have an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points, you can redeem your points for DoorDash purchases at a rate of 1 cent per point. So 2,500 AmEx points would cover a $25 DoorDash order.
4. Promotional Gift Card Deals
A final way to save on DoorDash gift cards is to keep an eye out for promotional discounts or bonus offers. As mentioned earlier, some grocery stores or retail chains will offer money off or bonus rewards points when you purchase DoorDash gift cards.
You can also sometimes find DoorDash gift cards sold below face value on resale sites like Raise or Gift Card Granny. Just be cautious and check the seller‘s reviews and refund policies before purchasing, as there is a slight risk of receiving an already-redeemed or invalid code.
DoorDash itself will also occasionally offer promotions for discounted or bonus gift cards, especially around the holidays. For example, in December 2021 they offered a $30 bonus gift card for every $100 gift card purchased. Following DoorDash‘s email list and social media accounts is a good way to stay in the loop on any limited-time gift card deals.
Tips for Maximizing Your DoorDash Gift Card Value
Once you‘ve acquired a DoorDash gift card (or preferably several), here are a few pro tips to squeeze the most value out of your credits:
Stack with other promotions: Combine your gift card with DoorDash‘s frequent coupon codes and new user promos to score an even lower price. You can often find codes for free delivery, $5-10 off your order, or a percentage discount.
Order pick-up when possible: DoorDash waives most service fees on pick-up orders, so you‘ll get more food for your gift card balance than if you paid extra fees for delivery. Of course, this only makes sense if you live or work close to the restaurant.
Be mindful of menu prices: DoorDash adds a commission to most restaurant menu prices, so you‘ll often pay more per item than you would if you ordered directly from the restaurant. To make your gift card balance last longer, compare the prices on DoorDash vs. the restaurant‘s own website or app.
Split large orders with a group: If you have a high-value DoorDash gift card, consider using it to cover a large order for a group or event. Splitting the cost with multiple people makes the per-person price more manageable while still enjoying the convenience of delivery.
Don‘t let your balance expire: As mentioned before, DoorDash gift cards do have expiration dates. Keep track of when your cards expire and aim to use up the balance well before the deadline. If you‘re worried about forgetting, set a calendar reminder or make a note in your budgeting spreadsheet.
Is Hunting for Free DoorDash Gift Cards Really Worth It?
After breaking down all the methods to earn free DoorDash gift cards, you might be wondering if jumping through all those hoops is truly worth the effort. In my opinion, it depends on your personal situation and how much you value your time.
If you‘re a college student or someone with a tight budget, spending a few hours each month completing surveys or racking up credit card rewards could be a worthwhile way to treat yourself to a "free" DoorDash meal here and there. The savings can definitely add up over time, especially if you‘re a frequent DoorDash user.
However, if you have a higher income and limited free time, it may not be the most efficient use of your energy to chase after gift card codes. In that case, you‘re probably better off just looking for other ways to save on your DoorDash orders, like ordering pick-up instead of delivery or taking advantage of promotional discounts.
Survey results from a Twitter poll with 1,000 respondents, July 2023
Ultimately, the most lucrative way to get "free" DoorDash credit is usually through sign-up bonuses, referrals, or loyalty rewards programs. If you have a large social network to tap into for referrals, you could potentially rack up hundreds of dollars in DoorDash credit without too much effort. And if you frequently use credit cards that offer bonus points on food delivery services, those rewards can quickly translate into free DoorDash orders.
My suggestion? Mix and match a few different tactics to earn free DoorDash gift cards, but don‘t let the pursuit consume your life. Scoring the occasional comped meal is fun, but remember that your time is valuable too.
Final Thoughts
As food delivery apps like DoorDash continue to explode in popularity, savvy consumers are finding more and more creative ways to save on the cost of convenience. Free DoorDash gift cards are one tool to keep in your money-saving toolkit, whether you earn them through a survey app, a credit card reward, or a promotional offer.
But as with any online deal, it‘s important to exercise caution and avoid scams. Be wary of any website or social media account that promises "free DoorDash codes" in exchange for sensitive information like your login credentials or credit card number. Stick to reputable sources and be patient – slow and steady savings will pay off over time.
Hopefully this guide has given you a solid foundation on how DoorDash gift cards work and some practical strategies to start earning free delivery credit. Armed with this knowledge, you‘ll be well on your way to enjoying your favorite restaurant meals without breaking the bank.
Do you have any other tips or success stories with free DoorDash gift cards? Share them with the community in the comments below! Together we can crack the code on smarter food delivery spending.
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