The receipt, line by line
Instacart totals include the items subtotal, delivery fee, service fee, bottle deposits and taxes when applicable, heavy item fees for bulky goods, and the tip. Discounts can appear in two places. First, automatic retailer sales and in app coupons reduce the items subtotal. Second, a promotional code may subtract an amount from the items or the delivery fee depending on the offer.
What you can usually influence
- Item prices, by choosing retailers with stronger weekly sales and by clipping in app coupons.
- Delivery fee, by selecting a standard window instead of priority when time allows.
- Service fee, by using a membership when break even math works for your pattern.
- Tip timing, set a fair tip and adjust after delivery based on service quality.
What is harder to change
- Bottle deposits and local taxes.
- Heavy item fees on bulky beverages or large packs.
- Regulatory surcharges where applicable.
Delivery fee, how it is set
The delivery fee reflects demand, distance, and speed. Priority windows usually carry a higher charge. Standard windows often drop the fee, and scheduled delivery can be even lower in some markets. Trials or member periods may waive this fee on eligible orders, but not always. If your cart shows a higher delivery fee than usual, try a later window and compare before you place the order.
If you live close to the store and have time, pickup can remove the delivery fee entirely. See the pickup notes in the FAQ below.
Service fee, what influences it
The service fee supports platform operations and can vary with location and basket characteristics. It is separate from the tip and from delivery fees. Memberships may reduce this fee on some orders, but not in every case. Item mix matters. Heavy or special handling items can affect the effective rate that you see. Always look at the cart summary, since that value is the final authority in your city.
Simple check to see if a membership helps
- Write down the service fee you see on three recent orders without any membership.
- Start a trial during a busy month and place two orders that match your normal pattern.
- Compare the average service fee and delivery fee lines across both periods.
- If the reduction covers the membership cost within a year based on your typical order count, keep it. If not, cancel before renewal.
Other fees, deposits, and taxes
Deposits and taxes pass through from local and state rules. A code usually does not change those lines. Heavy item fees show when your cart includes large beverage packs or bulky products. If you plan a big beverage run, compare warehouse stores and consider pickup to keep overall costs in line.
Membership math, when Plus makes sense
Assume a yearly cost of $99. If a typical order avoids an $8 delivery fee and trims $1 from the service fee, that is $9 in savings per order. You would need around 12 orders per year to break even. If your market shows a lower baseline delivery fee, the break even count rises. If you place larger orders twice per month, the membership may pay for itself by midyear. The only way to know for sure is to compare several orders side by side.
Do not keep a membership that does not reach break even for your pattern. You can rely on retailer sales, coupons, and slower delivery windows instead.
Five choices that lower your total
- Compare two retailers on five staples you buy often. Pick the lower base and build your cart there.
- Clip in app coupons first so automatic discounts lock in before you try any code.
- Choose a standard window rather than priority when the schedule allows.
- Check excluded items that can break discounts, then swap for eligible alternatives.
- Run membership math during a trial month, then keep it only if the numbers work in your city.
Comparison table, real world scenarios
| Scenario |
Items |
Delivery |
Service |
Auto discounts |
Code |
Total before tip |
| Priority delivery, no discounts |
$82.00 |
$10.99 |
$5.10 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$98.09 |
| Standard window, retailer coupons |
$74.00 |
$7.99 |
$4.40 |
$-8.00 |
$0.00 |
$78.39 |
| Standard window, coupons, 10 percent code |
$74.00 |
$7.99 |
$4.40 |
$-8.00 |
$-7.40 |
$70.99 |
| Pickup, coupons only |
$74.00 |
$0.00 |
$3.60 |
$-8.00 |
$0.00 |
$69.60 |
| Plus trial, standard window, coupons, 10 percent code |
$74.00 |
$0.00 |
$3.20 |
$-8.00 |
$-7.40 |
$61.80 |
The numbers above are examples for teaching, not promises. Markets and policies vary. Always trust the amounts shown in your cart.
FAQs
Do delivery fees always change with time of day?
Not always. Demand patterns and local conditions can move fees up or down. Test a later window before you check out. If the fee does not drop and you live close to the store, try pickup for that order.
Why did my service fee look higher this week?
Basket mix and local factors can change the effective rate. Heavier items and special handling can shift the amount. Compare a few orders with similar items for a fair view, then decide whether a membership helps in your city.
Does a promo code change taxes or bottle deposits?
Usually no. Those lines follow local rules and pass through as is. Focus your effort on item prices, coupon clipping, and delivery window selection. That is where you can move the total in a meaningful way.
Is pickup always cheaper than delivery?
Pickup removes the delivery fee and may lower the service fee in some markets, but it is not always cheaper if the retailer prices are higher. Compare base prices and coupons first. If a nearby store has strong sales, pickup can win by a clear margin.
Official sources
Facts reflect typical patterns in 2025. City rules and retailer policies vary. Always confirm the final total in your own cart.